Lordswood Cricket Club is set to bid farewell to another founding member next week.

Club president Peter Edmonds passed away just weeks after his close friend, long-time neighbour and club vice president Colin Gardener’s death.

Mr Edmonds, who was nearing his 82nd birthday when he died, was among the group that first put a Lordswood cricket team together back in 1966.

Losing him so soon after Mr Gardener has been a massive blow to the club. His funeral takes place on Monday.

Chairman RIchard Cross said: “To say there is now a hole at the club is a massive understatement, it’s a cravass.

“He and Colin started the place and they’ve left together.

“They were the salt and pepper of the club, they were chalk and cheese, Peter was quiet and unassuming, a lovely man.”

He died less than three weeks after Mr Gardener’s funeral.

Mr Edmonds and his wife Eileen moved to Medway when the Lordswood housing estate was first being built, in the mid-60s. They’ve lived there ever since, just a stroll away from Lordswood cricket club, which became his second home.

“Peter was instrumental in the creation, development and rise of Lordswood Cricket Club,” said a club statement.

“One of cricket’s unsung heroes and ridiculously modest, Peter was there when the first spade dug into what is now Martin Grove.

“The magnificent facilities at Martin Grove are a living memorial to Peter and his presence on them will be sorely missed.”

Mrs Edmonds, his wife for close to 58 years, said: “That huge sports centre stems from the chaps that started the cricket club and the football club, before joining together.

“He was always busy, right up to the last minute. I think losing Colin was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

The cricket-loving pair, Peter and CG as he was known, lived next door but one when they moved to Lordswood and became close friends.

Their sons were born weeks apart and grew up together.

Mr Edmonds defied the odds by surviving pancreatic cancer for 10 years.

“He was 71 when diagnosed and it’s amazing that he managed to then enjoy a good 10 years, we did a lot and he was fantastic,” said his wife.

Mr Edmonds died last Monday after a rapid onset of leukemia.

While he helped set up Lordswood Cricket Club, Mr Edmonds was also a shrewd businessman, helping grow Bates Office Services from a three-man company to one with several branches, employing a workforce of 150.

His daughter Jacki and son Michael, along with Spencer Osborne, now run the business.

Mr Edmonds’ involvement at Lordswood Cricket Club will forever be remembered and and through his daughter Jacki - who is also the club treasurer - the family have lasting links. Her son Edward Taylor is one of the leading lights coming through the successful junior section.

The funeral will be held on Monday, March 26, 3pm, at the Medway Crematorium with the wake at the Lordswood Sports & Social Club. Family flowers only, with donations to Cancer Research UK.

On Saturday, Lordswood are holding a Cricketforce Day, to help prepare the club for the forthcoming season. Among the tasks is to build a Memorial Garden, to remember those they have lost, including Mr Gardener and Mr Edmonds, the two amigos.