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without crutches. He had originally hoped to be off daughters Heather and Pearl, their husbands Geoff
the bike for a year but has had to lower his and Terry, plus grandchildren and great-
expectations somewhat, he said. grandchildren.
Brothers-in-law No pointy hats at presentation lunch
Former Southampton Wheeler Peter Betteridge The Wessex Group Annual Awards Presentation
underwent a quadruple heart bypass on November and Lunch is being held at Romsey Golf Club on
4, which was shortly after the death of his brother- Saturday, February 25 from noon for a 1pm start.
in-law James “Keith” Ross at the age of 86. Neither Cost is £28.50 per person. Contact membership
were members of the VTTA but were well-known in secretary Norman Harvey for more details, including
southern cycling circles from the glory days of the lunch choices. “It would be great to see all award
Southampton Wheelers in the 1950s when their winners at the lunch and it is a good way to renew
teammate Ken Whitmarsh was a force to be old friendships. You might even find it difficult to
reckoned with, especially over 100 miles, a distance recognise each other when not wearing lycra and a
he was champion at in 1952. pointy helmet,” said Norman, whose contact details
are in the handbook.
Martin Napier of Sotonia CC became friends with
Keith when Southampton Wheelers folded and he World Transplant Games
joined Sotonia. Keith was happy to do his share of Yours truly finished fifth in the 60-69 years 10km
marshalling for Southampton area clubs and was a time trial in the World Transplant Games along the
regular on Sotonia’s twice-weekly club rides on which banks and bridges of the River Tyne in Newcastle in
he was known for his preference for main roads. “He August. My time was 20:22.9 and the winner was
would often leave the group to ride a more direct Ireland’s John Moran in 18:07.4.
route on an A road, rather than keep with the group.
If we ventured down a gritty, uneven lane, you could In the 50-59 years band, Steve Donaldson
count on Keith to start moaning,” said Martin. “Keith (Fullarton Whlrs/Scottish VTTA) took eighth in the
always tried to keep his riding style and speed. He 50-59 years age group with 19:19.1, and Declan
told us he was once, I guess many years ago, done Logue (Stratford CC/Midlands VTTA) was 13 th in
for speeding on his bike. He was checked by police at 20:24.6.
over 30mph riding through Lyndhurst.”
About 20 years ago Keith’s wife Carol died. WEST
Following a mild stroke in November 2017 which Brian Griffiths
caused vascular dementia, he moved to a care
home in Chandler’s Ford near Eastleigh. He later Another season is finally over and we can count up
suffered a fall and was hospitalised. He died after our successes and our short comings and begin to
being moved into care in Romsey. plan for next year. No matter how well you have
performed there is always room for improvement.
Death of HLM Philip Newbury
Some of us like a complete break whilst others
I am sad to record the death of Wessex Group make efforts to get a careful check on their overall
Honorary Life Member Phil Newbury of Salisbury health and be sure that they correct any failings.
Road Club. One of the gentlemen of time trialling, I We should also sensibly adjust our non-competitive
remember him from the early 1970s, with his neat diet and maintain a suitable level of fitness often
grey hair, riding in his fairly upright style in events using the gym or maybe a turbo trainer.
on the old P2 on the A338 Ringwood to Salisbury
road. He died peacefully on August 14 at the age of On 3rd November the WestVets held their AGM at
98 surrounded by members of his family. He was Sutton Benger; the attendance was I think better
cremated at Salisbury on September 11. Former than normal with 25 members present.
professional rider Harry Lodge, whose father Tom is Unfortunately neither our President Ted King or
a Wessex member, said Phil had kept fit up until Chairman Brian Barraclough were able to be
shortly before his death, even to the extent of present as neither were well enough to attend.
clambering onto his garage roof and cutting back However Mary Jane Hutchinson took over the chair
overhanging tree branches last year. He leaves two and did a very competent job indeed.

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