LEICESTER
WALKER
Welcome to another edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER. Some 5 months have passed since no.5 and I am happy to say that I have sufficient material to produce no.6. However, it should be pointed out that if I do not receive any more articles edition no.7 could be the last. It is ironic really that the majority of the responses I receive after distributing THE LEICESTER WALKER comes from friends of the Club rather than actual Club Members.
I am sure that I could fill a number of future editions with my own thoughts and suggestions as to what has gone wrong, and may still be going wrong with Race Walking in this country but I am sure that it would be a complete turn off for all readers, especially those that are not involved these days. After all I would only be accused of ‘pontificating' as I once was at an Annual General Meeting some years ago. So keep the articles coming from Club members as well as Club friends as they are much appreciated.
CONTACT
An E.Mail from Dave Ainsworth.:
I regret to notify you that the 1968 Olympian, John Webb, [Basildon A.A.C.] has had an operation to remove an eye, which has been replaced with a glass eye. I had a letter from George Towers today. He's had operations on both eyes, but has been allowed to keep his driving licence - although he doesn't drive too far nowadays. George and his good lady have recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
A letter from Wilf Smith. [Wilf of course won the first Leicester to Skegness 100 mile in 1958]:
Hello Pete.
I want to thank you for The Leicester Walker that you send me. I realise what a great deal of time it must take to put it all together before it is finally sent out to everyone. I hope everyone else appreciates it like I do. I hope that you, Sylvia and Paul are keeping well. I am sending these stamps just to help out a little with the cost of putting it all together and sending it out.
Best Wishes.
Wilf and Marj Smith.
A letter from Marian Rushton [Cliff's Widow]:
Thank you for attending Cliff's funeral, I and my family felt very proud to see so many there paying their last respects.
What a ‘send off' he was given, he would have been amazed. I am sorry if I didn't get to speak to you, so many people. I'm only just beginning to find out who was there.Cliff's death was the hardest thing for me and our children have ever had to face. Cliff was a great family man, he always put us first. An hour before he died he was teaching two of our grand children card tricks. Our one comfort, he didn't suffer, he wasn't ill, on NO medication at all. Thanking you all once more.
Yours very sincerely.
Marian Rushton.[An appreciation of Cliff will appear later].
A letter from Colin Young:
Dear Peter. Trust Sylvia and yourself are fit and well. Looking up a result someone asked for I came across the enclosed cutting from the July 67 ‘Record' which you may like to use in a future Leicester Walker. [Ed.See later on in this issue]. I see in that issue [and in fact during that year] you and I had some real close tussles in various races and distances, those were the days. Saw Paul [Nihill] the other Friday, he is well and still buying records. Hopefully will see you at the Centurions A.G.M. on the 19th. if Chris Flint will kindly give me a lift.
Best Wishes to you both, See you soon.
Colin[C317].
An E.Mail from Sandra and Richard Brown:
Peter. Very many thanks. I'm very grateful to receive the newsletter, with news of friends at LWC, and fascinating insights into the club's history. Please pass on our warmest regards to club members,especially at the A.G.M. With very best wishes for Christmas and the new year, from all of us.
Sandra, Richard and Vicky Brown.
I had a telephone call from Pete Baxter, who not only gave me Stef Whitmore's address but also said that he was thinking of writing something for THE LEICESTER WALKER. [Not received yet Pete. How about it? Stef of course will receive a copy of this edition].
I saw Dave Palfreman at the Centurions A.G.M .who also said he was thinking about writing something for a future edition of THE LEICESTER WALKER. [Nothing received yet Dave].
At the Midland Younger Age Group Championships on the Abbey Park recently Colin Vesty was approached by someone originally from Holland who says that he took part in one of the Leicester 100 mile races in the 90's. His name was Fer-Jan de Vries. He now lives in Leicester and lectures computer science at the University. [Ed.He became Centurion number 900 in the Leicester 100 at Hungarton in 1992 with a time of 23.46.02.]
Colin has also been contacted by Simon Moore [Winner of the 1986 Mercury 30 Kms.in 2.22.26] who apparently is still interested in what happens within the club.
THANK YOU LEICESTER WALKING CLUB.
As previously promised this is a letter sent to the Race Walking Record by Colin Young in July 1967:
Reflecting after yet another enjoyable visit to Leicester for the ‘Mercury', it accured to me what a fine contribution the city's walking club makes. The now numerous ‘Open' promotions make the club the leader in this field and reflects the organising ability amongst its ranks of whom one must single out Albert Johnson and Bill Bell for special praise. Ever since I took an interest in our sport, I have admired the spirit amongst the Leicester boys, both their competitors and supporters, the later having ‘saved' me many a time in a distance race held in the Midlands.
The memory of watching the great Lloyd Johnson win the National 50Kms. in 1949 over the tough Chigwell course at the age of 49 will always remain with me. The ever game, Albert Staines, still a tough man to beat in a distance race, and the consistent reliables like Bill Moule, Cyril Evans and Albert Tompkinson, have always ensured that Leicester have been a danger in the longer National Championships, although I seem to remember on many occasions, they have just missed the medals by finishing a close up fourth. Always in the forefront at encouraging youth into the sport, the number of potential champions since the era of George Towers and Co. in the mid forties must number dozens. It gives me great pleasure to see lads such as Peter Markham, Dave Trigg, Mal Blyth and Brian Kibble,with whom I raced as a Junior, still improving and scoring in the team, Wilf Smith making a come-back, and that grand campaigner, Jack Rawlings in such excellent form.
May you, Leicester Walking Club, long continue to promote, succeed and flourish with the wonderful club spirit you have always possessed. ‘Up the Blues!!'.
Colin Young[Essex Beagles].
CLIFF RUSHTON - R.I.P.
As reported at the end of the last THE LEICESTER WALKER, the sad news was received that Cliff died on November 28th. [See a letter received from Cliff's wife Marion earlier].
Cliff was always a very friendly man who always greeted you with a friendly smile and comment. I am sure many members had much more personal contact with Cliff than I did and I would be very happy to print any memories that anyone may wish to share. As for me, Cliff helped me a great deal when I went to New Zealand in 1981. He set up a contact with one of his friends who helped Sylvia, Paul and myself when we were over there.
As far as his Walking was concerned Cliff started his career as a Mercury Walk Novice, although I cannot trace which year, but not as a member of the Leicester Walking Club, instead he walked for Byford's. When they disbanded in 1972 he joined the Club. His first race as a new member was the Club 10 miles in 1972. He quickly followed this up by being a scoring member of the 3rd. team in the Midland Standard 10 miles. After walking in the Club 15 miles and Mercury Walk he finished third in the handicap in the Norton 10 Kms. with an actual time of 62.14. Within weeks he improved his time over the same course by 2 minutes.
In 1973 he finished joint 4th. in the Livingstone Series and walked the National 50Kms. in 5.47.41. 1974 saw Cliff walk the Manchester to Blackpool in 10.25.30. and he followed this up by becoming a Centurion [539] with a time of 22.43.11. in the Leicester to Skegness race.
Cliff was also a tireless worker within the Club as a committee member in the 80's and this was recognised when he was elected President at that time.
He will be sadly missed.
BILL BROWN - R.I.P.
It is with great sadness that I have to report the death, just before Christmas, of the Club's oldest member Bill Brown.
Over 12 months ago I reported that Bill had been taken seriously ill and his son, who lives in Scotland, had travelled to Leicester to see his father, and took him back home so that Bill could be in a residential home close to his son.
I am not able to give any details of Bill's career, suffice it to say that I do know that he was a very loyal committee member.
I first met Bill on that, fateful day for me in May 1954, when I turned up at the Tigers ground as a fresh faced novice about to have a go in my first Walking Race. Bill's greeting on that day ‘Hello me duck' was exactly the same as on every other occasion that I met him, and that must number in the thousands. I can see him now riding on his cycle, either to a race or during it. Bill helped to raise thousands of pounds in the fifties and sixties as he was the organiser of the old football ‘Pontoon' 4 tickets that cost 6d. each. The money that Bill raised during those years helped us to pay for the old club room to be refurbished. We will always remember you Bill.
2005 PERFORMANCES
[Ed.Thanks to Chris Smith for the following article]
The club has made a good start this season in the R.W.A. Younger Age Group Grand Prix and after the first two fixtures are in the lead. All five walkers that have taken part in both races [article submitted in February] are in the top three. Dean Barton [u17men] and Hannah Carr [u13girls] are leading. Fiona McGorum [u17women] and Chris Vesty [u13boys] are second while Paul Barton [u15boys] is third. Current holders City of Sheffield, managed by Brian Adams, seem to think we will reach the five scoring races and run out of steam. However, we do have some big guns in reserve. Lauren Gimson, Rachael Woolley, Hugo Graham, Charles Gill, Dane Smith and Andrew Barton have yet to score in the nine race series.
Finally,, the deciding fixture is the Jim Sharlott races [on Sept.10th.], by which time I hope our work with local Athletics Development Officer, Wayne Walker, will have helped recruitment and all of our English Schools Team will turn out and settle the title.
Next issue. 1995 Grand Prix winners, how it was won, but where are they now. Chris Smith.
Since Chris wrote this article there have been three more Grand Prix events and the overall positions after five events at the end of April are:-
Under 13 Girls. 3rd.Hannah Carr.
Under 15 Girls. 6th.Lauren Gimson. 9th.Ruby Green. 10th.Katrina Green.
Under 17 Girls. 3rd.Fiona McGorum.
Under 20 Girls. 2nd. Rachael Woolley.
Under 13 Boys. 2nd. Chris Vesty . 6th.Charles Gill. 7th.Joe Rose. 8th.Andrew Barton.
Under 15 Boys. 3rd.Paul Barton. 7th. Hugo Graham.
Under 17 Boys. 1st. Dean Barton.
The Boys Team is leading with the Girls Team 3rd. and Overall the combined Boys and Girls are topping the list of 19 Clubs.
As far as the Seniors are concerned Duane Butterley won the Club 10 miles in 89.57. while in finishing 2nd. Chris Berwick won the County title in 90.36.
In the Midland Senior 10 Kms. Duane Butterley was 2nd. in 54.20 and with Chris Berwick 3rd.in 55.58 and Colin Vesty 4th.in 57.54. Leicester won the Team title.
Fiona McGorum won the Senior 5 Kms. in 27.55 and in doing so also won the ‘Standard' title.
Rachael Woolley, who won the ‘Standard' title last year, was third in 30.40 which meant that the girls also won the team title.
In the smallest field ever [just 2] Chris Berwick won the Club 15 mile title from Colin Vesty.
THE GEORGE TOWERS STORY[part 3]
During 1947 I took part in several club and local races like Market Bosworth etc. Then in September I joined the Royal Air Force as an apprentice at R.A.F.Halton near Aylesbury.
There I met F/S Bert Howarth [Surrey W.C.] and W.O. Fred Herring [Belgrave H.]. There were 3 or 4 others dabbling at the sport including ‘Lofty' Bennett because he was 6ft.8ins. It was about this time that it was noted in a national newspaper that W.O. Purcell [Cambridge H.] had won the army 7miles title in around 60.30. F/S Howarth contacted F/S Ogden [Surrey W.C.] who was stationed at R.A.F. Cosford. Bill Ogden had won the 1st. ever R.A.F. 7 miles in 1939. Plans were made to get things started again. The result was that in March 1948 the R.A.F. 7 miles was revived and held at Cosford.
This race was won by F/L. Bill Ogden with F/Sgt. Bert Howarth 3rd. I was 7th. The team race was won by Cosford ‘A' with Halton'A' 2nd. and Cosford ‘B' third. About a dozen teams competed plus other individuals. There was quite a bit of cheating going on due to the fact that the Judge's car broke down on the way. They only saw the last mile. Tommy Clarke [Leicester W.C.] had 6 out in that mile. We at Halton started to get races against some of the London Clubs including Surrey W.C. We took a party of 20 or more by coach to one of their club races. Belgrave H. and Met.Police were other clubs that we visited.
In the 1948 Inter Wings Athletic Championships at Halton a 2 mile walk was held. There were two categories, under 17 1/2. years and over. Three in each category from each wing. We all walked in one race to save time. I was in the leading group all the way and eventually won the race and also the under 17 1/2 category. Although we in the leading group got a fair share of support from the crowd, that was in excess of 1000, as everybody had to be there to support their teams, something was going on behind us which was getting far more applause than we were. We found out when we finished and had time to turn round. Can you imagine 6ft.8ins. Lofty Bennett racing it out with 5ft.2ins. Tich Whiskin for almost the whole of the race. At the prize presentation when the C.O.s wife made the presentations she said that she had never seen a walking race before and this incident was the highlight of the afternoon for her. I might had that this was a good ‘shop window' for walking as far as we were concerned.
The outcome was that we got plenty of recruits and had the 1949 R.A.F. 7miles championship at Halton. The result was that we had 1st., 3rd. and 4th. teams in the team competition but more about that later.
I will also tell you later about when I went AWOL [ed. to those that have not done military service this isABSENT WITH OUT LEAVE] to take part in a race.
IMPORTANT MEETINGS
In edition number 5, I mentioned the fact that there would be two important meetings during the early part of the year. Here are brief reports.
Special Meeting to discuss the possible relocation of the Club Room:
It was stated that there were two main points to each side of the argument. The arguments to move were the high cost of keeping the Club Room going and the few times the Club was used particularly for races or training.
The arguments to stay were, where would we go to and the fact that the Club members [past and present] had sentimental memories of the Club Room.
15 out of a total of 58 members attended. This just shows how much this very important issue means to most people. The outcome was inconclusive in as much as there were no strong opinions either way. Therefore it has been decided to stay put for the time being but a great deal of repair work needs to be done as the Club Room itself is looking very tired and dilapidated.
The Annual General Meeting:
In the 50 years that I have attended the A.G.M, this was the quickest, lasting just 45 mins. There were about a dozen attendees. None of the reports were contested and the majority of the Officers and Committee members etc. were re elected. The Officers are: President-John Mynard. Secretary-Colin Vesty. Treasurer-Chris Berwick and Chairman[who is elected by the General Committee] Peter Markham .
A LONG TIME AGO.
1955 [Jan.to June]: In the Annual Runners v Walkers 5 mile event on New Years day, the runners won easily on an eight man per side basis. The fastest walker was John Logan in 43.26 closely followed by Albert Staines in 43.39. Two weeks later John went on to win the Midland Standard 10 miles in 85.38. With Dave Trigg 4th. in 90.21, Derek Betts 13th. and Gordon Bott 14th. the team were second behind Royal Sutton Coldfield. The Birmingham Club came out on top again when they won the Midland Senior title. The individual title went to George Coleman [Vauxhall Motors] in a record for the event 79.13. The Worcester duo of Alf Poole and George Williams filled the minor placings with Albert Staines 4th. Dave Trigg [10th.], Jack Rawlings [13th.] and Tom Sharlott [19th.] completed the counting four who were second.
The Club 10 mile was held at the end of February and won easily by Albert Staines [83.10], Jack Rawlings [89.03] was second with Dave Trigg [89.36] third. Two weeks later the National 10 miles was held at Southport. Roland Hardy, George Coleman and Albert Johnson took the first three places when Sheffield easily won the team title. The Club finished 5th. team led home by Albert Staines [82.40] in 20th.position. Two weeks later the Club finished third team in the Sheffield 15 miles led home again by Albert Staines who was 5th.in 2.15.20. Albert Staines seemed invincible as he won the Club 15 mile title in 2.09.47 from Wilf Smith [2.16.12] and Brian Kibble [2.17.37].
The Midland 20 mile was held at Loughborough with the Club 20 championship inconjuction. Alf Poole won with over 5 mins.to spare over Albert Staines [2.56.33]. Alf Rozentals was third. With Jack Rawlings [6th.], Wilf Smith [7th.] and Tom Sharlott [10th.] the club easily won the team title.
This race concluded the Livingstone Medley series that was won by Gordon Bott.
As was often the case during this period the National 20 miles really acted as a warm up for the Mercury Walk 2 weeks later. The National that was held at Wimbledon was won by George Coleman in 2.40.08. The Club finished 8th .team led home by Albert Staines in 28th. position. The Mercury was won by Albert Johnson [2nd.in the National], with Ron Davies 2nd., Albert Staines 3rd. and Wilf Smith [who only started as a Novice 12 months earlier] 4th in 3.05.05. The Club missed out by just 1 point behind Sheffield in the team race where Brian Kibble [14th.] and Jack Rawlings [19th.] were the other counters. The National 50 Kilos. was held just 2 weeks after the Mercury at Coventry. Here Albert Johnson won in 4.31.32 beating Don Thompson into 2nd. place. The club finished third team with Albert Staines [9th.], Wilf Smith [16th.]. John Logan [25th.] and Albert Tomkinson [36th.]. Jim Marriott finished 57th. in 5.48.21. [Ed.If only we could get a field like that these days. 78 starters, 62 finishers and the last man doing 6.00.33. I would be very pleased to hear from anyone who thinks they have the answer to what has gone wrong].
Mention has been made frequently in the above article of George Coleman. I am sorry to report that George died earlier in the year age 88. Not only was he a top man at area and national level he was also selected twice for the Olympics. In 1952 he raced the 10,000mtrs. and in 1956 ,the 20Kms. He was also regarded, by most of those that know about these things, to be one of the best stylists of our time. The sport of Race Walking is all the poorer without the likes of George Coleman.
1980 [Jan. To June]: Phil Vesty easily won the Standard 10 miles by nearly 5 mins. from Andy Trigg with Mike Smith [Coventry] third. With Jim Stretton [11th.] and Tony Forryan [13th.] the Club won the Team title. Colin Vesty finished third in the Junior Winter League Handicap Series at the same venue. The Club 10 mile was won by Alan King [72.35], with John Paddick second [77.02] and Andy Trigg third [79.56]. It is interesting that there were 39 finishers, 14 of whom would have beaten this years winner. Brian Adams won the Midland 10 mile from Steve Barry [who 2 years later became the Commonwealth Champion]. Phil Vesty was third and with Chris Berwick [9th.] and Graham Squires [11th.] the Club won the team title. A week later Brian Adams did the double by winning the County 10 mile title in 75.48 when Phil Vesty was second in 76.19 and John Paddick third in 76.55. John got his own back in the Club 15 miles when he won in 2.04.51 from Chris Berwick [2.06.03] and Steve Lewis [2.07.00]. Eight days later John won an Open 50Kms. in 4.24.13 [I wonder how many would tackle such a feat these days]. Chris Berwick was fourth [4.43.56]. A day earlier Alan King won the Club 10,000mtrs. in 44.37. Phil Vesty was second and Chris Berwick third. The following week saw the National 10 miles being held in Leicester. This was won by Roger Mills [68.45], Mike Parker was second and Mick Greasley third. For the club Alan King was 7th., Brian Adams [8th.], Stef Whitmore [30th.] and John Paddick [43rd.]. John was on song again the following week when he won the Midland 10,000mtrs. in 47.21 with Chris Berwick second [48.31] and Mike Angove third.
[Ed.Just think about it. Within the space of 22 days Chris Berwick raced 5, yes five times. (15 miles in 2.06.03, 10,000mtrs.in 48.59, 50Kms.in 4.43.56, 10 miles in 77.14 and 10,000mtrs .in 48.31. I ask once again. How many present day Walkers would attempt such a programme these days? John Paddick wasn't too bad either. Winning three of four races in the same time period.]
Alan King won the County 20Kms. track title in 90.47. Brian Adams was second and Andy Trigg third. In April Brian Adams finished second in the Sheffield Open 20Kms. in 93.12. The Club won the team title by just 1 point from Sheffield where Alan King [3rd.], Phil Vesty [8th.] and Peter Markham [11th.] were the scoring four. The following day John Paddick was third in the Basildon 50Kms.in 4.28.55.
The English Schools Championships saw a number of local youngsters entered who eventually became quite well known Club members Andy and Steve Trigg, Colin Vesty, Paul Markham as well as three Girls Wendy Toach, Liz Gaffer and Cherie Irving. Brian Adams finished third in one Olympic Trial and fourth in another. Chris Berwick was second in the Plymouth to Dawlish 42 miles and with John Heywood [7th.], Steve Lewis [9th.] and Ted Warne r[13th.] the Club narrowly won the team title. Alan king was 5th. in the National 20Kms .where the team was second and four days later Brian Adams won the County Senior 3,000Mtrs in 12.15.6. Phil Vesty won the Junior title and Steve Trigg the Youths.
Amos Seddon won the Mercury Walk but with Brian Adams [2nd.], John Paddick [5th.], Chris Berwick [9th.] and Peter Markham [10th.] we won the Team title with the ‘B' team finishing third. In the Novices section, a number of finishers became Club members including Phil Smillie, Roger Storer, Terry Needham, Bob Sharlott, Phil Cheshire and Danny Astill. Amazingly, two days later the Club had 15 finishers in the Bradford 50Kms. all but two having completed the Mercury Walk. John Paddick won the Midland 20Kms. and with Alan Worth [2nd.] and Chris Berwick [5th.] the Club won the team title. We also took Team honours in the National 35Kms where Alan King was 6th. In that race we also won the Nymegen Shield when our 8th. walker finished in 75th. position. The Manchester to Blackpool was held the following week when not only did the Club win the Team title but were also the first team to finish six walkers.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW.
I am still trying to trace the following former members:- Trevor Hart, 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, Karen Wright, Nicky Massey, Andrea Crofts, Jon Vincent, Alan Taylor, Tony Taylor, Mal Tolley, Douglas Archibald, Alan Churchill, Len Gutteridge, Andy Thacker and Michelle Venables. Please let me know if you have any contact details for any of the above mentioned. If you happen to come into contact with any former members, ask them if they receive a copy of THE LEICESTER WALKER. If they don't, either ask them to contact me or let me have their details yourself.
And FINALLY.
I have just two requests:-
1.If anyone receives their copy of THE LEICESTER WALKER by post or is given a copy and they have an E.Mail address, please let me know. It is much easier and cheaper to send out copies in that format rather than to use Royal Mail.
2 . I refer everyone to my opening comments. If anyone would like to submit an article, I will be more than pleased to publish. Either memories of the past or what you are doing these days. It doesn't matter.
Best Wishes to everyone.
Peter Markham