Grave campaign for 'forgotten' Yorkshire cricketer

A campaign has been launched to raise money for a headstone for an international cricketer who lies in a currently unmarked grave.

Ted Peate, from Skipton, who died in 1900, played for both Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the English cricket team, and was considered the best spin bowler in the world, according to his biographer.

Author Ian Lockwood now wants to install a headstone on the bare patch of grass which marks his grave at Yeadon Cemetery.

Mr Lockwood said: "He's forgotten now but I want him to be remembered."

Peate played for Yorkshire for eight years - seven of those as leading wicket taker - and took part in the first Ashes series against Australia in 1883.

His name is also the first to appear on the world-famous Lord's honours board after he took six wickets for 85 runs against Australia at the home of English cricket in 1884.

He was ultimately sacked, supposedly because of drunken behaviour and insubordination.

But Mr Lockwood, who has chronicled his story in Ten Drunks and a Parson - the Life and Times of Ted Peate, told the BBC he could not find "any evidence that Ted actually committed any serious outrage".

He said: "I'm not so sure he was the drunk that he's often portrayed as."

Peate died from pneumonia at the age of 45 in 1900.

Mr Lockwood said after writing the biography: "I thought, 'I've enjoyed writing about you so much I owe you a gravestone'."

He hopes to raise between £1,500 and £2,000 for the memorial to Peate, saying the cricketer's family could not not afford to buy him one all those years ago.

Mr Lockwood said: "I just want to bring him back into public focus.

"If I make any royalties on the book I will be donating them to the campaign.

"I'm determined, one way or another Ted will have his gravestone."

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