A tribute by John Hayward, Club President 1982-84 & 2008-09

On 29^th December, after a 14-week battle with illness, one of the club’s oldest members, 88-year old Ken Bray (left, below, with wife Brenda to the right) died at home surrounded by his family.

Ken joined the club in 1949, inspired by the 1948 Olympics. He quickly became engrossed in all aspects, major and minor, of the club which he was to remain a member of all his life apart from a 5-year spell in the 1970s when he flirted with his dream world of autocross.

As an athlete, one of Ken’s proudest accomplishments was to win the Essex Steeplechase Championship in the late 1950s on the last occasion that the Essex Champs were held at Ashton Playing Fields. He was Club President from 1976-78.

Details of the funeral of Steve Sear, RIP - 3-time winner of the Ken Bray Trophy 1991-95.

Wednesday 16th May, 1.30pm. Forest Park Crematorium, Forest Road, Hainault, Essex, IG6 3HP. Very close to Redbridge (Hog Hill) Cycling Centre.

And afterwards at The Monkhams pub, Buckhurst Way, Buckhurst Hill IG9 6HY.

Before Christmas there was a very large crowd present in the clubhouse for the Young Athletes Awards Night, organised to honour many of our young athletes who competed for us during the summer T&F season.

Helping YA Co-Secretary Paul Cheal to present the awards were 2008 Olympic 100m finalist Jeanette Kwakye and GB U20 high hurdler George Vaughan, who joined us from Enfield & Haringey recently.

Many congratulations to the recipients!

With great sadness, we have to announce the death of Alf Stokes, President of Essex ladies AC from 1997-99, Life Member, and manager of the most successful team in the club’s history.

Alf's success story began in 1985 when ”the little team from the 2nd division” (Ron Pickering on BBC TV) won the prestigious GRE Jubilee cup final and thus qualified to go to the European Clubs’ cup in Zurich. From then until 1995, the club won the cup eight times and represented GB clubs in Europe, with the best result being 3rd place in Como in 1987. Essex Ladies also won the UK Women’s League in 1987 and 1988 and Southern League Division One 10 times, losing only one match in seven years. Alf was not only an astute team manager, but was hugely respected by the team of athletes which included such stars as Sally Gunnell, Gladys Taylor (Bird) and Kim Hagger. His persuasive manner and desire to do the best for the club always ensured that he got the best possible results.

When Alf finally gave up team managership, he was elected onto the European Clubs’ Competition committee, where he continued to work hard for club athletics and women’s athletics in particular, travelling all round Europe to do so.

Our thoughts go out to Cindy, Alf’s ever-supportive wife, and to his family.