TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Glamorgan cricket's most loyal servants, who has died aged 83.

Gwynfor Craven served as club chairman between 1984 and 1987 and later as its president.

Paul Russell, chairman of Glamorgan Cricket said: "Few, if any, have made a contribution to the club that equals that of Gwyn Craven.

"Despite a highly successful business career, he was a tireless worker for the club he loved so dearly.

"Those of us who knew Gwyn can count ourselves fortunate.

"We are all the poorer for his passing.

"The thoughts of all at Glamorgan Cricket are with them at this sad and difficult time."

Mr Craven was born in 1926 in Morriston and attended Dynevor School.

As well as excelling in class, the young Mr Craven, known to friends and family as Gwyn, also showed prowess on the sporting field and later became an adept batsman for Morriston and Swansea cricket teams.

Following a brief stint during World War II with the Welsh Guards, he then went on to work in the banking sector.

He married wife Joan in 1953 in Llanelli, and three years later they had their first child Robert.

The couple had a second son, David, in 1956.

Mr Craven's hard work with Barclays was soon noticed by his superiors, who made him the local director for the South West Wales area.

And during the 1970s, the keen cricketer spent six months in Barbados overseeing Barclay's operations on the Caribbean isle.

That was later followed by a brief stint as a local magistrate in Swansea, which came to an end when he was given a promotion and subsequently moved to Nottingham.

However, the Welsh speaker returned to his homeland before the end of the decade, with a seconded role at The National Trust.

It was during this period, that the well-connected Mr Craven first began his involvement with Glamorgan Cricket Club, first joining as a committee member.

And in 1984, he began his three-year chairmanship of the club.

In his last year as chair, the proud father-of-two welcomed Prince Charles and Princess Diana to the Sophia Gardens ground, Cardiff, for a special match between Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, which was part of the club's centenary year celebrations.

As well as his role with Glamorgan, Mr Craven also sat on the prestigious cricket body the MCC's disciplinary panel.

Following his retirement 23 years ago, Mr Craven became a key member of the West Wales Chamber of Commerce, as well as treasurer for the Swansea Festival of Music and Arts.

Mr Craven, of Newton, died at Morriston Hospital on Thursday, March 11.

His eldest son Robert, aged 54, said his father had suffered with kidney failure in his later years.

"He was a great family man and my family have fond memories watching cricket together," he added. "He was a quiet but determined sort of character."

Mr Craven is survived by his wife Joan and his two sons, Robert and David, as well as two granddaughters.

His funeral will be held at Swansea Crematorium, near Llangyfelach, this Friday at 11am.

ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk