The following is an article that first appeared in
the '21st Anniversary 1959 - 1980' publication researched and edited by Maurice Hewins.
"Now it's all a memory" by Jack Stacey
It all started with a visit from Peter Watts, who was then Club Leader of Young Farnham. "Great news" he said, "I have managed to get the manager of the Odeon Cinema, Guildford, to sponsor the Hedgehogs on a London to Brighton Safari Race".
After we had picked ourselves up from the floor, and somewhat recovered from the shock, we decided to ask him for further details. Peter emerged from the broom cupboard to explain.
The race was to sponsor a film called "Call Me Bwana" starring Bob Hope and Anita Ekberg, and would take place on Sunday, 7th April 1963. It would consist of two hundred runners, making up ten teams, with twenty men in each. A safari type litter would be supplied by the organisers. It would be sturdily built to enable the team to carry the pretty girl over the fifty-mile course. Our litter fell to pieces after the first half mile, but who was to know that at the time.
Four men would carry the litter, complete with girl passenger, and the course would be divided into ten five-mile relay stages. Each group of four would carry the litter over two of these stages. Peter then went on to explain about the fantastic prizes that awaited the winners. First they would be presented with a cheque for one hundred guineas, made out to the charity of their choice, and secondly a beautiful rose bowl to be kept by the team forever more. The prizes would be handed over by no less a person than the one and only Sabrina. These two points decided us that we should take part. (I am still not certain to this day what two points they had in mind)
Everything then became very serious, and an intensive training scheme was set into motion. A makeshift litter was made, which consisted of a large log slung between two poles. Teams of four men undertook to carry, in relays, this contraption from the Marlborough Head to The Seven Stars and back. One group of four became over ambitious, and tried to make it as far as the Duke of Cambridge. This proved to be too much for them and caused great anxiety amongst the rest of the team members as to whether they would recover in time for the race proper. Fortunately all was well and the great day dawned.
L-R George Crawt, Maurice Hewins and Alec Goolding. Sue Colyer in chair. - Sunday April 7th 1963
We had to be at Streatham Common no later than 7.30 on the Sunday morning, which meant leaving for London as soon as we were thrown out of the Marlborough on Saturday night. It was on our arrival at Streatham that we were confronted with the Rank Dis-organisation. Nobody seemed to know what they were supposed to do, or where they ware supposed to go. A number of the other teams taking part looked very professional, and were certainly dressed for the part. Track suits, running vests and shorts were in great abundance. I suggested that perhaps some of our team members should now dispense with their beer mugs, as they may prove to be a handicap when trying to carry the litter. It took a great deal of persuasion, but they finally agreed.
At last, and I cannot recall how it happened, but we were off. Leaving Streatham, and heading for the first change over point at London Transport garage, Croydon. It was estimated by the organisers that we should arrive there at approximately 9.00 a.m. We arrived just behind schedule at 10.30 a.m. I was acting as coach, trainer and general dogs body. My role was to provide the team with refreshment, and moral support. The latter was needed within three minutes of the start, when, passing us at a great rate of knots went the Standard Telephones and Cables, Southgate, team. (We found out afterwards that they nearly all belonged to the Southgate Harriers Athletic Club). Don’t worry says I, their tactics are obvious to me. They intend to run so far, stop and rest, then run again. If we keep to the steady pace you have set yourselves we should pass them later on. For some reason best known to themselves we did not see them again.
Eventually Croydon Garage came into view and the second part of the relay team were ready and anxious to take over. Me being coach, trainer and general dogs body, said, "Come on lads, lets go", and we headed towards our next change over point, the Roadside Cafe, Coulsdon. It was after we had got underway that it dawned upon me, that although the teams would be having a break between changeovers, I would not. This proved to be the case, and the stalwart coach, trainer and general dog's body, walked all the way, well, as far as the team walked anyway.
It was while we were on this second leg that disaster struck. One of our fittest and strongest team members strained his back by turning to see if there was any other team behind us. If he had only asked, I could have assured him there was not. Nevertheless, we had to assist him plus carry the litter and pretty girl to the check point at Coulsdon. We deposited him on to the team coach, and he took no further part in the event, except to wave to us occasionally as the coach passed us making for the next change over point.
It was while we were on the third leg of the race that we spotted something we felt to be a little unusual. We noticed one of the teams ahead of us, (as I said earlier, there were none behind) this team was transferring the litter and themselves into their team bus. It appeared to us that their tactics were to pass the check point by some half mile or so, board the bus, ride for about four miles, disembark, and then struggle into the next check point, making out they had walked all the way. After we had checked with the rules of the event we realised that this was not really allowed, and was considered we felt to be cheating. We agreed that for the sake of the other teams taking part, who may be finding things hard going, the matter should be reported at the next check point, which was at the St. John’s Church Hall, Redhill. This was duly done, and the official thanked us very much for our public-spirited action. We had sacrificed some vital time in seeking out this official, but undaunted we set off again towards the Airport Service Station at Gatwick, only to see ahead of us the same team transferring their load into the minibus again. So much for our public-spirited action we thought.
The race continued and the day grew hotter and hotter. We carried on through checkpoint after checkpoint, the main traffic lay-by at Crawley, the traffic lay-by at Handcross, the Crossroads at Bolney, the Crossroads at Muddleswood, and during all these gruelling miles we saw ahead now and again the same team transferring it’s load.
It was while we were on route towards the sports ground at Patcham, that we were stopped by one of the officials. He asked us if we would mind calling it a day. He said that the first, second and third teams had been sitting by the roadside for some three hours, about a quarterof a mile from the finishing point, and they were anxious to get in and meet Sabrina. He suggested we climb aboard our team bus and proceed to the finishing point, where we could join the crowd and cheer the winners home. This we duly did without further persuasion, and as we approached the Palace Pier we saw Sabrina sticking out in the crowd. It was announced over the loud speakers that the teams had just been spotted about five hundred yards away, and it looked like a very close run thing. Eventually they arrived in the order they had been told to. The litters had been nicely repaired and the crowd nicely conned.
After the presentations, it was time for the hot bath that had been promised to all those who took part. We were taken to the Public Baths under the arcade. To this day I am still a little baffled, the attendant went round saying "Two to a bath, and leave the door open". I ended up with a bath to myself, with the door closed, and it has left me wondering why.
The evening was rounded off with a dinner dance at the Regent Ballroom, where we were all given half a pint of Harp Lager free of charge. It was quite an enjoyable evening, but there were not many people dancing, if they felt like me I can understand why.
Some few weeks after our return to Farnham, we were invited as guests of the manager of the Odeon, Guildford, to come and see the film we had worked so hard to promote, and it was B.....awful.
For those of you who may be interested, the teams taking part on that. fateful day were :—
(A) The Stamford Hill Associated Clubs, Dalston. (B) The Hedgehogs,Guildford
(C) H.M.S. Sussex (R.N.R.), Brighton. (D) The Saints,Uxbridge.
(E) Young Conservatives, Reigate; & Epsom. (F) Northen Polytechnic,Holloway
(G) Standard Telephones & Cables, Southgate.
(H) Whytleafe Football Club, Croydon. (J) Chessington Flyers.
(K) Brighton Boys Club.
The winners were Team (G) — second Team (J) — third Team (C).
The team who kept transferring their load were allowed to continue to complete the course and were then told they were disqualified for breaking the rules. So our public-spirited effort paid off.
A letter was received from Peter Watts as follows:
8th April 1963.
Dear Jack,
I felt I must write and express my admiration once more to you and the members of H.O.H. who took part in what I now know was a "Marathon" event. I still feel somewhat guilty at having been the instigator of H.O.H. being involved in what also turned out to be a glorified shambles. I only hope the aches and pains which must have been experienced were not too great, and the dance following the race made up for some of the disappointments of the day.
I'll hesitate before putting forward other money raising ideas, unless of course they involve competitive beer drinking or something else of a pleasant nature. I hope to see you all again soon, bearing in mind that I’ll have a hat ready to throw in before entering the Marlborough.
Sincerely,
Peter Watts.
the '21st Anniversary 1959 - 1980' publication researched and edited by Maurice Hewins.
"Now it's all a memory" by Jack Stacey
It all started with a visit from Peter Watts, who was then Club Leader of Young Farnham. "Great news" he said, "I have managed to get the manager of the Odeon Cinema, Guildford, to sponsor the Hedgehogs on a London to Brighton Safari Race".
After we had picked ourselves up from the floor, and somewhat recovered from the shock, we decided to ask him for further details. Peter emerged from the broom cupboard to explain.
The race was to sponsor a film called "Call Me Bwana" starring Bob Hope and Anita Ekberg, and would take place on Sunday, 7th April 1963. It would consist of two hundred runners, making up ten teams, with twenty men in each. A safari type litter would be supplied by the organisers. It would be sturdily built to enable the team to carry the pretty girl over the fifty-mile course. Our litter fell to pieces after the first half mile, but who was to know that at the time.
Four men would carry the litter, complete with girl passenger, and the course would be divided into ten five-mile relay stages. Each group of four would carry the litter over two of these stages. Peter then went on to explain about the fantastic prizes that awaited the winners. First they would be presented with a cheque for one hundred guineas, made out to the charity of their choice, and secondly a beautiful rose bowl to be kept by the team forever more. The prizes would be handed over by no less a person than the one and only Sabrina. These two points decided us that we should take part. (I am still not certain to this day what two points they had in mind)
Everything then became very serious, and an intensive training scheme was set into motion. A makeshift litter was made, which consisted of a large log slung between two poles. Teams of four men undertook to carry, in relays, this contraption from the Marlborough Head to The Seven Stars and back. One group of four became over ambitious, and tried to make it as far as the Duke of Cambridge. This proved to be too much for them and caused great anxiety amongst the rest of the team members as to whether they would recover in time for the race proper. Fortunately all was well and the great day dawned.
L-R George Crawt, Maurice Hewins and Alec Goolding. Sue Colyer in chair. - Sunday April 7th 1963
We had to be at Streatham Common no later than 7.30 on the Sunday morning, which meant leaving for London as soon as we were thrown out of the Marlborough on Saturday night. It was on our arrival at Streatham that we were confronted with the Rank Dis-organisation. Nobody seemed to know what they were supposed to do, or where they ware supposed to go. A number of the other teams taking part looked very professional, and were certainly dressed for the part. Track suits, running vests and shorts were in great abundance. I suggested that perhaps some of our team members should now dispense with their beer mugs, as they may prove to be a handicap when trying to carry the litter. It took a great deal of persuasion, but they finally agreed.
At last, and I cannot recall how it happened, but we were off. Leaving Streatham, and heading for the first change over point at London Transport garage, Croydon. It was estimated by the organisers that we should arrive there at approximately 9.00 a.m. We arrived just behind schedule at 10.30 a.m. I was acting as coach, trainer and general dogs body. My role was to provide the team with refreshment, and moral support. The latter was needed within three minutes of the start, when, passing us at a great rate of knots went the Standard Telephones and Cables, Southgate, team. (We found out afterwards that they nearly all belonged to the Southgate Harriers Athletic Club). Don’t worry says I, their tactics are obvious to me. They intend to run so far, stop and rest, then run again. If we keep to the steady pace you have set yourselves we should pass them later on. For some reason best known to themselves we did not see them again.
Eventually Croydon Garage came into view and the second part of the relay team were ready and anxious to take over. Me being coach, trainer and general dogs body, said, "Come on lads, lets go", and we headed towards our next change over point, the Roadside Cafe, Coulsdon. It was after we had got underway that it dawned upon me, that although the teams would be having a break between changeovers, I would not. This proved to be the case, and the stalwart coach, trainer and general dog's body, walked all the way, well, as far as the team walked anyway.
It was while we were on this second leg that disaster struck. One of our fittest and strongest team members strained his back by turning to see if there was any other team behind us. If he had only asked, I could have assured him there was not. Nevertheless, we had to assist him plus carry the litter and pretty girl to the check point at Coulsdon. We deposited him on to the team coach, and he took no further part in the event, except to wave to us occasionally as the coach passed us making for the next change over point.
It was while we were on the third leg of the race that we spotted something we felt to be a little unusual. We noticed one of the teams ahead of us, (as I said earlier, there were none behind) this team was transferring the litter and themselves into their team bus. It appeared to us that their tactics were to pass the check point by some half mile or so, board the bus, ride for about four miles, disembark, and then struggle into the next check point, making out they had walked all the way. After we had checked with the rules of the event we realised that this was not really allowed, and was considered we felt to be cheating. We agreed that for the sake of the other teams taking part, who may be finding things hard going, the matter should be reported at the next check point, which was at the St. John’s Church Hall, Redhill. This was duly done, and the official thanked us very much for our public-spirited action. We had sacrificed some vital time in seeking out this official, but undaunted we set off again towards the Airport Service Station at Gatwick, only to see ahead of us the same team transferring their load into the minibus again. So much for our public-spirited action we thought.
The race continued and the day grew hotter and hotter. We carried on through checkpoint after checkpoint, the main traffic lay-by at Crawley, the traffic lay-by at Handcross, the Crossroads at Bolney, the Crossroads at Muddleswood, and during all these gruelling miles we saw ahead now and again the same team transferring it’s load.
It was while we were on route towards the sports ground at Patcham, that we were stopped by one of the officials. He asked us if we would mind calling it a day. He said that the first, second and third teams had been sitting by the roadside for some three hours, about a quarterof a mile from the finishing point, and they were anxious to get in and meet Sabrina. He suggested we climb aboard our team bus and proceed to the finishing point, where we could join the crowd and cheer the winners home. This we duly did without further persuasion, and as we approached the Palace Pier we saw Sabrina sticking out in the crowd. It was announced over the loud speakers that the teams had just been spotted about five hundred yards away, and it looked like a very close run thing. Eventually they arrived in the order they had been told to. The litters had been nicely repaired and the crowd nicely conned.
After the presentations, it was time for the hot bath that had been promised to all those who took part. We were taken to the Public Baths under the arcade. To this day I am still a little baffled, the attendant went round saying "Two to a bath, and leave the door open". I ended up with a bath to myself, with the door closed, and it has left me wondering why.
The evening was rounded off with a dinner dance at the Regent Ballroom, where we were all given half a pint of Harp Lager free of charge. It was quite an enjoyable evening, but there were not many people dancing, if they felt like me I can understand why.
Some few weeks after our return to Farnham, we were invited as guests of the manager of the Odeon, Guildford, to come and see the film we had worked so hard to promote, and it was B.....awful.
For those of you who may be interested, the teams taking part on that. fateful day were :—
(A) The Stamford Hill Associated Clubs, Dalston. (B) The Hedgehogs,Guildford
(C) H.M.S. Sussex (R.N.R.), Brighton. (D) The Saints,Uxbridge.
(E) Young Conservatives, Reigate; & Epsom. (F) Northen Polytechnic,Holloway
(G) Standard Telephones & Cables, Southgate.
(H) Whytleafe Football Club, Croydon. (J) Chessington Flyers.
(K) Brighton Boys Club.
The winners were Team (G) — second Team (J) — third Team (C).
The team who kept transferring their load were allowed to continue to complete the course and were then told they were disqualified for breaking the rules. So our public-spirited effort paid off.
A letter was received from Peter Watts as follows:
8th April 1963.
Dear Jack,
I felt I must write and express my admiration once more to you and the members of H.O.H. who took part in what I now know was a "Marathon" event. I still feel somewhat guilty at having been the instigator of H.O.H. being involved in what also turned out to be a glorified shambles. I only hope the aches and pains which must have been experienced were not too great, and the dance following the race made up for some of the disappointments of the day.
I'll hesitate before putting forward other money raising ideas, unless of course they involve competitive beer drinking or something else of a pleasant nature. I hope to see you all again soon, bearing in mind that I’ll have a hat ready to throw in before entering the Marlborough.
Sincerely,
Peter Watts.
The team in action at Croydon. From left, litter bearers Brian Webberley, Roger Stroyan, Dave King, Robin Hall and Jack Stacey (running)