Harry Benson
Sadly we must report the death of former Northern official Harry Benson. Harry’s youth was spent in the Sheffield area, before he took up a position as physics teacher at Driffield School. In his younger days Harry was a useful performer in cross country and distance events (10 miles upwards). Harry was involved in mainstream athletics as a track judge but was known to also do some small amounts of announcing at track and field meetings. His involvement covered all branches of the sport as a track judge, a cross country referee, and road race adjudicator. Harry was very supportive of less experienced officials and was keen to pass on his knowledge and experience of the sport. In addition Harry was frequently clerk of the course for cross country meetings and spent the morning of many events on Beverley Westwood marking out the course.
Following his retirement from teaching he assisted East Yorkshire Schools Athletics Association as their treasurer. He also gave up his time to support at disability competitions. Latterly Harry’s main involvement had been with Bridlington Road Runners, but he was a member of other local clubs (Driffield AC, Yorkshire Wolds Veterans Running Club, City of Hull AC, Kingston upon Hull AC, and Humberside Schools).
His services will be sadly missed throughout Humberside but his humour and warm character will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege to have volunteered alongside him at athletics meetings over the years. We offer our condolences to his family.
Edwin Bellamy
