R.I.P. Nigel Juniper 13th October 1940 – 24th August 2024 (Obituary updated 30/08/24)

Nigel was born in Victoria Street Braintree and only lived a few miles away in Panfield when he was taken into hospital where he sadly died. He had recently spent time with his daughter and family in North Walsham and returned home early this year.

Nigel had quite a few jobs throughout his life, sadly not all known to us, but he had worked as a coalman in his earlier years and had a window cleaning business until he unfortunately had a fall, which was to cause of many of his health problems later in his life. He worked for Courtauld at Bocking, and later in the early nineties became involved with the bowls club.

He became a playing member of the ‘Sputniks Bowls Club’, a charity team helping to raise money for local charities and whilst with the Sputniks he became their president remaining a staunch supporter when he was no longer able to play. Nigel also played for the NWE Men’s league; he also became their president during his playing years with them and accompanied them on many of their annual indoor bowls tours in the autumn, even when he could no longer play.

But for us at Bocking Alliance Bowls Club he will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to both the Bowls Club and the sports club as a whole, of which he was president for many years, stepping down only when due to ill health and the need for dialysis he felt he could no longer give sufficient time to the club. He instigated many improvements to the club during his chairmanship and was awarded honorary President 2021. He also received an award for his contribution to bowls from Essex County Bowls Association. Nigel was able to attend two of the Juniper Days held in his name at Bocking, an annual competition between the three clubs that he had become president of, the winners to hold the Juniper Shield until the following year.

Affectionately known as ‘Grumpy’ Nigel will be forever missed.