At this term’s Men’s Blues Committee meeting it was unanimously agreed to confer an extraordinary award of a Half Blue to John Grenfell-Shaw.
Those of you who were members of CUCC between the years of 2015 and 2018 will have known ‘Gren’, either as a remarkably keen and industrious novice in his first year; or maybe looked up to him as a capable and rapid older hand, ever willing to pass on his hard-earned expertise to those just starting out.
The Blues committee recognised his performances at many levels: at BUCS where he recorded several top 20s as well as a top 10; at Varsity where Oxford’s top finisher was a full two minutes behind him; and finally at National level time trial events.
John’s obvious drive to do well and improve was matched with an unassuming modesty about what he achieved in the process, so hopefully this award will stand as a testament to his achievements, even if he wouldn’t trumpet them himself. Sadly, as many of you will know, it must also stand as a memorial to John, who died whilst out in the Lake District in 2018, and so was never able to receive it himself.
He is memorialised by the Club’s annual ‘John Grenfell-Shaw Award’ for ‘Most Improved Cyclist’, which has been kindly donated by his family, but as much by his spirit of faultless help and advice to those who needed it, and who have since passed it on in turn to newer generations.