A BOWLING club is to mark the passing of one of its longest-playing members with a special bowls memorial day.

Retired rail passenger guard Sydney Powell, 79, joined Rodbourne Cheney Bowling Club in 1967 and was involved in all aspects of the club's activities until his death last month.

Club president Ken Rice said: "I have never known a more kindly, good-humoured, peaceable and helpful man. We will miss him so much."

Mr Rice paid tribute to Sydney alongside a display of 42 of his trophies and a collection of photographs tracing his life from a young airman in the Second World War. Sydney, who never married, moved to Swindon in 1951 and worked in the town for 40 years as a passenger guard.

At Rodbourne Cheney Bowling Club he served as team captain and greenkeeper. He wrote poems about the game and was known for his good humour as a bingo caller.

His funeral service at Kingsdown Crematorium last Friday was packed and the crowd overflowed outside.

Those attending included members of bowls clubs across the area, friends from 125 House in Gloucester Street, where Sydney lunched daily, and several lifelong friends. His elderly relatives were unable to travel from Norfolk for the service.

A memorial day of bowls is to be held and a trophy awarded in Sydney's honour at Rodbourne Cheney on Saturday September 6. All bowlers are welcome and proceeds from the £3.50 entry fee and other donations will go to the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.