THE local sporting community is mourning the loss of Ray Windsor who passed away on 14th August at the age of 81.

Ray was born in Wellington on 9th February, 1943, and followed in his father Tom’s footsteps and made his First XI debut at the age of 13 year old. A right handed batter and occasional bowler he soon gained a reputation as a clean hitter of the ball.

His prominence on the local cricket scene was noticed and in 1969 he made his first appearance for Somerset Seconds against Cornwall at Falmouth.

In the return match at Taunton three weeks later he opened the innings and made 140 which included 18 fours and a partnership of 101 with a 19 year old Brian Rose, who scored 32.

Ray was picked to play for Somerset against Yorkshire in the John Player League at Taunton ,a game the hosts won easily and during which the debutant neither batted nor bowled.

Shortly after Ray made his championship debut against Sussex in Taunton where in a drawn game he was dismissed without scoring by Tony Greig in the first innings and not required to bat in the second.

Ray was offered a one year contract but declined it saying that there was greater security in him remaining with Avimo who were based in Taunton.

There were to be no further appearances for Somerset but he continued to play occasionally for the Seconds until 1978.

Ray moved to play for Taunton where one season he scored a double century as well as seven centuries and six half centuries.

After 25 years at Avimo Ray moved to Bridgwater where he became licensee of two public houses, the Beauford Arms , and then the First and Last which he renamed The Sportsman.

In 1982 aged 38 Ray was persuaded to turn out for Bridgwater CC and that first season helped them to win the Somerset Knock Out Cup, playing in the same side as his son Paul who later captained the club.

In addition to playing cricket Ray also played rugby for Wellington RFC.

His big hitting is fondly remembered by team mates one who recalled at Sidmouth he hit the ball onto the beach, where it hit a women on the arm. When someone went to retrieve it she said she’d thrown it into the sea!

Another recounted that Ray hit the first ball of the 1976 season in Taunton’s first ever match in the Somerset League against Winscombe out of the County Ground into the graveyard.

Ray’s funeral will be at St Mary's Church in Bridgwater on Friday 30th August at 11.30 am, and those attending are asked to wear brightly coloured clothes after which everyone will gather at Bridgwater Cricket Club to celebrate his life.