LEICESTER
WALKER
2004 is now with us and first of all I would like to wish all readers of THE LEICESTER WALKER, a very Happy and Healthy New Year. A few months have passed since the last edition, and I thought it was about time that I produced another newsletter, bearing in mind the original concept, of only producing future editions when there was either something to say or inform you of.
CORRESPONDANCE.
On this subject I am happy to say that I have received quite a bit of correspondence since the last edition. Some from members and others from people, although not members of the Club, still think of the Leicester Walking Club with affection.
Without doubt, one of the letters [Christmas Cards], that gave me the greatest thrill was received just a few days before Christmas from Bill Brown’s son, Mike. The following transcripts tell their own story:-
Peter. Dad has asked me to send his cards this year. Could you please
keep sending the newsletter. I found it interesting to read too. Its good to
have a Boys Brigade as well as Leicester Walking Club connection. Please give
our regards to all that know us and encourage them to keep in touch. P.S. Please
accept a contribution from us both towards publication.
As you will see the letter is more revealing:-
Dear All,
This is the first, and probably the last, newsletter that I have ever composed
[will ever compose]. It has become a necessity because of the way that this
roller coaster of a year is ending. It is ending in style, and is summed up by
the fact that, for the first time in my life, I was able to visit Dad tonight
on the way home from work! Yes, Dad came back to Scotland with us last Saturday,
and is in a superb residential home not ten minutes away from our house. This
after spending five weeks in Glenfield Hospital, going from crisis to crisis
until he was passed fit to travel with us last Saturday. This was indeed
amazing since only last Wednesday I had been summoned to Leicester at 7.15 a.m.
by a ward sister who had said that he was ‘very poorly’ and had been calling
for us to go down all night. His heart was responding badly to the unit of
blood he had been given the night before to make up for warfarin-induced
internal bleeding. We flew straight down that day. Dad is a phenomenon. At 91
he made light of the 350 mile journey. He loves his en-suite room and is
spending a lot of time in the lounge where he is enjoying the company that he
has missed for so long. When asked by Jim on the phone tonight what he thought
of the food ,Dad, never one to enthuse much about anything, said ‘excellent’.
Obviously it is early days, but the way that he has responded to T.L.C. and
good food that he has not had to cook himself is very encouraging. I won’t bore
you with all the details, but people that know me, including the boys, who are
both very happy themselves, have noted how much more positive, almost ecstatic,
I am with Dad up here.
Anyway, I hope that you have a good year. I look forward to being in
touch when the mayhem of sorting out all of Dad’s affairs has died down. Dad’s
new address, if you are interested, is:-
Fernlea House, 19, Wallsgreen Road, Cardenden, Fife. KY5 0JF. [There is no telephone number at present,
but mine is 01383 515795].
Wishing you best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
Mike(and Bill and Nancy) Sutherland Brown.
There you have it. Bill Brown one of our oldest members, who after being ill in hospital in Leicester has moved to Scotland, to be near to his son. During my early days in the Club I remember Bill for three things mainly:-
1.Standing with his board and pencil under the old railway bridge, just round the corner from the Club Room, waiting to record everyone in at the end of a Club Race.
2.Selling the old 6d.football tickets that helped to raise funds for the Club.
3.Always helping to give out numbers at the Tigers Ground prior to the Mercury Walk.
I am certain that Bill would love to hear from any of the older members that knew him. Come on drop Bill a line. He was one of the many unsung heroes in the earlier days of our Clubs history. Without the likes of Bill the Leicester Walking Club would not be in existence today.
----------------------------------------------------------
Last November I decided to go by train to London and meet up with two old mates Colin Young and Paul Nihill.What a great day I had.The main topic of course was the current state of Race Walking and our second love Boxing!! I print below letters received from them both--the one from Colin Young before we met and the one from Paul Nihill afterwards.
Dear Peter.
I look forward eagerly to our
meeting on Thursday. Paul phoned me the next evening and the date seems fine
with him.
Thank you very much for sending me a copy of the LEICESTER WALKER the
two letters from the ladies really touched me - how nice!! I enclose a little
piece on the Club and it’s members which you may care to print in the next
issue.
Colin, Centurian no.317.
[Ed. See Colins piece later on].
Dear Pete.
Great seeing you again. We had a great day. I enclose cuttings re Len
Matthews plus my first few races. Colin is the greatest. He knows more about
Race Walking and Athletics than anyone. To me he is Mr. Race Walking.
The only question that beats him is:- name the winner of the 1961
Leicester Mercury 20. If nothing else this race has bonded you and me. See you
again.
Paul.
[Ed.The joke regarding the winner of the 1961 Mercury Walk will be revealed later as well as some notes regarding Len Matthews].
----------------------------------------------------
From Derrick Malyon:
Pete.
Just a few lines to thank you for the arrival of THE LEICESTER WALKER.
Must be very difficult to raise the enthusiasm that abounded thirty years ago.
On a personal note- three years ago I had a knee replacement-result was 100% successful.
I’m sure I could manage another Skegness. Tom Sharlott lives locally, you’re
probably aware Pete that he is unfortunately not enjoying the best of health.
In conclusion, may I offer my services in any capacity. Continue with the good
work.
Derek Malyon.
[Ed. Derek of course is Centurian no.425.and he completed a 100 mile race on two other occasions. Help offered as above by Derek is just what we are looking for.]
---------------------------------------------------------
An E.Mail from Cliff Rushton:
Hello Peter
Thanks for posting a copy of The Leicester Walker.
I am very sorry that I can no longer become involved in helping at a
practical level. As you know I tried to help marshal some of the locally held
races for a number of years but since my wife became ill with Parkinson’s
Disease and other disorders I cannot leave her for lengthy periods. When I’m
away for short spells she can contact me on our mobile phone.
Saw Pete Adams in Syston a fortnight ago and we had a chat. Chris
Berwick comes to our house once a month-he keeps me informed about the club and
members.
Give my regards to Sylvia. Congratulations on your achievement in the ‘Mercury’.
I would imagine that you have a World Record in competing for 50 years in the
same event? Do you know of anyone who has taken part in any event, not just athletics?
All the Best.
Cliff Rushton.
[Ed. In answer to Cliff’s query re 50 years in one event. I am sure that there are many people who have competed in one event for 50 years consecutively. I think Ken Easlea of Enfield did this in their own Open 7 a few years ago. I will be forever grateful to Cliff who supplied me with a contact address when I first visited New Zealand in 1981 for the World Veterans Championships. We were able to meet up with Cliffs friend who showed us around Christchurch].
-----------------------------------------------------------------
An E-Mail from Dave Ainsworth[Editor of Essex Walker].
Peter. Thanks for the newsletter; which I hope will promote awareness
of the Club’s activities around the East Midlands-and further afield.
Congratulations on your 50 not out at the Mercury-which in its heyday,
was truly every walker’s favourite event. The atmosphere outside the jail, pre start,
was always ‘electric’, and the entrants came from miles around. Indeed I
recorded your 50 appearances in Essex Walker, even though you do not live in
our County-such was the feat!
Please feel free to use my email for future editions of LW. I’m honoured
to be a recipient, as post heart attack,
I cannot contribute too much in the way of active participation-just a few
short races on flat courses!
Perhaps you could let me have the address of my old R.A.F. mate George
Towers, and I’ll send him a few copies of Essex Walker for old times’ sake. As
for LW keep working on the email addresses, as it cuts out all the paper
printing, stationary and postage. We’ve done well at EW ,in canvassing for
readers to provide their email addresses. Good Luck.
Dave Ainsworth.
[Ed. I have provided Dave with George Tower’s address. He makes an important point regarding distribution of LEICESTER WALKER. Anyone who has a E-Mail address, who receives a copy, should let me know their address which will help out on cost. Essex Walker ,is in my opinion, the best Walking publication in this Country, although of course it does have an Essex bias. Dave has competed in Leicester many times and on one occasion walked in our own 15 mile championship.]
-----------------------------------------------
In the last Edition I produced a letter received at the Club Room from Miss Marjorie Worrall, who is obvoiusly a supporter of the Club. Colin Vesty replied to her letter while Brian Kibble visited her and I sent her a copy of THE LEICESTER WALKER. She was concerned at the news received only a few days before the last Mercury Walk that it would be just that, the last Mercury Walk. She then wrote the following letter to the Managing Director of the Leicester Mercury:-
As a reader of the Leicester Mercury since 1938,when I first came to this City,I was disappointed to read that the Leicester Mercury Road Walk held on September 7th. was to be the final one.
I have always looked forward to reading about this walk each year,giving the names of the Walkers,results etc.I know there is not the same enthusiasm for ‘Walking' these days,but the 10km.Walk round Abbey Park is still an attractive event,and maybe you could get some of your Staff interested to ‘have a go'.
The Leicester Walking Club has just celebrated its 75th.Anniversary and it would be a great pity if this Walk was discontinued.
I do hope that you will re-consider your decision as such an event adds to the prestige of The Leicester Mercury.
Yours Faithfully, Miss M.Worrall.
She then received the following reply from Anthony Hill OBE.Managing Director:-
Dear Miss Worrall,
Very many thanks for you letter of November 10th.regarding the cessation of the annual Leicester Mercury Road Walk. As you have pointed out, the Leicester Mercury has supported this event for the past 76 years, and it was with great reluctance that we decided to withdraw our support for this grand old event, which we know is part of Leicester's sporting heritage.In the beginning and even as recently as the 60's, the mercury walk attracted a great many entries and much attention from the citizens of Leicester. Walking requires no special equipment and was within the reach of everyone who wanted to have a go. Since those early days, many other sporting and leisure opportunities have developed, and interest in the Walk has regretfully declined.
Despite the sterling endeavours of the Leicester Walking Club, which was inaugurated partly as a result of this event, the Walk has in recent years attracted few entrants and virtually no spectators.
The Leicester Mercury sponsors a wide range of activities, which are of interest to various sectors of our readership, and we continually refresh the range of our support to take advantage of new sponsorship opportunities. On occasions we sometimes have to take the decision to discontinue our support for a particular event which we believe has run its course.
We do appreciate you taking the trouble to let us know of your feelings and your interest in the Mercury Walk and we hope you will understand that this decision was not taken lightly.
-------------------------------------------------------
Marjorie Worrall kindly sent these two copy letters to Brian Kibble with the following little ditty.
The Walking Club of Leicester City,
Is a very well known group,
And if forced to close it would be a pity,
For both the old and young of the group.75 years they have been in action,
Young ones, old ones and in between too,
And they have all walked to their own satisfaction,
But do not now need this ‘ballyhoo'.Hope springs eternal they do say,
So let us hope in the future one day,
That things will become brighter for all,
Then the Club will be able to really ‘walk tall'
I am sure that you will all join with me and thank Marjorie for her support, not only in the Mercury Walk, but the Club as a whole. Let us also hope that her little ditty also inspires us all to a very encouraging and successful future.
Needless to say the Club wrote to the Leicester Mercury on this subject. The first letter was not replied to as they stated that it was not received. The reply to the second letter was very similar to the one sent to Marjorie.
------------------------------------------------------------
GOOD NEWS - GOOD NEWS - GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
There is some good news however. Despite the fact that the Mercury Walk is no more, the Committee has decided to continue with a similar Event.
On Saturday September 4th. there will be a Senior 10 Kilos. event on the Abbey Park which will be known as the Leicester Open 10 Kilos. There will be Younger Age Group Races as in the past as well as a Womens 10 Kilos inconjuction with the Mens Race. As yet we do not have a sponsor. If anyone has any ideas or contacts then we will pleased to hear from you.
Because the Club can only afford to promote one Open competition each year this promotion will now not only replace the Mercury Walk but also the Leicester Open 7 Miles, that has been held every year since its inception in 1950. [More details will appear in a future edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER as we need as much help as possible in putting on this compettition]
============================================
A reflection from Colin Young:-
Dear Peter.
Many thanks for sending me a copy of The Leicester Walker. I do applaud that small band who have kept the club existing over the recent past and fervently hope those two major promotions, the ‘Mercury' and the ‘Open' do survive in the future despite the recent announcements.It was a delight to see my old rival, friend and sparring partner, George Towers mentioned. I well recall our races together in the early 50's around the country in the various R.A.F. events plus, of course, the ‘Open's and ‘Nationals'. Not many will remember Whiskin, Johnson and Towers leading the R.A.F.Malton contingent at the Highgate 1 Hour meeting.
Leicester brings back fond memories of its courses and walkers. Both Aylestone and Welford roads are well remembered as well as striding through the majorettes during the race and receiving a handful of grapes from Bill Moule which certainly revived a faltering Londoner!
Later I got well acquainted with Saffron Lane Track, whether it be finishing the ‘20', pounding round a 50 kms. or in 1969 something rather longer.
[Ed.Colin won the 24 hour track race put on by the Club in 1969. He covered 129 miles 1155 yards in the allotted time beating the runner up by over 8 miles].As a young keen enthusiast officials such as Bill Bell, Albert Johnson and Harry Speight were always helpful but naturally it was the walkers who made the biggest impression. My hero [he was and still is] was the great Lloyd Johnson. A word of praise, whether verbally or in print, inspired me and his encouragement and kindness was partly responsible for me still competing after 56 consequitive years. There was always gutty Albert Staines, Jack Rawlings, Wilf Smith and Cyril Evans plus a trio who raced me through my Junior ranks - Mal Blyth, Brian Kibble and Dave Trigg. I am sure Brian can recall the 1953 National Junior 5 miles at Watford where we both finished ahead of the 5th. placer - I wonder what happened to him? His name was Don Thompson!!
Then along came yourself, Geoff Toone, Peter Stapleford and a little later the ever consistent Chris Berwick.
Paul Nihill and I often reminisce of the ‘Mercury' of the phalanx of blue vests that always appeared in the early stages and men you invariably beat elsewhere would finish ahead of you in ‘their event'. As I neared veteran stage it was warming to see the large number of Leicester boys dominating home events as well as many led by magnificent Brian Adams and Phil Vesty, gaining honours abroad at the full range of distances.
George Towers always greeted me with ‘How are you? You scrubber'. I guess he was right about my ability but pounding around Leicester and being both rivals and mates of the Leicester Walking Club boys certainly went a long way in making up for lack of honours.
Thank you all, past and present, and may the Club keep going through these challenging times.
Colin Young.
--------------------------------------------------------
A.G.M. - A.G.M. - A.G.M. - A.G.M.
The Annual General Meeting of the Leicester Walking Club will be held on Wednesday Feb.25th. at the Club H.Q.in Haynes Road at 7 p.m. Of course all current paid up members will receive notification from the Secretary Colin Vesty. However, we are trying to increase attendance at this years meeting. Apart from current members it would be nice if some past members could find the time to turn up this year and contribute towards the future of the Club.
------------------------------------------------------------
Past Results.
Over the past few months I have been trying to update Club results. I am really interested in any pre 1946 results where Leicester Walkers are involved. If anyone can help me out I would be very pleased to hear from them. Some post war Results that I require are from 1962 such as Market Bosworth 8mile, Enderby 10, Highgate 1 Hours, Leicester Open 7, Chippenham to Calne, National and Midland Youths/Junior Champs., 1st. and 2nd.Winter Leagues and Lozells 7mile Handicap.
------------------------------------------------------------
Next Issue of THE LEICESTER WALKER:
Various items have had to be held over until the next issue such as :-Paul Nihill's joke about the 1961 Mercury winner, news about the late Len Matthews, more details of the Leicester Open 10 Kilos., various articles received from George Towers in respect of his early experiences in the Club, a report of the A.G.M. and any other letters that I will hopefully receive from readers of THE LEICESTER WALKER.