Were you in this school cross country race more than 50 years ago?
Speediest technique in a cross-country race is to vault the obstacle rather than search for a hole in the fence.
But perhaps the lad on the right was tired after running a few miles down the Green Lanes...and the umpire on the left doesn’t seem too bothered!
This photo was undoubtedly taken near the recreation ground on the main road through Totternhoe, with the Lancotbury Close junction in the background. The houses there are still virtually unaltered and our colour photo, taken last week, shows that even the concrete post from the old fence in the foreground is still standing.
But there’s no clue on the original photo print about what was happening.
We’re guessing that it’s a school event in around 1961. The runners are wearing identical kits, and the boy on the left is in a school uniform. Interesting to hear from anyone who took part. Totternhoe’s attractive new village sign, incidentally, is now on the recreation ground, featuring the church, the Cross Keys and a butterfly typical of those found on the Knolls.
> Yesteryear is compiled by John Buckledee, chairman of Dunstable and District Local History Society.