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Despite Derek’s
e n o r m o u s
boozer’s nose,
he was
e x t r e m e l y
reliable as a
starter and lap
counter at most
events I ever
went to. It’s a
straightforward
job, but I know
how easy it can
be to lose
concentration as the lead changes, and to ring the bell at the wrong person.
Well I guess this may have happened once or twice, but I was never aware of
it. As one person remarked,’ You don’t actually have a sport without blokes
like Derek’. The clunky old lap board and bell have been upgraded in his honour,
and now look shiny and new again.

Jim Robinson (alive and well) was great mates with Derek and used to drop
him home every week in his Whitten Timber van. Jim has awarded a large
trophy to the League in Derek’s memory to ‘Most Improved Rider’. Like Derek,
I don’t remember any track events without Jim either, and the pair of them
are real unsung heroes of the place. If anyone had told me thirty years ago
that I’d get to sit in Jim’s Bentley, I would have found that an unlikely idea.
I’m delighted to say that this happened on Wednesday night, and if there’s
anyone who really deserves one, I’d say Jim is. Not an official, but someone
who is very supportive of other riders, appreciative of those who give their
time and has secured a lot of sponsorship for track events from his
employers over the years.

Probably George Slater is deserving of one as well – as after an inordinate
length of time, George is stepping down from the League, after a large number

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