Warriors' Festival of Sport
On Saturday the 18th of August, 1950, over 2,000 people and 200 competitors assembled at the Central Cricket Ground for a Festival of Sport organised by the Hastings Warrior Cycle Club[1].
The main cycle races included the final of the East Sussex individual pursuit Championship, which was won by A. Moorhouse (Club); a 500 metres scratch, won by H. Cooper, Kentish W.; a one mile open handicap, won by W. Lane, Fountain C.C.; and a 5 miles scratch, won by W. Waters, S. London R.C. T. Baldwin (Club), third in the one mile handicap, was the only local rider to win a prize in the open cycle events[1]. Prizes were awarded by Lady Burghley, the wife of Lord Burghley (a former Olympic hurdler), who accompanied her to the event. In addition to the cycling events which attracted many top-class athletes, there were also running events and a display by the Bexhill Amateur Athletic Society[2].
The event was repeated the following year - billed as 'The Hastings Festival of Britain Open Sports', however foul weather dampened the event - only 700 people spectated and with rain causing a large number of problems for the competitors, after the thirteenth race, the Festival was stopped by the organisers. This led to a large loss for the organisers, reported to be in excess of £100. In an attempt to recoup funds, the cycling club committee decided to set up a supporters club offering free entry for spectators to its members. This was to be administered by Mr. Buckland of Baldslow Road[3].
Images
Festival of Sport 1950
References & Notes
- ↑ a b Hastings & St Leonards Cycle Club - Festival of Sport
- ↑ British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 26 August 1950 Pg. 0001
- ↑ British Newspaper Archive Hastings & St. Leonards Observer 18 August 1951 Pg. 0002
