Your LETTERS

'I am no orator, I am a walker'

On Monday 2 July 1860, it was advertised by public bills and all over the county that the famous pedestrian John Mountjoy – my 2x greatgrandfather, whose wonderful feats had been heard far and wide through the medium of the sporting papers – was to visit the city of Hereford.

He would be performing the task of walking 56 miles, every day for three successive days, amongst other deeds. Even more extraordinary was the fact that John was then 60 years old.

The bills stated that he was to start from Mr Hewitson’s The Orange Tree pub in King Street and walk to the Greenman pub in Fownhope, and back again to the Orange Tree, four times in the course of one day.

There is seven miles between the two public houses and the programme stated that John was to try and stick to these following times:

He would walk 56 miles, every day for three successive days, aged 60 years old

Start at Orange Tree at 6am – Return at 9am

Orange Tree at 9.30am – Return at 12 Noon

Orange Tree at 12.30 – Return at 3.30pm

Orange Tree at 4pm – Return at 6.30pm

John also easily achieved the following deeds in 40 minutes:

To walk forwards half a mile

To walk