WOLVERTON EXPRESS
7 February 1930
Women’s National Cross-Country Championship
A Large Field At Wolverton
A record entry has been received for the Women’s A.A.A. fourth annual cross country championship at Wolverton on Saturday, 15th February, there being a larger field than in any previous race. There are seventeen teams and over 200 competitors entered, the latter being 25 more in number than ever before.
Many of the women have been looking forward for months to this test.
Teams are being sent from the Polytechnic L.A.C., Middlesex L.A.C. (A and B teams), Croydon Harriers, Ilford A.C., Kent L.A.C., Walthamstow Y.W.C.A. Harriers, Southern and County Harriers, Mitcham A.C., Gravesend and District A.C., Lyons A.C., Humber Harriers, Wolverhampton A.C., Westbury Harriers, Sheffield United Harriers, London Olympiades, and Luton United Harriers.
Outstanding runners entered are: V. Hinton (Middlesex Club Champion), B. Griffen (Civil Service Champion), R. Christmas, London Olympiades (International half-miler and last season’s half-mile championship holder), I Barber, Luton United Harriers (1928 half-mile championship holder), G. Lunn, Birchfield Harriers (Midland Counties quarter and half-mile champion) and the individual holder, L. Styles,
Littlehampton.
The Team Holders are the Middlesex A team, and the Silver Shield presented to the Association by Mr. C. French for annual competition will be held by the winning team for one year.
The distance of the race it to be about three miles over land surrounding Stacey Hill
Farm, and the event is to be started by Captain Sir George Bowyer, M.P. for North Bucks. Wolverton is taking a tremendous interest in the event. They have seen men’s national championships both on the track and across country, organized there; but a women’s national race is, of course, something new for them.
Local people will find the women just as keen as the men to excel athletically, and a more interesting struggle than ever before for the honours is also certain.
A special train will convey the London party to Wolverton, leaving Euston at 1.50 p.m., and due at Wolverton at 3 o’clock.
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WOLVERTON EXPRESS
14 February 1930
Women’s Cross Country Race
At Wolverton
“The Athletic News” commenting upon this event states:-
“The rapid growth of the women’s athletic movement is reflected in a much larger entry than usual, team and individuals, for the cross-country championship at Wolverton next Saturday afternoon, organized by the
W.A.A.A.
“Of course, Middlesex Ladies A.C, who have won each of the three previous races, have a notion that they will be able to retain the title, and they are even proposing to field two teams.
“Miss L. D. Styles, of Littlehampton, who has gained two triumphs, will again compete as an individual entrant; but Miss Williams (of Emberton), another Littlehampton young woman, who won the first race, will be a non-starter. She has been devoting her attention of late to organization work and coaching.
“Eight a side run and four score. Who, then, will claim the respective honours?
“As regards the clubs, several of which came in for the first time, the entry comprises Polytechnic, Middlesex (two), Croydon, Ilford, Kent, Walthamstow Y.M.C.A., Southend and Country, Mitcham, Gravesend, Lyons, Humber (Coventry), Wolverhampton, Westbury, Sheffield United, London Alympiades, and Luton.
“Several of the women who had done well on the track will make this their first race across the country, and it is thought that the result - at any rate for the individual title - is more open than usual.
“The women are quite keen to excel; so Miss Styles may well be advised to watch such of her sisters as Misses V. Hinton, B. Giffen (Middlesex), A. Stone (Crowdon), E. Loader (Polytechnic), R. Christmas (London Olympiades), I. Barber (Luton United), B. Lunn (Birchfield H and the Midland 440 and 880 yards champion), and H. Bates (L.O.L.A.C.), London Business Houses’ champion.”
Joe Binks, the ex-holder mile record, writing in the “News of the World” states:-
“On 15th February our women athletes will contest their fourth National Cross Country Championship at Wolverton. The event will arouse a lot of attention, and doubtless a good deal of controversy. There is much to be said for and against this strenuous sport for women, but our women athletes are well trained to accomplish the task.
“From the commencement of the season, conditions have been wet and heavy, but this has not deterred women athletes from putting in weekly training runs, usually of about two and a half to three miles. They know perfectly well that regular training is a necessity, particularly over the country.
“Personally I can see possibly more harm done in contesting some of the track and field events that the cross-country runs, for there is less strain on the heart over the latter run as against - to mention one event - putting the weight.
“The first women’s cross-country championship was held in 1927 at Luton, when L. D. Styles and A. Williams dead-heated. In 1928 Styles beat V. Hinton, and again last year.
“Judging by the recent club championship, the opposition to the triple holder, L. D. Styles, looks more formidable than ever. R. Christmas (London Olympiades) and J. D. Wear (polytechnic) are a couple who have improved tremendously. V. Hinton (Middlesex) is sure to be with the leaders.
“For team honours Middlesex, who have not yet been beaten, appeal to me as likely to win again, with Polytechnic, Croydon, and London Olympiades as the danger.”
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WOLVERTON EXPRESS
21 February 1930
WOMEN’S NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY RACE AT WOLVERTON
RECORD CROWD OF NEARLY 4,000
Wolverton and district accorded a hearty welcome to the fourth annual cross-country championship race, organized by the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association on Saturday last, when the railway town was privileged to stage the event for the first time. In like manner, as Wolverton provided record figures for the men’s National Cross Country Championship when it was held in the railway centre some four years ago, the figures recorded on Saturday will undoubtedly stand for some years for the women’s organization. The attendance at the men’s race at Wolverton has not since been beaten and the crown of between 3,000 and 4,000 spectators on Saturday constituted a record for the women.
Fully an hour before the race started spectators took up their positions at Stacey Hill Farm, despite this wintry weather which was somewhat freakish. An icy, snow-laden north-west wind made the spectators shiver and as the afternoon progressed Wolverton fortunately only caught the fringe of what promised to be a severe snowstorm.
Mr. E. Norman, who has always displayed a keen love for athletics, again generously allowed the use of his large field for the race and the same course was used as for the men’s national, except that the distance was curtailed in order to meet the requirements of the Association. An excellent course of a furlong under three miles was marked out, and the slope of the field afforded a natural grandstand from which the runners were on view over nearly the whole of the distance, even when they left the main to circuit adjacent land.
There was a record entry of 17 teams in addition to 8 individual entrants, and nearly 140 runners lined up for the start, which was signalled by Captain Sir George Bowyer, M.C., M.P., by means of a flag. In view of the arctic weather conditions the usual preliminaries were made as brief as possible and the race was started very quickly after the competitors arrived at the field, they having been conveyed from the dressing room by motor saloons. Press cameramen found a point of vantage against an old tree at the side of the course and one of their number, perched in the boughs of the tree, had an exceptional position in taking what was considered a good start. A film company recorded the start from the top of a motor-van drawn up at the side of the course.
The brilliant and varied club colours made it fairly easy to pick out the positions most of the way, and the crowd followed the proceedings with a very keen and enthusiastic interest. The race was somewhat of an endurance test for the ladies, for a sharp falloff rain and sleet, together with the overnight rain, had given the ground a very slippery and sticky surface, and it was a matter for considerable congratulation to the competitors that no fewer than 122 of their number completed the course.
Miss L. D. Styles, of Littlehampton, made history by winning the individual title for the third year in success. She and Miss Ruth Christmas, both of whom were very strongly fancied from the start, ran alike in the easy, graceful style, and were close together most of the way, but Miss Styles came in with a sprint in the excellent time of 20 mins, 59.2 secs, with a lead of 200 yards or more. The last stage of the race was completed down a roped “funnel” of about 100 yards, which led from the outskirts of the field to the centre, where the winning posts were placed. The “funnel” was lined deeply with spectators, who gave the winner and those who held the leading positions wholehearted applause for the very spirited manner they completed the distance. Miss Styles and Miss Christmas both finished comparatively fresh, which could not be recorded of many another runner. Miss G. Lunn, of Birchfield Harriers, ran a fine race to finish third, and it was a feature to find that the first and third places were secured by individual entrants.
The destination of the championship shield went to a west country team - the Westbury Harriers - who created a surprise by defeating the Middlesex L.A.C., who had been previously unbeaten in the championship event.
Casualties were few, and these were mainly confined to some scratched legs, which had to be treated after the event.
How They Finished
The leading places in the race were filled as follows:-
1 L. Styles (Littlehampton) 20 minutes 59.2 seconds;
2 R. Christmas (London Olympiades), 21 minutes, 15 seconds;
3 G. Lunn (Birchfield Harriers), 21 minutes, 21 seconds;
4 M. Dodd (Westbury Harriers), 22-8; (recorded as 28-8 in W.Exp.)
5 E. Stringer (London Olympiades), 22-10;
6 H. Pollard (Gravesend and District H.), 22-18;
7 R. Blundell (Mitcham A.C.), 22-31;
8 H. Lewis (Westbury Harriers), 22-32;
9 E. Chambers (Kent L.A.C.), 22-44;
10 J. Wear (Polytechnic L.A.C.), 22-49
11 D. Bruty (Southend and County H.), 22-58
12 D. Butterfield (Middlesex L.A.C. “A”)
13 M. Smith (Lyons A.C.)
14 I. Venn (Westbury Harriers);
15 M. Smith (Westbury Harriers);
16 H. Bates (London Olympiades - individual)
17 S. Cook (Westbury H.);
18 I. Moxon (Sheffield United H.);
19 M. Fulcher (Ilford A.C.);
20 H. Calman (Middlesex L.A.C.);
21 L. Dear (Ilford A.C.);
22 V. Hinton (Middlesex L.A.C. “A”);
23 M. Nash (London Olympiades);
24 N. Harding (Mitcham A.C.);
25 B. Griffin (Middlesex L.A.C. “A”);
26 M. Smith (Luton United H.);
27 A. Sharman (Sheffield United H.);
28 T. Winter (Westbury H.);
29 I. Newton (London Olympiades);
30 P. Pope (Polytechnic L.A.C.).
Team Placings
1 Westbury Harriers (2,6,12,13) 33
2 London Olympiades (1,3,20,26) 50
3 Middlesex L.A.C. “A” (10,17,19,22) 68
4 Polytechnic L.A.C. (8,27,28,36) 99
5 Sheffield United H. (15,24,48,50) 137
6 Kent L.A.C. (7,35,45,64) 151
7 Mitcham A.C. (4,21,60,77) 163
8 Ilford A.C. (16,18,65,67) 166
9 South & Co. H. (9,41,51,91) 192
10 Croydon H. (30,52,54,63) 199
11 Lyons A.C. (11,62,75,82) 230
12 Middlesex L.A.C. “B” (31,55,71,76) 233
13 Walthamstow Y.M.C.A Harriers 249
14 Wolverhampton A.C. 261
Gravesend and District Harriers, Luton United Harriers, and Humber Harriers did not complete a full team for the counting.
Officials
The local officials of the race were: Referee and Starter, Capt. Sir George Bowyer, M.C., M.P.; Judge, Mr. J. Purves; Chief Steward and Clerk of Course, Mr. F. J. Swain; Umpires, Members of the Wolverton A.A.C.; Megaphone Steward, Mr. T. Impey; Programme Stewards, Lieut. Col. J. Williams, Miss Harnett, and Girl Guides; Competitors’ Stewards, Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Phillips, Misses R. Thompson, McKay, P. Hall, and H. Wright; Dressing Room Stewards, Mrs. H. Nash, Miss E. Walton, and Girl Guides; Championship Hon. Secretary, Miss A. M. A. Williams, London, W.1.; Local Organizer, Mr. C. M. Webber; Championship Hon. Surgeon, Dr. J. Owen Harvey, M.R.C.S. Local Committee and Officials: Messrs. H. C. Jenkins, C. O. D. Anderson, H. H. Coker, E. Norman, E. J. Boyce, B.Sc., W. J. Brown, S. J. Coles, senior, C. Smart, H. Dolling, J. Stringfellow, T. Bull, S. Freeman, W. Teagle, W. Hilton, J. G. Knight, B. F. Tapp, S. Coles, A. Meacham, A. J. Wesley, W. Fielding, F. T. Guntrip, G. H. Cross, G. Seabrook, S. Birdesy, T. Beckett, W. T. Panter, J. Tearle, R. Remington, W. Ager, J. Elliott, A. Rose, S. Swain, J. Wise, C. Pearce, W. G. Barnwell, A. Ditum, W. Cave, W. G. Dunkley, S. Kilpin, J. W. Mutlow, A. Boughton, Misses Z. Full, and A. Cary; Ambulance Arrangements, the Wolverton St. John Ambulance Brigade, under Sergt. R. S. Mantle and Sister M. M. Walker; Boy Scouts, under Group Scoutmaster W. J. Parker; Girl Guides under Miss S. Harnett and Miss E. Walton; Police, under Supt. E. Callaway.
The Wolverton A.A.C. placed their services at the disposal of the National Association, and did everything possible to ensure the success of the championship from every point of view.
The organization was excellent, and a tribute to Miss Anne Williams, whose home is at Emberton, Newport Pagnell. Tribute must also be paid to the local arrangements and the excellent organization work of Mr. C. M. Webber.
The facilities for dressing room and tea room accommodation could not have been better, the commodious carriage works Dining Hall have been placed at the disposal of the championship authorities by the Works Superintendent, Mr. J. Purves. The adjoining time offices were utilized as a counting room for the officials and the Press.
The Wolverton A.A.C. are very gratified with the public support given to this event, and thank the general public for the excellent way they turned up to witness the race despite the adverse weather. This was yet another evidence of the keen interest that North Bucks has for athletics.
Tea was served to over 200 competitors, officials, and others, in the upper dining hall, and after the meal the presentation of awards was made.
The awards comprised gold medals together with a silver shield presented by Mr. G. French, to the winning team, silver medals to the second team, and bronze medals to the third team. The first three competitors received similar awards, and all medals were struck from the Association’s own die.
Mr. J. Purves, as President of the Wolverton Amateur Athletic Club, said he had great pleasure in welcoming the representatives of the Women’s Amateur Athletic Association. In Wolverton they had been associated with athletics for nearly fifty years, and although the ladies association was not so old, he hoped that they would come to Wolverton again when its turn came round, when they would be pleased to extend every facility they could and map out the best possible course. In paying tribute to Sir George Bowyer, Mr. Purves remarked that he was a true sport and a true English gentleman (applause).
Sir George said it was one of the greatest honours and privileges conferred upon him to witness such wonderful racing and secondly have the opportunity of congratulating the cross-country section of the W.A.A.C. They had seen some good sport, and he congratulated the winning team, and especially one member, Miss M. Smith, the Captain for being so amazingly brave as to finish 15th in spite of a grievous injury at the start of the race (applause). Miss Williams, their excellent secretary, must now start organizing the event next year.
Mr. J. Pepper proposed thanks to the Wolverton friends for the manner in which they had entertained them. They could not have found a better course or one more suitable for the job, for the fact remained that 122 ladies finished, and there were hardly any casualties, which showed a great improvement on past running. They had held the race for four years, and he could say without fear of contradiction that it was the best course and the best results they had achieved up to date.
Mr. George French, the donor of the challenge shield, said he was proud to see the gallant fight they had made. They were all triers, but perhaps there were some five furlong horses attempting the Grand National.
Mrs. Purves presented the awards, and was herself presented with a bouquet of red carnations and maidenhair fern by Miss Styles, the champion.
At the call of Mr. Pepper, cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Purves and Sir George Bowyer.
Mr. J. Tomlinson, the chief recorder, thanked the local officials for their splendid work, especially Mr. H. C. Jenkins and Mr. C. M. Webber.
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