Thursday 13 March 2014

Bolton Clarion Members Blog and Forum: Remembering Frank Wolstencroft.

Bolton Clarion Members Blog and Forum: Remembering Frank Wolstencroft.:                                               Frank, an unforgettable character. I have so many memories of Frank Wolstencroft it would b...

Wednesday 12 March 2014

Remembering Frank Wolstencroft.

                                              Frank, an unforgettable character.

I have so many memories of Frank Wolstencroft it would be crass to try and divulge all, so, I will try and express a tale or two that will impress upon you the strength of character, the will and determination of a man who loved cycling.
Frank was a fiercely competitive rider, it mattered little whether it was a race or a club run and was always prepared for action. 
One of the most notable things about Frank on a club run was his jersey, in the morning his rear pockets would be bulging with food for the day, he would eat from his stash as he rode, not for Frank the 'bonk'. Such was the weight of his supplies the three pockets would be hanging so low as to almost touch the back of his knees.
As a member of the Leigh Premier R.C. Frank was always willing to help out with club events, marshaling, pusher off, machine checker, (yes we had to do that in the old days) in fact anything to help a smooth running event.
Frank would press his faithful mini into service on these duties, a couple of which were of outstanding note.
The club used to be first in the north with opening seasonal race events, the first open road race at Allostock in Cheshire and the first open Hill Climb up Frodsham Hill, also in Cheshire.
Whilst gathering to start the Hill climb one year Frank was missing, a surprise really especially as his son Stephen was an entrant for the hill climb.
Minutes before we were off to our respective stations Frank and Stephen arrived, on bikes, Frank was so obviously stressed with his face white with salts from a great deal of sweating, son Stephen looked as cool as a cucumber.
Eventually we learned the why fore of   Franks heated appearance.
Having volunteered to marshal Frank had set off in good time from Bolton with bikes in the back of the little mini but as they reached Leigh the transmission on the car failed, well the forward gears anyway. Frank, finding he still had reverse gear working un-dauntingly set about a return to Morris Green Bolton, my mind just cannot imagine the scenario.
However Frank's commitment to supporting the club event transcended all, a real time hero or what?
Another titanic almost surreal happening, again with the mini the star of the show, came about one morning when Frank, stepping forward as volunteer to marshal the far turn at Lancaster on the clubs Leigh - Lancaster reliability ride.
Back in those days, Leigh again were to the fore in early season reliability rides, starting in January the series of four would start with Leigh - Chester - Leigh and culminate with the Leigh - Llangollen - Leigh, hundreds would participate and funds from these events would keep the club funds viable for the whole year.
On this particular day Frank was up early and ready for the off in the mini to take station at Lancaster where he would book the riders in as they began the return leg.
Needing fuel he rolled up to the petrol station and promptly filled his tank only to find when full he had mistakenly filled with diesel, disaster or what, well to you and I maybe, but not Frank.
Frank had an engineering background but what came about was pure genius, not having time to empty the tank as by now he was running late, he simply filled an empty oil can, the big ones with screw cap, with petrol, put it in the boot and connected a fuel line from it to the carburetor, quite how we will never know but he was certainly there in Lancaster in time to book in the riders.   
This is just a snapshot of Frank but I hope it conveys something about Frank the man, a man who loved his cycling, a man full of competitive spirit, not many the like of him.