Half Crown Petanque Club

Anne Emberton
Sadly, Anne Emberton passed away at 05.30 on 1st February 2010. Anne was a founder member of the Half Crown Petanque Club, and was Treasurer throughout the club's existence, and had been re-elected at the AGM on 23rd January. She played regularly for Half Crown and Regional teams until a car accident in 2005 created significant trauma and curtailed her playing. However, she continued supporting the club and will be well remembered for the excellent BBQs she cooked and her kind, friendly and considerate nature. She passed away following a very short illness, that took everyone by surprise. She will be sorely missed.
She was given a wonderful send-off at her funeral on 9th February. There was a tremendous turn out at the church, with standing room only, including many villagers who came to the church to pay their respect to Anne's memory. The Reverend Bob Clucas conducted an excellent, very emotional service.
All of Anne's close family were there, travelling from as far away as Cyprus, Devon, and Burnley as well as Birmingham and Redditch. All of her close friends were there, including some very old friends from her time living in Gloucester, plus ex-work colleagues from Rugby. Most of the members of The Half Crown Pétanque Club who knew her well and played with her were there, plus many former members, with a great turn out from other West Midlands clubs.
After the service and burial in Stockton Cemetery over 100 mourners went to The Crown Inn to celebrate her memory.

Cavin Woodward

All members of the Half Crown PC were stunned by the sad news of Cavin Woodward's fatal heart attack. We knew Cavin well from the work he did in developing Whitnash Windmill PC, his competitive spirit when playing in the Summer Leagues and other West Midlands competitions, but mainly through the way he and Carol always supported Half Crown events including our monthly Saturday Melees and other Open competitions.
Cavin and Carol joined the Half Crown as Social Members in 2008 and participated in our Twinning with Evreux winning the accolade of best performing English team in the 'International Pairs'. We will fondly remember Cavin for dressing up in the evenings with his very distinguished waistcoats. He will be sorely missed.

Sadly, Brian Turner passed away on 27th April after a long illness. He was a member of 'The Headbangers' triple who played as West Midlands 1 in the Inter-Regional Competition in the 90s, and will be remembered for his very cryptic sense of humour. Together with his wife, Natalie, he joined the Half Crown PC in 2002, and played regularly until the onset of his illness six years ago. He will be sorely missed.

The funeral was held on Friday 13th May at 12.45pm at Canley Crematorium, Coventry, when there was an excellent turn out from the petanque community, especially from Coventry and The Half Crown.

Sadly, Tom Powell passed away on the afternoon of June 1st 2011 after a short illness.

Tom, who was Rich and Caroline Powell's father, had been living in Cyprus together with his wife Elizabeth for 14 years. Prior to that they lived in Long Itchington and were both members of The Half Crown Petanque Club for 4 years.

They played petanque regularly in Cyprus from where Tom kept a close watch on the achievements of the Half Crown PC and was particularly proud when Rich played for England in 2008 and Caroline played in the Half Crown European Cup Squad in Denmark in 2010.

He will be sorely missed.