The Leyland Legacy

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Tony Taylor

You will find below a few photos from Eric Crompton’s bottom drawer. Simply receiving them from Dave, his son, poses the question of whether the title of our web site ought to be ‘Race Walking in Lancashire’? Whilst the Lancashire Walking Club has been the dominant name in the county a number of other clubs have been significant, notably the Leyland Motors Athletic Club, Leigh Harriers, Bolton United Harriers and albeit briefly Blackburn Athletic Club. Over the coming months it will be interesting to tease out the relationship between these clubs.

For the moment these images hint at the independent role played by the Leyland Club in the decades after the Second World War. Any materials pertaining to the history of the club, a child of the philanthropic period when  major employers such as Leyland Motors provided a range of social, cultural and sporting facilities for their workers, would be greatly appreciated. For example the Leyland Motors Brass Band was in its time justly famous. I wonder when the walking club was formed.  Are there any records of its history?

Eric passing through Chorley in the Blackpool Walk

Eric passing through Chorley in the Blackpool Walk

Start of the Leyland Five Miles 1971

Start of the Leyland Five Miles 1971

 

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MAKING A START : Raiding your lofts, cellars and craniums!

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Tony Taylor

LWC 1 Ron

The idea of  bringing back to life the rich and diverse history of the Lancashire Walking Club founded in 1907 has been around for quite a few years. However to do so has seemed an uphill task. Stalwarts of the past have passed away with the club records seemingly accompanying them into oblivion. However the idea has been sparked once more into life ironically by the death of a great clubman, Cliff Royle, who a decade ago had sent Ron Wallwork an evocative recollection of his athletic days. Following Cliff’s funeral Ron shared these memories with a number of today’s club members. Such has been the impact of Cliff’s tribute to ‘The Tough Men of the Road’ that we have decided to have a crack at collecting together on this site anything and everything pertaining to the club’s history, be it photos, articles, results or simply a personal memory you want to share.  For the time being we will post stuff as it arrives with no sense of trying to put it in any logical order. If that happens down the line, it will be a bonus. Thus we would encourage you to raid your lofts and your minds – send stuff to Tony at tonymtaylor@gmail.com.  If we get our act together we might also begin using a facility called Drop Box, which allows folk to send bigger files. So watch this space.

Thanks to Ron Wallwork for the first of several photo montages. Attempted answers to the question gratefully received! I’ll have a go in the next few days.

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