TRIBUTES from the mountain rescue, cricket and football communities flooded in today at a memorial service for Stewart Hazlitt Hulse MBE.
 

The 78-year-old mountain rescuer was described as a ‘genuine hero’ at a Service of Thanksgiving at St Martin’s Church in Bowness.
 

Mr Hulse, who lived in Windermere and died on November 23, was one of the founders of the Ambleside Fell Rescue Team and went on to serve as president and team leader of Langdale and Ambleside Rescue Team.
 

He was awarded an MBE in 2001 for more than 25 years of service to mountain rescue groups.
 

The distinctive red jackets of the mountain rescue team could be seen all over the church as Mr Hulse’s former teammate Brian Marshall recalled a ‘man of many talents’ who helped save lives with his involvement in mountain rescue medicine.
 

Mr Marshall said: “We of the rescue teams are proud to have known Stuart – few men could be called a legend but he was one.”
 

Mr Hulse was also a prominent figure in Cumbrian cricket and became an umpire at the end of his playing career at Ambleside cricket club.
 

He also served as a football linesman and referee, and acted as a mentor and assessor for young referees.
 

Representatives from the cricket and footballing worlds paid tribute to Mr Hulse, with Westmorland FA chief executive Peter Ducksbury praising his ‘great service to those wonderful games that we all love.”
 

In his address, St Martin’s Church Curate Chris Jones said: “Stewart loved his dogs, he loved the fells, he loved to pull your leg and have a laugh, he loved giving of himself for others.”
 

Mr Hulse is survived by his wife of 54 years Joan, children Caroline and David and grandchildren Abby, Benjamin and Rebecca.