It is with great sadness that the NCSMBA learned of the passing of Norfolk Over 60’s captain Geoff Payne of Saxlingham Nethergate SMBC at the age of 94. Geoff passed away peacefully in his sleep at Saxlingham Hall Nursing Home after a short illness but his humour and personality shone through to the very end. Geoff, a former captain of Saxlingham Nethergate SMBC, was one of the original members of Norfolk Over 60’s when it was formed in 1999. With his late wife Alice he took part in all the Norfolk Over 60’s activities and matches visiting Malta, Cyprus, Ireland, the Isle of Skye and Turkey etc as well as all their trips to play teams in various English counties. Geoff was quite simply a phenomenon giving the impression that he could go on for ever. Last year he captained Norfolk Over 60’s to success against Arthur Jackson’s Select at Easingwold and on the next day was a member of the winning triple on the Mixed Triples day. Earlier this month he took part in the Potter’s East Coast Triples & Pairs Week at Hopton-on-Sea where he was asked to play with David Brown and Keith Hughes of North Yorkshire’s Easingwold club who thought the world of Geoff. His playing partners presented Geoff with an Easingwold team shirt prior to the competition’s start which he proudly wore in the event. Words alone cannot sum up Geoff and what he meant to so many people in the short mat bowls world – we will not see his like again. The NCSMBA would like to extend their great sympathy to Geoff’s sons Ian and Colin and to all the family.
As a close personal friend of Teresa and myself the loss of Geoff is one that we feel deeply. We last visited Geoff at Saxlingham Hall Nursing Home on Friday afternoon and he was of course his usual humourous and entertaining self and prepared for what he knew would come. He has been a constant support to Teresa and myself throughout the years that Teresa has run the Norfolk Over 60’s where she awarded him Norfolk Over 60’s Life Membership. We have spent many happy hours at bowls, and outside of bowls, with Geoff and of course Alice when she was alive. Those memories will remain precious to us both. Life will not be the same without Geoff. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Selwyn Goldsmith
NCSMBA Chairman
Geoff Payne with his Norfolk Over 60's 20 Year medal
Geoff and Alice off on another Norfolk Over 60's Trip
Norfolk Over 60s captain Geoff Payne lifts the shield at Easingwold
Geoff at Potters East Coast Triples in May wearing Easingwold colours
Norfolk Over 60's Organiser Teresa presents Geoff with his 20 year medal
Captain Geoff Payne with his team in a very early photo of Norfolk Over 60s