More than two thousand people risked the unsettled weather on Saturday to see the official opening of Moreton's new running track and athletic arena at Lingham Park which was followed by the staging of the Cheshire County Athletic Championships.
The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor (Alderman Bertram Brooker) supported by the chairman of the Parks Committee (Alderman W. Reid? and Mr. Frank Barnes (honorary solicitor to the Cheshire County Playing Fields Association) who conveyed the best wishes of the Duke of Edinburgh (president of the National Association) and handed to the Mayor a cheque for £300 towards the cost of the track.
Councillor F. H. Hutty, president of Moreton Athletic Club, also welcomed the opening of the track at Moreton. Five new field records were made in the programme of athletes. M. Morrell (Wirral A.C.) scored a dual victory in the hop-step-jump and javelin events. P. D. Lloyd, of the same club, scored a double in the youths' 100 yds. and long jump.
The outstanding performance was by 17-year-old Winnie Fletcher, of Port Sunlight, who retained the high jump title with a new record of 5ft. 1in.
Another 17 year-old Port Sunlight girl, Joyce Walker all England schoolgirl hurdles champion, won the 100 metres invitation event for the Royal Iris Trophy in 13 seconds.
B. Warren, of Macclesfield, broke his two mile walk record, and W. G. Lomas (Winnington Park) with 11ft 9in. in the pole vault, and B. Jordan (Stockport Harriers), who threw the hammer 103ft. 5ins., were the other record breakers.
Full resuIts:
100 yds. (Senior): R. A. Brennan (East Cheshire Harriers) 10.9 secs.; (Junior): A. Chow (Birkenhead School) 10.9 secs.; (Youths): P. D. Lloyd (Wirral A.C.) 11.3 secs.
Women's 100 metres: E. J. Walker (Port Sunlight A.C.) 13 secs.
220yds. (Senior): M. W. Rangeley (Salford Harriers) 25.4 secs., (Women): D. Kearton (East Cheshire Harriers) 29.2 secs.
440yds. (Senior): G. L. Critchlow (Achilles A.C. and Oxford University) 54 secs.; (Youths): J. Fletcher (Crewe A.C. ) 57.6 secs.
880yds. (Senior); M. Beresford (Manchester A. C.) 2 mins 2.2 secs.; (Youths): F. Wheldon (Macclesfield Harriers) 2 mins. 12.3 secs.; (Women): M. Davies (Stockport Harriers) 2 mins. 44.4 secs.
One mile (Senior): B. Hallowell (Belgrave Harriers) 4 mins. 42.6 secs.; (Junior): M. Corcoran (Macclesfield Harriers) 4 mins. 42.7 secs.
Three miles (Senior): J Wild (East Cheshire Harriers) 15 mins. 45.4 secs.
120yds. hurdles (Senior): A. Smith (unattached) 17.1 secs.
440yds, hurdles (Senior): J. W. Arnold (Crewe A.C.) 62.4 secs.
Two miles walk (Senior): D. Warren (Sutton Macclesfield W.C.) 15 mins. 55.3 secs.
High jump (Senior): L. H. Platt (Wallasey A.C.) 5ft. 7in.; (Junior); W. M. Hatton (Birkenhead School) 5ft. 3ins.; (Women): W. Fletcher (Wirral A.C.) 5 ft. 1 in.
Long jump (Senior) J. F. McWhor (Liverpool Harriers & A.C.) 22 ft 1in.: (Junior): M. E. Evans (Birkenhead School) 20 ft 6 ins.; (Youths): P. D. Lloyd (Wirral A.C.) 18 ft 5 ins.; (Women): M Bilsborough (Stockport Harriers) 17 ft 11 ins.
Throwing the hammer (Senior): B. Jordan (Stockport Harriers) 103ft. 5ins.
Putt the shot (Senior): D. Byrne (Liverpool University A.C.) 42 ft 4 ins.; (Women's): C. Walker (Stockport Harriers) 31 ft. 10 ins.
Pole vault (Senior): W. G. Lomas (Winnington Park A.C.) 11 ft. 9 ins.
Javelin (Senior): M. E. Morrell (Wirral A.C.) 187 ft.; (Junior): A. J. Wilson (Army R.A.P.C.) 157 ft.
Discus (Senior) J. L. Hallet (Oxford University A.C.) 107 ft. 6 ins. (Youths): R. Mander (Birkenhead School) 147 ft. 6ins.; (Women): D. Kearton (East Cheshire Harriers) 100 ft. 8 ins.
Hop, step and jurnp (Senior); M. E. Morrell (Wirral A.C.) 44 ft. 1 in.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 09/06/1956
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