Late on Saturday 22 August 2009, Brain Fream passed away at Bristol Heart Institute having failed to recover from an operation he was undergoing.
Brian was a stalwart for the Stroud and District Skittle League, having served for 22-years, initially as Fixture Secretary, and latterly as Ladies Section Result Secretary and Vice-Chairman. A popular and pivotal part of the Stroud and District Skittle League, the following tribute was paid to Brian at his funeral on Thursday 3rd September 2009.
Donations in Memory of Brain to be made to the "Bristol Heart Institute"
Apart from football many of you will know Brian as League and Fixture Secretary to The Stroud and District Skittles League. His involvement with the Stroud Skittles League was testament to Brian’s sense of duty to a local organization and his association as an officer of the League has it roots as far back as June 1987 at the League’s Presentation Night held at Stroud Leisure Centre.
Brian was present with his Hilliers skittles team of which he was the secretary at the time when during the presentation the then chairman of the league Eric Harris gave an impassioned plea to those present for persons to come forward to fill 2 new posts of League and Fixture Secretary and General Secretary and Treasurer following the post of secretary and treasurer being vacated by Alec Hodges due to serious ill health. Eric Harris went on to say that if the posts could not be filled then the entire League would fold and with it its heritage that had been established since 1935.
It was fortunate for the League that Brian was present in the room that night and typical of the man he stepped forward and volunteered to take over the role of League and Fixture Secretary. At that time the league was approaching its peak of about 180 teams participating, Brian had no experience of what he was taking on everything was done by hand or on a typewriter and due to the serious illness of the previous secretary he had no real help to guide him, the post of League and Fixture Secretary was a very daunting challenge.
Brian very early on in his tenure got to grips with some of the problems that beset the League he quickly worked out how the fixtures were put together and from that he developed his list of alleys, what teams played on them and on what nights.
Brian quickly became known by everyone, not just connected to the Stroud Skittles League, but to the neighbouring leagues, Gloucester, Berkeley and Nailsworth and he worked with those Leagues to ensure there were no fixture clashes.
He was primarily responsible for putting the handbook together and its printing and in later years he successfully obtained advertising to support the cost of the printing.
Brian wasn't just the League and Fixture Secretary he was the key man, if you needed to know something about a team he was the person to ask.
Brian laid down the cornerstone for the database of players one of his ideas which raised more than one eyebrow in committee was to have a separate register of players for each team and record each players score for each game. With about 90 games a week plus cup games Brian and Julie at the League’s peak could be recording weekly 1,700 players’ scores by hand. This attention to detail helped Brian track players possibly playing for more than one team, highest scores, and highest away averages. This was on top of Brian having to detail the weekly results and prepare the League tables in time to be published in the press.
His enthusiasm and ideas contributed to rule changes which have done so much to reshape and modernize the League.
An example of Brian’s contribution to the league was back in February 1996 when the League was facing the crisis of the sudden closure of Stroud Valleys Social Club. With bailiffs about to step in Brian ensured all the equipment belonging to the League was rescued. He then proceeded to deal with the fall out of the loss of alleys for 20 skittle teams by using his trusted list of alleys and which pubs and clubs had vacancies and most importantly his knowledge of teams themselves and where they would travel and be willing to play. As a result all teams were re-homed to complete their season.
It is difficult to understand the enormity of the task, but it was monumental, and in a time of crisis he was just the person who would take on the challenge he did all this before the age of computers as it wasn’t until about September 1996 that the League bought its first computer and Brian’s task became a little easier.
Brian will almost certainly be remembered to everyone as the larger than life character we see at the End of Season Competitions, players waiting for him to arrive in order that proceedings could commence, he was known at times to indiscriminately bellow out team names, just as someone was about to bowl.
Who can forget Brian’s contribution at the Annual Presentation Evenings, his hosting of the awards, adding his own wit when a member of a team he knew came forward to collect their Cup? Once the presentations were over Brian would join the group and sing his favourite song, "The Wonder of You".
In 2007 Brian celebrated 20 years as an officer of the Stroud and District Skittle League and was presented with a framed Forest Green shirt, of which he was immensely proud, a just reward for a true servant to the league.
Regardless of whether he or his team had won an award Brian was always at the League Presentation Night whether it was held at Stroud Leisure Centre, Lister's Club, or Forest Green. However, in 2008 Brian missed the League Presentation as his operation took precedence. The evening was unusual, there was no song from Brian and the takings from the raffle were down, Brian did love a raffle as most people here today will know.
Brian was back at the helm in 2009, it was great to have him back in such fine form. Not to be outdone he again took charge of the raffle; there was no escaping Brian as he topped £300 for charity. Such was his willingness and enthusiasm he wouldn't let anyone go without buying a ticket and of course he was back in good voice singing again to add to the entertainment.
Even as recently as August 2009 Brian was more concerned with Skittle Pins and Balls which he had ordered for teams, than his own health and considering he was back in hospital one would have thought it would have been the last thing on his mind.
Brian was a gentle giant of a man who had the enthusiasm and willingness to help others, his contribution to the Stroud & District Skittle League, Forest Green Rovers and other local causes should never be forgotten. A true Gentleman and servant to us all.
It is the memories which each and every one of us has of Brian that really define our understanding of him and whilst we remain, our memories are what give Brian in the physical, not spiritual sense, everlasting life.
I am going to conclude with a poem which I have slightly adapted from a very well known book. It is a metaphor and it is saying how other’s need to step into the shoes of someone who has gone and for that reason I believe it is very apt today.
“The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began
Now far ahead the Road has gone
Let others follow it who can
Let them a journey new begin
But at last with weary feet
Brian has turned towards the lighted Inn
His evening rest and sleep to meet”
God bless you Brian