Geof Hunwicks R.I.P  

Jan 102022
 

GEOFF HUNWICKS R.I.P.
Former Junior International Geoff Hunwicks (Ilford AC and Weymouth St.Paul’s Harriers) has sadly passed on, while a hospital patient in The Gambia, where he had settled. He was aged 71 (d-of-b 17/08/1950).   He will be remembered so well by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him.  He certainly lived life to the full.   Below is confirmation from the Hart House website, where Geoff worked so hard for the good of the community in such a positive way.  All reading this will be deeply saddened.
This is what was just posted by Hart House (on their FB page) …
We are shocked and sad to report the sudden death of the inspirational Geoff Hunwicks, founder and CEO of Hart House, during last night.
He had spent some time in hospital over the festive season but was beginning to feel better and had returned home.
Hart House has been fully open up until now but will temporarily close whilst arrangements are put in place by the Hart House Committee to allow it to reopen.
Geoff’s devout wish would be for the facility to stay open as a long term legacy for his work and we will be doing all we can to ensure that happens.
We will post further information as it becomes available
Rest in peace Geoff

Geoff Hunwicks heads an all-star leading and talented bunch closely followed by Internationals Shaun Lightman, Ian Richards & Bob Dobson. Photo supplied by Don Cox

Ilford AC are mourning the loss of one of their leading members from past decades. On Monday, while a hospital patient after a lengthy period of illness, GEOFF HUNWICKS passed away at the age of 71.
In Ilford’s colours he was part of their team – along with Roger Mills and Brian Armstrong, who won the 1968 National Junior 5 Miles Championship in Salford.  Geoff’s success saw him awarded a GB International vest at junior level.  Success followed success and in 1975 at Southwick, Geoff was part of Ilford’s team which won the Club’s first ever Senior Walking Championship, over 10 miles, the other members being Roger Mills and late athletes Steve Gower and Lew Mockett.  He was a regular competitor in Essex representative teams winning the Essex 50 Kilometres’ Championship twice in succession – 1976/77.  He served as the Club’s Hon.Press Officer for a spell in the ’70s, submitting many reports to the Ilford Recorder and the long since defunct Ilford Pictorial.  He participated in both running and race walking events and was active on the Club’s social scene.
 
When leaving Ilford he relocated to Weymouth where he turned out for Weymouth St.Paul’s Harriers before emigrating to The Gambia to run “The Gambian Home For Children With Learning Difficulties”, a managerial position he held until his sad demise.
 
He was involved in many sports and activities.  He enjoyed success as a chess player, reaching County standard and was involved in competitive league skittles, which he took most seriously, to a high level  and could always hold his own at the snooker table.  He also stepped out into the ballroom on a number of occasions.
Dave Ainsworth

  Obituary Bob Beningfield  

May 232021
 

Obituary

It is my sad duty to inform the membership of the death of Bob Beningfield. Marion his wife, wrote that Bob died peacefully on Easter Sunday after a long illness.

If memory serves me right Bob came to the club in the mid 1970’s from a background with Frenford Youth Club. He was a friendly upright character who made an important positive contribution to the club. He liked to reminisce over a pint.

He loved to compete in the pole vault. He was ranked 17th best ever in the club rankings with a height of 3m 10cm and ranked 3rd as a vet., clearing 3m dead. He regularly represented the club in the pole vault at league meetings and was always prepared to pass on his experience to others. In time this led him to establish a group of young athletes, that included Dede Singh, Neil Keane and Wayne Hick. Bob entered these athletes and others under Frenford colours to compete in the London Youth Games. They went on to represent London in the National Youth Games in cross country and track, bringing home victory on a number of occasions. His first instinct was always to give.

Our sincere condolences go to his wife Marion.

Rest in peace Bob.

Gordon Crouch.

P.s. My thanks to Wayne Hick, Alun Jones and Gary Floate for their help with the above.

  Ilford AC 2021 AGM 22 March  

Feb 242021
 

Message from General Secretary

Having been forced to hold an “emergency” EGM/AGM last year and regrettably still being unable to have a “physical” meeting the committee proposes a virtual AGM this year. Notice as attached.

Anyone wishing to participate in this meeting (on Microsoft Teams) please notify me at ilfordacsec@gmail.com before the 22nd so I can send you the link.

Any items for discussion under any other business and any nominations (with detailed reasons and a seconder) for Life Membership to be notified to me by 15th March.

Similarly if anyone wishes to be nominated and seconded for a committee role or honorary position (as per the attached list) also send to me by 15th March. In absence of any other nominations the persons in column 2 on the list are proposed by the committee and will be voted for election on block.

As President Gary Floate’s normal two year term of office has been devastated by the pandemic situation he has been proposed and seconded for a third year in 2022/23.

Stay well and fit.

Andy Catton
General Secretary

pdf icon IlfordACPositionsandNominations.pdf
pdf icon IlfordACAGMAgenda.pdf

  BILL GARRETT R.I.P.  

Jan 202021
 

BILL GARRETT R.I.P.

Ilford AC members are mourning the passing of popular former race walker Bill Garrett, who turned out for the Cricklefields-based Club between the mid-70s & mid-90s.  Never a leading light, Mr.Garrett was a good solid back-up walker who could be relied on. Twice he closed home winning Ilford teams in Southern Area 50 Kilometres’ Championships, on both occasions around a bleak deserted Basildon industrial estate. On a more popular course around Battersea Park’s Queen’s Carriageway he was the Club’s 3rd scoring finisher (of 4) when winning a Southern Area 10 Miles’ Championship so claiming the coveted “Garnet Cup”.  He was proud when awarded race walking’s 10 kilometres-in-an hour badge, achieved in an Essex County AA 10,000 metres championship on Hornchurch Stadium’s track. Garrett twice race walked London Marathons, raising money for “The Marriage Guidance Council” and “Relate” – they being the same charity, having changed names between his first and second completions. He also appeared in triathlons.
He suffered a couple of notable setbacks.  In a Southern Area Garnet 10 Miles, Ilford with 3 men home waited for 4th scorer Bill to clinch certain team victory, when the man himself was “pulled” for a bent knee 15 yards from the finishing line on a bracing Clacton-on-Sea esplanade.  Not downhearted Bill was Ilford’s Club 3rd scorer a year later at Battersea Park in a winning “Garnet” quartet.  In an Essex County AA 3,000 metres championship at Hornchurch Stadium, organisers combined all categories into a composite event.  Each category had race numbers issued from 1 upwards.  We saw Murphy’s Law on the first bend of lap 1 when a youth was disqualified wearing No.8, resulting in a loud call of this number.  A startled judge panicked as 2 disgruntled No’s 8 trudged towards him unpinning numbers – a transgressing youth and Bill.  Bill lost much ground before it dawned on the judge what had gone wrong – so Bill rejoined the race – and finished it!
A keen supporter of Ilford’s social functions he suffered back complaints in his later time with the Club, which he didn’t attribute to athletics but a daily commute to inner London on decades’ old Central Line rolling stock which always gave a bumpy ride. Mr, Garrett worked in telecommunications and was presented with an engraved tankard in appreciation when retiring to Forfar in the mid-90s, where he died aged 86.