PETE’S POST -JULY 2023
I was recently handed the care of several boxes of C&C history, scrap books, photographs, and a whole host of various memorabilia.
Amongst it I found what is pictured, a letter to the Club from Buckingham Palace, and a tiny vest, with a note, saying that it was Jon Ridgeon’s original C&C top. Mr Ridgeon, of course, went on to represent G.B. at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, coming 5th in the 110m hurdles.
Who could have thought, when young Jon turned up for training at the club, wearing that tiny vest that is now part of C&C memorabilia, that he was beginning a journey that would lead him to the Olympic Games?
The letter from Buckingham Palace, dated 1st July 1977, reads,
“I am commanded by The Queen to thank you and all Members of Cambridge and Coleridge Athletic Club for the message of greeting carried by a relay team of your young athletes. Her Majesty much appreciates your kind message on the occasion of her Silver Jubilee”.
Forty-six years ago, I wonder if there are people who took part in that relay that can remember it, or are still members?
Great progress for C&C in June…..
The second SAL match of the season was a really important one for us. Having come 2nd in the first one, C&C were laying in 5th place out of 18 teams in the overall league, just outside the top 4 promotion slots. We needed a strong performance in our home match to push ourselves into that top 4, and we did it! Two of the teams that we were up against on the day were in that top four before they came to Cambridge, but we beat them! This shows that on our day we can better anyone in this league! There were so many outstanding performances, I was so proud to be there to witness them!
C&C dominated the “Athlete of the Day” Awards, winning 4 out of the 6 for Men: George Christmas, Christian Tansey, Thomas Hufford, and Joseph Scase, and 5 out of 6 for the Ladies: Serena Blackwood, Asha Soanes (twice, long jump and javelin), Bridget Fryer, and Neve Palmer.
Having done so well to get to this position at the halfway point in the season we need to continue to kick-on. The next match is on 9th July at Southend, please be part of the team again if you possibly can. Let’s support each other once more, every single point counts!
Still on T&F, and we had another very enjoyable evening at Cambridge in the Masters League in June. It’s wonderful to see this team going so well, and with such great team spirit. The highlight of the evening was a Masters Club Record in the 4 x 400m relay. Chung Tu, Ric Merrick, Ric Park, and John Morley ran 4:04.2! That’s quick! But of course, with athletes being athletes, there was almost immediate talk of, “getting under 4 minutes next time!”
The next Masters meeting is at Bedford on 5th July, please be there to be part of the team if you can.
Our EYAL team is currently mid-table in the league after two matches. There are two more meets coming up rapidly now, Peterborough, on 2nd July, and then the home match at Cambridge on 16th July. Best of luck to all of our teams of youngsters enjoying the competition that this league provides.
Another great turn-out at the second Arkwrights League 5k saw us taking top-spot again. Once more, a fantastic team effort. The next fixture is at Carver Barracks on 13th July. This gives a great opportunity to view the brand new track facility, where we hope to be booking the first C&C training sessions by early August. Even if you’re not planning to run the 5k, it would be great to see you there anyway.
Some big events are coming up soon. There are the English Schools Championships, and later in July, the National Championships and World Championship trials. Very best of luck to all C&C athletes involved.
Lots more White and Blue history to be made!
Have a great July!