Sinfin Park: Pavilion named after chairman with months to live

Sinfin Park Pavilion has been renamed after Colin Attenborough, who has been chairman of the park since September 2009

An 87-year-old who has been given months to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer has had a pavilion named in his honour.

Sinfin Park Pavilion has been named after Colin Attenborough, who was told he had cancer just before Christmas.

Mr Attenborough has been the chairman of Sinfin Moor Park for 15 years.

Derby City Council leader Baggy Shanker said the park would not be the same place without Mr Attenborough's commitment and determination.

Mr Attenborough has overseen several projects in his time as chairman, including the planting of Jubilee Wood in 2012 and the introduction of the first two highland cattle.

He also played a key role in the Green Flag Community Award application process, which has led to the park being awarded the flag for the last seven years, and led the The Friends of Sinfin Moor Park and Nature Reserve group in developing the café, which has been run by volunteers since 2012.

Mr Attenborough said it was a "big surprise" to have the pavilion named after him.

He added: "I didn't suspect anything. They took me outside. Baggy Shanker came along and gave a speech. They gave me this wonderful plaque. Isn't it lovely and magnificent?

"It's brilliant down here in Sinfin... I love doing what I've done."

He has often called the pavilion his "second home"

Speaking about his diagnosis, he said: "I was itching like mad and I went to my daughter's and she said 'dad, you've gone all yellow'."

He went to the doctors and ended up in hospital for about a week.

Mr Attenborough said: "If I was 20 or 30, I'd say 'why me?'

"But not at 87. I say fortunate me - I have lived a good life. I'm doing everything I can at the moment."

He said he had been planning his funeral.

"I've got my tunes I want, my Derby County scarf on my coffin... I hope to see them in the Championship," he added.

"I want my cordless drill, in case any jobs need doing, because I love my do-it-yourself, and I want a pack of playing cards."

Mr Shanker said over the years, the park and nature reserve had become a "real haven" for wildlife and local people.

He added: "I've had the pleasure of knowing Colin for a number of years, and it was an honour to be invited to present him with the plaque naming the pavilion, his second home, after him."