LEICESTER
WALKER
Welcome to the fifth edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER . As we approach Christmas and a New Year I thought that it was about time for another edition just to keep everyone up todate with what has happened over the past few months and what we have to look forward to in 2005.
First of all I would like to thank a number of people .In the last edition I asked if anyone could either lend or sell me any of three copies of the Race Walking Record that were missing from my set. I am happy to say that Chris Berwick gave me one copy and Brian Ficken has lent me another. This will enable me to complete our club records, but more of that later.
Last time I also listed a number of past members and asked the question--WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Thanks to Tony Forryan I can now delete at least five names from that list as he has supplied me with their addresses and I will be sending them a copy of this edition. Of course as you will see later I will also be adding to that list.
I would also like to thank Dave Ainsworth, editor of Essex Walker as he sends, via e-mail, a copy of THE LEICESTER WALKER to many of his subscribers, so broadening the base of our readership. As you may remember my initial aim was to reach 100 recipients but by the last edition we had reached 78, excluding those receiving their copy via Essex Walker.
I would like to give my final thanks to anyone that has contacted me since edition number 4.
Remember I rely entirely on the readership and events for material for future editions.
CONTACT.
Rather than calling this section ‘Correspondance', as you can see I am giving it the title CONTACT. This is because, not all the contact I have with readers is by letter. Of course some is but I am also contacted by e-mail as well as by word of mouth.
I have received 2 e-mails from Cliff Rushton:- [please see note at the end of this edition]
The first dated July 18th.was to confirm his new e-mail address. Cliff also stated that unfortunately his wife Marian was suffering from Parkinson's Disease. However, this is kept under control by drugs, except for the odd nasty side effect. They try to go on as many short holidays as possible always in the U.K. They had just returned from a week in Southsea/Portsmouth where they had a great week. They spent quite a bit of their time on the ‘Front' watching yacht races, ferries and the odd warship going in and out of Portsmouth harbour.
The second was received two weeks later after Cliff had experienced difficulties in downloading the last edition. He confirmed that his younger son had helped to solve the problem but in the meantime Chris Berwick had visited him with a copy. On the subject of Where are they now?, Cliff said that he has come into contact with just one of the names on the list. He had seen Danny Astill sitting in a car in a Supermarket car park waiting for someone. Apparently, Danny is not too well these days although Cliff could not ascertain exactly what the problem was. He did say that he cannot bear to watch any of his old colleagues from the Leicester Walking Club because it upsets him to know that he will never again be able to race.
I also received a letter from an old member Ken Walker:
I joined the Leicester Walking Club at the age of 8 in 1942. Going with my granddad George Walker. He ran the canteen with Ernie Wood, the best known timekeeper in the sport. Three watch Woodie we called him. I am the small boy on the front of the photo taken in Mr.Livingston's garden.
I was there when the Club was boosted by 8 or 9 members of the Royal Army Pay Corps, Cyril Evans and Chris Clegg being the best known. Then came the lads from the Boys Brigade - Brian Kibble, Dave Trigg, Graham Squires, Rob Briers and I think Brian Ashwell. All very good servants of the Club. Then there came Jack Rawlings, Jack Elway and yourself Peter. My only claim to fame was Darts Champion for three years and twice runner up in Snooker. Great Days and many more great memories.
P.S. I would very much like to look around the club room in Haynes Road again. I have been down twice but found no one there.
P.P.S. I hope that the enclosed cheque will help the funds. Sorry it cannot be more.
[Ed.Thanks very much Ken. I wrote to Ken thanking him for the cheque and suggested that he visited the club room on a Wednesday evening when usually Dave Trigg and Brian Kibble are there playing Pool. This, I believe he has done and he also went to the Abbey Park to see the Jim Sharlott 10K. Open.].
From Sheila & Roy Bull:
Thank you for the Leicester Walker No.4. I have enclosed a book of stamps to help with postage costs as I would like to receive future copies as I find them very interesting to read. Going through my scrapbook I came across these 1946 results. I do not know if you have them but you are welcome to keep if you require.
Just one suggestion. Is it possible for you to publish the Leicester Walkers results in the news letter?[Ed.Thanks for the stamps Sheila and Roy. I have had another request for Leicester results to be included in future newsletters and so as ‘The customer is always right' you will find that some of this years results are listed later and will be in future editions of THE LEICESTER WALKER. ]
From Cath Duhig [An e-mail]:
I have just read your latest Leicester Walker, forwarded via Dave Ainsworth. It was an interesting read, even if I don't know many of the people referred to, being still a relative newcomer to the sport [15 years this October.]
I have just been upstairs and unearthed the editions of Race Walking Record nos.585 [July 1991] and 637 [November 1995] which I would be glad to send on to you if you still want them - you may have been inundated with offers. I can't help with the other missing edition - it was before my time. I don't think I even knew racewalking existed then.
I'm afraid I shan't be able to support the Leicester 10K. on Sept.4th. due to another commitment but I wish LWC. all the best with keeping the event going. The last time I walked it was with my dear and much missed friend Brian Gore. It was his first walk back after his illness [and one of his last sadly] and I was supposed to be walking with him to keep an eye on him for Una. Fat chance - I could hardly keep up with him, as ill as he was! So the venue has mixed emotions for me.
Best Wishes.
Cath Duhig.[Ed. You were wrong Cath. I have not been inundated with offers of the missing ‘Records' that I listed last time. Just the one given to me by Chris Berwick and the one loaned by Brian Ficken. As it happens I am still looking for no.585 [July 1991] which you say you have. It would be much appreciated if your offer still stands and you could let me have your copy. Thank you very much.].
From Maurice Jones [an e-mail]:
I was very pleased to receive a copy of The Leicester Walker No.4 as you promised when I spoke to you about three months ago. I found it very interesting reading and it brought back many happy memories from my few years with the club in the late 70's and early 80's.
I entered my first Mercury walk as a novice in I think 1975 and turned up at Saffron Lane for one of your coaching lessons for novices and from then on I was hooked on walking. Whilst I never really had races of note timewise I did win the 10K. Norton series in 1981. I also took part in the inaugural 100K. on the M42 [before it opened] and became the 3rd. counting man for Leicester when we won the team prize in the 100 mile in 1982 [I think].
I moved to Wellingborough in 1984 and due to work commitments I had to give up competitive walking. Whilst trying to keep active I no longer do any competitive walking but if I had been at home on Sept.4th. I would have loved to have had a go at the Jim Sharlott Memorial 10K.Unfortunately we are usually out of the country at that time. I would have loved to have renewed my personal battles with Tony Kent who joined the club at about the same time as me and I believe became a Centurion in 1980 when I did.Reading Where are They Now? paragraph, I was surprised to see my name included but you now have my e-mail address which I hope will reduce expenses.
When we spoke on the telephone it was about walking in schools .I did pass on your name and some details about Race Walking to the Sports Development Officer at Wellingborough Council. I hope something comes of it. I will keep trying to plug it whenever possible.
[Note from the Editor]. Just to correct a couple points made by Maurice. He became Centurion no. 697 in the 1980 Leicester 100 with a time of 20.58.37. Tony Kent achieved this 2 years earlier in the last Leicester to Skegness 100 with a time of 22.44.56 .to become Centurion No. 636.
2004 PERFORMANCES.
Here are some brief details of Club performances from the earlier part of 2004, as requested by a number of readers.
In January the Club 10 miles was won by Duane Butterly [86.50], but has he represents Derbyshire, the County title was taken by the runner up Chris Berwick [90.07].
In February, Nathan Adams, a second claim member won the Midland 10K., walking as a guest in 46.02. Luke Finch took the Senior and Standard title, as runner up in 46.28. With Duane Butterly, 3rd. and Chris Berwick, 6th., the Club won the Team title. In the Womens 5K., Rachael Woolley finished 4th. in 30.12 and she took the Standard title. Only 4 competitors contested the Club 15 miles which was won by Chris Berwick in 2.18.46. In the A.A.A.s under 20 Indoor Championships at the end of February, Luke Finch was 2nd.in 12.56. while Rachael Woolley was 6th. in the Womens section in 17.12.
The Club finished 2nd. overall and 3rd. in the Inter Counties at the Molly Barnett all age group meeting in early March. The best individual performances came from Lauren Gimson who won the under 15's 2K. in 10.00., while Rachael Woolley won the under 20's 5K. in 29.08., and Nathan Adams was 4th.in the Senior 10K. in 45.07.
In the R.W.A. Younger Age Groups, held inconjuction with the Leamington Grand Prix, Luke Finch won the under 20 title over 10K.in 46.02 while Lauren Gimson was third in the under 15's 3K. in 15.56. The Club had a clean sweep in the Midland Championships held on the Abbey Park. Chris Berwick won the 20K. title in 109.56. with Duane Butterly second in 114.10. These two along with Colin Vesty who was 4th. won the team title. Lauren Gimson won the under 15's title in 15.55, Fiona McGorum, under 17's in 27.39 and Rachael Woolley, under 20's in 28.38.
Luke Finch was selected to walk for Gt.Britain in the World Cup in Naumberg Germany. He finished 27th. in the 10K. with a time of 45.18 while Nathan Adams won the Birchfield 20K. in 97.58. with Chris Berwick 9th. and Colin Vesty 17th. the Club was third team.
The Midland track Championships were held at Tamworth. Here, Luke Finch won the 10,000mtrs. in 44.42 with Nathan Adams, a guest 2nd. in 45.41. Chris Vesty was 2nd. in the under 13 Boys 2000mtrs. in 13.33 while Fiona McGorum won the under 17's 3000mtrs.in 16.04.
Luke Finch also represented Leicestershire in the Inter Counties Championships at Bedford where he finish 3rd. in the 3000mtrs.in 12.12.
The National 35K. was held in June on Sutton Park Birmingham. Nathan Adams, walking for Sheffield won in 3.06.25. Chris Berwick was 5th.in 3.27.09 and Colin Vesty 9th.in 3.54.18. These two finished third team.
Well there we are. I hope that this brief summary of Club results for the first 6 months will satisfy many readers. I hope to bring you all up todate in the next issue of THE LEICESTER WALKER.
THE GEORGE TOWERS STORY[part 2]
Two weeks after winning the 2 ½ miles and having put in a few spins around the same course I was at the Club for what I thought was training. It was suggested that I might like to take part in a 5 mile novice race. I said O.K. but on lining up at the start I found that I was the youngest by at least 5 years. About a dozen started. Some with a rush and I was almost left standing. Take it steady I was told and don't panic. I eased up to the leading group of 4. By the time we got on to Uppingham Road it was down to three including me. I was feeling good and sensing a chance to win another medal[1st.three] I eased up to the leader, Eddie Watson who was coached by Don Kenney. [Don incidentally committed suicide. A tragic loss as he was a useful distance man].
On the way back along Spencefield Lane I began to lose ground. A few yards further on Eddie tripped and almost fell. I made an effort to catch him but it was no use as the gap widened and the result was:-1st.Eddie Watson in 45.12. and 2nd. me in 45.50 and a second medal.
The next race was a Winter League 7 miles from St.Margarets Church Hall which was about a month after the 5 miles .Sheffield and Derby entered teams as everything was being done to get back to its pre war standard. I finished a long way down the field in 63.56 which certainly pleased me. I collected a caution coming down Mowmacre Hill from Roberts Downing of Derby. He was a Character and was known as that old b----- with the bent pipe. His pipe did not go straight at the stem. Instead it was shaped down his chin and then out. The vertical part rested on his chin.
The Topham Cup [off handicap marks] 7 mile in November was my next race. Derek Betts was off 12 mins. and myself off 9 mins. The dressing room banter was that we would be first and second but there were differing opinions as to which order. I took it steady for a start catching some on the way out and then checking on those in front on the way back before the turn. I also checked on those behind me on the way back. I started to wind it up and half way along Spencefield Lane I was in second place but Derek Betts was out of sight. Coming to the top of the hill on Wicklow Drive my legs went dead and I was passed by two placing me now in fourth. I managed to hang on but that was a lesson learnt. The annoying thing was that the chap who finished third [an ex army chap] never raced again.
EUROPEAN RACE WALKING CUP 2007
Below is an article that I was asked to write for the British Athletics Supporters Club magazine Backtrack.
U.K.Athletics inconjuction with the Race Walking Association [R.W.A.] are jointly bidding to hold the EUROPEAN RACE WALKING CUP in 2007. If the bid is successful it will be held at Royal Leamington Spa in May of that year.
In order to launch the bid a Gala Dinner was held at Leamington on November 6th. Amongst the dignitaries present were Dave Moorcroft and a number of members of the local council including the Chairman of Warwick District Council.
There was a foreign flavour to the evening with three invited guests from abroad including Maurizio Damilano, Chairman I.A.A.F.Walking Committee, 1980 Olympic 20Km. Champion and also 1987 World 20Km.Champion. Then there was Maris Peterson from the Russian Federation who was also a former National coach of Russia and member of the E.A.A.Walking Commission, as well as Luis Saladie from Spain an E.A.A.Council member.
It was decided to invite as many of Great Britain's walking medalists as possible. It must be remembered that during the 97 year history of the R.W.A. they have produced 27 individual medalists winning between them a total of 44 medals. This is far more than any other Athletic discipline in Britain and also more Walking medals than any other country.
17 medalists are still alive and 11 were able to accept the invitation.
Heading the list of acceptances was the 1964 Olympic 20Km. Gold medalist, Ken Matthews. Ken also won the 1962 European 20Km. Gold as well as the 1961 and 1963 World Cup Golds at 20Kms.
Another 4 time medalist present was the 1964 Olympic 50Km. Silver medalist, Paul Nihill who also won the European 20Km. Gold in 1969, European 20Km. Bronze in 1971, as well as the 1963 World Cup Silver at 20Kms.
Others who attended were George Williams, 1961 World Cup Bronze at 20Kms., Ray Middleton who not only won the Silver medal in the 1963 World Cup 50Kms. but also the Silver in the first ever Commonwealth 20 miles in 1966.
The winner of the Gold medal on that day was Ron Wallwork, who was also present. The others were all Commonwealth medalists - Bill Sutherland [1970 Bronze], John Warhurst [1974 Gold], Roy Thorpe [1974 Silver], Oliver Flynn [1978 Gold], Ian McCombie [1986 and 1990 Bronze] and Lisa Kehler [1990 and 1998 Bronze as well as 2002 Silver].
Many a tale was told as the Walkers who dominated the British Walking scene during the second half of the 20th.century reminisced.
A great deal of hard work was necessary to organise the evening that was regarded as a Hugh success but the real work starts now. If the bid is successful, then it is important that these Championships, that provide 5 races on the one day, turn out to be an unqualified success.
A day to be looked forward to whether or not you are as enthusiastic about Race Walking as some of us.
A LONG TIME AGO.
1954: Despite the fact that our leading man, Albert Staines was only 4th. [84.16] in the Midland 10 miles the club still managed to take first and third team awards. The race held in Leicester was won by George Coleman [81.03] with Alf Poole second [83.34] and Alf Rozentals third in 83.36. Albert won the Club Championship which was inconjuction with the Midland Championship, with George Towers, second and Ken Satchwell was third. The National was held at Parliament Hill and won by Roland Hardy in 74.16. The club team was 10th. and the County 11th. Albert Staines made it a clean sweep in Club Championships winning the 15 miles in 2.14.05 and the 20 miles, which was then a handicap off marks, in 3.07.13. As far as the other 20 mile races were concerned Albert Staines won the Midland title in 3.02.25, was also 3rd.in the Mercury Walk in 2.59.33 [won by Roland Hardy in 2.50.06] and he finished 22nd. in the National in 3.05.12 [won by Lol Allen in 2.47.48]. Tom Sharlott was 10th. in the Manchester to Blackpool while Albert Staines continued his good season by finishing 4th. in the Outer Circle 25 miles. The best club performance in the 1 hour walks was Brian Kibble's 7 miles 440yds. as he followed this up by finishing the first club man in our Open 7 in 57.47.
1979: Alan King won the Club 10 mile title in 76.02 but only finished 3rd. in the Midland Championship won by Brian Adams in 75.05. Brian went on to win the County 10 mile in 75.42 and the Club 15 miles in 1.56.08. He also went on to win 3 track 10,000mtrs titles, Club in 44.24, Midland in 44.57 and the A.A.A's in 43.48. The Club won the Team title in the National 10 miles where Brian Adams finished 2nd. Alan King won the Sheffield 20Kms. and with John Paddick, 3rd., Peter Markham, 14th.and Steve Lewis, 16th. finished 2nd.Team. In filling the first two places in the Midland 35Kms. Brian Adams and Alan King helped the Club to easily win the Team title. The Club finished third team in the National 20Kms. where Alan King was second and Brian Adams was disqualified. He got his own back when he won the County 3,000 Mtrs.in 12.25 beating Alan King by 10 seconds. These two dominated other races during the year finishing 1st .[Brian] and third [Alan] in the Mercury Walk where the Club easily won the Team race. They were 1st. [Brian] and 2nd. [Alan] in the Midland 20Km.Championship and Alan won the I Hour race with 13447 mtrs. John Paddick won the T.T.walk over 37 ¾ miles in 5.47.02 while Chris Berwick was third in the National 100Kms. and with Reg Colver [9th.]and Dave Jones [11th.] they won the Team title. New Zealander, Graham Seatter won our Open 10Kms., walking for Belgrave Harriers while Brian Adams finished second and Alan King third.
If 1954 belonged to Albert Staines then 1979 was certainly shared between Brian Adams and Alan King .
JIM SHARLOTT MEMORIAL 10 KILOS.
This race was held for the first time on September 4th. as a replacement for the now defunct Leicester Mercury Walk. The format was exactly the same as for recent Mercury Walks with the Younger Age Group races preceding the main race. Unfortunately, due to other events clashing there was a shortage of Officials, particularly Judges. The number of youngsters taking part was pretty well on a par with other recent years, but the entries for the 10Kms. was disappointing, particularly as it was designated as a ‘B' race for the first time. The reason for the shortage of entries was mainly due to the fact that the veterans championship was not included, for the first time in a number of years.
There were a total of about 30 men and women starters where the Winner was the Club's own Luke Finch in 51.23. With Duane Butterly 4th. and Chris Berwick 5th., the Club easily won the Team title, in fact they also took 2nd. Team awards. It was pleasing to see a total of 9 Club members finishing.
PAST RESULTS REQUIRED.
As no doubt many readers will have already gathered I am spending much of my time these days in researching past Club performances. I am happy to say that I have a pretty comprehensive record of Club performances from 1946 to 1985, as well as from July 1998 to the present time, although I have no doubt that in the fullness of time I will come across some that I have missed. I am therefore trying to fill the gap between 1986 and June 1998. The main source of my information is either Race Walking Record or Athletics Weekly. However it is amazing how many results are actually missing from either of these publications. Generally speaking National and Area Championships as well as the main Open events are published but my biggest problem is usually Club events. Races such as Club Championships, Hewitt Cups, L.T.Norton 10Kms., Topham Cup, Peter Cup, Boxing Day or Runners v Walkers seem to be the kind of event that often miss out when results are published. I have one further source of information. This is the Leicester Records Office where I have access to old copies of the Leicester Mercury. Even so, some of these results have either not been published or if they have are abrieviated. This is where some readers may be able to help me. If anyone has any result sheets for any of the races listed above, no matter what year, please do not throw them away. Either let me have them or at least borrow them. Just to confirm that I have a copy of the result. Remember that when this exercise is complete, and I have yet to start on the period from 1927 to 1945, the Club will be in possession of a complete record of its history.
IMPORTANT DATES[to remember].
There are two important dates that Club members, as well as anyone else that has had an association with the Club in the past, should put in their New Year diary's.
The first is JANUARY 15th. when a SPECIAL meeting will be held at the Club Room. The meeting will start at 2.0.P.M.as this day is a Saturday. This is being called to give anyone interested the chance to air their views on the ‘possible' relocation of the Club Headquarters. Due to the ever increasing costs and the near impossibility of putting on Races from the present Club Room the General Committee are very keen to hear anyone or everyone's views on the matter.
The second date to remember is FEBRUARY 23rd. when the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place.The meeting will be held at the Club Room start at 7.0.P.M. Please come along to discuss, criticise or even suggest how the Club is run.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
This item was featured for the first time in the last edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER.
As explained at the beginning of this edition, thanks to Tony Forryan, a number of those listed have now been traced. Even so there are still a number of names that were listed last time that I am still keen to trace. They are:- Trevor Hart,Stef Whitmore, Richard Whittington, Jim Stretton, Ted Warner, Danny Astill, Terry Needham, Terry Crocket ,Brian Bown, Phil Cheshire, Alan Page, Phil Odell, Tony Loveridge, Phil Parker, Alan Paterson, Andrew Ethell, David Ethell and Karen Wright.
A few more to add to this list are:-Nicky Massey, Andrea Croft, Jon Vincent, Alan Taylor, Tony Taylor, Mal Tolley, Douglas Archibald, Alan Churchill, Len Gutteridge, Simon Moore, Andy Thacker and Michelle Venables. Please let me know if you have any contact details for any of the above mentioned.
and FINALLY.
Most readers will know that the whole idea of THE LEICESTER WALKER is to keep all Club members in touch with what is happening within the Club. Not only current members but those former members [where contact details are known] and in fact anyone who has an interest in the Club, past or present. However, it is not all about what I write. I am continuingly looking for items to include in future editions. Either from current members or past members who are not seen around as regularly as they used to be.What are you doing now? What are your memories of the Club when you were a member? Anything of interest, otherwise this newsletter will die purely through lack of interest.
and FINALLY FINALLY.
Could I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a very successful New Year.
PETER MARKHAM.
NOTE. - After completing this edition I heard the very sad news of the sudden death of our much loved member CLIFF RUSHTON. Cliff died suddenly on Sunday November 28th.
Our thoughts go out to his wife Marian and his three children Andrew, Lesley and Ian.
Rest in Peace Cliff.Centurian no.539.
A full appreciation of Cliff will be given in the next edition.