Tom Murphy Article from the Durham County Advertiser, Friday August 29th , 1952

Veteran Did Not Change But “Won In A Canter”

Handicapped Opponent Was In New Dancing Shoes

Thrills of Coxhoe Walk

OLD BILL BARDY hitched up his trousers, downed his tot of rum, ran his fingers through his grey hair and ambled to the starting point. The crowds gave him a mighty cheer as off he went, with the handicappers allowing him a 30 minute advantage over the scratch man in the six-mile road walk organized by Coxhoe and District Workmen’s Club. Bill, 74-year-old York veteran and the only competitor not to change into a walking kit, established too big a lead for any of the other 23 entrants to catch him. When he passed the finish line, no other walker was in sight, so he won the Frost Challenge Bowl with ease. Then off to the bar he went to celebrate. That was the story of the race – age and big handicaps triumphing over youth. The first eight men home were from York and were all within the first dozen away. But for one old-timer, 66-year-old TOM MURPHY, of 59 High Street, Langley Moor, the handicapping went all haywire. He forgot to inform the officials of his age and found himself off only 4 minutes 30 seconds. That accounted for him being 19th out of the 20 who finished the course – a fact he forecast beforehand when he commented: “I have no chance today with this handicap.”

“LIGHT & SUPPLE SHOES”

It was Tom who caused a minor sensation by competing in brand new patent leather dancing shoes. “I got the idea from a Yorkshire dancing master,” he told our reporter. “They are light and supple and the fact that they’re new doesn’t worry me – I can walk with pebbles in my shoes.” He lost four yards at the start because he was late in making the mark with his size sevens. Tom has quite a reputation in the sport in which he became interested when he was 47 years old. In his 53rd year this ex Chilton miner completed, the London to Brighton walk 11 hours and got a certificate for coming home under 12. His best effort this year was securing second place in the recent Carrville walk. He also did the Sunderland to Darlington race seven times.

FAVOURITE “OUT”

Biggest disappointment was the disqualification half-a-mile from the start of popular BOB SALISBURY, the 30-year-old Coxhoe walker who represented Metal Bridge Club. It was a bitter blow, especially as he had been working until six o’clock that morning and had only slept two hours before the race. Afterwards, Judge J. T. Lund, of York, said he disqualified Salibury and two others, G. Groom (Darlington) & W. Judson (York) – all three were off 45 seconds – for “lifting”. He was following by car in their wake.

Back in the dressing-room afterwards, Salisbury was in a rejected mood. “This is the first time I’ve been disqualified in my 13 years’ career,” he stated. “I have walked against the best judges in the county and I haven’t altered my style at all. Mr Lund has never made any complaint about my walking before.”

Bob who lives in Foundry Row, Coxhoe, won the first Coxhoe walk four years ago and was partly responsible for the event being started in the first place. It was a challenge match between John Simpson, Coxhoe, and himself, that gave secretary Mr J. J. Noone the original ideas. At Carrville, Bob was fourth and returned the fastest time.

For Saturday’s race he trained solidly for a fortnight and told us prior to the start. “I’m trying today. I want to see a local lad stave off the ‘invasion’ from York and Darlington.” But it was not to be.

CEMENT CARRYING AS TRAINING

Two other “locals” were also back-markers – 28-year-old ARTHUR BARRON, of 80 The Grove, Coxhoe, who was last year’s winner, and DICK BLENKINSON, of 16, Heugh Hall. Arthur who didn’t finish works at Bowburn Housing Estate – where he had been wheeling barrow loads of cement all morning – until the first was five minutes on his way, rushed home, changed and was at the start in time to take advantage of his one minute handicap. Blenkinsop and he came home in 16th and 17th positions, returning just outside the 47 ½ minute mark.

Blenkinsop, 21-year-old fitter was scratch man at Carrville, strained his heart in the last Coxhoe walk and was under medical care fro some time afterwards. He joins the Army next Thursday.

The only other competitor who was not an outsider, was 42-year-old non-smoker JIM (“Tucker”) WILLIAMS, 27 Arthur Street, Windlestone. “Tucker” – 13 stone and a bit – was making his walking debut and did well to snatch 18th place in 52 minutes and 34 seconds, after being handicapped down to five minutes. A hewer at Chilton Colliery, he was formerly a regular soldier, serving in the last war with the Mountain Artillery. He is a keen ambulance student, a member of the Chilton Colliery Ambulance Brigade, captain of the colliery’s B team and a serving brother in the order of St John.

FASTEST WALKER

Fastest time in the race, which was over a grueling roundabout route via West Cornforth and Tursdale, was returned by 30-year-old LEN YEOMAN, of York. Off scratch, he finished 10th in 40 minutes 15 seconds. The winner’s time was one hour four minutes 52 seconds.

Team race was won by Tang Hall (York) with 17 points; runner r-up with 20 points, were I.N.L. (York). Nine prizes, valued at over £35, were later presented by Coun. G. Fishburn, Chairman of Durham R.D.C., who also started the race. Of the 24 starters, 20 finished and four were disqualified. The race which was the fourth annual one organized by Coxhoe Club, was in aid of the Club Uniion Convalescent Homes, and among those present were Mr J. Hewitson (Langley Moor), Durham County Branch vice-president, and Mr J. Barlow, Cassop Divisional representative on the branch executive.

And watching everthing with keen interest was Mr Jack Frost after whom the chief trophy was named. He is the only surviving member of Coxhoe billiards team which won it outright in 1920.

Photos: Tom Murphy from the 'Photograph Library Beamish Museum Ltd.'

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