Bellingham invited to celebrate former hotel owner's 80th birthday

John Cocker, who was the owner of Riverdale Hall Hotel in Bellingham for more than 30 years, will celebrate his 80th birthday on Saturday, July 29 at Riverdale Hotel.

His son Jonathan Cocker hopes his friends and past colleagues will attend the party as his father, who now has vascular dementia, is a 'well-loved man'.

John Cocker (Image: Supplied)

Jonathan said: "Dad now lives in a home one mile from my house in West Yorkshire as he has vascular dementia. He has been there just over a year and is happy. Although he does not remember newer parts of his life, he still remembers all his family and old friends and still likes to dance."

A cricket game will take place at the hotel from 1pm before a buffet at 6pm. Live music will be performed by The Beatles tribute band Beatlemania from 7.30pm. 

John Cocker (Image: Supplied)

"Not only was he the life and soul of many sporting occasions and parties, but he also employed many local people over his span at the hotel," Jonathan said.

"Locals enjoyed cricket at the hotel with both Bellingham and Riverdale Cricket Club playing there as well.

"There were also plenty of charity matches with the likes of Brian Close playing at Riverdale, who also had a yearly golf competition at Bellingham."

John Cocker (Image: Supplied)

Jonathan said his father also helped design and change Bellingham Golf Club from a nine to an 18-hole course with the club captain at the time, Ian Wilson. 

"Although the hotel will never be the sporting hotel it once was, the current team still run a great show and salmon fishing is now a big part of what they do. 

"We will be having a fun 20/20 cricket game involving many old teammates of my Dad's and several of his kids and grandkids. All of Dad's family past and present will be at the hotel for the party. We are even flying his son Jules in from Thailand for the occasion."

To RSVP, email jonathan@martinez.co.uk with the heading of John Cocker.