Worcester
St Johns CC
GERRY HUGHES
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Gerry Hughes was born in Hallow in 1930 just a few houses from his present home. In 1945 he became interested in cycling and went along to a meeting of the Worcester St Johns being held at the Bell Inn, he joined the club and was a racing member for a decade. During his time racing Gerry rode Time Trials and Grass Track meetings all over the Midlands. By his own admission he was not a great rider but was always prepared to try his best to give other riders a hard time. Gerry remained a member until 1954 when having ridden to Birmingham at 5.30 in the morning to take part in a race, he was disqualified on the start line on a technicality over his shirt.
Gerry decided to seek other sports opportunities and for years was a member of the local auto club. But in 1967 while watching the Milk Race in Aberystwyth he was cajoled back into the cycle club by Charlie Harber, the then club president; Gerry has been a member ever since.
In 1967 the club was in a somewhat rundown situation and needed new riders if it was to survive. Gerry and Charlie set about attracting riders to the club and over a number of years managed to bring some excellent local riders to national prominence. Gerry was timekeeper for the Club evening time-trials, organising the season long event calendar.
With Charlie Harber, Gerry organised the Club Road Races. These races were so well organised they attracted riders from all over Europe and in 1960 the St Johns race was used as the final Olympic qualifying race to decide who would go to Tokyo.
For many years Gerry and his wife Dorothy spent their weekends driving riders around the country to race. Among the riders Gerry helped were Paul Wright who became National Pursuit Champion, and Ian Fagan who rode as a professional for a number of years.
Since the 60s' Gerry and Charlie attended National Cycling meetings to represent the Club and Gerry was soon elected to the Birmingham racing committee of the BCF. Gerry served for many years as a commissaire at national races and as a member of the Sports Council Drug Testing Squad.
Gerry Hughes contribution to the sport was recognised when he was elected President of the Birmingham Division and he is a Life Vice President of the Worcester St Johns CC.
Gerry and Dorothy 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 which passes the house where Dorothy was born.