The Club is very saddened to record the death of longtime member, Frank Jackson.  Frank died on Sunday afternoon 19th July 2026 at St John’s, Moggerhanger, after a short but very serious illness. He died of a very rare form of cancer.

Over the years Athletics and Bedford and County AC were a big part of Frank’s life. He was a member for 46 years, joining the club in 1980. The latter part of this period as an Honorary Member in recognition of his success as an athlete and his work for the club and the wider athletics community. He was responsible in many ways for making Bedford and County the club it is today. 

Frank’s contribution to the club came as athlete, administrator, team manager and coach.

As a schoolboy Frank was one of the North West’s top athletes, not only beating over 200 runners to win the very prestigious U16 Boys Waterloo Road Race but also setting a course record. In his later years he was a mid 1:50’s 800m runner and during a spell with Scottish club Bellahouston Harriers he regularly trained with 1976 Olympic 1500m 5th placer Frank Clement. Whilst with Bedford & County, he suffered persistent injury problems but still managed to run 26:46, 57:41 and 75:16 for 5m, 10m and Half Marathon respectively. His time of 2:02 in the late 1980’s earned him the club 800m Vet 40 record. 

Over the years he served the club as Club Secretary, Social Secretary, Women’s Team Manager, Girls’ Team Manager and Girls’ Middle-Distance Coach. As Senior Men’s Road and Cross-Country Team Manager in the early 1980’s he helped to establish the Club as a force in National and Regional, cross country and road relays. He was also responsible for the introduction of the annual Club Christmas Handicap in 1981 which has run continuously to the present day.

Frank planned, organised and led the highly successful Road Relay to Bamberg in 1996 in which 22 club members ran from Bedford to Bamberg in Germany (Bedford’s twin town). He team-managed and supported several club members to participate in the Bamberg Half Marathon and 10K over the years.  He retained close friendships with several Bamberg athletes and their families.  As Social Secretary Frank organised Friday Evening Quiz nights which were very popular through the 1990s and early 2000s. He was also influential in organising the Club’s 75th Anniversary at Pavenham Golf Club and contributed to the adjudication of the club’s awards in recent years.

We will always remember Frank, as:

• a lovely person, determined, modest, kind and thoughtful

• a great friend, always supportive and enquiring about family and friends

• a committed and determined athlete and administrator who was across the detail and contributed so much to the club and the sport.

Two stories about Frank give an insight to his personality. He was punished by his school sports master for missing a cross-country match to go and watch his beloved Liverpool F.C! Often when driving the minibus back from a track and field match or a cross country in the 1980s, Frank and the team would stop for a beer and then play “hide and seek” in the van. This captures the essence of Frank, known as “Funtime Frankie” to his friends!

Thanks, Frank for all you have done.

Our thoughts are with Shirley, his wife and children Rachel, Clare and Anna and their families during this difficult time.

Frank’s Funeral Service to be held at Bedford Crematorium, Norse Road on Monday 3rd August at 13.00.

Shirley says if you have a photograph of your favourite memory with Frank, please bring it with you on the day. Please wear anything you would like that day, ideally colourful - especially red!

Frank Jackson, 79 years: 27th January 1947 – 19th July 2026.

Bob Thompson, Tony Forrest and Trevor Buck