Page 7 - index

which was destined to make history to an extent which
its founders could scarcely 'have contemplated in their
most ,optimistic moments. It was from here that repre-
sentatives of the Club trained for forty-four years, during
which long period the well-known badge (the entwined
squares in blue and white) was carried- to the fore at all
the principal meetings of the day. '
Some twenty-five years ago THE BLACKHEA:rHHARRIERS'
GAZETTEwas instituted and it has ever since been issued
monthly to every member-and there are.' 'Heathens in
all parts of the world. This publication invariably con-
tains--in addition to other items of current interest-
records of the achievements and distinctions gained by
members, not only in running but in almost every other
form of sport. In 1914, when war broke out, the great
majority of the members-some 2,SO~" joined up."
Of these no fewer than 44, includmg isomo of the finest
athletes, were killed in action. During th~ whole of the
war period a trail was laid each Saturday during the winters
by four veteran members (Tom Crafter, T. K. Grant,
A. E. Culver and T. M, G3.1e)for the benefit of the serving
members, and" week after week at least one member in
uniform turned up at Headquarters. The' GAZETTEwas
sent to each man at the Front, 'month by month, and
members were thus kept in touch with the old Club,
whose life and energy were preserved-e-althougn necessarily
in a restricted degree-during those anxious years, by those
older members who were" obliged-to remain at home.
With the advent .of Peace and the subsequent period of
reconstruction it became apparent before long that
another problem had to be solved .. No longer was the
way clear from Blackheath into open country. An
unkind fate and the operations of builders barred the way,
and so, with the greatest reluctance, the old associations
were at length severed and the Winter Season of 1921
saw the removal of the Headquarters to West Wickham,