Les Baldwin

SAD DEATH OF LONG-SERVING OFFICIAL

 

 One of the most respected and longest-serving characters in North Wales athletics has died. 

 Les Baldwin, from Johnstown, near Wrexham, who was 81, had been unwell in recent years. He leaves his wife Jean, who is also a familiar face at athletics meetings and races. 

 Les was one of the founders of Wrexham Amateur Athletic Club in 1954 and served as a coach and referee. For over 40 years he was the club’s cross-country secretary and he was a stalwart of the North Wales Cross-Country League from the outset.

 In 1998 he was made an MBE in recognition of his services to the sport and six years later he received a Meritorious Award from Welsh Athletics. He was a Life President of the Wrexham club and last year he became the first Life Member of the North Wales League. 

 The chairman of the Wrexham club, David Alun Williams, who joined the club in 1969 and took over as League secretary four years later, worked alongside Les and benefitted from his advice. 

 “He was good to work with and was respected by everyone in the sport, both within the club and outside,” he said. 

 “As a middle and long-distance coach he helped bring on many outstanding young athletes over the years, several of whom gained national and international success,” David added. 

 As well as coaching Les continued to compete in races into his 70s.