RIP Joan Kershaw

[Sharky]

It almost slipped me by, but just came to my attention that Joan Kershaw died in August this year. She was a contemporary of Beryl Burton and on one or the rare years when BB didn't take part, she won the 25 championship in 1965. She and her two daughters also made history, when the three of them took the team award for the 100, some years later.

Joan was a leading member of my old club and with me living 200 miles away, only met her occasionally. She was also a serving member on the RTTC committee for a number of years.

On Merseyside, she was well known and respected.

 

[Judda55]

Hi all, I've just signed up having searched for info. about Joan Kershaw. I met her only a few times (I was in Cresta Wheelers). Disappointed to learn she had passed away.
The first time was at Liverpool Eagle's Christmas dance 1957/8? Like a shy 18 yr. old, I was sat on the side of the dance hall and Joan came over and pulled me up onto the dancefloor. I was thinking 'ooh, er - I'm dancing with this married woman, some 6 years older than me'!
The next time was at an evening '10' on the Rainford bypass, starting in the lane Blindfoot Road. The timekeeper said "As there's a woman in front of you, I'll start you at a 2 minute interval"
I said "Are you kidding? That's Joan Kershaw"! Well obviously I went 'eyeballs out' but hadn't made a second on her at the turn, and hammered myself back to the finish, to find Joan had beaten the Women's 10 mile record that night (but unofficially, since the timekeeper wasn't accredited). And I'd shaved a lot off my best, recording a 24:10. An evening to remember!

 

[Sharky]

My PB was on that Blind foot Lane course, back in '69.

Used to ride for Prescot RC in those days, but subsequently the two clubs merged and became Prescot Eagle. Met Joan a few times, when I made a trip up to Merseyside and rode an evening 10 on the current 10 course.

Incidentally, Joan and her two daughters stayed at my parents house in Kent, when the Kershaws road an event down here in the 80's.