Man of the Year

Word has reached me from a gathering in Woolwich last weekend that plans are afoot to revive the Man of the Year Contest. The earliest known contest dates back to the late 1970’s and was one of the first community programmes sponsored by the Medway Foundation looking to offer informal self development opportunities to local youngsters.

I recall that this was an exciting occurrence for the Foundation which was, at that time in its formative stages. I am pleased to report that the contests proved extremely successful enabling some of the combatants to become decent citizens when otherwise confronted with a squalid life of crime and misery in South East London. This, my very earliest group success, has given rise to a number of long term friendships which have collectively become known as the ‘Flock’ and I am very proud to note that these long term beneficiaries are now active in reviving the contest in order to offer similar self development opportunities to a whole new generation.

This memorable reminder of the past prompted me to consult the original vellum bound Medway Journals in which the following excerpt of my thoughts from that time on the Man of the Year Contest was recorded -

“It all began in the long, hot summer of 1978, the year of the first Christopher Reeve Superman movie. Posters appeared all over Woolwich proclaiming - “On July 22^nd you’ll believe a man can fly”

But this was no movie poster. It was a clarion call to the men of Woolwich, Plumstead and Charlton.

And it was then that they gathered together, those great men of old. For giants and heroes walked upon the earth in those days, men of renown. Arkins, Jordan, Watson, Connealy, Dempsey, McGrannahan, Sheehan, McGowan.

They gathered together to do battle for the first Man of The Year trophy. One night, several contests, and the prospect of either twelve months of proven masculine prowess or a lifetime of flaccid despair.

It was The Man of the Year, not the person of the year, for this was 1978 and we all lived on Mars and sucked in its smoky atmosphere.

Five trials were held in all: Pool, Darts, Crib, Fastest Pint, Chess.

In the end the contest was fittingly won by an unknown contestant, a man with no name.”

Once I have had more time to consider the peculiar synchronicities of this welcome episode of déjà vu I shall share with you further recollections from my handwritten journals.

I am also pleased to advise that my team are in touch with the organisers of the new contest and that the Medway Foundation will be active in assisting them and supporting their efforts on this most worthy endeavour.

I will ensure that this website carries regular updates on developments but I can advise that, at this moment, April 14^th seems the most favourable date for the contest.