laird387 Posted August 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Hi, This is the original 'Summer Wine Team' that organised the Ilkley Grand National for almost four decades. Left to right is Barry Robinson (aka Compo), Maurice Rispin (Seymour Uttethwaite), Marcus Smoley (Enthwhistle), Eric Rathmell (Wally) and Don Hutchinson (Wesley). When Judith Tullie took over as Trial Secretary from Don Hutchinson (after thirty years) a mere twenty one years ago we named her Nora Batty which she did not appreciate. The Committee changed dear Judith to Aunty Wainwright. She was also enrolled as a member of the 'Grand National Wine & Liquor Tasters' Society' when Mr Hutchinson utilised the team as testers for some of the throat-blasting concoctions he brewed at his Cookridge distillery. For the record the back marker overtook many competitors after testing a sample of the firewater. The average age in 2008 was just under eighty and the Grand National winner was a wild man from Manchester named Andrew Cripps who was twenty two and riding his second 'National. Judith and Eric have now departed to pastures new so only Maurice, Marcus, and Don can sue me. The ‘end of an era’ was Maurice Rispin's comment last week. The picture is courtesy of Compo's 'old Mr Nikon' all by itself. Unwilling to rest in peace, Compo is now working as Assistant Portraitist and Seymour Uttethwaite is Historical Masterpiece for the ORR Preservation Society Inc. Please join them in their enjoyment........... DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird387 Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Hi, Sad news from Julian Ford, recent past president of the Yorkshire Centre A-C.U. Here, in Julian's own words is the message he sent to his colleagues. " Just a line to let you know how I’m getting on. I finished my first full batch of chemo at the end of June; I then went on to a maintenance drug which was supposed to keep the tumours at bay. After a good initial response to the chemo drugs the maintenance failed to have any effect and the tumours started to spread again. The day after our C and D National at Bumpy I was admitted to Pinderfields Hospital for treatment on my Kidneys and liver both of which were under performing and causing problems. Whilst receiving treatment for these I developed an in infection in lung which led to a bout of pneumonia, we have now got on to top of these and I thought I was back on track but unfortunately there was yet another setback, I started to get really intense lower back pain which eventually would not go away. One evening I went to get out of my bed to go to the toilet and fell in a heap on the floor, I had lost all feeling in my lower body (waist down) an MRI scan revealed that the cancer had spread to my lower spinal canal and was trapping the nerves and causing the paralysis. I had a bout of intense radiotherapy last Tuesday (05.08) and I am now waiting to see the out come of this and what effect it will have on my legs if any. I am hoping to move to a specialist spinal injuries ward this week to begin rehab and hopefully get home. Whilst I have had a rough couple of months I still remain very positive and in good humour. The support that myself and my family has received has been immense both from friends, family, work and the Yorkshire Centre as a whole, it really helps to know that so many people are concerned and wish you well from as far away as Richmond right down South Yorkshire. I hope to make some progress in the next few weeks and will keep you informed as we go once again thanks for your support and I hope to see you all soon." Our thoughts and best wishes are with Julian and his family at this sad time. Deryk Wylde Edited August 17, 2014 by laird387 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.