Family memories with Fay Hampson...

My grandfather, Herbert Hampson, of Hampson’s bakery in Charles Street, Wrexham, was a keen athlete and in his youth he and his brother Walter had many triumphs.

I believe grandad’s strength was as a harrier or cross-country runner, although the details are lost in the mists of time.

My brother tells me that grandad held the record for running a mile at the Racecourse for many years.

However, because he accepted a prize he was then deemed to be a professional and could not compete in ‘gentlemanly’ events such as the Olympics.

Brothers Herbert and Walter Hampson, with some of their trophies in 1908. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson

Brothers Herbert and Walter Hampson, with some of their trophies in 1908. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson

Here are grandad and Walter in 1908 with some of their trophies. Grandad would have been 22 and Walter 20.

Fifty years on, in 1958, grandad, who was always deeply interested in the provision of playing fields, and as chair of the local committee of the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) - now known as Fields in Trust, represented Wrexham Borough Council when Christopher Chataway visited Wrexham in his capacity as an advocate for the provision of playing fields.

Herbert Hampson lighting a cigarette for runner Christopher Chataway. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson

Herbert Hampson lighting a cigarette for runner Christopher Chataway. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson

It is astonishing to see grandad lighting up a cigarette for the renowned middle-distance runner, who in 1954 had been a pacemaker for his great friend Roger Bannister, when Bannister ran the first ever four-minute mile. Those were different times.

I am most definitely not a supporter of smoking, but I remember grandad always having a Tom Thumb cigar and a small bottle of Lucozade in the evening. He was 96 when he died in 1982. Sir Christopher Chataway died aged 82 in 2014.

Herbert Hampson, amongst others, meeting runner Christopher Chataway. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson

Herbert Hampson, amongst others, meeting runner Christopher Chataway. Photo courtesy of Fay Hampson