Michael Hardwick (56-63) was born on the 30 October 1944 to Mary and Tom and was one of two children, his sister Margaret being four years older.

Michael attended Pocklington School as a day boy from 1956 to 1963. Whilst at Pocklington, he developed a love of sport which continued to play a major role throughout his life. Michael particularly enjoyed playing rugby at school and he maintained an active lifestyle by becoming a member of various sports clubs. Additionally, he was a member of the school’s Army Cadet Corps.

His first choice for a career was to join the Police Force but unfortunately his application was not accepted. His sister suggested he pursue a career in librarianship, combining his love for books which he’d had since being a child with his professional ambitions. Taking her advice on board, Michael dedicated the next 44 years of his life to his career as a librarian. He studied in Liverpool obtaining a degree in Librarianship in 1966, and in the early 1970s studied at the Open University where he completed a degree in Humanities.  

It was whilst studying in Liverpool that he met his first wife Rosie, who was also studying Librarianship. After they both qualified, Michael returned to his family home in Hull and began working at the Hull and East Riding Library service. A lot of his work was for the schools’ library service. He was passionate about promoting reading in young children and went into schools to read stories to pupils with the aim of encouraging them to read.

Michael and Rosie married in September 1968, setting up a home in Cherry Burton in East Yorkshire where they raised their three children: Sarah, James, and Charlie. As a father, Michael was very supportive, going up and down the country to attend his children’s different sporting and musical events. Michael loved Whitby and would take the family for summer holidays to Sleights, a nearby village, where they stayed in a cottage. They also visited Rosie’s parents who lived near the Lake District.

After Michael’s marriage to Rosie came to an amicable end, they remained good friends. Michael later found love again with Lynne. They married, settling in Beverley, and had two children together, Tom and Eleanor Polly. Tom and Eleanor fondly remember their annual holidays to Crummock Water in the Lake District where Michael had a favourite bench in the cottage garden where he would sit for hours reading. They also enjoyed many walks and mountain climbs together.

Michael was actively involved with the Cherry Burton Tennis Club for 45 years, not just as a player but also serving on the committee and becoming chairman for 10 years.  He was eventually made an honorary life member and, in 2005, Michael received a Volunteer of the Year award from East Yorkshire Council for his services to tennis. Michael would also combine his love of books with his support of the tennis club by running a charity book stall each year at the village show with the proceeds being donated to the tennis club.

Cricket however was one of his main sporting passions. He was a member of Cherry Burton Cricket Club for many years and for a number of those years he was the Team Captain. He was also Chairman of the East Riding Cricket Society. He spent many happy days at Scarborough Cricket Ground following Yorkshire Cricket Club and would watch England play on the television, often commenting that he could play better than them!  

In more recent years he became a member of Leconfield Bowling Club where he described his playing as excellent or really bad, there was no in between!

Other interests outside of sport were watching Countdown and University Challenge and listening to BBC Radio 3 or 4. He also completed the Times Crossword every week and kept his mind very active. 

Following the ending of his marriage to Lynne, Michael reconnected with Jennifer whom he had known from childhood. They were companions for six years until she sadly passed away in January 2024.  

Michael was a man of deep friendships, and his life was enriched with many lifelong friends who he would meet regularly.  He wrote a diary every day with his thoughts and activities – a skill he learnt from his school days!

Michael’s life sadly came to an end whilst surrounded by his family on 30 August 2024 after a short illness. He leaves behind his sister, children and grandchildren but there is one thing that his family can take comfort from and that is the fact that he kept his character and good sense of humour right up until the very end.

(Tribute by Sarah Hardwick)