TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Crewe bike shop owner and a stalwart of the sporting and social scene.

Dave Williams, who passed away last month aged 79, ran J.E Williams and Son Cycle Shop on Edleston Road and could boast more than 60 years of experience in the cycle industry.

After the business closed in 2018, Dave lent his expertise to Community Recycle Cycles, where he helped out the volunteers in the not-for-profit upcycling and cycle repair shop on Coronation Crescent in Crewe.

Staff at the community venture said Dave's cheerful ways and his vast knowledge of repairing and building bikes will be sadly missed.

The local community in Shavington, where Dave lived with his wife, Carol, and the wider area will be out in force for his funeral, which takes place tomorrow (Tuesday, 11.am) at St. Mary's Church in Nantwich.

Dave was a former chairman of Shavington Social Club, where his wake is to be held, and also counted service as a captain of Crewe Golf Club.

He was passionate about cricket too and helped run the former Crewe P-Way club for more than 25 years.

Dave was a popular figure in sporting and social circles (Picture: courtesy of Community Recycle Cycles).

Family friend Mark Potts, who will deliver the eulogy at his funeral service, said: "Dave was involved in so many different sporting organisations.

"He played cricket with P-Way and then became the club's chairman. At Shavington Social Club he compered a lot of events such as birthdays, ladies' nights and sportsman's dinners.

"He took over the cycle shop over from his father, Jim, and took his son, Andy, and grandson, Sam on in the business. It was a real family affair.

"Anything you wanted repairing or needed to know about bicycles then Dave was your man – he knew everything. J.E Williams was in business for 75 years, first in Mill Street and then Edleston Road.

"After he finished there he volunteered with the Community Recycle Cycles, where he really enjoyed working. He was able to pass on a lot of his knowledge to the volunteers there."

Staff at Community Recycle Cycles will close their shop and workshop on Tuesday as a mark of respect to their former colleague.

They said: "Dave had been a valued member of the Community Recycle Cycles team. He came to us, bringing 60 years of experience in the cycle industry and shared that knowledge with many others involved.

"He will be sadly missed by everyone both volunteers and staff, his friendliness and concern for all will be a great loss. He was always cheerful and never had a bad word to say about anyone."

In recent years Dave passed on his knowledge to volunteers at Community Recycle Cycles.