OLDEST MALE RESIDENT - The death took place on Monday of
Mr. Christopher (Kit) Wilcock of 9 Woodland Street,
Cowling.
87 years of age Mr. Wilcock was the oldest male resident
in the village, having lived there for 25 years. Mr.
Wilcock was a well-known sportsman, and in his day was a
prominent figure at all sports meetings of the
Yorkshire-Lancashire border. He ran and jumped at the
sports meetings, including Morecambe, Kirby Lonsdale,
Grasmere, Hawes, Barnoldswick, and on one occasion he
jumped the canal at Barnoldswick, a feat that has not
been achieved either before or since? He won nearly £200
worth of cups and over £150 in prizes, and at 75 years
of age he entered for the sports at Glusburn, but was
turned down because of his age! When 80 years old, Mr.
Wilcock would think nothing of walking 15 to 20 miles
per day. Nearly five years ago he gained prominence by
accepting a challenge issued by a Burnley octogenarian
to run in a 100 yards race. A native of Bentham, Mr.
Wilcock started work at the age of six years.
The funeral took place on Wednesday at St. Johns Church,
Barkerhouse Road, Nelson, and services at the house and
at the church were conducted by Rev. W.T.F. Castle
(vicar) Cowling, and Rev. J. Morgan of Nelson
respectively. Mr. Wilcock is survived by his widow and
one daughter at Bolton.
COWLING NEWS: 12.5.1944 |
