HOW poignant that on the day of the Local Heroes Awards 2016, a grand old Local Hero should pass away.

This year’s ceremony – honouring the stars of grass roots sport – took place on Thursday at Wynyard Hall, near Stockton.

Before the announcement of the overall winner, there was the traditional “Gone But Not Forgotten” section devoted to sporting figures who have passed away in the past year.

Little did we know, as this year’s roll of honour was displayed on the big screen, that Derek Reeves, a Local Hero winner in 2004, had died that very afternoon. He was 94.

Derek was the kind of man every grass roots sporting organisation needs: the glue that holds it all together; the volunteer who does every task imaginable for nothing other than a love of the game.

His links to tennis in Darlington go back to 1947 when the New West End Tennis Club was restarted after the war. Derek was secretary of the club from that year onwards.

There were two tennis clubs in Darlington at the time – New West End and Blackwell Lawn Tennis Club – and, when they amalgamated in 1989, Derek was instrumental in the development which is now New Blackwell Lawn Tennis Club.

He carried on as secretary until giving up the role about ten years ago and he succeeded Ken Dobinson as club president. But the presidency didn’t mean Derek gave up on the mundane tasks. Right up to a year ago, he was still going to the club three times a week to put the balls out for club sessions.

For his 80th birthday, club members bought him a new bike after his old one got pinched. He’d used it to hand-deliver club newsletters all over town. The new bike came with a mileometer and, within a year, he’d clocked up hundreds of miles on behalf of his beloved club.

It was a joy in 2004, to read out the citation that led to Derek being named the Unsung Hero for everything he’d done and was continuing to do for grass roots sport.

Away from tennis, Derek’s other great passion was trains. He’d worked as a British Rail engineer for 41 years and made good use of his free pass to travel up and down the railways.

He leaves a widow, Cora, a son, Alistair, and a daughter, Lesley, as well as three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He and Cora would have been married for 70 years in February.

Daughter-in-law, Gill Reeves, who is chairman of New Blackwell Lawn Tennis Club, said: “Derek epitomised everything that is good about grass roots sport. He had a passion for tennis which benefited club members for almost 70 years. His contribution was immense and he will be greatly missed.”

News of Derek’s death may have come just too late for this year’s Local Heroes but, trust me, his name will be up in lights at next year’s event. Derek Reeves: Gone But Not Forgotten.

AS always, it was a huge privilege to host the Local Heroes Awards this year and there’s not enough space to thank all those who made it so magical.

The event, in its 17th year, again produced some memorable moments, not least the announcement that 16-year-old Amy Tinkler was the overall Local Hero of 2016.

As a nine-year-old, Amy, from Bishop Auckland, won the Most Promising New Talent Award. Now, she’s the overall winner for bringing home a gymnastics bronze medal as the youngest member of Team GB in Rio.

How much more will she achieve in the years ahead? Amy, we’re proud of you.

The Northern Echo:

ALBERT Oldridge and Dave Lee may not be able to compete with Amy Tinkler for sporting glory but their story was among the highlights of the night.

Albert is 91 and Dave a spring chicken at 80. They were nominated in the Unsung Hero category as “the North-East’s oldest tea ladies” because, for more years than they care to remember, they’ve made the tea at Haughton Cricket Club’s second team matches in Darlington.

They retired from tea-making duties earlier this year because they want to see a bit more cricket, instead of always being in the kitchen.

The judges decided it was time to turn the tables, so Albert and Dave were invited onto the stage to be served tea from a posh, silver teapot. We even gave them a couple of Hobnobs.

They’re a couple of stars. Some might say tea-riffic.

The Northern Echo:

FINALLY, thanks to marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe for sending a video message to the Local Heroes Awards.

What I wasn’t expecting was for her to point at the camera and say: “Peter Barron, I’ll see you on the start line of the Sunderland 10k!”

I’d better register. How can you turn down a legend?