In his Christmas letter, the captain Tom Richardson C100 apologised for not circulating the prepared 1970 Christmas letter but gave a brief resumé of the 1970 event. To quote from his letter “owing to a miscalculation 453 was awarded to a competitor already qualified and has now been left blank. At the time I was awarded No. 100, number 99 was the subject of a claim under consideration by a sub-committee, which later decided against the applicant, so we now have two blank numbers 99 and 453 (further explanations of these blank numbers are covered elsewhere in this introduction). In March 1972, the deaths were announced of A.J. Stirling-Wakeley C143, winner of the
1951 Brighton and Back, and Dennis Hill C352, who was tragically struck down by a car when out training with the blind walker, John Simpson. In May, while Colin Young C317, Dave Boxall C464 and Brian Saunders C468 were finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Rouen race, and thus gaining selection for the Strasbourg – Paris race, John Lees of Brighton & Hove was setting a new record of 53 days for walking across America. Part of his training had been walking from John O’Groats to Lands End in March! The biennial Leicester to Skegness race took place on the weekend of 28th-29th July with 65
men facing the starter. John Lees went in to an early lead and maintained it for most of the journey, until his exploits earlier in the year took their toll and he was passed by his clubmate Dave Boxall who won the race in 17 hours 58 minutes and 49 seconds. John Lees finished 2nd, just under 17 minutes later to become the first of 18 new Centurions. A long way down the field, walking with his clubmate A. Norman C452, John Eddershaw C299 completed his 10th British 100. Of the 41 finishers perhaps the most notable came in last, with just 5 minutes to spare. This was a very tired Hew Neilson C145 who clocked up his 20th and what would prove to be his last British 100. In the 70 years since the first Brighton and Back time trial, Centurion numbers had risen to 503 with 12% (60) being from Holland. In August news came through of a third Centurion organisation which had been formed in Australia. Two of its founder members were Fred Redmond C163 and Len Mathews C316. There was also notification of a proposed track race to be held in October, the main aim being to attack the 12 hour record of 73 miles 145 years held by Edgar Horton C63 since 1914. At the September meeting a full set of accounts covering the period 1969-71 were produced. One of the items shown in the accounts was the purchase of a President’s badge of office, but of most concern was the rising cost of Centurion badges, they had now risen to more than £2.00 each. The 59 badges presented in the 3 year period had cost more than £145.00. The cost of posting 3 circulars each year was also a matter of some concern. In October there was news of yet another organisation which was co-founded by Alan Blatchford C350. This was the Long Distance Walkers Association. Its main aim was to promote long distance walking in the countryside,
for walkers, strollers, hikers and ramblers, without any form of
competition or prize other than the satisfaction of completing the walk. In November the sad but inevitable news was received of the death of Earnest Neville C7, at the age of 89 years. In his Christmas letter the captain speculated on how, or even if, we should replace such a unique personality. He suggested that there was no need to hurry, and with a movement so large and widespread, might it not be advisable to set up regional organisations? On 13th January 1973, a memorial service for E.H. Neville was held at All Souls Church, Langham Place in London. It was followed by an informal meeting of Centurions at Imber Court, where it was decided that there should be a new President, who should be nominated by postal nominations and formally elected at the AGM in September. The term of the president’s office was left undecided but it was agreed that the custom of the lowest number as the chairman at meetings should be retained, and under no circumstances would the Centurions be bound by a constitution. In May a 100 mile race was held at St. Oedenrode in Holland, the winner was Jan Vos
C369 who became Continental Centurion number 1. The race also produced the first ever 33
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