Karslake is a short road of sixty five houses running from Stalbridge Avenue at its northern end to the recently cultivated triangle of land bordering Penny Lane to the south. It was to this typical suburban terraced road that Jack Clark moved in 1983. Jack had recently taken up running and was delighted one day to spot a neighbour, all geared up for a run, leaving his house and jogging off towards Penny Lane and the Park. A potential running companion! When the opportunity arose Jack introduced himself and was advised his neighbour was Neville Parsons … ‘Call me Nev’. It was a fortuitous meeting for a close friendship followed, leading in time to an effective working relationship and ultimately, in 1985, to the founding of Penny Lane Striders.
Over the following months other runners joined Jack and Nev in regular meetings at Jack’s place. It was decided to form a running club. Club colours and a club name were agreed upon and so on Thursday 25th July 1985, Jack handed out the now distinctive black and white vests and Penny Lane Striders running club was formed. At the time Gordon Hall was a tutor and warden at the Derby and Gladstone University Halls on Greenbank Road. At a local 10k race, in which he was participating, Gordon met up with Jack and Nev. He learned the newly formed Striders had no club house and so offered the use of a small self-contained building within the University grounds – the Rumpus Room. As well as providing a home for the Striders, Gordon hoped that by association students would be encouraged and inspired to run. Some were but the take-up was not overwhelming.
On October 22nd 1985, three months after their formation, Penny Lane Striders received a letter from the secretary of the AAA’s informing them their affiliation had been approved. The Striders were now officially recognised by athletics’ governing body. Jack, Nev and Gordon would be greatly chuffed to know that the running club they founded has stood the test of time and is not only still in existence but is also in rude health. They would also be buoyed by the knowledge that while it continues to pursue a variety of sports including cycling, swimming and triathlon, it is running that remains as and at its core.
Over the following months other runners joined Jack and Nev in regular meetings at Jack’s place. It was decided to form a running club. Club colours and a club name were agreed upon and so on Thursday 25th July 1985, Jack handed out the now distinctive black and white vests and Penny Lane Striders running club was formed. At the time Gordon Hall was a tutor and warden at the Derby and Gladstone University Halls on Greenbank Road. At a local 10k race, in which he was participating, Gordon met up with Jack and Nev. He learned the newly formed Striders had no club house and so offered the use of a small self-contained building within the University grounds – the Rumpus Room. As well as providing a home for the Striders, Gordon hoped that by association students would be encouraged and inspired to run. Some were but the take-up was not overwhelming.
On October 22nd 1985, three months after their formation, Penny Lane Striders received a letter from the secretary of the AAA’s informing them their affiliation had been approved. The Striders were now officially recognised by athletics’ governing body. Jack, Nev and Gordon would be greatly chuffed to know that the running club they founded has stood the test of time and is not only still in existence but is also in rude health. They would also be buoyed by the knowledge that while it continues to pursue a variety of sports including cycling, swimming and triathlon, it is running that remains as and at its core.
