NEWS FOR FEBRUARY

KEITH EDWARDS

British Cycling is saddened to hear of the death of Keith Edwards, the father figure of cyclo-cross in Britain, at the age of 80. Keith died on Wednesday 19th February at a nursing home in Sutton Coldfield, after a period of ill health and illness. His death comes just eight months after that of wife Joan, another pivotal figure in the development of British cyclo-cross, who died last June while the couple were on holiday in Europe.

Keith Edwards had a lifelong passion for cycling, and there can be few in the sport whose history of event promotion spanned seven decades. He promoted his first event, a time trial, in 1944, but it as an advocate of cyclo-cross that he will be best remembered. In 1953 he was a member of the first British team to contest the World Cyclo-Cross Championships, and it was the impetus of this trip which led to the creation of a number of cyclo-cross leagues, leagues which came together in 1954 to form the British Cyclo-Cross Association.

A co-founder of the Association, Keith went on to be it's Treasurer, Secretary, Chairman and President at various times in the ensuing years. But he was far more than a committee man: he also served as National Team Manager, Coaching Development Officer and Press Officer, and, along with wife Joan, was a regular judging official at local and national events. Throughout the existence of the BCCA he was a resident of Sutton Coldfield, and a member of the Royal Sutton Cycling Club, and Sutton Park quickly became a regular venue for major cyclo-cross events, including in 1983, the World Championships. He retired from event promotion after organising the 2001 national championships, and it is a fitting memorial that next year's national championships, the 50th, will again be held in Sutton Park.

The funeral will take place on Monday 3rd March, at 12.30 pm, at Sutton Coldfield Crematorium, Tamworth Road, Sutton Coldfield.