Several years ago, an annual race was run in Haslingfield – the winner getting The Pledger Cup. Do you know anything about the Cup, its current whereabouts, or indeed the race itself? If so, please email Diana Offord at dianaofford@hotmail.co.uk or write your comment below.
Quite by chance I found your interest in the subject trophy.
I remember it from my early days growing up in the village.
The donor was Mr Perce Pledger, a lifelong agricultural worker
on the farms. His wife Bessie was of the Risings that ran the
original Little Rose. In later life the couple lived in a council
house on New Road.
The cup itself first appeared in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s.
I can’t recall exactly when. It was awarded to the winner of the
round the village race held each summer on fete day, in August.
A high spot of the afternoon. The course started and finished by
chestnuts on the corner of High Street and New Road, in front
of the old ‘institute’, taking in New Road, Church Street and
High Street. Much less traffic then so no problems!!
Changes to social demographics in later years saw the race
disappear, along with a diminution of the flower and vegetable
element of the fete. The nearest revival of the race I recall was
held in 1977 for the silver jubilee. A one off. I have on DVD a
record of 1977’s events taken from the 8mm film I shot, which
shows the race on jubilee day. Probably of little interest nowadays!!
What became of the cup, quite an impressive trophy, I don’t know.
You can probably find those in the village whose memories stretch
back and can add to what I’ve written.
Neville James Cole
Thanks for all that valuable information. So now the question is:
“Where is the Pledger cup NOW?”
Please leave your comment(s) below!
Amanda
Thank you for the kind response. My memories are perhaps not as full as you would have liked, but the best that can be recalled. The current location I don’t know.
On the subject of cups and trophies, I seem to recall also a cup for the best exhibit(s)
in the flower/fruit/veg. show at the fete. This was provided by Mr Tom Chadwick
who was with Chivers in the village. Again I suspect the cup is a casualty of the demographic changes already mentioned.
Back to the Pledger Cup, and previous correspondence, the silver jubilee, 1977,
film on dvd is in good order. If it would be considered welcome by the village I’m
happy to discuss arrangements.
Yours sincerely,
Neville James Cole.
The Pledger Cup was in fact given for the annual tug of war between The Little Rose and The Jolly Brewers on fete day, all good fun.
The Chadwick Cup was for the Round The Village Race and given to the first village boy home. My last recollection of it being run was on the Silver Jubilee day celebrations. I remember on that particular day someone came out of The Little Rose at 2.30 rolled his Levis up and ran seemed a good idea at the time, he collapsed in a heap at the end of the race on the rec, went home to bed and thought the world was ending. After a good sleep he rose again in the evening in time to join in the festivities back at the rec. It could be on James Coles DVD!! He wont be running for an encore at the golden Jubilee!! That’s a fact.
I’m pleased to read Brian ‘Sooty’ Sewell’s recollections. With the passage of time I
probably had things back to front. Please accept my profound apologies for this.
There is a runner on the silver jubilee DVD that could be the person Brian refers to.
A copy of the DVD was proposed on a previous comment, but as no response to date,
no doubt being amateur, considered of little interest today.
Brian is a good village boy, from a solid family, who with his brothers was passionate
for sports, and doing things well in life.
Best wishes,
Neville James Cole.
Thank you for the offer of the DVD- it would be great to have a copy- we could perhaps have it running on the afternoon of the picnic for people to have a trip along memory lane, along with a few other ideas which are coming up.
Thanks for the reply.
A copy can be obtained and sent. I can route it via my nephew, Jeremy,
who recently returned to the village of his earliest days. I can but restate
that the film is a personal, amateur, recording, and therefore not of the
quality/standard that today’s society, and organisations in the village, would
expect and demand, particularly for public exhibition.
Delivery would be by DHL, UPS or similar to ensure safe transit.
The cost can be reimbursed in the form of a donation towards cancer research,
the malady that prematurely took my brother, Jeremy’s father. Not too much
to ask?
Finally, how soon would you like the DVD?
Best wishes,
Neville James Cole.