Arthur Uren, Cornish Pirates rugby team steward in Cornwall

Just before Christmas, after a 70-plus year involvement with the Cornish Pirates, Arthur, 85, who for several years had been a match day steward, felt it was time to hang up his jacket.

Arthur Uren has been a dedicated supporter of the pirates for many years (Image: Phil Westren)As one of the most experienced and able stewards, Arthur was always thoroughly reliable, personable and someone who never shirked away from problems that can occasionally arise on match days.

Born on November 17, 1938, Arthur lived in St. Mary's Street, Penzance and attended St. John's Infants and St. Paul's CP School. He then went to Lescudjack Secondary where he enjoyed participating in rugby, football, and athletics.  

The Pirates 1961-62 – Johnny Thomas is the captain and Arthur is pictured second left at the front between John Gendall and Godfrey Paul (Image: Supplied)Rugby was very much in Arthur's blood, as his father Irving played for Penzance in the 1920s/30s and was capped eight times for Cornwall, and an uncle, Jack Harwood, who worked for many years as a butcher with Jack Nicholas on the corner of Tolver Road, also played for the town.

Having shown a good level of ability to play the game whilst at Lescudjack School, in 1952 Arthur was taken to the Mennaye Field by later Pirates captain Jimmy Jenkin and Raymond Evans. Along with fellow prodigies Roger Allen and Ian Cullen, they were introduced to Colts rugby and played for our Mounts Bay Colts team.

A wing forward, Arthur briefly dallied playing at hooker before quickly reverting to the flank, where he was honoured to play both for Cornwall Schools and later Cornwall Colts.

Arthur as a member of our Mounts Bay Colts team in 1953-54 – he is standing second left in the back row in a side captained by Brian Harvey (Image: Supplied)During the late 1950s and early 1960s Arthur played over 100 games for the senior teams, but after injuring a knee playing against Rosslyn Park he was eventually forced to hang up his boots, after playing his last game away against Redruth Reserves.

His older brother Irving also played several games for Mounts Bay Colts and the Pirates.

In his working life, Arthur started with Venn Brothers before moving to London to work for the McVitie's biscuit firm.

On his return home to Penzance, he worked for SWEB and then for the town council, including several years working with John Stirling at the Penzance outdoor bathing pool, which was perhaps surprising, as swimming was one thing he avoided as a youngster. His final job until his retirement was with South West Water.

Arthur's son Mark was a centre who played for the Pirates youth teams to the senior level, and his wife Mavis has also been a volunteer in the past, selling 50/50 draw tickets plus upgrades to the stand. They also have one daughter, named Lisa.

The Cornish Pirates have thanked Arthur for his support throughout the years. A spokesperson said: “Arthur so ably performed the role of steward at the Mennaye Field, then Kenwyn, then Camborne, and back to the Mennaye once again, and he will inevitably be missed.

“For his 70 years of support for the Pirates, including playing and stewarding, a sincere thank-you.

“Good on yer Arthur!