History of the Windlesham Pram Race
The Windlesham Pram Race is a nearly 60-year-old tradition, bringing the village together every Boxing Day.
The following early history section is adapted from an article written in 2007 by Derek Davis, one of the founders of the Windlesham Pram Race, for the 40th anniversary edition of The Windlesham Magazine. Thank you to Sally Clark for providing it.
1966
Derek Davis joined Windlesham United football club in 1966 — a good year for English football! — and became treasurer in 1967.
The football club used to play a comedy fancy-dress football match on Boxing Day on the Field of Remembrance. At a club committee meeting in the summer of 1967, it was discussed at great length whether to carry on with this tradition or make a change. Several ideas were put forward, including a pram race, suggested by the late Sid Cook BEM. The committee agreed, and the first race took place on Boxing Day 1967.
A photo of one of the early races is shown above.
The Original Route
It was agreed that the race would start at Highams Corner, as it does now, and call in at all the local pubs for a drink. The format was almost the same as it is today:
- The Brickmakers Arms
- The Surrey Cricketers
- The Sun
- The Half Moon
- The Bee
- The Windlesham Club & Theatre
…before finishing back at The Sun.
Charity
The first Pram Race on Boxing Day 1967 consisted of five prams of football players. The race grew over the following years, attracting increasing numbers of spectators and participants. Funds were collected for charity — beginning with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and later including NSPCC, St John’s Ambulance and others — with various prizes awarded along the way.
In 1973 it was decided to collect money for the football club, and the princely sum of £12.20 was collected!
By 1987, as many as 60–70 prams took part in the race, with even more spectators in attendance. BOC kindly agreed to let the Pram Race use their car park, as it still does today.
1996 — End of the Pram Race?
In 1996, the roads around Windlesham began to close for the event at the request of the police, but the cost of doing so — around £400 — was beyond the means of the club. After a committee meeting, it was decided to cancel the race indefinitely.
Gerry and The Brickmakers
A few days later, Gerry Price — then landlord of The Brickmakers Arms — heard the sad news and called Derek. Gerry wanted the race to carry on: the village loved it, and it raised money for charity. He offered to take on its organisation if the committee did not object, and the football club agreed.
Gerry and Derek continued to organise the race with the help of Brian Wooldridge and customers of The Brickmakers Arms for another few years, until Gerry left the village.
The Surrey Border Lions
Geoff Mitchell took over the organisation of the Pram Race but struggled with not enough help for another two years. He then persuaded The Surrey Border Lions to take it on in 1980, with Tony Boxhall as chairman. David Pollen joined as treasurer in 1993.
From 2009, the Windlesham Branch of the Royal British Legion also became involved in the race organisation and, shortly afterwards, Mike Lewendon became chairman. The Windlesham Pram Race charity was formally registered by David Pollen in 2012.
After Surrey Police made several changes to the road-closure requirements for the race in 2013, a more detailed event plan was required. Mike Sheard became chairman of the charity, organising the race with a team from Surrey Border Lions and the Royal British Legion.
That organising team has evolved over the years and, from 2023, includes Jerry Lawson as race director.
Sid Cook & Derek Davis
Sid Cook BEM continued to enter the race until 2003. Even when he became frail, he still took part in a golf buggy. Sadly, Sid died in 2005.
Derek Davis continues to attend the race, and we hope to see him on Boxing Day.