(1) SURREY SENIOR MEN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, EPSOM DOWNS, 6TH JANUARY 1962
Three days earlier Epsom Downs would have presented an impossible course. By Saturday the snow and ice had nearly gone leaving a slushy mess.
The photo was taken just after the start. Snow can still be seen on the ground but the course was generally muddy. The holder, Roly Langridge (1)is seen setting the pace with Tony Towl on his right and Barry Collins on his left. The eventual winner, Mike Gillett, can just be seen behind Mick Firth (7).
(2) SURREY SENIOR MEN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS continued
The conditions did not prevent the race from going largely to form. The holders South London Harriers retained their title to make it their fourth in a row and eigth in ten years. It was no surprise to find Mike Gillett and the ambitious Junior, Barry Collins, both challenging the holder, Roly Langridge. This trio was well clear of the field at the beginning of the last lap. Collins tried hard to get away on several occasions but was pulled back each time. In the last 300 yards of a fast race Gillett forged ahead to win his first title.
The photo shows the 3 leaders. Roly Langridge (1) does his best to deal with two dangerous opponents. The eventual winner was Mike Gillett (38). Barry Collins (A 307) was third.
(3) SURREY JUNIOR MEN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, WARLINGHAM, 13TH JANUARY 1962
Surrey Beagles H.Q. at Warlingham was indeed a blasted heath with a biting wind cutting across the stubble. The course was sticky and included a long length of path in each lap alomg which it was impossible to pass. In the absence of Barry Collins who had come third in the Senior race a week earlier, Pat Barber took charge right from the start. David Harvey challenged in the early stages but at the finish Fred stebbings and Chris Ingram were well spaced medalists. Mitcham's scoring four made sure of the title finishing 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th.
(4) SOUTHERN WOMEN INTER-COUNTY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, MAIDSTONE, 13TH JANUARY 1962
Victory for Pam Davies (Selsonia LAC) with Joy Jordan (Guildford & Godalming) coming second led Surrey to the team title by 1 point ahead of Middlesex.
(5) SENIOR MEN NATIONAL INTER-COUNTY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, WESTERN PARK, LEICESTER, 20TH JANUARY 1962
As a major county we could hardly finish lower than twelth. At the moment we have no really outstanding performers such as are required to win, nor do we have the backing they would need to get the team title. Although on the same day the Juniors were winning their event at Maidstone it would be optimistic to see a winning Senior team coming from these runners whose strength is on the track.
Of the leading finishers in the County race on 6th January Mick Firth, Mike Gillett and Peter Milner were unable to run on the course which consisted of four laps of undulating grassland which was fast and moderately easy. The least said about the race the better. Only Barry Collins got away to a good start when the Lady Mayoress waved her hanky and then, when he found his shoes troublesome, lost may places in getting them off. The rest settled down too far back and only Roly Langridge and Bob Roath made any real progress. Lancashire proved their superiority by getting nine home before our first while the combined score of their first 6 was lower (43) than our first placing (Bob Roath 47th) - magnificent effort on their part.
(6) JUNIOR MEN NATIONAL INTER-COUNTY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, MOTE PARK, MAIDSTONE, 20TH JANUARY 1962
The course was teo laps of rough grassland and the weather was about average for the time of the year. Pat Barber who easily won our county championship the previous weekend was absent with a cough and Barry Collins was competing in the Senior event. Team Manager, Tommy Rowe, was delighted with his day out. With track International Tony Harris pushing 2 fellow Mitcham athletes Dave Harvey and Ken Smith through to forward placings we gained a heartening victory over Essex and Middlesex.
(8) SURREY COUNTY AAA AGM, WIMBLEDON TOWN HALL, 20TH FEBRUARY 1962
For the first time the meeting was held in the plushy atmosphere of the Wimbledon Council Chamber. 60 persons signed the attendance sheet. Ernest Neville was elected President. He was one of the founders of the Association in 1920 and would have been President many years ago had it been possible to persuade such a busy man to take on yet another office. The other pincipal officers elected were:- Secretary - Doug Goodman; Treasurer - Frank Read; Assistant Secretary - John Ray. Jim Braben was added to the list of Vice Presidents. The annual accounts for the year ended 31st December showed an excess of expenditure over income of £235.8s.10d leaving a balance of £763.13s.1d.
(9) SURREY BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, MORDEN PARK, 24TH FEBRUARY 1962
This now popular event attracted 24 teams with a very welsome 17 coming from schools. The race developed into a stern struggle between Roy Sandford (Wandsworth School) and Don Cope (Mitcham AC). Going along the bottom for the last time Cope got away with only half a mile to go. On the climb up to the finish Sandford fought hard a found the extra strength for a narrow win. A great race. The other 156 finishers piled in so quickly that times were only recorded for the first forty.
(10) SURREY 10 MILES ROAD WALKING CHAMPIONSHIP, MITCHAM, 24TH FEBRUARY 1962
By a happy chance the first duty of our new President, Ernest Neville, was to start this event. As the holder, Eric Hall, was not walking, the thirty-six starters knew that there would be a new champion. George Williams set off at fast pace followed by Ray Middleton (Belgrave H) and Paul Nihill (Surrey WC). However, after only 400 yards Williams, who appeared not quite fit, was disqualified, leaving the other two to a dogged battle at 7 min 30 sec per mile. At about eight miles Middleton's strength began to show and he pulled back Nihill to win in a good time. The team contest was a great struggle between Belgrave Harriers and Surrey Walking Club, each team member doing his utmost to gain another place. Belgrave just managed to hold on to their title by 2 points.
(16) MALE AGE GROUPS FOR THE 1962 TRACK & FIELD RANKINGS
For the 1962 Track & Season the AAA age groups were:- Junior Men: Under 19 on 1st April 1962; Youths: Under 17 on 1st April 1962; Boys: Under 15 on 1st April 1962.
Because these differ from the current UKA age group rulings certain athletes will now be considered to be in different age groups. This will affect their age group for ranking purposes where the current age group rules apply. in particular:-
Athletes whose 19th birthday was between 1st January and 31st March 1962 would have been Senior Men in 1962 but under current rules they are considered to be Under-20. All the remaining Junior Men are now considered to be Under-20.
Athletes whose 17th birthday was between 1st April and 31st September 1962 would have been Youths in 1962 but under current rules they are considered to be Under-20. All the remaining Youths are now considered to be Under-17.
Athletes whose 15th birthday was between 1st April and 31st September 1962 would have been Boys in 1962 but under current rules they are considered to be Under-17. All the remaining Boys are now considered to be Under-15.
Where athlete's dates of birth are known they have allocated to the rankings age group they would have been in if the current age group rules had been applied in 1962.
(17) EASTER YOUNG ATHLETES COACHING COURSE, MOTSPUR PARK, 17Th/18TH/19TH APRIL 1962
The photo shows Phil Tomkins, the Surrey AAA Coaching Secretary, giving hurdling instruction to none young hurdlers at the Easter Young Athletes Course held at Motspur Park.
(18) SURREY 7 MILE TRACK WALK CHAMPIONSHIPS, BATTERSEA PARK, 25TH APRIL 1962
The event attracted the largest ever entry of 26 demonstrating the interest of Surrey walkers in track walks. 19 walkers started and they were sent on their way by the President, Ernest Neville. A good race ensued with Ray Middleton (Belgrave H) leading from the start to finish in 53min. 54sec. from clubmate Ray Hall with Peter Selby (Surrey WC) 3rd.
(19) SURREY SOCIAL, ARLINGTON ROOMS, CLAPHAM JUNCTION, 27TH APRIL 1962
The first of what is hoped to be a succesion of combined social events was held by the men's and women's associations on 27th April. It was a definite success for the organiser, Dave Sheppard, as 130 people attended and enjoyed themselves. After a dinner which included, perhaps unkindly, Surrey chicken, and the minimum of speeches, dancing commenced with pleasing alternatives for those not so energetically inclined.
(20) RWA NATIONAL 20 MILE ROAD WALKING CHAMPIONSHIPS, BIRMINHGHAM, 12TH MAY 1962
