Further tributes to the late Arthur Lamb, whose funeral took place today

I have previously posted an obit piece in memory of Arthur Lamb, who died on 21st January at the age of 31 years. His funeral took place today in Distington parish church, and I have just arrived home after attending the very well attended and moving commemoration of his life.

This is the moving tribute to him which was posted on Facebook shortly after his death by our mutual friend and colleague, Dr Stephen Haraldsen.

"Ten years ago, in the run up to the 2013 elections to Cumbria County council I was the chairman of Copeland Conservative Association. Back then we weren’t the winners we went on to be, and it wasn’t easy to get candidates. I was getting close to the deadline and I needed one last person to stand.

I went to see a lady, Sheila Edwards, who had been a stalwart of the party for decades. Sheila had an idea. She pulls out the Chester University Conservatives newsletter; Odd thing to find in Whitehaven.

Blanche Lamb, Arthur’s grandmother and close friend of Sheila’s, was clearly very proud of her grandson being an active member of the Conservative party and had shared this with Sheila. “I’m sure he won’t mind” says Sheila.  I suggest dropping him a message, but no, Sheila is already on the phone to Arthur’s parents. Twenty seconds later it’s arranged, and I’m off to meet this young man for the first time.

Arthur was only too happy to help and ever since the two of us have always been up to, or up for, the boring back room work that goes on behind the politics. That was Arthur, never afraid to put the work in.

Arthur went on to succeed me as chairman of Copeland Conservative association, and be my election agent in the 2015 general election. We spent a lot of time together, and were a great team (which is mostly down to Arthur’s skill than mine). Genna and I welcomed Evelyn into the world that year, and I thought I’d see a lot less of Arthur.

Fate had other ideas. In 2017, much to his surprise, Arthur was elected to the county council at the same time as me. I was delighted we would be able to spend time together.  He was an excellent councillor for Cleator Moor East and Frizington, and to the surprise of many, a fantastic speaker in full council. I’ll miss sitting on the back row of group meetings (or texting during the virtual ones) conferring and plotting of the latest question, working out how we would respond to things. 

We didn’t even seem to disagree when it came to politics. Arthur was sharp, clever, sensible and realistic - you couldn’t ask for more.

In 2022, when once again I needed someone to help, we got the band back together with Arthur as my deputy chairman, like 2014, but this time for the Cumbria area. We were doing all the boring back room stuff again, and enjoying it. Only on Thursday night did we have a meeting, and Arthur is still at the top of my messages list, sending me reminders and (sometimes sharp) opinions on what was being said.

I will cherish the memories, from bombing around Copeland electioneering in the bright orange mini (which made him cringe, but loved the power) to then all those times talking through the issues and problems we had to solve. 

In 2019 Genna and I asked Arthur to be godfather to our son John. He was honoured and he was an excellent godfather, most recently coming to see the children on Christmas Eve. Always asking about both of our children, or pestering me to let him know what they might like for Christmas or birthdays. 

Our world was made a batter place for having had Arthur in it, and none of this has mentioned his deep involvement in cricket in the county. We needed Arthur, and more like him.

On Saturday, at the age of 31, Arthur passed away in his sleep.

Our thoughts, prayers and support must be first and foremost to Christopher and Barbara, Arthur’s wonderful parents. Their loss is incalculable.

I miss my friend."

I also wanted to share the following poem which was written and read out at the funeral by Arthur's friend Jason Spires, 

THE LEGEND OF LAMBO

"We didn't know quite where to begin,

The child-like giggle and the cheeky grin,

Good company, courteous, a man of tradition,

Knows every single fielding position.

No job ever goes neglected,

A leading umpire well respected,

Coaching the junior lads and lasses,

Looking cool in photochronic glasses.

Joining in the clubhouse banter,

From behind the bar with a lemon Fanta,

Maintaining patience with merry foolws

Who know not their 'Laws' from their 'Rules.'

Being kind to one and all,

Using his foot to stop the ball,

A canny tweaker hard to hit,

Batting average four and a bit.

A gentleman with a servant heart,

Yet he'll 'kill' you with a single dart,

Loose-fitting 'trackies' rather than shorts,

Surprisingly good at indoor sports.

Batting style remains a mystery,

Offloading books on the Club's long history,

Boundary fielding rather wooden-legged,

Yet lightning quick to not get 'kegged.'

Acting as Chair if we sometimes need,

Racing through the agenda at record speed,

Draws an audience when he bats,

Bedtime reading's 'Play Cricket' stats.

Couldn't meet a nicer fellow

Split him open: Blue and Yellow,

The only person county-wide

Who hears 'Duckworth Lewis' and doesn't hide.

Shouting and screaming are not his style,

Tricky decisions made with a smile,

The choice that troubled Arthur the most

Sunday nets or Sunday roast.

Always doing more than his bit

Armed and dangerous with razor-sharp wit,

An over-developed cricketing brain,

His twenty-two paces measure exactly one chain.

Anyone for 'one hand one bounce?'

'Attacking shot!' sure to announce,

Setting a quiz for the Sportsman's Do,

Using last year's still no one knew.

A man possessing many talents

Making the messiests scorecard balance,

Groundwork marking out the crease,

Quick can of pop and a moment's peace.

Arthur our friend, it's been a pleasure,

Fondest memories we have to treasure,

Rumour has it there's a club in heaven

Needing a damn good spinner who bats at eleven."

Rest in Peace, Arthur.