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Les was also a prolific event organiser. He wanted to know how the standards system
ran the North Group 50 for most of the worked, he was the man to ask.
1990s, which included the VTTA National Les Dawson had an unerring enthusiasm
Championship. When he and Mary were for the sport, was a great competitor, a
competing and promoting events, he was tireless official and an inspiration to other
always trying to persuade those riders, vets. We will miss him.
newly turned 40, to join the Vets. If anyone

JACKIE CONNOR
4th October 1922 - 18th August 2019

th
Jackie slipped away on the 18 August Having established himself in business
having led a full life. At the early age of his next venture was to sponsor the
13 he fell in love with cycling and soon Regent CC at a time when it was one of
joined the local club, St Christopher's CC the most successful clubs in the country.
in 1935, and was introduced to touring He thus became one of the first sponsors
and club runs, which were the stuff of life in Scotland and he himself joined the
for him, with an aspect and camaraderie club and remained a life-long member.
he never forgot. These took the shape of Jackie had also taken part in a number of
“drum-ups” at many locations in the road race events and, now a member of
countryside, and oft times on the banks the Scottish VTTA Group and with the
of Loch Lomond - the favourite meeting VTTA’s goal being that of catering for
place for many Glasgow clubs.
time trialling, in June 1974 he offered up
Like most budding cyclists he soon took a road race trophy. His aim was to open
to racing and got the bug for track racing, up a diverse competition within the
at which he excelled. He was to be Group and encourage members who
found competing on a regular basis at would not normally do so to compete in
the Ibrox and Helenvale tracks but, not road race events. This proved a success
confined to track alone, he also proved and the first event took place in 1974 and
successful on the time trialling scene was organised by his friend, the late
while competing against Alex Hendry George Burns.
and other leading lights of that period.
In 1994, he presented a further trophy,
After a number of years racing he and this acknowledges the member with
decided it was time to return to his first the “most improved standard plus” from
love of cycling - touring. Dunoon and the previous year.
Peebles were only a few of the many Such was his benevolence that he was a
forays he spent with friends; however, if valuable benefactor to the SVTTA and
any of the friends got dropped during Regent CC, as well as many others
these runs they were “on their own”, as within and outside the sport. The
the “habble” on the road home did not numerous friends that turned out for his
wait - no prisoners! Those halcyon days service were testament to his respect
passed as did friends like Peter Harley, and popularity, for which the family would
Jim Reilly, Arthur Campbell, Jim McGinty like to give thanks.
and numerous others.

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