Magazine of the National Clarion Cycling Club
The National Clarion: Do we need it?
By Dennis Pye (Central Section)
From the beginning, some Clarion cyclists have doubted the value of a national organisation. The National Club was set up in1895 when members of local clubs formed by readers of the weekly socialist paper The Clarion gathered in Ashbourne for the first Easter Meet. But many of them were by no means convinced that there needed to be a national committee with officials, or a national subscription. Three years later in Chester they voted to abolish the national committee. But it continued to exist simply in order to organise the annual Easter Meet. It was not until 1900 that there was a national secretary and he, like the other two on the national committee, ‘elected himself’. As for a national subscription, this was only reluctantly agreed at the 1901 Bakewell Meet when it was fixed at one penny per member annually. Five years later a national membership card was introduced and local Clarion CC’s became Sections of a National Club. By this time there were a total of about 4000 members countrywide, in over 130 sections so the national officials were kept quite busy.
In 1930 a scheme for third-party insurance and legal assistance (like the CTC already had) was adopted, so the national subscription was increased to five shillings (25p) to cover it. In 1934, with membership growing, National Secretary became a full- time, paid appointment. National racing events had been introduced in the late 1920’s with time trials at Easter and an annual track meet at Fallowfield, Manchester, in the summer. When membership hit 8000 in 1936, few doubted that a national organisation and subscription were needed.
The rapid decline in membership after the 1940’s was only arrested in the 1990's, a decade in which there was a small rise to around 600 today. Clearly there is now no need for a full-time paid National Secretary (though we know he works hard!). We no longer have our own third-party insurance, legal support or touring advice (members can obtain these through the CTC or BCF) Yet what is left is still important, if discussions at annual conference are any indication. The Easter Meet, the Wortley Hall Week-End and the national racing events still need to be organised, even though they are less well-supported than they used to be. Understandably, however, there is questioning by newer, maybe younger, members about the value of a national organisation and the level of the national subscription.
Those who criticise what they see as an unnecessarily high national subscription can readily obtain from
Section Secretaries the latest national balance sheet and see exactly where the money goes. If they want a reduced subscription, Sections can take or send resolutions to Annual Conference to try to bring about the changes they want to see. If they were still dissatisfied, individuals couls simply cease to be members. Sections could surrender their assets (as legally required under the Constitution) and become purely local clubs under another name, as has
happened sometimes in the past.
More than just a cycling club?
There is obviously no point in having a National Clarion if Sections simply want to become ordinary local clubs. The CTC and BCF can satisfy the needs for insurance, legal assistance, racing, even annual meets. Yet what has held the Clarion together for over a century is dedication to the ideals and principals which have made it different from other organisations and more than just a cycling club.
The National Clarion has survived many challenges to its existence over the last fifty or sixty years. In response, we could do no better than quote the words of one National Secretary, Joe Rigby, in 1955:-
“With monotonous regularity over the past few years we have been asked at our Annual Conference why we persist in continuing an association which no longer appears to hold any meaning. The answer is, in my opinion, (and know it is the opinion of many of our members) that as a cycling club we should stand by our belief in Socialism not because we want our members to talk politics, but so that we have a common bond between us. Our members can propagate their principles in their conduct in the club and if they wish to do so in a more active manner, there are ample opportunities outside of cycling club activities. We cannot expect or insist that our younger members have any political opinions, but if by the example of our older members we can demonstrate that our Clarion motto of ‘Fellowship Is Life’ is a living thing, there can be no doubt that we shall be helping to maintain the tradition which pioneers of our Club worked for”.
(Dennis Pye’s book ‘Fellowship Is Life’, which tells the hundred year story of the Club, has sold over 900 copies, making a small profit for the National Clarion. There are still some copies left for sale: send a cheque for £4.95 payable to ‘National Clarion Cycling Club’ to him at 34 Temple Road, Bolton BL1 3LT).
Cover pic from the National Clarion track championships at Manchester last year a full report and more pics in the next issue.
2
ROPOSED NEW RULE
Dear Secretary It is suggested by the National Committee that the following proposal should be discussed
by each individual section and any suggested alteration, addition or deletion should be sent in writing as a proposal to the National Secretary.
ADD RULE No 3.10
solution:- Any decision to wind-up or dissolve the club shall only be taken at a special general meeting called for that purpose, thirty days notice of the meeting having been sent to all members. Any motion for dissolution or winding-up shall only be declared carried if approved by at least 75% of the members at the special meeting.
If on the winding-up or dissolution of the club there remains, after payment of all debts and liabilities, any monies or properties, these shall be used in whatever ways are decided by the special general meeting, provided that such disposition is in accordance with the objects of the club, and provided that no individual member shall receive any property or
sum beyond repayment of his or her Current Annual Subscription.
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT K. HEMSLEYS NOTTINGHAM ON 3RD FEBRUARY 2001.
Items 1 2 In attendance: G. Pearse, N. Biden, M. Evens, K. Hemsley, F. Bibby, K. Hulbert.
Apologies. A. Whitaker, T. Auty. A chairperson was not elected and the meeting was run on an informal base.
3. All correct.
4. (i) New badges passed on to F. Bibby. (ii) F. Bibby still working on it.
5. Secretary’s Race Secretary's report.
All races and events had been booked or dates fixed.
It was agreed to sell off Shorts, Race Tops, T-shirts.
Shorts £20, Tops £28 or both £35, T-shirts £3.
It was agreed to give another £50 to Nottingham section to cover cost of road race prize.
6. Treasurers Report. That the club was in a good state financially.
It was agreed to give £300 to the Clarion team for the “Irish Milk Race” to buy race strip (2001), but this was not an addition to the money (£179 approx) which had been paid back into Clarion funds from the old race team account.
7. Easter Meet Secretary's Report. All arranged and cost would be in the region of
£20, Merlin said this would be his last Easter Meet.
8. Corr: ndence A letter from Oakhill Clarion about Track, Road and M.T.B.
9. A.O.B. Boots Spurs and Wortley Hall, F. Bibby to talk
to Tracy. “Clarion Future” F. Bibby to address it to
conference at Llandudno.
CURRENT CLARION OFFICIALS
Secretary Frank Bibby
130;Grompton Way; Bolton, BEEZ 2SBerrics 01204 393065 Minutes Secretary VACANT
President John Lees
38 Nook End Road, Heanor, Derbys, DE75 7QQ
Vice President Ian Clarke, 31 Poppy Field, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 8TU
Racing Secretary Frank Bibby 130'Crompton'Way,-Bolton; BL2 2SB ces 01204 393065 Treasurer Nick Biden, 50 Highfield Road, Cheadle, Hulme, Stockport 0161 485 5437
Easter Meet Organiser Kirsty Straker dan Dobson
Flat 5, Block 6, Regents Close, Horsforth, Leeds.................. 0113 258 0801
Membership Secretary Kevin Hulbert
22 St James Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 I1HH 01200 442879
Records Secretary Audrey Waddilove
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX ................0..... 01270 761446
Wortley Hall Organiser Frank Bibby 01204 393065 Peter Roscoe 0161 761 6856
Newsletter Editor Richard Newcombe
67 Hall Lane, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6RA 01733 706498
Press Officer Peter Roscoe 6: Horncastle Close: Bury BLS/IXE cece Seen 0161 761 6856
Committee Members Graham Pearce
70 Springdale Gardens, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SS 0161 4481928 Ken Hemsley
117 Southcliffe Road, Carlton, Nottingham, NG41ES 0115 987 3118 Kevin Hulbert
22 St James Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 IHH 01200 442879 Merlin Evans
3 Green lane; HeatoniMoor, Stockporti.-. <2... 3... eee 0161 442 8441
OBITUARY Charles Henry Westlake 1923 2001
There are not many people who became generally accepted as being legends in their own life time but Charlie, as he was generally known, became a local legend as a result of his lifetime interest in cycling. The miles he amassed (estimated at over 300,000) and his incredible stamina which to those who rode with him seemed to be hardly diminished as he entered into his 70’s. His first ride was with his father when he was eight years old. This was over Blackstone Edge (a Pennine Range pass). In his teens he started cycling with the CTC but with the outbreak of the war the local section suspended its activities and Charlie joined the Bury section of the National Clarion Cycling Club. After the war he became renowned for leading long distance rides often involving a fair amount of rough stuff.
For decades he led an annual ride to Pately Bridge across the Pennine Range in Northern Yorkshire. Probably to ensure the event was a test of endurance it was always on the last Sunday of January that we set forth. Blizzards, snow gales, sub freezing conditions nothing forced a cancellation for Charlie. The winter of 1962/63 was arguably the worst winter in living memory frozen pitches meant no football for eleven weeks. Even so the ride had to go ahead. Approaching the pass over the Pennines there were leaden sky’s overhead and clear evidence that snow ploughs had only just managed to get through the formidable snow barrier. That led to grumbles about the wisdom of proceeding and being marooned on the other side of the Pennines but as usual our leader was followed. This memory epitomises Charlie’s sense of adventure which has enhanced the lives of all those cyclists who have done things they wouldn't otherwise have done. It is this that probably led to his becoming generally accepted as a local legend.
He was a great lover of “rough stuff” riding. Years before the age of the mountain bike Charlie used to seek out tracks to ride during club runs and, lets be honest, the less adventurous of us did cuss as we struggled along rocky surfaces and squelched through the mud. Not Charlie though as he nimbly left us well behind. Regardless of our grumbling, it’s these memories we now cherish.
Charlie had greater stamina than any of us but he did not take to racing. Even so he was always pleased to reminisce about winning cyclo cross events and Bury Clarion’s first season long ten miles time trial championship in 1950.
For more than 40 years then Charlie cycled with Bury Section but people go on to other things and finally his last Sunday riding companion in the club died and the section had only Charlie left as a regular Sunday clubrun rider. In the event he returned to the local section of CTC. He continued to lead the long distance rides including the winter ride to Pately Bridge and in his 70’s was participating in long distance reliability trials including a 200 miles ride to Humber Bridge and back. The ride he would probably like to be best remembered for was in 1955 when he rode from Bury to the Yorkshire Dales to ascend and descend the three peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent with his bicycle and return to Bury in the same day.
Peter Roscoe one who suffered on Charlie's hard rides but one who remembers with affection.
Pm In “THE CLUB"!!!
I have always been in the Clarion. First with Denton section, when I joined at the tender age of thirteen. Later with the section have been with for the last twenty three years, Stockport. I met my husband when we were both with Denton and although we didn’t ride bikes for about fourteen years, when we were raising a family, we kept in touch socially. When we decided to start cycling again Stockport section was a section in name only as there were no active members. Colin, (my husband,) and Rob Dumbell decided to give Stockport a ‘kick start’. With a lot of encouragement from Vera Street it all came together again and we soon had a strong bunch of riders, our two sons included.
I wasn’t intending to actually ride again but was soon persuaded when I found I was left on my own every Sunday! I was also easily persuaded
to start racing and entered my first 10’ at the grand age of 38. My first ‘25’ was the National Clarion Championship on the A25/11.I dida 1-12-26. After that followed 50’s and then I was ‘hooked’. enjoyed the racing scene for about 8 years (if you can call it enjoyment!) but now I enjoy pottering about even better. Stockport is a super section, more like an extended family really. We all go on holiday together for two weeks every March to Majorca. Then there are weekends away throughout the year. Every Sunday a clubrun and if there isn’t a reason to celebrate something, we invent one!!
So when my Dad paid £27 for a bike for me one Christmas in 1955 and insisted that I join club, it was the best thing he could have done.
Pauline Norton
Shimano Gripshifts, 3 x7 Speed Gears Mavic Rims Slic Tyres
Immaculate Unused 1 50
Apply National Secretary
Trek 930 MTB (15” Frame)
GOING To Finb Our WHATS CausinG THis Knocking Noise IN MY
SECTION INFORMATION
The following are names and telephone numbers of all Clarion sections throughout the country. Why not try to organise inter-section events, such as club runs, meeting half way between sections, or inter-club time trials. You may wish to invite them to your social events, club dinners etc.
SCOTLAND
West of Scotland Clarion George Mackay Glasgow-ish 01389 874131 NORTH-EAST
Sunderland Clarion Allan Smith Sunderland 0191 584 8948 Teeside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesborough 01947 880488 NORTH-WEST (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Amy McLarty Bolton 01204 491595 Bury Clarion Sylvia Roscoe Bury 0161 7616856 Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Clitheroe 01200 442609 Crewe Clarion Wheelers Andy Grace Crewe 01270 841836 Oakhill Clarion CC Charles Jepson Whalley 01254 51302 Stockport Clarion dulian Mortel Manchester 01625 575959 Wyre Clarion Carl Taylor Lancaster 01524 39453 YORKSHIRE
Calder Clarion Joan Milsom Wakefield 01924 274087 Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion Dave Binns Huddersfield 01484 648144 York Clarion Angela Beardshall Wakefield 01924 264898 EAST MIDLANDS
Heanor Clarion Anne Taylor Wilde Heanor 01773 761299 Nottingham Clarion Tim Fahy Nottingham 0115 9811938 SOUTH AND EAST
Fenland Clarion Ken Clarke Peterborough 01733 562217 London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow 0181 572 9672 WEST MIDLANDS
Birmingham Roger Shayes Solihull 0121 603 7536 Herefordshire Peter Cowan Kington 01544 340690 WALES
Gwynedd Robin Hartley Rachub 01248 605424 Central Section Brian Burchell Devon 01404 891740
If you know of people who are not near a local Clarion Section then we are always interested to help establish new sections. All we need are three founder members to begin a new section. For further information please ask them to contact the National Secretary
7
Are you coming to Wortley Hall Weekend the 18th, 19th 20th October 2002?
Three Peter Sheperdley Quizzes 1 General Knowledge
2 Sport SLIDE SHOW
(Bring your own slides too)
3 Ladies Only
National Clarion Committee Meeting on Saturday am. There are 12 rooms reserved for
Clarion Members but more are available. “Please lets trv and fill them and more besides” You must book directly with Wortley Hall, the telephone number is 0114 288 2100.
HEANOR CLARIONCC Junior Section
Members to date 17.
Ages range from 8 to 16 and hope that they will move into the senior section when they are 17.
This all started off by gaining a lottery grant for £3400.00. This money is for the Junior Section only.
Five new cyclo cross bikes were bought with the idea that by changing to road tyres we would have a further
five bikes for the road. I have obtained three more small framed road bikes and they are being converted to bar/end gear changers.
Summer
Wednesday night 5pm to 6pm is cycling night, this is the time when the juniors come out to play, so they used to think, but it is a very hard 1 hr for them. To ride round for Lhr is quite tough for this age group. So they are taught the techniques of riding. This is off road cycling, most of the juniors have either BMX or Mountain Bikes, so it is best to take them on the most suitable terrain for them. By continually moving the markers we can make it as easy or as hard as we want, but they learn off each other very quickly. 7 riders compete in the Notts and Derby Cyclo/Cross League 2 in the under 16’s, 2 in the under 14’s and 3 in the under 12's. The older riders are allowed to keep their bikes at home, the idea being is if they stay in the Junior Club they will eventually get a good bike. Through the dark night period 6pm to 7pm we go down to an industrial estate that is lit up and is 0.46 miles round. In this period we teach them road sense, riding in groups and racing techniques that they respond to very well. To be able to do this I had to take a BCF coaching course, including Child Protection and Equity. I can assure you it is all worth it when you are 66 years of age and have plenty of time on your hands. Hope to hear in the near future of other Clarion Sections who have done the same. Yours in sport, Don Flint Heanor Clarion CC (and a Junior Member at Heart)
(NATIONAL CLARION:
CYCLING: CLUB
6
Hello Fellow Members,
Hope you are all well rested after the Christmas period and are ready for another action packed Easter meet!
As most of you will know, Merlin has retired from organising another Easter Meet, so heroically myself and Jan have offered our services and I only hope we can fill Merlin’s boots. Merlin can now enjoy Easter Meet as a social member and take full advantage of the scenic rides and quality beer that Whitby has to offer (although at last Easter’s club dinner he already seemed to be putting in a bit of practice with the quality beer!)
A big thank you goes out to Merlin for all he has done over the years and please remember to buy him a pint to show him how much he’s appreciated!
Now that Jan and I have taken on the responsibility of organising Easter Meet, I hope that you will all make the effort to come along and show your support and help make our first year a success:
This Easter begins at 7.30pm at the Metropole Hotel on the West Cliff, a few minutes further up from the Pavilion. To entertain us for the evening we have 60’s covers band 5-Divide. If dancing isn’t quite your thing you can always take full advantage of the late license and keep the bar company.
This year we have a quiz about Whitby and it’s attractions, so remember to pick up a question sheet. The answers and prize will be given on Sunday so you have all weekend to annoy the locals to gather information.
Saturday is Conference day, starting at 10am at the Metropole Hotel. If you's like a say in how the Clarion is run then come along, if only to offer ideas on future Easter meets as all suggestions are appreciated.
In the evening we have the disco and late license bar. Unfortunately there is no Fancy Dress this year since I have an unfair advantage! But the Fancy Dress will return sometime in the future (and no, won't be entering).
To finish off our weekend of fun and frolics, we have the Club Dinner. Starting at 7.00pm, to be seated by 7.30pm, at the Metropole Hotel. Details will follow shortly for menu selections. (Once received I would be grateful if you could get your orders in a.s.a.p, thanks).
As tradition dictates, after the meal we have the prize presentation, disco and of course the raffle. So please remember to bring in a gift and don’t forget to bring in your quiz sheets either, who is Whitby’s weakest link?
For those of you who haven't yet been admitted to hospital for alcohol poisoning, there is yet another late licensed bar.
As you may have noticed there is no racing this year. Over the years interest seems to have waned, but if anyone’s up to a hillclimb on Sunday, I’m sure something can be arranged by mutual agreement. This year’s levy has been set at £20.00, to include
entertainment, badge and meal. A bargain price worth paying
just not to see me in Fancy Dress!
Well, hope to see you all at Whitby and try and courage the rest Wven Jon of your section and any new members to come along.
9
FRIDAY
Evening begins with registration from 7.30pm onwards at the Metropole Hotel, located on Argyle Street on the West Cliff {a couple of minutes walk further up than the Pavilion). Entertainment is provided by 60's covers band, Divide”, with a late license. Remember to pick up your question sheets for the Easter Quiz about Whitby and test your knowledge about this scenic coastal town. Answers and Prize given on Sunday.
WHITBY
SATURDAY
Day starts with the Easter conference held at the
metropole Hotel at 10.00am.
On Saturday evening we have our usual disco with late license bar at the metropole Hotel, commencing from 7.30pm.
SUNDAY
On Sunday we're back to the Metropole Hotel for the Club Dinner at 7.00pm, to be seated by 7.30pm. Details will follow for menu selections
The meal will follow with the prize presention, disco and Raffle. For those who can stomach it we have another late license bar!
Don’t forget your quiz sheets as there’s a prize up for grabs.
r
BURY TANDEM CLUB
FOR THE VISUALLY HANDIGAPPED
Welcome to the Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired. We are a small group of tandeming enthusiasts who all live in or near Bury which is a few miles from Manchester in north west England. The club comprises both sighted front tandem riders and visually impaired rear riders and consists in all of some thirty regular cyclists.
History of Bury Tandem Club
Mr. Derek Pritchard, a former engineer, was the founder member of Bury Tandem Club for the V.I. and is now its honorary president. He has been a dedicated cyclist since the 1950s.
In the 50s and 60s his sight was good enough for him to tide solo, but in the 70s it began to deteriorate. By 1979 his sight was such that he was no longer able to ride solo and had to change to tandems.
He had done a bit of tandeming as a teenager, but other than this he had no experience of tandem riding at all at this time. Mr. Pritchard continued to ride tandems with various partners until 1983 when his constantly deteriorating sight caused him to have to terminate his employment as an engineer.
He was continually frustrated by the feeling that, though tandem riding was a sport which he really enjoyed, finding partners who could ride with him regularly was incredibly difficult. He wondered how much easier it would be to participate in his favouritesport if there were a dedicated tandem club for the visually impaired in his local area. What he envisaged was a club comprised of an equal number of sighted, front riders and visually impaired rear riders, all of whom had a common interest in cycling. Mr. Pritchard spoke tovhis social worker about the possibility of forming such a club and about how it would enable blind and visually impaired people to get out more. Mr. Pritchard had. two of his own tandems which he could use and two very tandem frames which he felt sure he could renovate. His social worker agreed that, if Mr. Pritchard could renovate his old tandem frames, social services would supply the necessary capital to get the tandem club off the ground
Bury Tandem Club Background Information
The first meeting of Bury Tandem Club for the V. 1. was held in late 1984, but the club officially began in mid-1985. From 1985 to
the present day, the club has grown steadily. We are constantly raising funds to enable us to add to our collection of high quality tandems with the aim of enrolling more members. We have benefited greatly from donations from organisations such as Comic Relief and Children in Need and in 1997 we received a donation from the National Lottery which was a real help.
We are constantly on the look-out for new members especially front riders. The club is now able to provide full training to front riders who possibly have no experience of tandeming with a visually impaired person and to blind and visually impaired rear riders who may never have ridden a bicycle and who may therefore find certain aspects of tandem riding difficult
If you are considering becoming a member of Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired, please contact
us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Philosophy and Activities of Bury Tandem Club
Since it was founded by a visually impaired person, Bury Tandem Club’s basic aim is to give blind and visually impaired people the Same opportunities to cycle as sighted people take for granted.
The club realises that for certain visually impaired people, the opportunity for a strenuous cycle ride (40- 60 miles over’ sometimes highly challenging terrain) means far more thanjust a chance to keep fit. For certain of our visually impaired members, it is the one big social occasion of the week the only time when we can unwind mentally through strenuous physical exercise All our’sighted front riders are experienced solo cyclists and ride with the club voluntarily. Ridinga tandem safely depends ona sighted front rider and a visually impaired rear rider working well together as a team. This partnership helps to promote’a wider understanding of visual impairment related issues and to bring sighted and visually impaired people closer together.
Tandem Maintenance Helpers
Required Are you willing to assist us with cycle
maintenance? If so, your help would be gratefully accepted.
11
For the past seventeen years of its existence. almost all of Bury Tandem Club’s cycle maintenance needs have been met by Mr. Pritchard, our honorary president. The quality of his work is outstanding.
In the last few years, however, Mr. Pritchard who is himself blind has been finding it increasingly difficult to handle all the club's tandem maintenance requirements single-handedly and has pointed out how much easier the task would be if he had some assistance. We would therefore be very grateful to hear from anyone who has some knowledge of cycle maintenance and who would be willing to help us out. If you feel you are the sort of person we are looking for, please send us an e-mail. As well as giving us your name and a method of contacting you. it would also help if you could describe the level of experience you have of cycle maintenance and also give times in the week when you will be available to help. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Interested in Tandeming? You can help us!
The town of Bury is situated about 8 miles northwest of Manchester in northwest England. Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired currently consists of about 35 fully sighted and visually impaired members of all ages. The general standard of fitness is high. We are usually out every Sunday between 9.15 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. Tandem rides range from 40 to 60 miles over varied terrain.
Owing to other commitments, not all our current front riders are able to ride each week which means that some of our visually impaired members are not able to tandem as often as they would like. We would therefore be very grateful to hear from anyone who would be willing to act as a front tandem rider for the club. A reasonable level of fitness would certainly be useful, as would experience of cycling on a solo. No knowledge of tandems, tandem riding or visual impairment is required as full training will be given.
If you would like to become a front tandem rider for Bury Tandem Club, please let us know. Please tell us why you feel you would make a suitable front tandem rider and include your contact details plus any other information you consider relevant.
Many thanks for your co-operation
Personal Profiles of Bury Tandem Club Members
Here are some personal profiles of members of Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired. These profiles have been written by both fully sighted front riders and blind or visually impaired rear riders. Their purpose is to give potential club members an idea of what sort of people ride with the club, why they joined up initially and what benefits they derive from their membership.
BERYL, FRONT RIDER
I’m Beryl and one of only a few female members of this club.
When I was a child, my father worked on a farm and our only form of transport was a bicycle. My brother also had a tandem that we used to ride, usually with me as rear rider. As I got older we moved and I married and had children so my cycling ceased to be a hobby, especially as driving became the norm. My children are mostly grown now and I had been looking to start cycling again but felt I lacked fitness and discipline (it is so much easier to find an excuse not to go out fora ride if cycling by yourself) so when I saw an advertisement in the Bury Times in late 1999 seeking new front riders for a club with visually impaired riders, it seemed like a good opportunity. My cycling and tandem skills had not been lost but I was initially not very fit.
However, with the help of Alan, who arranged my initial training and the patience and good will of all the rear riders, I was soon cycling 40/50 miles with the Club. I try to cycle every week but sometimes family commitments get in the way! It is a great way to keep fit, enjoy social cycling and meeting new people. There is always a need for new front riders and I would say if you are at all interested, give it a try you will be made to feel very welcome.
BEN, 30’s, FRONT RIDER
My name is Ben and I'm a front rider for Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired I’m in my early 30s and moved to Greater Manchester two years ago, after getting a job. I’ve been cycling for years but it had tailed off in the last few years. needed to get fit again and to meet new people, so when I saw an advert in the local paper, asking for new front riders, contacted the Tandem Club. I joined in early 2000.
I'd never been ona tandem before, so 1 was quite worried about it, but ‘the existing members looked after me, answered my questions and away went. love it Tandems are faster than normal bikes, on the flat and downhill and it’sa great way for me to get to know the surrounding area and to get fit.
So far I've only ridden with a couple of the blind riders and it’s great fun you get the chance to chat a bit on the tandem, most of the rides have challenging bits but aren't too hard and there’s a real mix of standards, at both ends of the bikes. The other great thing about being on a tandem is that car drivers tend to giveyou a wide berth, so you don’thave to worry.so much about traffic. I haven't found out yet whether members of the club meet up socially, when they're not on the bikes, but it’s something I'd be interested in. I didn’t join Bury Tandem Club ‘out of the goodness of my heart’; Ljoined because I wanted to ride and meet more people. The fact that half the riders can't see doesn’t make much difference when you're cruising at 20 or 25 mph, with the wind in your hair.
12
WILL STEWART, FRONT RIDER
I am a sighted member of Bury Tandem Club for the Visually Impaired and have been riding with them for 6 years now. I have beena cyclist all of my life and regularly cycle to work each day. I have my own tandem and have been riding it for about 20 years.
Tam a college lecturer and also teach part-time with the Open University. was club chairman for 3 years from “95-98 and try to get out at least once or twice amonth, depending on other commitments.
lenjoy my trips out and find the average 40-50 miles just about right for a Sunday. I appreciate the amount of work that goes into keeping the club going by both visually-impaired and sighted members and realise all the
opportunity to meet people with whom I share a common interest
Before I joined Bury Tandem Club, I had practically no experience of cycling at all and found some aspects of tandem riding such as keeping the bike balanced quite difficult to master. All members of the club were, however, extremely supportive and with their help I was able to iron out these minor problems
Each Sunday, our rides range from 40 to 60 miles over sometimes quite challenging terrain, but when we're not struggling up a two mile long steep hill or roaring downhill at 50 mph, my front rider and I have been known to have some pretty interesting conversations
hard work involved. Being able to ride top-quality and and before I know it, the ride’s over!
well- maintained tandems is a joy.
Tandem riding is the only team sport in which participate, but even though it can be quite harrowing at times what with sore backsides, not to mention rain, wind and seemingly irate car drivers, I wouldn't give it up for anything.
JOHN, 20’s, REAR RIDER
My name is John in my 20s. I've been blind since birth and have been a rear rider with Bury Tandem Club for about six years. Tandem riding is great fun, but it’s not just the physical challenge I enjoy it’s also the
Bury Section Centenary
Peter Roscoe President of the section recalls a celebratory year.
While Bury Section Members confine their activities strictly to cycling matters the origins of the club and those cycling socialists who we knew and who were members in the 1920's through to the 1960’s are held in high regard. It is then fitting to look back on the following short account of the first ride of the club: Ona January day in 1901, seven determined ladies mounted bicycles adjusted their flowing skirts and straw “boatyers” and rode slowly through the Bury’s streets. They ignored the cries of “Shame” and “Hussies” from outraged pedestrians and the boos of children running alongside. Following the ladies at a respectable distance came 20 men, also on bicycles. The 27 had a mission, besides founding the Bury section of the National Clarion Cycling Club that day, they were intent on preaching Socialism as soon as they reached Tottington and green mount villages. I made my opening remarks to the 60 current and former members who attended the 100 years reunion in March. Twelve of those whe were members in 1951 were present at a reunion. Included in these attenders were those who travelled from Keswick in the North, Goole and Nottingham in the East, Wokingham, Weymouth and Camberley in the South, Warrington and Leigh in the West. Former members made a substantial contribution to the evening with Joe Rowley (1950's member) baking a magnificent centenary cake and Alan Gunshone with the help of his wife Barbara (1950's /60’s member) and some other attenders preparing a splendid buffet. There was an element of mutua. effort that would have pleased our founders. The Leg Platters Ceilidh band entertained to such good effect that there was never a dull moment. The guest of honour was natinal secretary of the Clarion Frank Bibby who himself joined Bolton Clarion more than 50 years ago Alas the evening was soon over but the celebrations continued on Sunday with a ride tracing the route of our founders through Tottington and Greenmount. The ride continued to the Clarion Clubhouse at Roughlee. The Mayor and Mayoress despatched us on our way shaking hands with all the attenders. It came asa surprise that the Mayor was able to give us information about the Clarion Clubhouse at Tottington which was in regular use by cyclists in the 1920's through to the early 1930's We had one more celebratory event, a 100 kilometer reliability trial that took in six Pennine climbs with altitudes totalling over 2000 metres. This was held on a glorious summers day in June but only four of our members completed this arduous test. I made a special effort to compile a history of the club. It had been intended to publish in booklet form similar to the Boots Spurs but demand has not proved to be good enough to warrant going to print. However, the alternative of eventually entering on a website is probably better as people continue to come forward with their recollections of our section. Arising from this history I was invited to speak to the Bury Rotary Club about our club. emphasised our socialist origins and its continuing importance to long standing older members right through to the 1950's. referred to the opening of the Clarion clubhouse at Tottington and surprise, surprise, it’s now the home of one of the attending Rotary club members. I mentioned in inter-war years that although members were primarily cyclists they diversified by having a football team, had evenings playing billiards and those who were dedicated socialists attended classes in Esperanto. Even though say it myself the talk was very well received.
13
CLARION EVENTS 2002
ROAD RACE Fenland Clarion BCF Handbook March 3rd 2002
Great Gidding Village hall
Entry £9. Course 123.
Start 1-30pm. 110Km. www.fenlandclarion.co.uk
Phil Ackerman, 68 Deer Park Road, Langtoft Peterborough TE6 9RB
Tel: 01778 344291
EASTER MEET 2002 Whitby Good Friday March 29th, Easter Saturday March 30th,
Easter Sunday March 31st Easter Monday April Ist.
GRASS TRACK Birmingham Clarion Sunday June 9th 2002, 12.00pm till 4.00pm
Holders Lane Arena, South Birmingham Clarion 1 mile plus others.
Roger Shayes, 19 Princethorpe Close, Shirley Solihull, West Midlands B90 2LP
25MILE TT K Humpries, Crewe Clarion Sunday June 23rd 2002, 4.00pm see RTTC Handbook
TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS Manchester Velodrome, Sunday 8th September
2.00pm till 6.00pm
CYCLO CROSS Heanor Clarion Saturday 12th October 2002 Course: Shipley Park Derek Gascoyne, 29 Woodhouse Road, Kilburn Belper, Derbyshire DE56 ONA
WORTLEY HALL WEEKEND Hillclimb Championship, 10 mile Sporting TT Course Frinkel St Course V915 Fri/Sat/Sun 18th, 19th 20th October 2002 Entry on the line £1 both events (£1 single event)
OTHER CLARION EVENTS FOR 2002
BOLTON CLARION _10Mile TT Saturday 27th April Course Garstang/A6
TEESIDE CLARION Elite, 1,2, 3, 4, Cats HQ at Rugby Club Ground, Guisbourgh Track League at CLAVILLE STADIUM Middlesbourgh at 7.00pm every Wednesday
14
NOTTINGHAM CLARION
25 Mile 2 up Team TT
Course: A25/30
26 Mile Hilly TT
Course: AS/5
10 Mile TT
Course: A10/20
25 Mile TT
A5/23 FENLAND CLARION Bluebell 10 Mile TT 2UPTT Course: Helpston Grass Track Champs Autumn Road Race
SUNDERLAND CLARION 25 Mile TT Course: M254 Pontland Hillclimb
Saturday 9th March
at 1.00pm
Monday 6th May
at 9.00am
Saturday 28th September at 4.00pm
Saturday 5th October
at 2.00pm
Every Wed April10th-August 14th at 6.45pm
Sunday August 4th
at 10.00am
Saturday 13th July Sunday 1st September
Sunday 23rd June at 8.00am
Sunday 15th September at 11.00am
Course: Silver Hill, near Lamesley North East Vets Championship Event
HEANOR CLARION Hilly 20 Mile TT Course: AH/3 Entry £5
10 Mile TT
Saturday 9th March at 2.00pm
Saturday 15th June at 6.00pm
Course: A10/19 Entry £5 (H/C Event)
25 Mile TT
Sunday 11th August at 7.00am
Slowest 120. Course: A25/11 Entry £5
Race Winners for 2001
Road Race on 20-5-01
Olympic Sprint
1st D Hewitt Stockport neste as 2nd Langlands Fenland Combined 5 7. 67 3rd N Barker Crewe Fenland 57.89 Grass Track: 1 mile on 10-6-01 Stockport (BBs Ist 1 Clarke Fenland Bury 1-00.01 2nd NCameron Teesside 3rd J Mortel Stockport 5 Mile Scratch
1st D Langlands Fenland K Humpries 25TT on 24-6-01 2nd DHewitt Stockport 1st N Barker Crewe 56-44 3rd M Smith Nottingham 2nd D Hewitt Stockport 59-05 3rd W Sanderson Stockport 59-09 16 laps Vets Points Lady K Owen Crewe 1-20-04 Ist PMurphet Crewe Vet on Std D Gillot Crewe (Actual) 1-05-52 2nd B Duckworth Bury Team Stockport 3rd Smith Bury Track M/C Velodrome: 12-8-01 Vets Ladies 4Km Scratch 4Km Pursuit 1st ASmith Bury Ist D Langlands Fenland 5-06.77 2nd P Smith Teesside 2nd M Holtby Teesside 5-12.23 3rd PMurphet Crewe 3rd SHardman Stockport 5-29.39
15
Now here's a tricky question to answer, a question, that for those of us who are regulars to the Clarion Easter Meets don't even consider, we just know we have to be there because we get the same enjoyment (and usually better) every year.
But first let's get rid of the stuffy image, the Clarion Easter Meet and Conference, crikey that sounds boring and old 'farty’ so why bother it's only going to rain isn't it?
For those of us who have held official positions in the Clarion, the conference is a necessity and we feel the need to be there, but don't feel you have to attend just because you are going to the Easter Meet...and is it ‘farty’?, well. actually not at all.
So why do we go? Easy...once you start to get to know a few people it becomes a real event to look forward to, especially after along damp winter and spring. Normally we meet up on a Friday night for a few beers and a laugh, or on a Saturday morning when we put the wheels in our bikes and go off for a short ride round the local lanes and hills. Quite often we'll have agreed to meet other Clarion riders (and their friends without bikes) at a cafe or pub for the afternoon and then ride back to town afterwards.
Over recent years the Easter Meet has changed into a more informal affair, where members often do there own thing and then meet up with each other at fixed times for rides and evening events. In the last few years the Saturday night fancy dress disco has seen about 20% of those attending in quite impressive outfits.
On the Easter Sunday normally an organised ride or local race is the centre of attention for the riders who can drag themselves out of their hotel beds
in the morning. In the afternoon many of us attending have wanted to watch the Tour of Flanders on Eurosport, so by this time we have usually located a friendly pub owner whose normal football watching locals have been forced
to watch bike racing when the landlord's pub satellite TV is switched over to cycling. For an Easter weekend away, even if itis raining it's a great way to spend the afternoon. This year we even had a little sweepstake on the winner.
Sunday night involves a little more partying and the annual prize presentation for hard-fought titles such as
The Easter Meet what is it EXACTLY that you are missing out on?
time trial BAR winners, Section of the year (Tom Groom Trophy) and more recently the passionately competed for Track Team Pursuit trophy, which is a 2.5 foot tall statue trophy won by the National Clarion team in the 1927 workers Olympics in Prague.
As we leave on Sunday night some of us stumble back to hotels for a night cap and then to say goodbye to our mates from other sections, the next time we will see them is likely to be at the road race championships, the National 25, Wortley Hall weekend or even in Ghent to watch the 6-day track racing together, with a few Belgian beers of course!
So that's what you are missing. Why not come to this year's Easter Meet and leave behind the decorating and your other usual activities? See you there.
Tan Clarke
Danial Degg, the Junior Cyclo Cross Champion pictured with the Racing Secretary at the Easter meet 2001.
Harry Beardshall, the chap with the
gray hair, four generations of Clarion
members, the youngest and the oldest at the Easter Meet 2001. All from the same
family
NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING CLUB
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD IN LLANDUDNO Saturday 14th April 2001
National Committee attending:
Frank Bibby (FB) National Secretary Racing Secretary; Nick Biden (NB) Treasurer; Merlin Evans (ME) Easter Meet Organiser; Kevin Hubert Membership Secretary; Committee Members: Ken Hemsley, Graham Pearce; (Auditors) Peter Roscoe Sylvia Roscoe 21 other members delegates including National President John Lees (JL) and Ian Clarke (IC) Vice President.
1. Election to (i) the chair of the meeting: John Leese (ii) Tellers were not necessary as there were no items o the agenda requiring a card vote.
2. Apologies for absence: Tracy Auty; Anne Brian Burchall; Kath Dave Smith.
3. The minutes of the Skegness conference were passed as a true record
4. Matters arising: Minute .8 (i) The rules review had yet to be dealt with by the committee.
5.1. Reports of the National Officers (i) Secretary's: FB said he had little to add to what had
already been reported in Boots Spurs. Although it had been a good year there was a need to stimulate interest and that the National Clarion was not going to wind up and that the Easter Meet and Wortley Hall
weekend would continue. There was though room for the latter to appear in a new form or format. The first edition of the 2001 Boots and Spurs had regrettably been late and some additional information would be circulated to sectional secretaries.
(ii) Treasurer's: with £14,000 in liquid funds the club has a sound financial position. The National Secretary pointed out that £1605 was ring fenced (legacy £775; donation £500; race team £330). (iii) Easter Meet Secretary's: ME stated that the attendance was much better than he had anticipated The total number of attenders was not yet available as more were expected to arrive. This would be his last year for organising the Easter Meet. He wished his successors a successful period of office and promised them any help and advice they needed. He handed out the financial statement relating to the 2000 Easter Meet and remarked that the figures were adverse when compared with the previous year. Merlin was duly thanked for his many years of service.
(iv) Racing Secretary's: FB opined that 2000 had been a super season with one rider producing a 1 hour 51 minute ride for a 50. Thirteen year old Robert Coates from Sunderland had proved himself a formidable rider on closed circuits and David Beck winner of the Junior cycle cross title had finished 6th in the Notts Derby Junior cycle cross league on a
17
mountain bike! The Oakhill section of mostly teenage riders were visiting the velodrome each week and were intent on competing in the National Clarion Track Championships.
5.2. Matters arising from the reports (i) FB proposed that the ‘Handforth Clubhouse
Trophy’ should be used for a Juvenile Junior competition either for road, track or off road or buy another trophy (£60) and have one for road and one for track in the view of the two young riders that have emerged this year plus the letter from Oakhill section. IC proposed (PR seconded) the Harold Lamb trophy be awarded to the rider who (in the opinion of the committee) being 18 years of age or under on the day of the counting events was the most meritorious junior rider of the year. An amendment (proposed by ME and seconded by KL) that the defining age should be 17 was defeated and the proposal carried 8 votes to 3 votes.
(ii) The chairman opined that more would be attending the Easter Meet if racing events were again promoted. ME had not found this to be the case.
(iii) The question of the awarding of the Bert Brown memorial trophy was left to the committee to decide. PR remarked that it would have been helpful to include the previous years figures in the Easter Meet financial statements in order to identify the reason for adverse trends.
6. Election of Officers. committee
auditor:
Racing Secretary: Frank Bibby: Treasurer: Nick Biden; Membership Secretary: Kevin Hulbert; Newsletter Editors: Richard
Christine Newcombe; Committee: Kirsty Straker, Jan Dobson, Ken Hemsley, Merlin Evans, Graham Pearce. Auditors: Sylvia Peter Roscoe (on the understanding that available time was a limiting factor on thoroughness) Standing Orders Secretary: Dennis Pye.
7. Proposals A draft winding up rule, in case it was ever needed,
had been prepared by Dennis Pye. Conference agreed that this would be circulated to each section so that they could discuss it within their section. The emphasis being on protecting the Clarion’s assets against opportunists. The draft was in effect a 2001 conference proposal to go forward to the 2002 conference. Sections should submit any amendments in the usual way by the 31st December and mandate their delegates on voting for a new rule or otherwise.
8. AOB
Kirsty Straker and Jan Dobson volunteered to run 2002 Easter Meet at Whitby. Don Flint advised sections to approach the BCF for the advice on securing lottery grants for young riders development Heanor had secured a grant of £3500. In response to Wendy Pye’s proposal FB PR undertook to produce a framed address setting out the club’s appreciation of Anne Brian Burchall’s efforts organising the Wortley Hall weekend etc. National Clarion Badges FB had received a quote of £135 for adie and £1.75 for each badge minimum order 100. Conference gave authority to proceed with the price of £3.00 for each badge to members.
Yes that's right, a
A New here in London. velodrome! A 165m wooden Ex
Skol 6 day track in a
hanger facility with shops, restaurant, bar, climbing, basketball, tennis, squash, etc,etc.etc. Well it's coming, hopefully in the next 2 years, all we need from you is your interest and support in keeping interest rolling while we work in the background getting the appropriate bodies and organizations talking to each other until the magical day when the doors open and racing begins
This track is to be run by local cyclists for local cyclists. "That's you" and that's who we need behind us.
Please give your name along with an email address (for anyone not on the list already) and your club
name or interest in cycling and pass it on to anyone you know in cycling when the list gets to 500 send it back to me at klarzy@krazy84.freeserve.co.uk and/or visit www.leavalley.org.uk for updated information.
We will try to send out an update of progress every month or so to everyone on the mailing list so keep watching your e-mail for the lastest news!!
Thank you for your time and support
PETER CHILTON,
WEBHEAD FOR LEAVALLEY C.C., EASTWAY TUESDAY TENS CLUB AND VELODROME THINK TANK
DON KEEN, LEA VALLEY C,C, CAPTAIN AND HEAD PONCHO VELODROME THINK TANK
18
JOHN PINKERTON 24.08.1934 03.02.2002
I am sorry to have to report the death of John Pinkerton on the third of February after a brave fight against lung cancer.
Although he was well known in the wider cycling world for his Veteran-cycle expertise, John had a soft spot for the Clarion and was always to be seen at our major celebrations. In fact, if it were not for John, the Centenary ride may not have taken place at all, as he organised the route for the first half and printed the commemorative brochures himself.
Several hundred mourners from around the world attended the funeral at Birmingham on February 11th and the Clarion was well represented among them.
He leaves a wife Dot, a son and daughter-inlaw, Doug and Pam, and a grand-daughter,
Sam, to whom our sympathies go at this time. John Pinkerton with Merlin Evans cutting
the Clarion 100th Birthday Cake at the
John will be greatly missed by cyclists Clarion Cafe in 1994.
everywhere.
Merlin Evans
Letter from the Secretary
By the time you read this we will be well into the New Year but its still not too late to wish all you members out there “All the Best for the Coming Year”. Also by this time all you racing men should be well into the “TRAINING” and the non racing have been looking at the “MAPS” ready for the summer holidays. hope you all have some good rides both competitive and leisure with fine weather and not so much wind as last year.
It is with some sadness that I must tell you of the death of George Mackay. George died in a nursing home during the second week of November. I have expressed our condolences on behalf of all the members of the Clarion to George’s family. He was well known for his book-keeping during the years he was the treasurer and his straight up and down way to life, I am sure he is going to be missed by his family and members of the Clarion.
As see on other pages in this issue of Boots Spurs there is information about the Easter Meet and Wortley Hall Weekend. It would be nice to see an increase in members attending these events, also you racing men if you are a “TROPHY” holder could you contact me with regards to letting me have them back so that I can get them cleaned, engraved and ready to be awarded to this years winners.
A Great Year For the Fenland Clarion
Fenland Clarion Cycling club have had a great year membership has swelled to over 80, the highest in many years.
One of our most popular events for attracting new members has been the ‘Bluebell-10’, an evening time trial series held around a quiet, undulating course near Peterborough. We hold this event every Wednesday evening from May to August and regularly get a field of 40 riders competing. Riders of all ages take part, from teenagers to Grandparents and the atmosphere has been terrific with great conversation around the tea urn at the end!
In the racing scene we have had several teams competing, with an Elite/1st Category team and a2/3/4 team regularly riding together. We scored a Bronze in the Central Divisional Road Race, competed in some Premier Calendar events and scored many top places in other races, including winning a local race series. In time trailing we've had a number of riders score new personal bests and took a 4th place in the National 24-hour time trial. Also we've had riders competing in track and grass track racing events, scoring some good results.
Socially the club has organised a number of touring rides, including some classic bike runs. At our last Bluebell-10 of the season we had a gathering of over 60 riders friends at the buffet prize presentation evening which went down very well in the local pub! We have also had a good following in the local press, with articles published on the club's results achievements most weeks.
For more information on the club activities see the Fenland Clarion Web Site at <http://www.fenlandclarion.co.uk/>www.fenlandclarion.co.uk the site is regularly updated with news and results and has a comprehensive archive of information.
Some of the Fenland Clarion’s active members pictured after one of the sections Wednesday night evening 10’s, proudly displaying the Trophies won last season.
20