Butts Stadium and Godiva Harriers

Perrins and Malins were at the top of the main drive on the left, Gibson and Smith-Clarke were on the right

Well spotted, Neil. There was certainly nothing like that on Broad Lane or Farcroft. It looks the shape of a hangar.

Any idea who these guys are?

Up in God's own country at the moment and all my files are back home. I will reveal all (or most) when I get my travel documents and visa when I return home!!

Not as easy as I thought. The border guards were obnoxious and I had to pay over the odds for my documentation. However.... in the photo, the tall bloke stands out from the crowd at 6ft 5in. It is Godiva International George Chaplin who must have won more races in his career than most other athletes. Now speculation.... it is probably an Inter Counties competition, probably from Woodlands School. The walker on the left of the photo is a Kent athlete (note the 'K' on his vest) and he is wearing a Kent County vest, the one on the right is another Godiva walker - both he and George should be in county vests. Hopefully more to come.

Well that's been a long and winding road... but with a little help from my friends 1. Stan Vickers (Bronze medalist 1980 Olympian and European Champion. Walked for Belgrave Harriers and represented Kent. He passed away aged 80yrs. 2. Eric Hall another member of Belgrave Harriers and twice an Olympian. Eric passed away in March 2022 aged 89 years. 3. George Chaplin (Coventry Godiva harriers) Belgrave Harriers have always been a strong competitive Walking Club whose vest was the same colour as Godiva for many years until a post war mix up meant coventry Godiva changed their colours. But that is a VERY long story 3. George Chaplin (Coventry Godiva harriers) 4 John Edgington (Coventry Godiva harriers).Olympian 1964 I do wish these people would stop dying. Information is a lot easier to find if all are alive and kicking.

Great work Colin

Am I correct in thinking that George Chaplin was selected for the England team? I am pretty sure he was employed by Wickmans as a capstan operator when I joined in 1966.

Yes Mick. Bit more to come about George - a lovely bloke.

I cannot take any credit. That should be given to clubmate Glyn Jones - no mean walker himself 'It is thought the photo could be 1957 when Coventry staged the RWA National 10 miles (Road).' I am not too sure about the event, I think it is the Inter counties Championships.

I got it wrong yesterday. George worked in the drawing office at Wickman. It was Lloyd Johnson whom worked on the capstan section. Lloyd won a bronze medal at the 1948 Olympic Games for walking.

Mick, One story about George... He used to walk down to the Coventry Track (Westwood site of Warwick University) and help with the officiating.at meetings (Like me He was unqualified as an official so a bit of a dog's body doing jobs that needed doing. In fact we both had been around so long thagt we kept an eye on some of the inexperienced officials! ) After the meeting having been stood all afternoon, he used to sometimes accept a lift back home (it was on my way so no problem) Being so tall he used to fold himself up like a concertina to fit in the front seat. He should really have received far more recognition for his walking achievements. Lloyd was in the Leicester walking club, but helped all the Godiva walkers considerablhy, He had a bit of stuff detailing what training etc which the East Germans did, which was quite interesting, the emphasis being quite different from the Western walking regime / routine. .

Colin you'll like the new additions on Coventry Digital from the Frank Tomlinson collection - a young Mr Moorcroft - 1977 -

I wonder if he had any inkling at that time, that just 5 years later he would be the fastest man in the world over 5,000 metres?

One evening not long after I came to Coventry, I went for treatment for any injury. I never thought physios were much cop, but my injury was dragging on and an athlete will do anything to get back running as quickly as possible. Before me being treated was a scrawny kid about 12 years old. When it was my turn I got to talking with the physio who told me that the kid he had just treated was going to be a good athlete, a really good athlete. I was sceptical, really sceptical. How could you tell, I enquired,' You can tell'. Of course the kid was Dave. And again on another occasion, the patient before me was a greyhound (!). I kid you not. He? she? it had a bit of a strain. In six days time, he/she/it was running in the BBC Greyhound Derby final, in 1968, the event was a big deal. I got to talking with the the physio. He/she/it will win, he assured me. How could you tell, I enquired. 'You can tell.' The dog did win and the physio got it right about Dave as well!!!!!!