Thatcham cyclist who died is named

Tributes have poured in for Thatcham Cricket Club skipper, Robb Fraser, who died in a traffic accident on Tuesday (24)

THE Thatcham man who died on Tuesday after the bicycle he was riding was in collision with a lorry has been named as the town's cricket club captain, Robb Fraser.

Tributes have flooded in from Thatcham Town Cricket Club to Mr Fraser, of Henwick Lane, who died aged 40.

Mr Fraser had been cycling along the Bath Road, at the junction of Pound Lane when his bicycle was in collision with a Hanson lorry just before 8am.

He was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading by land ambulance, but later died.

Mr Fraser was the current Thatcham skipper for a club which he had been a member of since the age of about 14, and he worked for New Greenham Park-based Marcolin UK.

The chairman of the cricket club, Nick Cornish, said that Mr Fraser's many roles included selection, fundraising, player representation and committee membership.

He said that since joining the club at a young age, he had gone on to become an all-round team player with outstanding ability who played cricket at a very high level.

"Robb was a family man who involved his whole family within the club,” he said.

"Robb always had time for everyone especially the young members of the club.

"Tributes have been coming in from local cricket clubs which show how much respect Robb had within the community.

"We have lost a friend. Robb will leave a big space within the club"

He added that the club would find a fitting way to remember him.

The secretary of the cricket club, Ian Redmond, who had known Mr Fraser for about 15 years, said that a hole would be left in the club, not just in terms of playing but in regard to the other things Mr Fraser was involved with.

He said: "He made a massive contribution to the life of the club over the years.

"He was just a massive part of local cricket and he was a positive person.

"It's tragic now but come the cricket season it's going to come back again because he is not going to be around."

The vice chairman of the club, Nick Bishop, said that Mr Fraser was instrumental in integrating the club's overseas players to make them feel like part of the community while they were over here playing.

He said: "He had a huge amount of respect from opponents; there have been a large number of messages from clubs we play against."

Anyone who witnessed the collision on Tuesday, January 24, or has any other information is asked to contact Pc Samantha Allen from Three Mile Cross roads policing unit, on the police non-emergency number 101.