Whit Walk

At his second attempt, twenty six-year-old Edlington miner George Williams won the seventh annual Whit walk through the streets of Conisbrough on Monday.

The brilliant sunshine was a blessing to the hundreds of spectators who crowded the streets to watch the event, but proved wearying to the nine competitors who covered the 4 mile course.

Starting from the Eagle and Child Inn, they set off up Park Road via Chestnut Avenue, Locksley Avenue and Welfare Avenue to Old Road, then dropped down onto Low Road by way of Church Street and Station Road, finishing up New Hill to the Alma Inn.

Leader start to finish what John Casey, a past winner, who was a guest walker in the race as he has won a major award, but Mr Williams, the official winner was only 41 seconds behind at the finish and well deserved to win the Mary Davies Challenge Cup presented to the first man on the road by the wife of the licensee of the “Eagle and Child.”

Three minutes behind, Dennis Briggs of Dinnington qualified for the John Smith’s Challenge Cup as winner of the handicap, and a special cheer was reserved for the next man home, the popular cellar man of the “Talisman,” Conisbrough, Mr Jack Brown.

Jack Harris, and Lenny Ford, both of Conisbrough, were fourth and fifth respectively, and in sixth place was 22-year-old Tony Payne, of Parkgate Avenue Conisbrough. Tony’s brother, Alan (20), also competed, but failed to complete the course, and younger brother Trevor (14) made it a real family affair by finishing fifth in the boys and girls walk, held later in the afternoon stop

Although last on the roads with six-year-old George Herbert, of Dylan Avenue Conisbrough, won the William Stones cup for the best veteran walker.

Junior Results

For the second year in succession, 14-year-old Douglas Hemingway, 50 Chestnut Grove, Conisbrough won the under 15’s race, which covered a similar course to the senior walk but was started at the Earl Conyers Arms, thus reducing the distance to 3 ½ miles. Douglas received the Walter Brown Trophy, presented by Mrs Brown in memory of her husband, the first-ever Conisbrough Walk winner. Second in was Keith Peart (13) of Denaby and third 12-year-old Billy Smith of Conisbrough.

First girl past the post was Margaret Hambrey of Tickhill Street Denaby, in her first attempt at the walk, and youngest to finish was nine-year-old John Dennis, of Conisbrough, who described the race as “good fun.”

With the Edlington Pipe Band providing entertainment, the crowds had plenty to keep them interested, but the centre of attraction for many was a gallant lone “Bunny girl,” 53-year-old Mrs Margaret Newton, of one, Fitzwilliam Avenue Conanby.

“Some friends bet her she would not dare to dress up as a bunny, but she has proved them wrong,” said her husband, former Denaby miner George Newton. “I think she looks really champion in the costume.”

Dscn3270 parade

Mrs Margaret Newton, the only volunteer as a “bunny girl” leads the band in the Conisborough Week walk on Monday