Club Race Reports Season 1945-1946
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Leasowe - 22/12/1945 - Seniors
The Christmas Handicap was held last Saturday, and the gaily decorated club-house in Green Lane was packed with cheerful faces.
The youngest competitor was Roy Molyneux and the veteran was Mr. R. Young, who has been an active member of the club since it was founded in 1908. The winner was Bob Young, son of Mr. R. Young, who was given five mins. 30 secs. start by the club champion, J. Edwards. John Edwards put up a record for the course, his actual time being 25 mins. 50 secs. Towards the end of the race it looked as though R. Molyneux was going to win, but his shoe came off which lost him three places. D. Kelly, of the cadet force, put up a good show, gaining third place. His actual time was the fourth fastest in the club.
The race was watched from various vantage points by the Mayor and Mayoress, and they were able to see individual performances at several stage's of the race.
An exhibition of trophies and medals was on view in the club-house. These included a shield won by the Wallasey Athletic Club junior team (1939), first team home in the Liverpool & District Championship the last time it was held. The Peers Challenge Cup, presented to the winner of the Club Championship (Seniors), will be contested on January 26th, 1946. The present holder is Lieut.-Colonel Noel Marples, recently home from India who was married last week. He won the Wallasey A.C. Championship in 1939. The Edwards Challenge Cup recently presented in memory of a vice-president of the club, R. J. Edwards. Esq., will be contested for the first time in the Youth Championship on January 26th. 1946. The Wright Challenge Cup, the Novices Trophy, was also on view. Medals won by Wallasey Athletic Club teams in pre-war years were on view - Liverpool & District Gold Medal, West Lancashire silver medals, Mile Championship of Wallasey medal, and a trophy held by J. Edwards when he represented Wallasey in the Northern! Counties team, running against Northern Command, Eastern Command and United Universities in 1944.
The President of the Club, A. G. Nicholson, Esq. welcomed the Mayor and the Mayoress to the club, and the prizes were then presented by the Mayoress, each runner receiving one, according to the custom of the club at the Christmas Handicap. The Christmas Tree with candle alight and piled plates of cakes, the decorations and bright lights added to the high spirits. His worship the Mayor, Alderman W. H. Millward, J.P. a vice-president of the club, said he was sure the club was going to put Wallasey on the map in Athletics. In 1930 plans were going through to arrange a specific training ground for athletics, but the war had put a stop to that. Now the war was over Wallasey Athletic Club would play an integral part in the life of the borough. With the enthusiasm and spirit alive in the club to-day, the name of Wallasey would be known all over England.
The secretary told of greetings received from many members still in the Forces. Among the names mentioned were those of Alfred Clough, lying in an Italian Hospital, not expecting to run again, but promising to come back to play his part on the administrative side; Sapper Leach, Cheshire mile champion; Sgt. Fishwick; Capt. J. Whittingham;., L./C. J. Rimmer; R.
Stanley, and many more.
