WITH its icy hurricane winds and roaming polar bears, the frozen climate of the Arctic Circle is a world away from the cricket fields of Farnworth.

But Bolton’s green pitches are being warmly remembered by a respected UK polar explorer.

Gary Rolfe, aged 49, has lived in the Arctic for 14 years, but was once one of Farnworth Cricket Club's most talented opening batsmen.

While he now spends his life among sledge dogs and snow, he has fond memories of his last club.

He said: “My season with Farnworth was the last time I played cricket, so it will always be special in my mind for that.

“I never forget where I came from and what made me pursue my dream. I never forget the people who have helped me along the way. Some probably don’t even know how they have helped but I will never forget them.

“I was dedicated to the club during the time I was playing for them. Loyalty and honesty are values I hold in very high regard. That’s what was so special about the club and the community, people were honest and loyal and they were very kind people.”

Mr Rolfe is originally from the South of England, born in Walthamstow, London.

While he was living in London he met Diane Axford whose family were from Bolton and her father Anthony was president of Farnworth Cricket Club.

At the time Mr Rolfe played professionally on the MCC Ground Staff in London and had toured New Zealand, but in 1986 decided to head to Farnworth.

While staying with the Axford family in Great Lever, he played for the club for one season and worked as a general labourer at the family’s timber merchants as a labourer.

He added: “I was made to feel very welcome. I also have clear memories about the community atmosphere all that time ago and the pride within the club.”

Mr Rolfe returned to the south at the end of 1986 and started pursuing his dream to become a polar expedition dog musher when he moved to Minnesota where he served an apprenticeship with polar dogs.

He then lived in the Arctic Canada from 2001 before move to Ittoqqortoormiit in May, 2007.

It is the remotest community in Greenland, where 250 days of the year, temperatures are never above freezing.

The sea is frozen over for nine months, from November to February the sun never comes over the horizon leaving the inhabitants in perpetual darkness, while from April to July they live in 24-hour daylight.

Mr Rolfe lives with his girlfriend Jennifer Elcomb and his 20 Greenland dogs.

He has travelled 21,500 polar surface miles, more than any other Englishman, with the dogs and his achievements have won him a patronage from acclaimed explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

He said: “I had a dream, kept it close to my heart, turned it into reality and never let go of it.

“The Arctic is where I want to be because of expeditions with dogs. I cannot explain why that is so, all I know is that I was born with a desire to do it.

“To say you’ve been somewhere nobody else has set foot before isn’t something many people can say they’ve done. I say it on behalf of my dogs, because without them I would not do what it is I do.”

He added: “The way Jennifer and I lead our lives is, I am told, too difficult to handle for most, never mind about going out on expeditions.

“Polar bears pass our house quite often. They have teeth longer than human fingers and have a tendency to eat people. Farnworth played against competitive teams but I don’t remember any of them being as formidable as a polar bear.

“I often wonder what happened to lads I played with and if they know they are being thought of up here.”

To find out more visit www.garyrolfe.com