Allan Higgins

30.11.39 – 2.04.25

After a short illness Allan died peacefully in East Lancashire Hospice on 2^nd April aged 85 years. Prior to that he had been cared for at home by his daughter and son, Julie & Andrew. He will be missed by many, and known as a true gentleman.

Allan was born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire on the 30^th November 1939, to Horace & Dorothy, their only child, and raised in Woodville. He studied at Ashby Grammar School and worked and trained as a rubber technologist for British Rubber Company. This took him to East Yorkshire where he met his wife Marjorie, playing hockey. Shortly after their wedding they moved to South Wales with work – where their two children Julie and Andrew Higgins were both born, before moving to East Yorkshire and then Lancashire where he has lived since 1982. Allan and Marjorie welcomed daughter and son-in laws Melanie Ireland and Andy Fullalove to the family and subsequently loved spending time with their 3 grandchildren – Jacob & Lucian Fullalove and Olivia Higgins. They were proud of all their achievements and avid supporters at various music and sporting events. Sadly Marjorie died after a long illness in 2020, and Allan took amazing care of her during this time.

Allan has been an active member, player and umpire in lawn bowls – competing  at  County and National Championship level, and umpiring at World Bowls in Worthing in 1992. He was the Competition Manager for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002, taking it from a brown field site to a new club house and greens suitable to host, leaving a lasting legacy.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to bowls he was awarded 4 Honorary Life Memberships over the years: Bolton BC, Bowls Lancashire, English Bowls Umpires and Bowls England.

He loved watching all sports – and supported Derby County, who he last saw against Accrington Stanley. He was a regular at Enfield CC and also Grange Bowling Club after his own playing days were over. He was also a keen gardener and grew his own vegetables up until last summer, making pickles and his legendary marmalade.

Family flowers only donations are being received in Allan’s memory on behalf of  East Lancashire Hospice – who took care of both Allan and Marjorie in their last days. To make a donation please click the ‘Make a Donation’ button.