Were last weekend’s Sussex Athletics championships the last ones?
It was certainly the last one for meeting director Keith May, who has now retired from the post and so far appeals for a successor have fallen upon deaf ears.
Keith has been probably the most prominent and active Sussex official for more than a quarter of a century organising many of the County’s activities including cross-county as well as operating on Area and National committees and tackling similar roles for the Horsham Blue Star Harriers.
After an active athletic career as a good class Sussex middle distance runner Keith took to officiating and working in various roles, including Secretary of the Blue Star Club.
Nearly twenty years back he became the County Track and Field secretary and he also became the first County Administrator at the same time.
He has been club and he was County President way back in the early nineties and is a Life Member of both the County Association and the club.
As athletics changed and events increased for the younger athletes and administration tasks increased Keith was there to pioneer the changes in Sussex.
I can think of no other official who has played such a major role in the development and administration of athletics in Sussex.
Only Vic Bratley spread his wings so widely in the administration of Sussex Athletics during the immediate and post war years through to the 1960s, but athletics then was not so involved and widely spread as it has been for the past twenty odd years.
On Sunday County President Martin Etchells made a special presentation to Keith and wife Sue, who is IC "officials catering" at the championships, for their long service to the County.
It is unlikely that we will ever again see this level of dedication over such a long period in Sussex athletics, and unless volunteers come forward to help with the organisation of the County Association, including the championships, we may have to cancel future Sussex County Track and Field championships.
reghook@ntlworld.com