David "Bluey'' Bairstow's spirit was in the weather which enveloped Ripon Cathedral during a moving service to celebrate his life.

The strong wind howled its way into the cathedral, demanding attention, but would then ease off for a while as shafts of sunlight burst through the windows.

It was as changeful and dramatic as David himself had been and the similarity was not lost on the congregation.

His Honour Judge Brian Walsh QC, a former Yorkshire chairman, remarked on it during his tribute which opened the service for the Bradford-born former Yorkshire and England wicketkeeper, who died so tragically in January.

The day of the funeral at Aldborough last month had been bleak and wet and it had been a day for the shedding of tears, he said.

"But today it is bright and blustery; it is David Bairstow weather - and his wife Janet has promised it will not be one of sadness but one of celebration."

And so it was. Janet, her and David's two children Jonathan and Rebecca, and David's son Andrew, all responded warmly to the tributes, sincere and well spoken, which were paid to the most successful wicketkeeper-batsman in Yorkshire's proud and long history.

Judge Walsh went on to say that David was a man who called a spade a spade - at least he did when on his best behaviour.

There were no shades of grey about him, either in the way he spoke or played. He spoke his mind and said what he thought and sometimes he spoke his mind before he had time to think about it.

David's former team-mate and friend from childhood, Phil Carrick, said that when David played cricket he oozed pints of adrenaline and had an unbelievable will to win.

He was not a great wicketkeeper or a great batsman, but put the two together and add passion, enthusiasm and a never-say-die approach and you had one hell of a cricketer in the team, a cricketer who would be in most people's fantasy side.

Sir Tim Rice attended the service as a representative of the Lord's Taverners who he said were terrifically grateful for all that David had done for them and for always having been willing to turn out for their team.

"He would go anywhere to play for us and was a highly entertaining sportsman both on and off the field and we will miss him a lot," said Sir Tim.

The final tribute came from a close friend, Ted Atkinson.

"Whatever 'Bluey' did, he did wholeheartedly," said Ted, who added that Janet wanted everyone to know all the cards and good wishes she had received had been a great source of comfort.

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