Worcester
St Johns CC
DOROTHY HUGHES
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Dorothy Hughes was born in Leigh near Worcester, as Gerry Hughes wife she has been a great support to him in his sporting careers.
Her first involvement with the Worcester St Johns CC was in 1967 when she and Gerry were asked to help the club which was in poor condition with few riders. Right from the start it was obvious that while Gerry took a very visible roll in the club, Dorothy ran the "back office". As new riders joined the club they would all be made welcome at Dorothy's home for tea and cake after training rides. Each weekend Dorothy would be up early to prepare for trips to races, taking everything young boys would need, but inevitably forget. It is unlikely that riders such as Paul Wright and Ian Fagan would have reached their full potential without the her support.
In 1980 Dorothy was elected treasurer for the club, a post she held for more than 20 years. She organised the refreshments for all the clubs events through out this period; with up to 180 riders to feed at these events was not a task for the faint hearted.
Dorothy also assisted Gerry in some of the more personal tasks he was given during his time on the drug testing team. For some reason the sports bodies thought it was perfectly normal to instruct a Man to take samples from the Female athletes. Gerry didn’t agree, but Dorothy stepped in to help by attending the girls until the sample was provided.
Dorothy Hughes was elected Honorary Life Member for her service to the Worcester St Johns CC.
Dorothy and Gerry enjoy an unusual if not unique position in Cycling, they are both holders of the Birmingham Division Gold Medal of Honour for their services to Cycling.
Gerry and Dorothy presented the club with a trophy to be awarded for the "Leigh Circuit" time trial. This race passes the house where Dorothy was born.