Dear Fellow Centurions,

Season’s Greetings to you all!

 Once again I thank you for electing me as Captain for the fourth term.  Sadly I have to inform you of the death of the following Centurions over the past year:

 We shall remember all of them and also Dave Green, husband of Jill Green C898 and a special friend of the Centurions. We have sent our condolences to their respective families.

This year’s A.G.M. was held at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London, on Saturday 9^th February.  Although it was poorly attended, (only 15 Centurions), we still had a very constructive meeting. After filling the post of Hon Treasurer since 1997 Paul Sargent C430 stood down.  I would like to thank Paul for all his hard work in keeping our finances in good order over his period of office.  Hans Rennie C915 was elected as new Treasurer; I wish him every success in his new office. All other Officers were elected unopposed.

The Hon. Secretary, Chris Flint C.849, has arranged the next Centurions AGM.

 Saturday 31^st. January 2009 at 1 pm, at The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA.
The nearest London Underground is Holloway Road station, and buses 4, 17, 29, 43, 153 and others all stop nearby.  It is very convenient for Kings Cross, St. Pancras and Euston main line stations.  We have used this venue before and it has very good facilities. I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to attend the AGM. 

Our President, in his letter, has covered some noteworthy performances by Centurions during the last year.  I would like to add my congratulations to Sandra Brown C735 on her outstanding results during 2008.  I also wish Sandra and Richard C760 good health and happiness in their new home in Dorset.

Most of this season’s results can be found on our website.  The Clerical Medical sponsored Isle of Man Parish Walk 85 miles held on 21^st/22^nd June was a great success.  This event has grown immensely in the past 20 years.  In 1988 there were just 129 starters.  This year there was a record entry of 1598, of which a record 1399 faced the starter at 8am on the Saturday morning.  This included 28 Centurions.

I started the race for the 23^rd time and completed the veteran distance to Peel (32.5 miles).  The weather was atrocious, the worst I have encountered in any athletic event in which I have competed. The race was won by Jack Waddington C1034 who came in ahead of Robbie Callister (5 times past winner) by 25 mins. In third place was Maurice Bellando C1046.  Fourth was Michael George C1032.

In 5^th place and first lady was Sue Biggart C1030. Due to horrendous conditions during the race it was amazing that 121 hardy souls, including 18 Centurions completed this Manx Harrier Classic.  Local walker Chris Moon, who lost a leg below the knee and an arm below the elbow as a result of a landmine explosion, completed the course with a prosthetic leg.  He came 96^th in a time of 23hrs, 21mins.  Considering the small fields in today’s ultra events, this walk is fantastic.  It has proved a fine stepping stone for walkers to achieve Centurion status over the years.

We have received an offer from I.O.M. Vets A.C. to host our 100 miles event in 2010.

I was able to attend this year’s 100 miles held at Milton Keynes and together with our President, Carl Lawton C750 spent the whole 24 hours at track side.  Of the 25 competitors who started the walk 17 completed the course within the 24 hour time limit.

The winner was Marcelino Sobczak C1031 in a time of 19hrs and 15 seconds, claiming victory for the second year running.  First new Centurion was Victor Mennen C1063 who finished in 2^nd position and was presented with the coveted Hew Neilson 145 Trophy. Another new Centurion was Ian Richards C1064 in 3^rd position.  Sandra Brown C735, completing her 22^nd Centurion 100 miles was 4^th and first lady.   Alf Short C993 in 5^th position knocked 2 hours off his best time to claim the Over 65 Eddy McNeir Shield.

Special mention must be made of Martin Fisher C788 who completed his 20^th British 100 miles, equalling that of Hew Neilson C145.  Our Secretary, Chris Flint C894 finished for the 18^th time and,  after the walk,  organised the presentation outside the Club House.

New Centurions were:

Together with Peter Emery C625, I greatly enjoyed being able to give encouragement over the last 3 hours of the race to new Centurion Sean Pender C1067 who responded magnificently. My thanks must go to the team of eight judges ably led by Jack Thomas C606.  Also to Pam Ficken C934 and her helpers on the feeding station ably supported on inside track by Barbara Stoddard and Judith Fisher.

Thanks also to Piet Jansen C.389 for his assistance during the race and for bringing the Dutch and Belgium teams over.  They went home with 4 Centurion Trophies.

Many Centurions have competed in the Lancashire W.C. Manchester to Blackpool Walk over the past years.  This year’s event, the 101st Blackpool 50 miles was well supported with 20 starting and 18 finishing including 14 Centurions. Ray Pitts C1033 was victorious in 8hrs: 58mins:44secs.  Martin Fisher C758 was 2nd and 3^rd was Mark Wall of Milton Keynes who is still improving and hopefully will qualify for the Brotherhood in 2009. Cath Duhig C986 and Hazel Fairhurst  C983 had fine performances coming 1^st and 2^nd in the Ladies Race.  Redcar R.W.C. was team winner.

A small team of walkers represented the Centurions at the Roubaix 28 hours last September comprising Dave Jones C987, Ken Watts C859, Bob Watts C838 and Kathy Crilley C.933. 

The Brotherhood received invitations for committee members to attend the annual reunion of Centurion Verenig Nederland held on 15^th November and Vice Captain Jill Green C898, attended, so soon after the recent sad loss of her dear husband Dave.  I thank her for presenting the certificates to the new Centurions.  Jill said she felt honoured to attend as their guest and sent the following note:

 “It was a memorable day, held in a charming location in the famous gardens of Moato Veuale, near town of Lauddgraaf.  There was a reception from 11am to meet everyone and enjoy the special cakes of the region.  This was followed by a tour of the gardens.  The dinner was excellent, with 50 people present.  All the Centurions were introduced, starting from the lowest number.  I was able to present certificates to the two new Centurions, both from Unitas Sittard club who, together with Marcelino Sobczak were responsible for the splendid organisation. This was the 38^th Annual Meeting and it is held at a different venue each year.”

Our thanks go to Secretary Chris Flint, Vice Captains Sue Clements C950 and Piet Jansens C389 for their assistance in updating materials needed to produce our new handbook. Our past President and Captain John Eddershaw C299 visited our past Secretary Fred Baker at his home in Australia last month. Bob Porter C721, who has not been in the best of health over the past few years, wishes to be remembered to all his old Centurion friends. In time honoured tradition, please join me in raising a glass to fellow Centurions worldwide at 2pm on Christmas Day. The toast is “The Centurions”.  God Bless and a Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.

 Charlie Weston C854

Captain Centurions 1911