Points West film crew scouring Wells today
By Wells_Jaqui | Monday, January 23, 2012, 16:18
Wells is often rather an exciting place to live. Today I happened upon a Points West camera crew who were looking for a special gate with a little bit of Olympic history linked to it.
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Wells' 'Mary's Gate' unless you know otherwise?
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Mary Bignal Rand Winner of Britain`s first gold medal in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo with a world record of 22ft 2 ins in the Women`s Long jump;also silver medal in the Pentathlon creating a new British and Commonwealth record with 5,035 points
They were in search of the gate over which Mary Rand would hop over to reach the woods as part of her training.
The interest in one of Wells' lesser-known attractions has been kindled by the national campaign to give the famous local athlete freedom of the city. Their researchers said it is known as 'Mary's Gate'.
The Wells Journal makes the case for why she should receive freedom of the city in their article.
The chairman of the British Olympic Association Lord Moynihan has given his support to the campaign launched by Wells sportsman Tony Williams.
In a letter to Wells City Council Lord Moynihan – himself a gold medal winning Olympic athlete – said of Mr Williams' campaign: "I am pleased to endorse and support his proposal because Mary was a superb athlete and a well loved role model throughout Great Britain and indeed worldwide.
"Her achievements in the 1960s were inspirational to many young athletes over the ensuing decades.
"I know she was a legend in her home town and she has left a legacy of which your citizens can be justly proud."
Wells MP Tessa Munt has also backed the campaign for the Freedom of Wells to be awarded to Mary Rand.
In a letter to Wells City Council she said: "Mary Rand's achievements in the 1964 Olympics were unprecedented and have yet to be superseded by any local female athlete.
"There is, of course, a road named after her in our city, but it seems fitting that, in a year when London is hosting the Olympic Games and Mary Rand will be here for those Games, and additionally, visiting the area, the City should award her this honour in recognition of her achievements.
WellsPeople was delighted to be contacted in October 2010 by Samantha Toomey Ballard (Mary's middle daughter) who updated us on her Mum, saying 'my mom, Mary Bignal Rand is living in Atascadero, CA and is on facebook. Her name is Mary Rand Reese. She would love to hear from anybody interested.
She must be thrilled that her Mum may now receive the full recognition of her achievements.
Wells City Harriers, Wells Rugby Club and Wells Football Club Avalon Leisure and Wells Lions are also supporting calls for Mary Rand to be awarded Freedom of the City of Wells.
Do you know whether the gate they filmed at the top of Hawker's Lane is the correct one because they couldn't be sure?
If you have any stories relating to Mary Rand, we'd love to hear them at WellsPeople, please upload them to http://www.wellspeople.co.uk/home and click on the 'WRITE' tab with fountain pan icon or email wells@thelocalpeople.co.uk if you would like someone to add them on your behalf.
2nd photo supplied with thanks by WellsPeople reader Bert22
Comments
Fantastic to hear that Wells City Council, in a meeting in Wells Town Hall last night, decided that Olympic star Mary Rand WOULD be given the Freedom of Wells. Our congratulations to Mary and her family & we look forward to meeting you later in the year!!
By Wells_Jaqui at 16:32 on 27/01/12
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