Stephen Farr (G 48-52) saw the image used in the advertising for our 2025 Summer Gathering and got in touch with his own wonderful copy of the picture above of the 1951 Senior Steeplechase.

He says the image was on the front of The Sunday Times newspaper and Stephen is featured in the centre. His father got a copy of the photograph at the time. He also named Robin England (C 46-51) and Robin Packshaw (H 47-51) in the group ahead of him and Jeremy Cumberlege (E 48-52) behind him and the tallest boy towards the back to be Julian Broad (G 46-51).

Stephen remembers the race being quite hard and the photo shows the boys towards the end of the 2.5 to 3 mile race coming up the weir pool before climbing over the weir and across the River Pang and up the towpath.

The race took place on Saturday 31 March 1951. The winning runner was Peter Hicks (C 47-51) followed by Clive N Fitz (E 47-51) in second place and Gavin Elbourne (B 46-52) who came third. D house were the overall winners.

It is lovely to also hear that Stephen at 91 years of age is still friends with Bradfieldian Edward Lewis (H 51-56) whom he regularly visits to spend a week with him in Eastbourne. A picture of them together below.