COMMITTEE REPORTS

For summer Magazine

THE VIEW THROUGH MY OLD EYES	Written by: Dave Waywell Submitted: 7^th June 2008
Secretary’s Summary of the recent past Meetings	Brian Wilkinson, Secretary.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT	Peter Earnshaw Membership Secretary Submitted: 19^th June 2008
“PERMISSION TO SPEAK SIR?”	Yours in running, Russ
I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU MR BOND!	Yours in running, Russ
Ladies Captain’s REPORT	Kath Hoyer Ladies Team Captain Submitted: 30^th May 2008

THE VIEW THROUGH MY OLD EYES

Flaming June!! Well we hoped so although May has been quite nice for running and it has been nice to see Wesham runners out in force again. With the new Athletics hierarchy in force, our new Membership Secretary, Peter Earnshaw has been busy trying to get the 2008 subs in to enable him to register all our members for 2008. This of course also tells us those who have decided to call it a day or just give it a rest and the list does include some of our regulars who we hope enjoyed their time with us and I will miss them and look forward to them perhaps one day returning. Hopefully a full list of those who have left will be printed in a future magazine.

There has, in the past few weeks, been quite a lot of worrying reports from the venue we use for our Interclub and Wesham 10k namely the Springfield (BNFL) Social Clubhouse which has been threatened with closure. Although we are at present in receipt of more promising news we are preparing for the worst which will hopefully safeguard both of these events for this year at least, but, for the time being, it is: “Watch this space”.

In July we have the Round the Park Relays which is on the 11^th starting on the bridleway path to the rear of the Blackpool Zoo and Victoria Hospital overspill car parks. Start time is 7.15 pm with registration of your three person team at Blackpool Fire Station from 6.00pm. Teams should, where possible, be of the same gender and in the same age group; if you are struggling, find someone from another club. There is a prize for the funniest team name, (who can ever forget the “Two Tarts and a Trollop”), and fancy dress is always an option. Club vests are not required to be worn. The night finishes at the fire station with something to eat and presentation of prizes. Most of those who participate will somehow manage to be in a team which will win in their category! We then have our Inter Club race on the 14^th, which will start at 7.30pm at the Springfield Social Club car Park. As usual we will need marshals/helpers so will any volunteers kindly contact me or Keith Rhead and “yes”, you can still help and run the race. The decision on providing butties or fruit will be made after the social clubs position has been confirmed.

Moving into August and we have the Wesham Birthday Party and Race on the 18th and you, your families and ex-members or just friends are all invited to take part, be it in the race or just eating the meal, which is once more being held at the Garden Restaurant at Westby. The menu and prices are to be found within this magazine or on the website as well as on most Monday evenings at the club. I am not certain but, if my Maths is right, this should be our 24^th Birthday so next year will be our Silver Anniversary.

Jumping ahead of myself, I along with some of your friends and colleagues have been working on organising the Wesham 10k which will take place on the 29^th November and almost certainly on the same course as usual but again some arrangements for this race may have to be looked at once we have a decision on the availability of the social club. The committee was hoping that the Liverpool cross country would be the Saturday before but some correspondence I have seen leads me to believe we will clash once more. In the very near future I will be looking for individuals to assist me in the organisation of the race and hopefully most of those who helped last year will be available to help again this year. There is going to be others needed so please don’t leave it to the same old faces get involved and as they say many hands make light work.

So what about those of you who are injured, well the good news is that almost everyone I mentioned in the last magazine is back running and, in some cases, racing. Jenny Thompson is doing just fine and, as with Barry Peatfield, both back at the races. Mick Edge has started the long road back after his back operation. Although he is at present only capable of short, jogging runs Carmel reckons that’s about as fast as he used to go anyway. Not so good news is about Mike Owen who as decided to leave the club for now due to the injury he has tried so hard to get over but, you never know, a miracle cure may be just round the corner so lets just wish him all the best and hope to see him in the near future. One person I missed in the last mag was Chris Wilding who was doing so well until a leg injury he had been troubled with before flared up again. We can only hope that we see him again in the near future giving his brother Adam and his Dad a run for their money.

I always like to keep my eye out for some of our senior members and it was wonderful to see Tony Robbins back in the St Georges Day 10K and doing ever so well, very much proof that where there’s a will there a way. Dougie Brown another of our 70 year youngsters had an injury doing the Hawkshead Trail and as been off the scene for a while so here’s hoping he is recovering and we will see him back running sooner rather than later.

My last word is saved for the club’s kit which, as most of you know, I have been selling off on Monday evenings at the clubs meeting. I am finally calling it a day after one last sale on Monday, July 28^th so be there if you want a bargain. But in the meantime I have produced an inventory of what is left and will bring it with me to races or club nights then if people request any item they will be able to purchase the same after seeing it. There is a copy of this in this magazine in the Miscellaneous Section.

In the meantime John Rudd has had one of our proposed new vests tested by none other than Gary Pendlebury whose comments so far have been very complimentary. So, the first consignment of the vests should be with us soon.

That’s all for now folks but please keep all our race dates in your diary and try getting to one or two of the races or events I am certain you will enjoy the experience.

Written by: Dave Waywell

Submitted: 7^th June 2008

Secretary’s Summary of the recent past Meetings

The March Meeting

• The first meeting of the new Committee took place, including Peter E. in the new position of Membership Secretary.

The April Meeting

• The Race Coordinator, David W. met with the 10K Race Review Committee with a view to implementing their recommendations.
• The Inter Club arrangements are well in hand, but decisions regarding food, post event, being as yet to be finalised.
• Membership Secretary, Peter E., raised the question as to how long members should be given to pay their subs, thus remaining members. The end of May being the suggested date.

The April Members Meeting

· The questions of Club Trophies and the method of presentation at the November function were raised. The Committee will discuss this in due course.

· Some members present felt we ought to provide food, as some clubs do, and as we have done in the past, after hosting of the Inter Club race. Most members agreed with this, but it was pointed out that it was not quite so simple with our present arrangements. Some enquiries were being made regarding this matter. It was pointed out that the fruit, as per last year, was well received.

The May Meeting

• To perhaps reduce the repetition of the problems that had been experienced with the Club’s Website Message Board, this facility has been reorganised by the introduction of a logging in system.
• In view of the fact that the ladies showers have been far from satisfactory over the past few months we have been afforded a reduction in the amount we pay the school.

Brian Wilkinson, Secretary.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT

We have, this year, welcomed new members Richard Crompton, Katie Loup, Stephen Nelson, Ryan Sinclair, Ian Squire, Nicola Unsworth, Lucy Warman, Thomas Waywell and Andrew and Colin Whaites, into Wesham Road Runners. Can we also welcome back Dave Preston from his short stay with Preston Harriers. May I offer then my sincere wishes that they enjoy every minute as members of our club and that they also enjoy this magazine for which they are now eligible.

We have also said goodbye to a lot of good friends in Helen Briggs, Angela Cruse, Alex Davies, Beth DeNobrega, Brenda Dwyer, Diane and Maria Gallagher, Rachel Gray, Paul Hodges, Chloe and Jasmine Livesey, Dawn Lock, Stephanie McPheely, Julian Mawson, Julie Murphy, Michael Owen and Peter Richardson. I send them my sincere wishes for the future, wish them good health and hope they can keep up their running.

We completed 2007 with a total of 156 members and, so far, we have renewed a total of 143. Our current club membership is broken down as follows:

Can I thank all those who renewed their membership earlier rather than later? Currently, our Constitution does not state a date by which a membership must be renewed. Our club is affiliated to England Athletics and we pay them £5 for each running member for their Competition Licence card. This allows you to claim your reduction in race entry fees. The £5 is included in your renewal fee. England Athletics’ fees cover you from April 2008 to March 2009. As you can see from the accompanying graph, the majority of our members had paid by the end of April so I propose to put an amendment to our Constitution at our next AGM that all membership must be renewed by the end of April each year and that members who have not paid by this date will be considered to have resigned from the club. The sooner members pay their renewal fees the sooner I can pay England Athletics, therefore, the sooner you get your Competition Licence cards. I would appreciate members’ views on this before I submit this amendment.

Peter Earnshaw

Membership Secretary

Submitted: 19^th June 2008

I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU MR BOND!

Yes, and I imagine you’ve been expecting a first report from your new captain – or maybe not!

Firstly I would like to welcome all our new members. It’s the sincere wish of everyone at Wesham that you enjoy everything the club has to offer. Running has afforded us all so much enjoyment over the years and, whether running for competition, or just pleasure, may you too know the rewards this wonderful sport has to offer. Good Luck and welcome to Wesham.

I notice that some of our newer lady members have already enjoyed the pleasures of the cross country season and, once again, ‘The Mighty Wesham’ has made the seamless transition to the summer series of races. I was particularly proud of the twelve stalwarts who represented Wesham at Catterick. It was great to see Les back and running well and Karl building on his recent improvement. ‘Run of the Day’ however belonged to John Bertenshaw, who doubled up from Coniston the previous day and returned an excellent leg. Although we failed to qualify, everyone acquitted themselves well. But surely success lies in our stronger runners turning out rather than an over-dependence on the ‘old guard’? There is no reason why we cannot qualify for the National Six Stage and return a Lancashire medal later on in the season.

It’s been most encouraging to see a return to form from several runners: Steve Myerscough, Pendlebury, Bates, Glasgow and Julie Cruse spring instantly to mind. Their efforts inspire us all. ‘The Mighty Wesham’ also looks forward to Mick Edge running again after his long rehabilitation from a back injury. Good Luck Mick!

Then, of course, the Spring Marathons and how well everyone ran. If I mention one effort I feel obliged to mention them all. Three runs however particularly arrested my attention. Carmel’s excellent run at London in spite of an injury hit build up. Joanna’s run at Dumfries – race winner in a fine P.B. (I ran two P.W.’s last year!) And the ‘Tartan Terror’s’ superb run in the London Marathon. George has had some frustrating outings over the classis distance so it was particularly pleasing to see him return such a well judged effort. This must surely serve as an inspiration to those who have yet to do their talent justice over the marathon distance. I can’t help but wonder however how quickly George might have run had he chosen to do a 5 km sharpener the week before at Catterick! (Only joking George!)

Oh! I nearly forgot. I think there is someone called Littler who runs in a Wesham Vest. He’s quite handy too!

This brings me on to the Inter Club Series and an encouragement to everyone to take part. Wesham narrowly missed out on second place overall at Blackpool, once again showing how, as a running force, we repeatedly punch above our weight. The Inter Club Series of races is a quite unique and splendid event and one which we all enjoy participating in very much. It’s one of the few events in my twenty years of running where the standard has not declined. If anything it is in ruder health today than it was twenty years ago. It also embodies all the reasons why we run. For enjoyment, fitness, to pit ourselves against old adversaries, friendship or maybe to make a connection with a little bit of what we fancy.

Whatever your reason and whether a relative newcomer or a seasoned campaigner, I would like to wish you all an enjoyable and injury-free summer of running. Remember, we are ‘The Wesham’ and the road goes on forever.

Yours in running: Russell

Submitted: 28^th April 2008

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

“PERMISSION TO SPEAK SIR?”

A rolling stone gathers no moss and grass never grows under the feet of any Wesham Road Runner. A report please for the magazine? How can anyone keep pace with the Mighty Wesham and what to put in or leave out?

The love affair with the Marathon continues and how well Pete Waywell did in Edinburgh! 2 hours 59 minutes 51 seconds in difficult conditions to break 3 hours for the first time! Well done Peter, though your captain has cut it finer. Martin has a steady run in Krakow with 3:12 and Finlay ran 3:55. An excellent effort when one considered Finlay has long retired from competitive running. Well done to Sue Jones nee Fearon at Winderemere! Congratulations Sue on your recent marriage and an excellent run over the ‘least forgiving’ of courses.

Unforgiving too is the competition and the 3 mile course at Sutton Park but it didn’t stop Wesham’s Vet.50 team from becoming National Champions. Gary produced a fine final leg to take the Mighty Wesham from Bronze to Gold Medal. Also worthy of a mention is club stalwart, Trevor Rayner’s efforts in presenting a V40 team. It was great to see Bernie Krawczyk, Steve Thompson and Pete Cooke sharing in the enjoyment of relay running. Well done all!

Barry Peatfield made his return to competitive running at Sutton Park. If Barry really is sixty, he looks certain to ruffle a few feathers in that age category. Also making a welcome return after injury is Gary Moore. Gary is pleased with his progress following an Achilles tendon injury and is using the Inter-Club to return to form.

We continue to punch above our weight at the Inter-Clubs and finished a very fine 2^nd overall at Lytham. Donning the most excellent vest brings out the best in us all as Sarah Sherratt proved when running her fastest yet time over the Lytham course. Thinking of PB’s, Karl gave more indication as to his talent with a fine 34:40 at Rothwell and Chris Moss was delighted with his PB of 45:18 at the Blackpool Stanley Park 10k.

What marvelous jobs some of us have as Michaela proved when invited to a ‘land of chocolate and beer’. No, it wasn’t Levon but rather the Brussels 20k – Incorporating the European Customs Sports Association Championships. Michaela showed ‘Johnny and Jayne foreigner’ a clean pair of heels and returned to this sceptered isle, this other Eden, this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England – an Individual Gold Medal Winner.

Well – follow that! Yvonne Russell will try as she debuts in the Iron Man. Good Luck Yvonne. As practically a non-swimmer, I’m saved from such heroics. Not content with his No.1 status as a Marathon Runner, Mike Walsh is training hard for a 5lm. How long before he debuts at the Steeplechase? Well done Mike, you are an inspiration.

Yes, we are ‘the Wesham’, this happy breed of men and women, the envy of less happier lands and, whether running in fancy dress or chasing and achieving PB’s, remember this – the road goes on forever!

Good Luck, good fun.

Yours in running

Russ

Ladies Captain’s Report by Kath Hoyer

I am pleased to report that our Wesham ladies are doing us all proud again this year as we go from strength to strength. We are lucky enough to have a range of runners from the serious Marathon runners to the not-so-serious ladies, (and gentlemen), who like to dress up when running wearing skirts with flowers in their hair!!

Yes, our Wesham ladies are ‘all rounders’ and this is nice to see as well as being a good advertisement for the club. So keep it up ….. Enjoy your running.

I would, however, like to make a special mention to the lovely Jennie Thompson, who was taken seriously ill earlier this year. Since her illness Jennie has taken part in a 10k and she has been doing a bit of walking, swimming and done some training runs. I’m sure we all wish her well and look forward to seeing her at more race events in the very near future.

As far as road running is concerned, for the ladies as a team, we have three relay events coming up, two in September and one in October, (details of which can be found in this edition of the magazine), so if you are interested, please, please, please let me know as soon as you can. We haven’t managed to get a ladies team together for any relay event this year, but the men have, so come on girlies ….

Let’s show ‘em what we’re made of!!!

Kath Hoyer

Ladies Team Captain

Submitted: 30^th May 2008