Lane, Bronco loved boxing and dance

Peter Barry Lane (1941 – 2019)

Barry Lane, affectionately known as ‘Bronco’, was brought up at a Bottesford smallholding.

With his brothers Ian and Colin, he created a gymnasium in one of the stables where they were joined by local builder-to-be Ken Geasley.

With his two brothers, Ian and Colin, he joined Ruston & Hornsby ABC. In a short career as a welterweight, he won six out of his nine bouts.

He also enjoyed athletics – especially shot-putting – as well as playing for a number of local football teams, including Corby Glen, Norton Villa and Meres Rovers.

He gave upo sport altogether to get married and raise a family.

Then one night in 1983, while enjoying a pint in the Lord Harrowby, he was approached by Grantham ABC coach Tom Hall about becoming a coach himself.

After a number of training sessions, he qualified and three years later was head coach himself.

As well as sport, Barry loved watching ballet.  “Both are a matter of footwork”, he insisted.

“I one occasion, at the Nottingham Dance Festival, I found myself sitting next to Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham.

Both of his daughters, Michelle and Anita, made dance their careers.

In the daytime, the former milkman became manager of Grantham’s Northern Dairy’s branch.