Warm tributes paid to Eric Jarman following his death aged 93
By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
THEY called Eric Jarman ‘Mr Cricket’ in Tavistock and he has died at the grand old age of 93.
Jarman enjoyed a near-70-year association with the town’s cricket club as a player, captain, administrator, president and supporter.
His remembrance service, which will place on Tuesday at St Eustachius Church in the town centre on Tuesday at 2pm will be a celebration of a live lived to the full on and off the cricket field.
Jack Davey, who played for Tavistock CC either side of a professional career with Gloucestershire between 1964-78, said Jarman’s contribution to the club could not be underestimated.
“For cricket clubs to survive they need people like Eric Jarman, who don’t just play but put something back, in his case for years,” said Davey.
“Eric was a good club cricketer who did a lot of work for the club long after he stopped playing.
“Enid, his wife, made the teas and sons Robert and Andrew both followed him into the first team.
“Clubs don’t function without people like Eric Jarman… or his family.”
Barry Chappell, who played cricket with Jarman, said: “As an opening bat he was quick between the wickets and as a captain he was first rate.
“He did so much to keep club cricket going in Tavistock; no wonder he was known in the town as ‘Mr Cricket’.”
John McGahey, who was a young cricketer when Jarman captained Tavistock 2ndXI in the early 1980s, said: “What I remember about Eric was he was always encouraging young players.
“Eric had years of experience from playing in the first team for 25-odd years and youngsters like myself benefited from being around him.
“Until very recently you would find Eric up at the Ring either supporting one of the teams or helping on the ground. He did a lot for the club and will be missed.”
Eric William Jarman was born in Lammerton in November 1928 and was educated at the local primary school then Tavistock Grammar School.
He played cricket for Lammerton and football for Tavistock AFC, although his soccer career was cut short by injury.
“Dad collided with the opposition goalkeeper in a game and suffered a serious kidney injury,” said son Andrew, who went on to become Tavistock CC chairman when his own playing days ended.
“It was probably the prompt attention from a medic on the touchline that saved dad’s live.”
Eric Jarman joined the Royal Navy in 1947 and served as a stoker for five years. Among the ships he served on was HMS Ocean, a light aircraft carrier that saw service in the Korean War.
Naval service was followed by a 35-year career at a telephone engineer with the Post Office and latterly British Telecom. Jarman took early retirement in 1987 at the age of 59.
Jarman joined Tavistock CC from village side Lammerton in 1953. Brother Ken had made the same switch two years earlier.
Jarman had three stints as Tavistock captain: 1960-61, 1965-67 and 1979. After that he had a gig as 2ndXI captain. Spells as fixture secretary, club secretary and finally president followed.
His last game for the club was in 2009, when, coming up for his 80thbirthday, he made a one-off appearance for the 2ndXI.
“It was a Sunday game against Tideford, we were one short when we got to Tideford for the match and dad said he would play,” said son Andrew. “That was definitely his last game.”
Eric and Enid met at a dance in 1949 and were married for 71 years. In recent years both suffered health issues and had to live apart in different care homes.
Eric Jarman is survived by his wife, sons Andrew and Robert, five grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
