Former athlete Reg's signed book collection on sale in Hastings

A former athletics club chairman's book collection, including signed fantasy novels, is being put on sale in Hastings by his widow.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Feb 2016, 14:45 BST

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The late Reg Wild with his wife Jean and former mayor Maureen Charlesworth. Photo by Tony CoombesThe late Reg Wild with his wife Jean and former mayor Maureen Charlesworth. Photo by Tony Coombes
The late Reg Wild with his wife Jean and former mayor Maureen Charlesworth. Photo by Tony Coombes

Reg Wild’s book collection will be up for grabs in Bookbuster, on Queen’s Road, as his widow Jean is clearing out some of his stuff after his death in 2011.

The former Hastings Athletics Club chairman and community champion was friends with fantasy author David Gemmell, who was also once editor of the Observer.

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Many of his books, including two signed copies, are available at Bookbuster as part of Reg’s collection.

Half of the proceeds from all sales from the collection will go towards Jean’s favourite cancer charity.

Mr Gemmell is best known for his debut novel Legend, which became an international best-seller after he decided to switch from journalism to literature.

He ended up writing more than 30 novels before his death in 2006, and has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Reg was well-known in the town.

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A builder by trade, the former athlete devoted his life to fledgling talent and charitable causes. Trainer, chairman and president at various times, Reg nurtured several world-class athletes, including Olympian Shaun Baldock.

He worked as a trainer at the Hastings Seagulls Swimming Club, and helped found the Hastings Half Marathon.

In 2001, he represented England in Brisbane at the World Veterans Athletics Championships.

Hastings Borough Councillor Maureen Charlesworth, a former mayor, gave Reg a Mayoral Award in June, 2010.

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Reg died in August, 2011, after a long battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and is well-missed by the athletics community.

To find out more about the collection, call Bookbuster on 01424 539726.

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