Pole Vault 1962

The landing pit was shared with the high jump (bar at left).  The Main Dining Hall and the Boiler House are behind.  This event took a lot of skill - not only in the take-off, but also in being able to land without causing oneself serious injury!

"It is me, with my fellow Pole Vaulter Barry Barret looking on, in Summer 1962.  We were inspired by Lawrie Lawrence to take it up.  Barry was area and County U15 champion in 1962 and I was second.  We represented the College all that summer at quite a few athletic events and one or other of us would win the Pole Vault.  I was also area Discus winner in 1962 but, alas, as I excitedly ran to the recorder to see if I had broken the record (as I had thrown almost 150 feet), I was greeted by this giant groundsman who happened to be Tony Elvin; England International and Discus and Shot champion.  He had thrown 180 feet at U15 level!  Not only my county, but also my area - what bad luck.  There was another pole vault photo from the other direction which showed my face but I lost it years ago." [it wasn't on Chris Smith's roll of film - Ed.]

"We had great fun with those metal poles as it was a great leveller of ability and not many could cope with the sheer physical effort required.  Once you reached 10 ft it got scary as the pit was only sand. It made you discipline all parts of the event; landing being the most important.  I met Lawrie at RAF Cranwell in 1974 at the Training Command Athletics.  I did the Pole Vault but he didn’t, and he could have won it easily.  I was Aircrew and I think he was a Supply Officer.  The photos were taken at the jumping pits one weekend and Dave Corbridge was with us but stuck to High Jump and never did Pole Vault.  Barry Barret only did one year as he hated boarding and I believe he ended up teaching."

Mike Bell