The Forum of Benfleet Running Club

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Some of you will already be aware that I am currently writing a 20th Anniversary Club Yearbook to be published in 2010. I wish to use this thread to put out appeals for information as I when I need it.

Latest Appeal

Does anyone know who won the Merit Table in 1999?

Debbie G

Karl C · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject:

As Shaggy would say "It wasn't me..."

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

You're a great help! Thanks Karl

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Snr should know as he has the trophy from last year. I'll ask him.

Know who won it in 2000........it was me!!!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Sarah and yes I know you won in 2000 !! I was hoping you might remember who passed it on to you!

No snr doesn't know - he kindly did me a list of all past winners from the engravings on the trophy but 2 years were missing - I happened to know who one of the missing winners was (Alison Strauss) but 1999 is before my time at Benfleet so I was hoping one of the longer standing members - such as yourself might know. I think it was just before Mikey took over the Merit Table too so I guess he won't know.

Clive's on the case too but we are struggling a bit

Your Dad never won by any chance? Just clutching at straws here...

Karl C · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject:

If no one claims it, can I have it for that year..?

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Sure you can Karl although I happen to know you joined the club the year after me - 3 years after your "win" - hmm might cause a bit of an uproar but hey you are doing the Merit Table now so that gives you certain privileges right?

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Been having a think about it and it may have been Bob Beasant????
He has been down the club a bit more lately so we can check with him.

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Now it's really bugging me!!! I know Mick Valbonesi won one year but not sure if it was 1999......he won everything one year including the merit table.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Ah thanks Sarah for putting your thinking cap on and you are nearly right but Bob won it in 2001 the year after you.

I was a club member then and I remember Bob getting presented with the trophy - I have a pic of him with the trophy too. He did come down to the club earlier this year - it was nice to see him again.

Keep thinking please....

If it helps in your elimination Elaine won it 1997 and Mick Valbonesi in 1998.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Actually Sarah I've just been thinking - Mick didn't win it twice did he? He was also Club champion in 1999 (and he was champion in 1998) - it could explain why it wasn't engraved because he only had to keep the trophy he'd won the year before!!

However if we don't know for sure I'm awarding it to Karl because I thought I was the only person to have won it twice and I'll be devastated!!!

Anyone remember and is anyone still in contact with Mick? I haven't seen him since about 2004. I know Brian has seen him more recently.

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

No Mick definitely didn't win it twice......no one in the history of the club has ever managed that.

If not all the above, it may have been Jim Hayes, sure he won something one year???

This is hurting my bonce now!!!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

What a relief - and seriously Sarah I have won it twice - 2002 and 2004 so I'm delighted Mick hasn't!!

In fact when Pete did the list of names for me he joked that I should know who they were as most of them were me!

No it's not Jim either he was 1994.

Keep thinking...

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

You must have been running a lot slower then as not usual for a fast runner to win......well done.

Blimey, memory going back to 1994!!! Will continue to rack the old grey matter.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Sarah - a compliment indeed to be classed as fast

- yes slower then but improving. Owe it all to Benfleet - I was running a 54 minute 10k when I joined the club after 2 months I'd knocked 6 minutes off that and by the end of my first year it was down to 46 minutes. It wasn't till my 2nd win in 2004 I got faster though. Blame Ian he started coaching me full time that year!

Yes a memory back to 1994 Sarah that is impressive! When I was told E Hayes had won in 1994 I said who is that? - forgot Jim's alias of Eric!

I bet you'll remember who it was in the end Sarah - thanks again.

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Perhaps it was Mick then!! Sorry, 1999 was a bit of a blur on the memory front as year after brain tumour.

Just to put me out of my misery, I assume Glen & Jackie Burns were 2003 & 2005??

Ta

Karl C · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

sure I was in there somewhere.....

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

You have an excellent memory Sarah (just like your Mum- remembering Stewart - he keeps asking me for a photo and what your Mum's maiden name was so he can try to place her!)

To put you out of your misery Alison Strauss was 2003 and Jackie Burns 2005 Glen was 2nd in the same year 2005, he's never won it.

Oddly enough neither has Karl....

Karl C · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:41 pm Post subject:

I've got feelings you know..... :withstupid:

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

I surrender now :cya:

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Ah don't say that you were my only hope Sarah! Every name you've come up with was a winner (or in Glen's case 2nd) I was hoping you'd come up with a new one I hadn't heard of then I'd know it was 1999. Ah well...I could be awarding it to you Karl to spare your feelings... :happy3:

Karl C · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:58 pm Post subject:

nope, too late - don't blooming want it now !

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

A few people have asked me what this "Yearbook" is all about. Well Clive wanted a club historian/archivist and I took on the job. The idea was to collate all club records and put them into a Yearbook which will be a proper pukha published highly professional(!!) item which can be purchased by members on our anniversary in 2010. It is intended to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club and cover club events, achievements trophy winners and such like over the 20 years. It is turning out to be quite an undertaking as I want it to be as complete as possible and Clive has brilliant records which I am steadily working my way through. I intend to include our club 20th anniversary event LeJog in it so the finished item will be available for purchase by club members mid-late 2010. It includes lots of wonderful photos and I know you will all want a copy of it

Now and again I need club members' help on one or two things so I'll post here from time to time with questions so please help where you can as I want this to be an accurate record.

I am thoroughly enjoying writing this book though I seem to be permanently in front of my computer!!

Thanks to those of you I've personally contacted so far for your help and info, you've been brilliant and make my task so much easier.

mooreg · Joined: 17 Nov 2008 Posts: 5

Great work Debbie

Can't wait to see the finished article..

However count me out I haven't won anything so it definately was not me either.
Ps I can't remember what I did yesterday let alone back in 1999

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Hi Graeme and thanks - you are going to love this book

To all those who have been scratching their heads and coming up with names for me I think we now have the answer of the mystery 1999 winner - it was nobody!

The Oracle John Butcher said to me last night that he believed that there was one year when the Merit Table did not happen - the year just before Mikey took over and Paul Swindell who had been running it was injured and not at the club much.

The lawyer in me wanted corroboration so I scoured the Minutes of our meetings last night and found reference to it in the Nov 1999 AGM minutes - a comment by Mick Valbonesi asking if the Merit Scheme was to continue and Clive said he would try to fit it in next year. It was enough for me - there was no merit scheme in 1999 and Clive agrees this must be right.

So mystery solved and I'm delighted that I continue to hold the distinction of being the only person to win it twice - but there is still time for someone to change this in 2009...

Keeping watching this thread guys - more questions to follow!!

Next question - Does anyone have a photo of Ian Peggs?

Stress Head · #1 Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 120 Location: Benfleet

Hi Deb

That'll be why I couldn't come up with a name for 1999 then!!

Thanks for putting me out of my misery.

Most of us 'oldies' should have a picture of Ian Peggs. I'll have a look and let you know.

mikey · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject:

Thinking about it that’s correct

Paul Swindell used to run it .... But it stopped when he left the club

It didn't run for a year

Then having missed the competition,
Dom & I revamped it in the new format that we use today

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Sarah appreciate that. Clive is still looking though but has a lot of photos to plough through!

Thanks Mike, glad you can confirm that too. I didn't know Dom was associated with the Merit table though. I did know that in the days Paul did it the scheme was based on selected local races only - a bit like the Challenge Cup so it was presumably a hybrid of both competitions in those days. I'm learning a lot about our history doing this!

Oh whilst you are on the forum Mike do you have a list of all Challenge Club winners? I presume this was also started by you in 2000? I have some winners but not all a few are missing up to the time the Benfleet League took it's place so if you can provide the full list I'd be very grateful Mike.

I do have another appeal though - do any of our older members have x country results for the season 1990-1991 season?

I think this is a forlorn hope really as Clive doesn't have them so I doubt if anyone else does. I am really hoping to at least unearth the final results for that season with final positions for all clubs in the League (in those days it wasn't 2 divisions just the one with 8 clubs).

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Okay Sarah update - Clive unearthed a couple of photos of Ian Peggs for me today one of which is okay for me to use although Clive says he may have some others anyway. Didn't want you ploughing through the loft needlessly!! I am featuring all past club captains in a Captains Gallery a page of small passport sized head and shoulders photos so I needed Peggsy for that. And as you were a past Captain Sarah you are featured too.

If you are watching this thread Tony - you won Hadleigh x-country 1st then Thorndon not the other way round, they were 4th and 5th races in the series in that order.

You could add One Tree Hill to the tally at the next race....

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

Debbie, I have some photos sent to me by Alan Peggs. I will bring them withme on Tuesday to see if you need any of them.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Bobby that's brilliant. By the way Lyn offered her services as a typist for the Where are they Now chapter and she can send it to me by email so I can copy and paste onto the Yearbook if you need someone to type up - Lorna doesn't type and has no computer. I'll be down Tuesday. Thanks again Bobby - Brian says they are terrific photos!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

As I am spending my New Years Eve working on the Yearbook (no one say "you sad individual you"!!) this is my last appeal of 2008

Does anyone know who won the Challenge Cup - male and female in 2004?

I have all the winners from 2001 which is when I think it started, in the format run by Mikey, right through to the last competition in 2006 except for 2004. I was at the presentation for that year but obviously too drunk to remember

I'd really like to finish this chapter of the book so please help out someone!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL !!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Okay as my last appeal has gone unanswered here is the 1st of 2009 -
this is directed to Bobby or Graham

as you both won the Personality of the Year in 2007 can you tell me if the trophy shows who won it in previous years?

I do know a few but not many. I do know Kev Steed won it one year but I'm not sure which year - I think it was either 2003 or 2004. And did you win it in 2002 as well Bobby?

I know Dom won in 2001 and John Butcher in 2000. I also know the 2005 and 2006 winners.

Thanks guys - Kev if you are watching this can you text/email to let me know which year.

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

Debs, Graham has the trophy at the moment so should be able totell you who the missing winners are.

Graham · #3 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 395

Debs - will send you the winners list from it - along with those pics I promised on Wed.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Graham you are a star. Working on the Ultra Runners section now too so it'll be nice to get the club personality bit done. Think you might be surprised at some past Ultra runner results Graham! And I might have to bother you again whilst doing this section.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

My appeals are going pretty well so far (thanks Graham and Bobby). Got most of my photos too but this is my next appeal

Does anyone know who Doug Stevens and Jackie King are (and could try to identify them in photos)? And does anyone have photos of Doug Stevens and Jackie King?

To help they were Club Championships Vets winners in 1998 (Jackie) and 1999 (Doug).

Thanks everyone (I'll ask some easier questions soon!).

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

I spotted Doug a couple of years ago at the Southend l0k so presumably he is still local. Maybe some one else saw hgim there?

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Someone with a camera would be good!

Did you know Jackie King Bobby? - she won in the year you joined the club.

I have a lot of very old photos and a few mid 90's ones and I know who most of the people are so I suspect these 2 were around late 90's only so I haven't got pics of them.

Did Doug do the Millennium run by any chance? Don't think I remember him in any of the photos John gave me though - by that I mean I think I recognised everyone in the photos and there wasn't an unidentified person that might have been him.

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

The name Jacie King doesn,t ring ay bells with me. I have a vague recollection that Doug was a relative of eomeone else in the club. I will try to rack my brain and let you know any further thoughts.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Thanks Bobby. I think Jackie King might not have been at the club long - she featured over a couple of years in the late 90's as scoring Vet at the cross countries but can't see much sign of her after that.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Bobby a follow up request - on the Millennium Run
Who was the Ray who ran your leg with you (I know 2 possible Rays it could be) and who was the Mike L? (i.e. what was his surname?

Also can you help with some other runners

Do you know the surnames of Nicola and Peter (ran the Hampton Court leg with Lucy Jez, Ian Peggs and Mark) ? Or Jez can you help on this one?

The surnames of Joyce and Julie who ran with Fran and Sue Buckhorn - I believe one of the ladies has recently returned to the club.

Anyone know who Tony C was - did a leg with Lorna and if the Paul L that ran on the Benfleet leg was Paul Longman?

I take it the Bob B that ran with Mikey was Bob Beszant?

Thanks in advance!!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Sorry one more -

Anyone know the surnames of Annette and Pauline did the Richmond to Putney leg with Ken and Mark?

bobby · #2 Joined: 06 Apr 2008 Posts: 258

Debbie, Just as I was reading your message my phone rang and it was Joyce Bates, the Joyce in your question, The Ray was her husband Ray Bates. Annette I can,t remember her surname , Pauline Morgan was the other and Julie you are right as just returned to the clubansd may be there tonight.

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Ah thanks Bobby that's filled in a lot of gaps - yes Ray Bates was one of my 2 possible Rays!

Can you give me Michael L's surname who ran with you too? - got a picture of him I can produce for identification - I'll have it with me tonight.

Do you know Julie's surname?

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Okay then Jez this one's for you -

Do you know the surnames of Nicola and Peter (ran the Hampton Court leg with you, Lucy, Ian Peggs and Mark) ?

The Nicola wasn't Nicky Smith was it? Trying to think of someone a bit speedy to keep up with you and Lucy!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Another appeal -

Does anyone have any photos of the Millennium Run they could lend me?
John Butcher's looking for me and I have the club mag copies of the pics but the quality isn't really good enough to use. There must be loads of photos out there please have a search in your lofts!!

Thanks.

Jez · #2 Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 291 Location: Eastwood

Twas indeed Nichola Smith and Pete the greek Karaiskos
_________________
Jez

www.justjez.co.uk

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Ah thanks Jez - do know Pete but only ever saw Peter at the cross countries.

Ian also tells me Annette was Nicky's Mum.

We're getting there - thanks guys!

debbie g · #6 Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 707

Jez did you run with a Michael L too? I have a pic of him running with Alan Taylor and he was on Tower Bridge to Greenwich leg. Maybe he just ran with Alan. If you can help I'd be grateful. Want to know his surname too.