Remembering
Cris Tween
1938-2019
Cris, a native of Poole, gained a degree in Maths and Physics at Southampton University. Having trained as a teacher she spent many years teaching Maths, both full and part time in local schools before joining Queen Elizabeth’s School, Wimborne in the early 1980’s.
Romance was in the air when Cris and Mike met in the early 1960’s through the local camera club and they began Orienteering in October 1967 at the Wiltshire Championships where a young Carol McNeil persuaded Cris to try a course even though she was in high heels and stockings! Undeterred, her first major event was the November Classic 1969 where she had ‘value for money’ and Mike took over 4 hours to complete his course!
Cris and Mike were founder members of Poole OC and the Dorset Orienteering Association, later to become SWOA, with Mike acting as Chairman for 3 years. When the task of SWOA Fixtures Secretary became vacant Cris took on the role for a while and then she became the Chairman/Secretary of the National Fixtures Committee. The Tweens became thoroughly involved in all aspects of Orienteering from introductory courses for newcomers to organising the British Junior Championships in 1972. Cris enjoyed planning and controlling local events and with Mike then progressed to be part of the organising team for the first World Orienteering Championships 1977 at Darnaway on the Moray Firth. WIM was heavily involved with the JK relays at Bramble Brook in 1979 in which Cris and Mike had a major role.
The WIM Committee benefited form Cris serving from 1977 to 1987 and as Chairman for the last 3 years of that period. At the legendary JK 97 at Penhale Cris was the lead member of the enquiries team.
In those days IT technology was in its infancy and event entry and all other communications had to be by post. Cris was pivotal in the operation of JK 89 at Stourhead dealing with start lists, programmes, results etc. which all had to be prepared by hand. Their house became an office to process entries with start lists fastened to the walls of their dining room with Cris and Mike cheerfully hosting a near constant flow of volunteer workers and team leaders who were treated to scrumptious meals and cakes! Cris and Mike also welcomed WIM members to their home for Club evenings. Other activities included looking after the club equipment, doing all the Club printing on a Gestetner and many hours spent processing the punched control cards after events. As for contrasting ‘recreational’ activities Cris enjoyed cooking and gardening as well as bringing up two sons, Nick and Malcolm.
Cris embraced modern technology with enthusiasm and lead the original WIM computing team. She became competent with the world of computers which proved to be invaluable with her involvement in the development of IT in Orienteering.
A major role at all levels of Orienteering was undertaken by Cris culminating in the World Championships centred on Inverness in 1999.
Her involvement as a member of the SWOA regional committee continued into the early years of the new century with a major role in the BOC Relays at Penhale in 2005, but with Mike’s health deteriorating with Parkinson’s disease this began to restrict her involvement.
Cris and Mike had a dream of living in the country so they part designed and had built their new house in Fiddleford in the heart of rural Dorset, a real change from their previous homes in urban Poole. Once established in Fiddleford Cris became involved in the local Parkinson’s Support Group organising activities and editing their group newsletter.
Unfortunately Cris and Mike were not able to share their dream of life in the country for long because Mike became increasing disabled by Parkinson’s Disease and probably Lyme’s disease. After Mike died Cris continued to live on her own in Fiddleford. She tended her garden, continued to support the local Parkinson’s Society, volunteered for the Friends of Blandford Hospital and enjoyed going for country drives but as her health deteriorated she passed her days knitting and sitting by her window looking over her garden.
The positive, disciplined and vigorous personality Cris brought to her sport was instrumental in laying the foundations for Wimborne Orienteers and SWOA to develop into the successful orienteering organisations we know today.
Chris will be very much missed by everyone who knew her. The Wimborne Orienteering Club sends condolences to her two sons Nick and Malcolm at this sad time.
Trevor Bridle and John Warren
Cris with WIM friends at Hambledon for the JK
Cris with Mike and Barbara