A Grand Day Out
This weekend saw yet another highly successful Marlow Riders away trip. Organised by VC Kylie, 36 riders enjoyed the delights of the beautiful Test Valley with its chalk streams and thatched cottages, rolling hills and country lanes. The highly recognisable Marlow kit was spotted in Stockbridge by your editor’s sister and husband (a life-long cyclist) who were enjoying a morning coffee at the time. Apparently all the groups looked reasonably tidy (phew!).
Kylie provided a range of suggested routes, which included something for everyone, and the JLP Leckford Estate proved an excellent coffee/lunch stop. Several groups doing the longer route made their own additional arrangements for a mid-ride pick-me-up.
At home, there was plenty of action too, with strong turnouts across the speed groups, no doubt due to the marvellous weather.
Etape Caledonia
Further afield, a Scottish contingent of MRs trekked up north to complete the Etape Caledonia.
Obituary - John Fordham, former Chair of Marlow Sports Club
In sadder news, we report the passing of John Fordham, former Chair of MSC and a Trustee since 2011. John passed peacefully on Thursday with his family around him aged 83. Some of you will know John better than others and he made an incredible personal contribution to the existence of the sports club that we are part of today
In 2006 MSC was under threat of disappearing when Whitbread announced they planned to auction the land that has been leased for 42 years for Cricket, Hockey and Tennis. John as Chairman stepped in and led a group to finance over £1M not only to buy the land from Whitbread in 2011 but to actually expand the club by buying an additional piece of land and building the all weather hockey pitch.
Today as a charity to promote sport in the Marlow area the playing membership has grown from around 700 to over 2500, and new sports have been added with Marlow Striders, Marlow Riders, and Petanque. In addition, the club is home to Jellytots Playgroup and Horizon Physiotherapy.
In 2013 John helped MSC acquire another piece of land behind the hockey pitch and this year it will be a temporary (and hopefully final) home for Marlow Canoe Club as they can connect to the river via a small canal at the corner of MSC land
It is not an understatement to say MSC would not be here today without John's drive, commitment and personal contribution. MSC's existence and continued development is an incredible legacy and reflection of John as a person. John's family plan to host his Wake at MSC, the details of which will be published when finalised.
Ride Reports
