In Memoriam

It is with much sadness that we belatedly report the death of a great Chiang Mai Sixes contributor and long time supporter Brian Neve, on Oct 4th, aged 72. Brian had been in rather poor health, which had caused him (& wife Hilary) to miss the 2005 Sixes. Although he had recently seemed to be on the mend, Hilary reports that his tired heart gave out after an exploratory op’ in hospital.

When they first met back in the early ’50’s it was Hilary who introduced Brian to cricket. And, together with his family, cricket became a life-long passion for him. He became official scorer for several teams in his home area in north western England around Stockport, and was much in demand for his accuracy , reliability and enthusiasm. That connection first brought Brian and Hilary to Chiang Mai with Bob Cooke’s Drifters in the early 90’s . Brian’s son Gordon also played once in Chiang Mai with the Drifters. Dear old Brian, ran the scoreboard at the Sixes over many years, oft times baking in the heat when there was insufficient shade over the board and manipulating scoreboards of varying quality that we’ve tried at different times, always with a gentlemanly, uncomplaining, reliability. Occasional service of a small Heineken was all it took to see Brian through another long hot afternoon on the scoreboard ‘tins’…

For their support and regular contributions to the Sixes, both Brian and Hilary Neve were awarded Life Membership of Chiang Mai Sixes in 2005 .

A kind and gentle fellow was Brian Neve. On behalf of all ’Sixes participants who knew Brian we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to Hilary – who Sixes regulars will also know well for her work as match steward and for her sponsored swims in aid of junior cricket – and to sons Ian and Gordon and their wives. 

Also see the family's Tribute to Brian Neve.