REMEMBRANCE
This is a tribute to people who have made a major contribution to competitive cycling in Sussex and who are, sadly, no longer with us. They are fondly remembered.
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RAY DARE
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JULY 2017 (Report by Lisa Columbo)
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ROY FAIRCHILD
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JANUARY 2017 (Report by Robin Johnson)
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Sadly, we have lost our 3rd vice-president in 3 months in Roy Fairchild of one of the SCA’s founding clubs, Bognor Regis CC, who died recently at the age of 83, having been in a nursing home for the last 18 months or so.
I do not recall Roy racing earlier than the 90’s although his son, Lee, raced in the 70’s but was certainly racing to a high standard in the 90’s and noughties. He may still hold some VTTA Wessex records. His best anecdote was the result of taking his clubmate, Richard Parker, to the vets. 25 on H.25/2 about 1999. Richard came in with a 59, possibly his first, and, feeling pleased with himself, enquired of Roy if he had done a 59 also. Roy replied with a no, so Richard, then asked if Roy had done a 58. Again, the answer was no, so, feeling very confident by then, Richard asked what time his clubmate had achieved. The reply was a 57 and this ride of 57-55 may have been his pb.
I think Roy was employed by an engineering company and often travelled in Europe, always being careful on a Thursday to get a suitable flight back so as not to be late for the club 10. After retiring in the 90’s, he was involved in the administration of the company’s pension fund as well as riding his bike quite a bit. He professed that he never trained; he simply did 50 miles each weekday.
He promoted the Bognor hilly 29 (now the Southdown Velo 28) for some 15 years and could always be found at the result board. He was Chairman of the Sussex C.A. for, at least, 7 years until my tour of duty began in 2007. He introduced the SPOCO series to Sussex when numbers in local 100's and 12's were waning. Roy still has a VTTA Wessex 30 mile age record.
I do not recall Roy racing earlier than the 90’s although his son, Lee, raced in the 70’s but was certainly racing to a high standard in the 90’s and noughties. He may still hold some VTTA Wessex records. His best anecdote was the result of taking his clubmate, Richard Parker, to the vets. 25 on H.25/2 about 1999. Richard came in with a 59, possibly his first, and, feeling pleased with himself, enquired of Roy if he had done a 59 also. Roy replied with a no, so Richard, then asked if Roy had done a 58. Again, the answer was no, so, feeling very confident by then, Richard asked what time his clubmate had achieved. The reply was a 57 and this ride of 57-55 may have been his pb.
I think Roy was employed by an engineering company and often travelled in Europe, always being careful on a Thursday to get a suitable flight back so as not to be late for the club 10. After retiring in the 90’s, he was involved in the administration of the company’s pension fund as well as riding his bike quite a bit. He professed that he never trained; he simply did 50 miles each weekday.
He promoted the Bognor hilly 29 (now the Southdown Velo 28) for some 15 years and could always be found at the result board. He was Chairman of the Sussex C.A. for, at least, 7 years until my tour of duty began in 2007. He introduced the SPOCO series to Sussex when numbers in local 100's and 12's were waning. Roy still has a VTTA Wessex 30 mile age record.
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HARRY FEATHERSTONE
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DECEMBER 2017 (Report by Mike O'Gorman)
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Harry Featherstone was a top class rider over a long period. He was very popular and was hugely respected.
He raced in time trials right up until the age of 80 (just four years ago). Having previously been with Norwood Paragon Harry represented Eastbourne Rovers for the last twenty years. His name can be seen with multiple entries on the SCA Honours Board as he won a range of Veterans titles at 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and Short Distance BAR. He also held a large number of Surrey/Sussex VTTA age-group records at a wide spread of distances.
He raced in time trials right up until the age of 80 (just four years ago). Having previously been with Norwood Paragon Harry represented Eastbourne Rovers for the last twenty years. His name can be seen with multiple entries on the SCA Honours Board as he won a range of Veterans titles at 10 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles and Short Distance BAR. He also held a large number of Surrey/Sussex VTTA age-group records at a wide spread of distances.
(click to expand)
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MIKE HAYLER
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NOVEMBER 2016 (Report by Robin Johnson)
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Brighton Mitre stalwart and SCA vice-president, Mike Hayler, passed away recently at age 86. He was promoting events for the SCA as early as 1957 and did a few 100’s in the 1990’s for us. He was also in charge of CTT London South club events for 21 years before computers came along. He was a really good guy who marshalled a lot even though he ceased riding a bike in 1965.
Mike rode 2 24’s when in his 20’s including 405 miles. His interest in 24’s stayed with him and, when the Mitre had about only 25 members, organised an open 24 in 1994. This was followed by a 2nd one in 1999.
Perhaps his proudest moment was the 2011 E.S.C.A. 24, organised by him, including the National Championship when a field of 98 riders saw Andy Wilkinson achieve a new competition record of 541 miles in not ideal conditions. Mike was a great family man, thought the world of his wife, Jean, and was so impressed by everything his sons did.
Mike rode 2 24’s when in his 20’s including 405 miles. His interest in 24’s stayed with him and, when the Mitre had about only 25 members, organised an open 24 in 1994. This was followed by a 2nd one in 1999.
Perhaps his proudest moment was the 2011 E.S.C.A. 24, organised by him, including the National Championship when a field of 98 riders saw Andy Wilkinson achieve a new competition record of 541 miles in not ideal conditions. Mike was a great family man, thought the world of his wife, Jean, and was so impressed by everything his sons did.
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REG SEARLE
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NOVEMBER 2016 (Report by Tony Palmer)
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Reg Searle was a life member of the Worthing Excelsior CC for many years and was a generous benefactor to the club. He was an SCA vice-president.
He joined Excelsior from the defunct West Sussex Road Club along with Keith Dodman and John Mansell in the very early 60's. Reg competed for many years on solo, trike, tandem and also on tandem trike. Although not the speediest of competitors it was something that he thoroughly enjoyed taking part in. During his time he had held many records, both at standard distances and place to place. He continued racing for a long period, right up to 1998.
He was a playing member of the Petworth town band.
He joined Excelsior from the defunct West Sussex Road Club along with Keith Dodman and John Mansell in the very early 60's. Reg competed for many years on solo, trike, tandem and also on tandem trike. Although not the speediest of competitors it was something that he thoroughly enjoyed taking part in. During his time he had held many records, both at standard distances and place to place. He continued racing for a long period, right up to 1998.
He was a playing member of the Petworth town band.
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DON LOCK
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JULY 2015 (Report by Mike O'Gorman)
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Don started racing in 1951 and competed in time trialling almost to the exclusion of anything else. He did, though, once finish 3rd in the Sussex Road Race Championship. He was a member of East Grinstead until 1960 and was four times B.A.R. Champion there. He then transferred to Worthing Excelsior CC in 1960 where he spent the remainder of his cycling career.
He was extremely successful over a long period, gaining a range of titles with both the SCA and also Excelsior over a range of distances from 10 miles right up to 24 hour. In fact the Excelsior 24 Hour club record of 428.54 that he set back in 1971 remains unsurpassed to this day.
His contribution to his club was immense, and his enthusiasm and support for all was immense. He is sadly missed.
He was extremely successful over a long period, gaining a range of titles with both the SCA and also Excelsior over a range of distances from 10 miles right up to 24 hour. In fact the Excelsior 24 Hour club record of 428.54 that he set back in 1971 remains unsurpassed to this day.
His contribution to his club was immense, and his enthusiasm and support for all was immense. He is sadly missed.
These reports from the Worthing Herald say it all (click to expand):
