LEICESTER
WALKER
Welcome to the first edition of the LEICESTER WALKER. It is my intention to produce this Newsletter periodically. The general idea is to keep, not only the Club membership, but also all those interested locally in Race Walking in touch with what is happening within the Leicester Walking Club. The LEICESTER WALKER will only be produced when it is felt that the Club has something to tell everyone.
Older members will remember that in April 1962 a quarterly magazine was introduced, with Jack Rawlings as its editor.As far as I can tell this was regularly produced until November 1966.
Then in the 90,s Colin Vesty produced a Newsletter for some considerable time.
The general idea of trying to start another Newsletter was brought about as a result of the very successful 75th.Anniversary Dinner.
Many older members and their partners and friends turned up as a result of a great deal of hard work put into tracing their whereabouts and it was felt that we should not loose contact again. The other reason is to keep all the present active members in touch with what is happening as the General Committee strive to increase its current membership.
75th.Anniversary Dinner.
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Some 90 friends, members and their partners as well as past members attended this Dinner held at the Belgrave Rugby Club on Friday September 27th.
John Mynard, the Club President, welcomed everyone and said what an great occasion it was for the Club. Sue Hollins, representing the Leicester Mercury, then proposed a toast to the Club, detailing how the first Leicester Mercury Walk came about which resulted in the Leicester Walking Club being formed.
Peter Markham then responded giving a brief history of the Club to date detailing the Club's founder members and inparticular Mr.J.T.W.Jack Read, who everyone was pleased could attend.
Brian Kibble then proposed a toast to the Guests which was responded to by Ken Bray, Chairman of the Leicestershire A.A.A.s.
The evening was then concluded by many old friends, team mates, colleages and dare I say opponents recalling their experiences of the past.
The Leicester Walking Club at the moment.
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Things are very different these days to what they were years ago. Going back just 20 to 25 years ago we would have something like 30 members taking part in a Club Race. These days we are lucky to have 5 or 6. In Team competitions it is very much the same. At one time we would have 3 or maybe 4 teams of 8 entering major competitions. Now we struggle to raise a team of 3 or 4 for National Championships. In my view there are many reasons for this that I will not bore you with at this stage.
As far as Officials and administrators are concerned we are in the same situation. Despite the fact that we have had members officiating at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and every other important event throughout the Country, it is just the regular 1 or 2 Officials that help out at Club Races. Mind you with so few taking part if we had many more helping out they would outnumber the walkers.
The Committee continues to meet once a month to discuss finance, the Club Room and Club as well as Open Races. The Annual General Meeting is usually held at the end of February each year but only a few members in addition to the General Committee attend. We still continue to promote two Open competitions each year, the Mercury Walk and the Open 7.
The Future
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Obviously, if the Club is to survive in order to celebrate its Centenary then we need more members. To come into Race Walking these days is not so attractive as it was for us years ago. Efforts are being made to attract more youngsters to the Club through the schools. We seem to be able to attract a few regularly, but when they reach the Senior status they drift away.
Whatever bright ideas anyone may come up with still requires someone to put them into action.
If the Club was to expand in actual numbers, whether they be active Athletes or just members who could help either with officiating or the administration, that in itself creates more work.
It would be nice if any past members were to rejoin the Club. Better still if they were to pull on the shorts and put their fitness to the test, but if not help out in any small way to ease the burden on those few hard working members who are keeping going. After all we are all getting older despite our enthusiasm.
Conclusion
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I started this Newsletter by saying that it would only be produced when the Club had something to say and of course if you feel that it is worthwhile. Whether you do or do not please let me know what you think. If you are online then please let me have your E Mail address as it is much cheaper and easier to circulate that way. Otherwise a copy will either be handed to you personally or posted on.
Best Wishes for 2003,
Peter Markham.