Messages Received on the Wesham Road Runners' Website

Brenda -
Although I have no particular message I do remember someone (I'm sure it was Dave Young) saying prior to the minute silence held in remembrance of Bernard "Time spent with Bernard was never time wasted". I felt then and still feel now that phrase summed it up for me. 

Peter Waterman

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Brenda - 
Bernard was a great character and a very honest and nice man. I recall Bernard's last x-country run before his retirement at Barrow. Three times up the infamous heartbreak hill. On the third and last lap Bernard had just scaled the hill and most of us had already completed - Keith Gresty and co were at the bottom shouting him to throw the car keys down as they were getting cold. Bernard turned round gave us all a wave and carried onto complete the course - leaving the lads without their kit until he had finished. Top man!!

On another occasion at the annual dinner dance at the Bedford, St Annes, I asked Bernard how he had travelled down to St Annes. He replied that he had chauffeured John Whiteman and Pam, but that I shouldn't worry as he never drunk more than thirteen pints when he was driving. This was typical of Bernard who had a great sense of humour. Of course last and most importantly Bernard was a tangerine - a keen BFC fan he used to join in the banter and pull the legs of those Wesham runners with low IQ's (PNE fans of course).

I remember Bernard fondly - he more than most set the high standards of sportsmanship on which the club built its tradition in the early days. A gentleman and a high performer in his early running days.

Trevor Raynor

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Brenda - 
I hope that I will be as fit and active, as Bernard when I am in my 60’s. How many times did I here that comment? From other club members whilst he was still with us.

Bernard was an inspiration to all of the younger Club Members including myself. Now that I am in my 6th decade, I can admire Bernard’s achievements even more.

Perhaps I knew him better than anyone else at the club. We travelled together to numerous races, trained together most Monday nights at the club, Sundays from the Thatched House in Poulton and Thursdays from various venues.

Bernard along with Keith Watkins, Earl Smith and myself were the founders of what have now become the regular meetings for the “Wrinkly Runs”.

It didn’t matter where we went Bernard new every distance of every run that we undertook, we didn’t need GPS superdooper satellite equipment when he was around. Bernie you are surely missed by all who knew you. Wait for me, wherever you are, someday I hope we will get together for more runs.

John Whiteman