Archived Extracts

  On Sunday harvest thanksgiving services were held at the Sutton Road Methodist Church, the sermons being delivered by Mr. J. Boothby (South Normanton). The church had been suitably decorated, a plentiful supply of fruit and vegetables having been brought by the members. Apples and potatoes were conspicuous, and there were sheaves of grain, which, by the wish of the donor, had been displayed at three other churches just previously. There were very good congregations, and appropriate anthems were rendered by the choir under the direction of Mr. Donald Weston, the organist being Mr. J. Weston. On Monday he produce was sold.

  A QUARTER of a century of progress in the athletic world has been completed by Sutton Harriers, Cycling and Athletic Club, which held its 25th annual general meeting at the headquarters, the Old Blue Bell Inn, Sutton, on Wednesday evening, when Mr. H.S. Shacklock (President of the Club) presided over a representative gathering. Supporting him were Messrs. A.E. Wingrove (hon. sec.), H.L. Clarke (hon treasurer) and F. Oxley (hon. sec. of the Cycling Section).
  Giving his report on the past season's activities, the Secretary said: "This is my second annual report and the 25th in the history of this Club, which you will observe has now been going for a quarter of a century. I was very pleased indeed to notice that in the 25 years ago column the 'Free Press' was kind enough to mention the formation of Sutton Harriers."

  "Since the last annual meeting the Club has done its utmost to keep Sutton to the forefront of the athletic world. We were invited by the 'News of the World' to compete in the Manchester-Blackpool relay race, in which Sutton finished in the 12th position. The next event of importance was the Everill Cup, in which Sutton did not keep up its reputation, the position of the Club being ninth, but as there were 28 teams competing this record is quite satisfactory.
  " In the new year the Club regained the County Championship and supplied the first three men home. Four men were invited to run for the County at Birmingham, and a Suttonian was honoured in being involved to accept the captaincy. The Ripley Road Race was won by the Sutton team, Derby being second. The Junior, which was held at Cwmbran, again proved elusive to the Club, the final position being fifth, 50 points behind the winners, Godiva. In the Senior the Club occupied ninth position. The Worksop-Sutton Road Race was held as usual, and the trophy presented by Mrs. Shacklock was won by T. Slaney. As usual we have held many inter-club races and Sutton unfortunately has lost its home unbeaten record.
  " With regard to the flat season racing, Sutton entered teams in relay races at Mansfield, Clay Cross and Chesterfield. We won the relay race at Clay Cross, being successful over a good field, including Salford Harriers, Lincoln, Wellington and Bradford City Police. As usual we have held athletic contests with Mansfield and Nottingham.

  "During the past year we have formed a new section. The Cycling Section, whose racing members have brought the town, in my opinion, the greatest honour ever won by any sporting body in Sutton, by being finalists in the National Pursuit Championship. As in previous years we have held dances and a prize draw, which have been of material financial benefit to the Club. The membership is being kept up, and roughly 15 new members were enrolled during the year.
  " On behalf of the Club I wish to thank Mr. Shacklock for his unfailing interest, also all vice-presidents and committee men for their help and co-operation. Finally we must thank Mr. Jackson for the loan of this room without which the Club would have great difficulty in finding accommodation for Cross Country work. During the coming season Sutton will stage the Everill Cup Team Race, and I ask all of you to help as much as you have done in the past, and if the prospective members of the team will train hard I feel sure that the trophy will be held by Sutton."
  The Chairman said the report was perhaps not as satisfactory this year as it had been previously, for although they had had successes, they had had more disappointments than usual. He was glad Mr. Wingrove had mentioned the Cycling Section, because its members had brought the name of the Club very much to the front, and although at first they were rather doubtful with regard of it, they had now ever reason to be pleased for having brought the cyclists into their midst.

  In his report, the cycling Secretary said since taking over the secretaryship in December last he had been proud to be an official of so prominent an organisation, and it had been a pleasure to note the progress and the many successes of their riders. He paid tribute to the untiring efforts of their captain, Mr. J. Clarke, whose organising capabilities had more than justified the trust placed in him. There were 50 members on the books, and the turn out each Sunday with the Touring Section averaged 30. Meanwhile the racing members were making a name for themselves, and the Club had every reason to be proud of them. They had also a Camping Section, whose members spent all their spare time going back to nature.
  The Secretary added that the Cycling Section has an extensive winter programme in view, and this was to include lectures, inspection of various works, novelty events, a dinner and a dance. The actual successes of the riders were not available that night, but as they all knew the pursuit team were very unlucky to return from Herne Hill with only the second prize, and the members confidently anticipated being at the top of the tree next season. In closing, the Secretary, to whom credit was due for his handling of the pursuit events.
  In his report, the Treasurer stated that the accounts showed a slight loss of 10d. on the season, the credit balance being £2 14s. 3d. compared with £2 15s. 1d. at the commencement of the season.

  "In view of the bad industrial conditions under which we are labouring at the present time I think this is excellent," remarked the Treasurer, "and I think the Secretary has done magnificently." The Treasurer observed that he and his assistant (Mr. J. Hawkins) considered that their positions were unneccessary, as practically all the work fell on the Secretary, and in consequence they offered their resignations.
  All three reports were adopted, and Messrs. H.S. Bell and A. Allsop were thanked for having audited the accounts.
  The presentation of the Butler Trophy was the next item on the agenda, and the Chairman said the Committee had had very little difficulty in ascertaining the man who was entitled to the trophy, and whose selection would receive the approval of every member of the Club. The trophy was not given for any outstanding performances during the year but was awarded to the member who had rendered the most consistent service to the Club.
  "I think there can be no question about it," observed the Chairman, "that in Harold Peters we have the man who, above anyone else, is this year entitled to it, and I have much pleasure in presenting it to him."
  Mr. T. Slaney proposed the re-election of Mr. Shacklock as the President, and in seconding this Mr. L. Clarke paid tribute to the President's unfailing interest and unswerving loyalty to the Club. He was a prominent business man in the town and his association with the Club undoubtedly added to its prestige. Apart from that, in view of the services Mr. Shacklock had rendered to the Club it would absolutely be unfair to elect anyone in his place. The election was unanimous.

  Thanking the members for his re-election, Mr. Shacklock said he would do his best to carry on the traditions of the Club as they had been carried on in the past, and if he could do anything further for the Club he would be only too pleased to do it.
  Mr. A.E. Wingrove was re-elected secretary on the proposition of the Chairman, who paid glowing tribute to Mr. Wingrove's splendid work on behalf of the Club.
  Other officials were elected as follow:- Treasurer Mr. A.H.S. Bell; assistant secretary, Mr. T. Byron; cross-country captain, Messrs. E. Ceney and R. Froggatt; track captain, Mr. H. Peters; track vice-captains, Messrs. J. Byron and W.E. Swift; trainer, Mr. C. Brown; assistant trainer, Mr. E. Farnsworth; committee, Messrs. J. Hartley, S. Ceney, F. Wetham, G.S. Whetton, D. Woolcott, J. Clarke, D. Whetton, F.C. Childs and H. Hardy.