LEICESTER
WALKER
Well here we go with the second edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER. I did state in the first edition that I would only produce this newsletter when we had something to say.
As the LEICESTER WALKING CLUB, in line with many other clubs, has a decline in its numbers these days there does not appear to be very much happening on a day to day basis that would provide the need to produce a newsletter more regularly. It would be a tremendous boost to the club and its membership if this situation was to change and I am sure that you will join me in hoping that it does in the not too distant future.
Some nine months or so have elapsed since the first newsletter was produced and the reason for waiting so long before putting together number two was principally because of my statement above but a number of other issues have come into play:-
[a] Was there an absolute need to produce a newsletter.
[b] It obviously costs to send out copies of THE LEICESTER WALKER. The first edition was included with the notices of the A.G.M. to all club members and therefore the only additional cost was sending copies to those who attended the clubs 75th. Anniversary Dinner and do not receive information about the A.G.M.
More about trying to keep the cost to the barest minimum later.
Correspondance.
Well to be quite honest there has been very little response to the first edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER. I did receive a telephone call from George [Aub] Towers thanking me for my efforts. He also went on to say how he had been introduced to Walking and the Leicester Walking Club by our sole serviving founder member J.T.W. [Jack] Read. George also said that Lloyd Johnson was not the only Club member to be involved with the 1948 Wembley Olympic Games. Apparently, he helped out at one of the feeding stations. A far cry from the situation these days when only the acredited officials representing a particular Country are allowed to stand behind the table with the drinks and only two per Country at that. I did ask George if he would be prepared to write an article on his experiences during his years in the Club but so far I have not received anything.
The only other letter that I received was from Mrs.Irene Stevens daughter of one of our well respected past members W.G. [Billy] Williams. The letter reads as follows:-
Thank you for sending me the 'Leicester Walker'.
It is very sad to hear there are so few Walkers these days. I'm afraid the world is changing in many ways.
My father W.G.Williams would have been very disappointed how the Walkers have gone.
My son,when at school in the 50/60s did very well in running, even then training walkers wasn't included.
My four Grandchildren seem to have inherited athletics from their Great Grandfather. One Grandaughter has done the London Marathon twice and the New York once .Another Grandson and Grandaughter have also done the Newcastle twice. I was very pleased.
I wish you well in your efforts to attract more Walkers, it would be such a pity for the Club to end.
Could the Mercury be of any help?
Best Wishes,
Irene Stevens[Williams]
Irene raises a very important point that I will come back to at a later stage.
Future Contributions.
This is now probably the ideal time to raise this subject. In order that THE LEICESTER WALKER can survive it is important that I receive articles from any readers. They can cover any particular aspect. Either experiences from the past. Such as those from George Towers or what is happening in your life these days, particularly if you have been away from the Club for some time. If, however you are still involved with Race Walking then articles on how the present situation can be improved upon or your experiences of the past would be much appreciated. You can find my postal and E.Mail addresses at the end of this Newsletter.
Annual General Meeting.
In line with previous tradition our A.G.M.was held on the last Wednesday in February. Unfortunately, the attendance was very poor. Very much the same as it has been over the past few years. Only about 15 members attended.
There were no controversial proposals and subsequent discussions just a general approval and appreciation of the hard work done by a small group of members whose efforts were really responsible for keeping the Club going.
The meeting was very grateful to the two main sponsors who continue to support the Club. The Leicester Mercury for their financial help in promoting the Mercury Walk year after year [see note later] and our President, John Mynard, who for the past 3 years has paid for the prizes for our Open 7 mile event.
The Officers were virtually all re elected en bloc with the exception of the Captain. Brian Adams had been Captain for quite a number of years but as he lives in Sheffield, has other commitments and during the past two years has been forced to retire from competition due to a repetitive injury he felt that he should resign as Captain. Needless to say Brian has done an awful lot for our Club over the past 30 years and we all wish him well in the future and also feel proud that he is still a member [a Life Member] in fact of our Club. Colin Vesty was elected the new Captain.
Just for the record the leading Officers are:-
President - John Mynard
Secretary - Colin Vesty
Treasurer - Chris Berwick
Captain - Colin Vesty
Finally, it would be nice to see a bigger attendance at future A.G.M.s from either current or past members.
So far this year.
Despite the fact that we have had small numbers on the Road or Track representing the Club, those that have done so have done the Club proud.
In the Senior ranks Chris Berwick continues to lead the ranks in most races assisted from time to time by Colin Vesty, Tony Kent, John Sturgess, Phil Smillie, Brian Ashwell and Duane Butterly, who lives in Derby.
We have an outstanding Junior Walker Luke Finch. Over the past two years Luke has been selected to represent Gt.Britain in a number of International matches. Unfortunately, probably due to being disqualified in the final trial he was not selected for the European Junior Championships in July.
On the female side we have three outstanding youngsters, who are at the forefront of their age groups in England. Rachael Woolley [under 20], Fiona McGorum [under 17] and Lauren Gimson [under 15]. They have all just moved up to their present age groups. If they all stick at it we will have an outstanding Senior Womens team in a few years time. I wonder how many can remember the first race the Club put on for Girls in the early 60,s. Something that seemed to be very revolutionary at the time as the majority of Walking Clubs were almost 100% male dominated.
Mercury Walk.
This years race was held, as it had been for the past number of years, on the Abbey Park on Sunday September 7th. The race distance being 10 Kilometres. Because of the continuing problems on the roads and the fact that the majority of modern day walkers prefer shorter distances the original concept of a 20 mile race through the city and county had to be altered some years ago.
The entry of over 70 was good in present day terms which included women with the majority of the men veterans.
The race was won by 20 year old Dominic King of Colchester with our own Luke Finch, second and Nick Ball of Steyning third. Chris Berwick was 8th., Duane Butterly 11th., Colin Vesty 22nd., Tony Kent 42nd., Peter Markham 43rd., Peter Roberts 45th. and Chris Smith 47th. Rachael Woolley was 7th. in the Womens section.
This was the 70th. Leicester Mercury Walk as it was first held in 1927 and apart from the war years [1940-1946] has been held ever since. On a personal note for a moment. I am proud to have walked in the last 50 walks continuously since my debut in 1954.
However, bad news was received by the committee only days before the race went ahead. It was that this would be the last Mercury Walk ever to be held.
To me this is devastating news. The Race that introduced me to Race Walking and more importantly was the reason for the Leicester Walking Club being formed in the first place has been held for the last time. [Hence my remarks after the letter reproduced earlier from Mrs.Stevens.]
However, the committee will be pursuing this and it is hoped that at least one more race will be held if only to advertise the fact in an effort to bring together as many people as possible that have been involved with the race through the years.We all hope that there will be a reprieve for at least one more year.
On this same subject it was pleasing to receive the following letter which was just addressed to The Leicester Walking Club, Haynes Road, Leicester:-
Dear Sirs,
I see from the Leicester Mercury that the Mercury Walk held on Sunday September 7th. was the final one. I was very disappointed to learn this, as I was unable to go to the Abbey Park. Congratulations to Peter Markham on achieving his 50th. consecutive race.
I came to Leicester with my parents in 1938 and we always saw the finish of the Walk at either Walnut Street/Aylestone Road end or Welford Road near The Granby Halls in alternate years. Apart from Peter Markham, I also remember Don Thompson, and I believe his brother also took part, Albert Staines, Brian Adams and of course T.Lloyd Johnson. I have his autograph on a programme for 1981, which was held start and finish at Saffron Lane Sports Centre.
Living on the Fosse I remember the feeding station at the Fosse Methodist Church, just a few doors away from my home. It is a shame the young people these days are not so interested in Road Walking now. Do you have a booklet about the Mercury Walk I could purchase to bring back more memories to an 80 year old?
Best wishes to all at The Walking Club.
Yours sincerely,
M.Worrall[Miss]
How nice it is for all members of the Leicester Walking Club to receive a letter such as this.It just goes to show to all of us that have walked in the Mercury Walk through the years that our efforts have not gone on unnoticed.
Leicester Open 7 Miles.
This race was first held in 1950. Originally, it was considered a substitute for the Lewis's sponsered Round the City Walk and has been held every year since.
For many years the race was held at the Abbey Park, starting in Abbey Gate, and after a short lap taking in Abbey Park Road, Blackbird Road and Abbey Gate then to go out along Abbey Lane to Red Hill roundabout. The walkers would then go along Birstall Lane, Sibson Road, Loughborough Road, Abbey Lane, entering Abbey Park and finishing with a circuit of the Oval to finish in front of the Pavilion.
Because of the ever increasing volumes of traffic this course had to be abandoned in the early 70's. Since then the venues have varied from Syston, Braunstone Park, the Club Room and over the past few years Hungarton. The sponsers have also changed from the original Lewis's and then in more recent years, S.C.I.Transport Services, Shoefayre and for the past 3 years, our President, John Mynard has paid for the prizes.
The race was held this year on its traditional date, the first Saturday in October. Unfortunately, the entry of just 20 was the poorest ever. A far cry from the days in the 50's and 60's when there were in excess of 100 starters. There were a number of events clashing this year, not least of all a veterans championship the following day. What a pity it is that with so few walkers these days the number of races have increased, thus providing less starters for each race.
This years winner was Nathan Adams, son of Brian. Second was Leicester's own Chris Berwick with another club member third, Duane Butterly. The Leicester Walking Club won the team title.
So, in just over 4 weeks, the Committee has been presented with the fact that the two major promotions put on by the Club for the past 50 plus years MAY not be held again. The Mercury Walk [subject to a successful appeal to the Leicester Mercury] and the Leicester Open 7 miles [if there is no guarantee of increased support in the future].
Future Distribution.
This very much depends on you, Club members [past and present] and whether we can produce sufficient material in future to go into print for issue number 3 of THE LEICESTER WALKER.
I mentioned at the beginning, the possible cost of sending out copies by post. There are various ways in which you can help:-
1. If you are on-line, then let me have your E.Mail address and you can receive your copy in that format. My E.Mail address is pmarkham8@hotmail.com
2. Send me a stamped addressed envelope for a future copy.
If, however you are not interested in receiving future copies then please let me know. I hope that this will not happen has it rather defeats the whole object of producing a Club newsletter in the first place.