Notice from our Chairman, Dave Evans and Greg Smith, our Secretary to members re the forthcoming AGM plus accompanying reports and schedules – for the interest of our supporters and followers too

20^th October 2025

Dear member,

On behalf of the Lancashire Walking Club, I would like to invite you to attend this year’s AGM, the 118^th, to be held on Saturday 1^st November 2025 at Lady Wilton Hall, Simister Lane, Simister, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 2RX.

The AGM will be held after a 5km Race which starts at 1.00pm.

Please do make every effort to attend. The election of officers and decisions to be made for the future success of Lancashire Walking Club depends on your valued contribution. If you are unable to attend, please let me know so that your apologies for absence can be noted.

Kind Regards,

Dave Evans

Chairman

Email:    dave.evans08@hotmail.co.uk

President’s Report 2024-25 

First and foremost, I’d like to thank all the walkers and officials who turn up to keep the Club going without everyone we wouldn’t exist. It’s been a difficult year in many aspects with costs with travel and it’s never easy getting to races. Having lost members and others struggling with illness including myself and quite a few lost forever. 

We have a glorious history. The club has been around for a long time, and I want it to continue for a lot more years. I’ve asked myself, how we can encourage existing members and have been searching for ways to increase the club membership? We always need officials and helpers to keep the club going and they are an integral part of the Club along with the walkers, they go hand in hand to keep the Club going. We’ve had printed some Lancashire Walking Club cards to give out to existing members and prospective new competitors. We need to get the word out about who we are and what we do. I’ve been contacted existing members and previous members who we’ve not seen for a while to see what they’re up to. We need good turnouts with officials and competitors. If we only get two or three new members, it’s a win. It’s always difficult especially when some people have never heard of Race Walking or ever dreamed of walking competitively. Especially runners who don’t know we exist or what it’s all about. 

Some possible changes for the website to attract interest is an idea to look at. We’re planning on putting on a track race at Bury next year following Tom Bosworth’s initiatives encouraging youngsters and new competitors. So, it’ll be maybe a 2 and 1 kms races in different age groups and some running races which local clubs maybe interested in. As I know from experience these are not easy races to manage. As novices, you have to allow them some leeway while also maintaining the rules of race walking.  The senior race might be a handicap, a relay or a NARWA championship. I think we need to look at some new venues but it’s extremely difficult to find a course traffic free with changing facilities. If you any suggestions, please contact me. I’ve enjoyed being president and I’m always available–my email and phone number is on the cards we’ve handed out. 

Meantime, keep pushing on and get the word out. Let’s see what the new year brings.

Chris Harvey

Thanks to Dave, Greg, Chris and Roy for the information. The financial report will be presented at the AGM.

Unfortunately, because of issues with my eyes and flying, I must send my personal apologies for being unable to attend the proceedings. Rest assured I will do my best to keep this club website alive, well and interesting. Best wishes to all.

To end on the sad note that the seemingly indestructible Eric Horwill will be absent from the AGM, following his untimely death on October 11th – see https://lancswalkingclub.com/2025/10/13/in-the-service-of-our-sport-there-are-few-peers-eric-horwill-rip/