Len’s funeral will be held at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, BA14 6HL.
Monday 15th May, 2.45pm. Following the service, Marg, Debs and Mike invite friends to join them to remember Len at Trowbridge Rugby Club.

Len Beel, 1945 - 2023

It was with great sadness today that we learned of the sad but peaceful passing of Len Beel, a true great of Combe Park. Some memories of Len ...

Born in Herefordshire in 1945, Len was a tremendous sportsman, playing professional football for Shrewsbury Town and Birmingham City in the top flight on English football in the early to mid 1960s.

Moving down to Bath City, Len then arrived at Lansdown in the late 1960s when he also made an appearance for Somerset against Warwickshire in a Sunday League at Edgbaston

At Combe Park he joined fast bowling forces with Hallam Moseley in the two years before Hallam departed on contract to Somerset. They formed a formidable combination in pre-league days and the team of 1970 was considered as strong as any in living memory.

Lens accuracy and ‘big heart’ gave Lansdown captains the freedom to go all out for victory in the knowledge that he could be recalled to bowl the closing overs of an innings to dry up the scoring rate.

Len captained Lansdown’s First XI in 1978 coming in 5th place in the League and again in 1979 this time in 6th place. He was a member of the League winning team of 1980.

It was a measure of the man that he agreed to captain the remarkably successful Lansdown 2nd XI in 1981 and 1982 to consecutive League table victories with a devotion to helping and mentoring young players.

A lesser-known fact about Len was that he turned out to play a few games of rugby for Bath United as a second and back row forward. His goalkeeping skills meant that his line-out and high ball catching was outstanding and he was a frightening sight in a scrum cap!

Len Beel was a committed servant of Lansdown Cricket Club. A huge character and a man that always had the best interests of Lansdown at heart. He is unquestionably amongst the pantheon of the best of ‘Lansdown men’.

Our thoughts and sympathies go to Margaret, Mike, Debbie and family and all who remember Len. Funeral details will be shared in due course.

*with thanks to David Dolman for contribution to this obituary

**Pictured is Len in 1968 receiving the 1968 cup for most First XI wickets in the year from Hampshire and England player Derek Shackleton. 104 wickets taken in the season.