Magazine of the National Clarion Cycling Club
National Secretary’s Report for 2004
(tabled at 2005 Easter Conference in Ashbourne)
The National Committee has met on 4 occasions since the last annual conference held at Scarborough in April 2004. The first of these meetings took place immediately following the conference, where it was agreed: to purchase 100 nickel plated ‘trumpet’ badges, replicas of Chris Thompson’s 1894 design; to place a ‘May Day Greetings’ notice in the Morning Star newspaper and to nominate the Manchester and District Time Trials Association 50 Mile event as the qualifying event for the Rylance, Linklaker, Ogden Trophy.
Further Committee meetings were held at the Pump House Peoples’ Museum in June, at Wortley Hall in October and at the Pump House again in February. All of these meetings were duly minuted. Attendance at these meetings has been good, the debate lively and the democratic processes observed. At the last of these meetings National Committee agreed that a Finances Sub- Committee be set up to discuss and report on: budget controls; advertising expenditure and expenses. This sub-committee is due to meet in late April. It was also agreed that a further subcommittee be appointed to review the Non Racing and the Racing Awards with a view to making recommendations for Rule changes, where necessary, to the Annual Conference in 2006. This sub committee is due to meet on Easter Monday 2005.
The past twelve months have been particularly productive ones for the Club. The year started well, when following a very successful Easter Meet in Scarborough organised by Kirsti Straker (York), Jayne Bevitt (Fenland) agreed to accept the position of Meet Organiser for 2005. Our treasurer Peter Roscoe is able to keep the National Committee well informed on the state of the Club’s finances and is gradually getting on top of the tiresome problem of ‘stock control’. Computer/printer problems that have caused much concern and time wasting in the past have now been solved thanks to the efforts of our Membership Secretary Merlin Evans. Racing Secretary Jackie Mortel has done an excellent job
for the Club on the sporting front and ‘claims’ for awards have shown a slight but positive upturn over recent years. The Club’s website run by Julian Mortel continues to bring numerous enquiries of an interesting and beneficial nature.
The Rule Review meeting held at the Scarborough Meet made good progress in tidying and simplifying the Rules of the Club. Further work however is needed in the section of the rules dealing with racing, hopefully Conference in 2006 will be in a position to address certain problem areas.
The National Committee’s twice yearly newsletter, ‘The Clarion’ has been generally well received and ‘Boots and Spurs’, thanks to the work of Richard Newcombe remains the envy of cycling clubs throughout the land, Please keep sending Richard articles.
“May Day Greetings’ to all Clarion members, past and present, appeared in the Morning Star newspaper and Clarion advertisement appeared in the CTC York Rally programme and in the 2005 CTT Handbook. The Club’s financial support of the Mikron Theatre’s production ‘Pedal Power’ proved to be money well spent has the play attracted large audiences on both its Summer and Autumn tours. A reprint of ‘Fellowship is Life’ was ordered and the book continues to sell well, albeit slowly. Clarion stalls were taken at three events: The York CTC Cycle Rally, the South Yorkshire Festival at Wortley Hall and the Mildenhall Cycle Rally. The York and Wortley events were particularly productive for different reasons and stalls have been booked for this year’s events.
The annual Wortley Hall Meet was tremendously successful largely due to the efforts of Peter Roscoe who organised the weekend’s activities. The attendance of 30 was the best for a good number of years and whilst members enjoyed the traditional Meet activities: of Steven Heath’s country walk; competing or cheering at the hill
climb, well done to the winner Andy Horner (Bolton); socialising in the bar; enjoying the excellent Meet dinner or taxing ones brains at Peter Shepherdley’s annual quiz the ‘obscurities of the Austro-Hungarian Empire’. The highlight of the weekend had to be the performance of Pedal Power played before a packed house. It was also good to see the reintroduction of a social cycle ride led by Geoff Downs (Oakhill), another Wortley tradition revived.
Over the past twelve months National Committee has implemented several new initiatives:
A Clarion Club Ride from Manchester to the ILP Clarion Tearoom in Pendleside attracted good support with six different Sections taking part. Ian Bullock travelled all the way from our new Section in Brighton in order to ride the event and meet up with members from other Sections. Hopefully this Clarion Ride will become an annual event moving round the country from Section to Section. Bolton Section have offered to lead such a ride in 2005.
The Points Competition was the work of one man, Peter Roscoe, it was his idea and he did all the work and he made it work. The eventual winner in this season long competition was Andy Horner of Bolton Clarion, but in truth every one of the 102 riders from 13 different Clarion Sections were the winners. It is an excellent competition in that it rewards the winners whilst recognising the efforts of those less able riders.
The Members’ Handbook was reintroduced after a long number of years, whether this venture is worthwhile it is probably too early to tell but initial responses have been most positive. Do members need a Membership and a Handbook? is question the new National Committee may need to address. Perhaps the success of the Handbook
will be best judged by an increase in ‘claims’ for awards and an increase in the sale of badges.
On the competition front the names of numerous Clarion members appear regularly in the pages of Cycling Weekly. Clarion riders from our Stockport Section have competed in the Revolution Track meetings at the Manchester Velodrome riding against World and Olympic Champions. Special recognition must be made to the time trialling feats of Derek Hodgins (Stockport) and Kathryn Smith (Nottingham) two Clarionettes who set records for others to beat. Support for Clarion events by Clarion riders is on the increase and it is in the interests of all that this trend continues. What the Clarion organises is good and as such should be shared as widely as possible. It is hoped that a new initiative by Fenland Section to hold the 10 Mile and the 25 Mile Time Trial Championships over the same weekend will be well supported and set a pattern for years to come.
As to ‘Our Future’, I believe decline has been arrested and the Club is now moving forward in the most positive of ways. I can not say we are moving in the ‘right’ direction, as I sincerely believe that the founder members of our great Club would never want us to move to the right. The key to future success is to involve members in sharing what is good. Their first loyalty must naturally be to their own Sections but what makes the Clarion so special is the spirit of comradeship that binds us to other Clarion members the length and breathe of the land. To ride with them; to compete against them; to enjoy the best of all pastimes in their company; to know the Club’s history and be proud to wear the badge is what makes the Clarion different and worth protecting from those who would have us become just another cycling club.
from you.
when she was cycling.
BERYL BURTON RESEARCH
If you have any memories, stories or comments to make on Beryl Burton I would be delighted to hear The aim of my research is to put together people’s recollections about Beryl’s life and the decades
Please contact me either by email on bbresearch @hotmail.co.uk or at: Christopher Goode, 56 Raleigh Street, Scarborough YO127LQ Telephone: 01723 341050
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Points table at 1st August 2005
Andy Horner Philip Albiez
lan Clarke
David Langlands Paul Dickinson Keith Haddon Richard Meakin Andrew Woolf Derek Hodgins Michael Skinner
Bury 560.79 Bury 343.02 Fenland 342.55 Fenland 318.64 Bolton 281.35 Heanor 254.73 Heanor 233.37 Nottingham 232.86 Stockport 230.15 Heanor 203.03
For the second year in succession Andy Horner will probably win the Points competition. There might, however, be some interesting competition for second and third places. Even then it would be pleasing if getting in the top ten were an aim of some riders. The prizes are £25 .00 first, £15 second and £10 third. Last year's prize winners decided to have a permanent memento instead so there is the opportunity to make a choice. It is hoped that there will be a grand finale at the
Wortley ten and hill climb when any serious contenders attempt to get in the top three or top ten positions. Details of the remaining qualifying events are in the Winter and summer editions of the 'CLARION' or from Peter Roscoe 0161 761 6856. Jayne Bevitt is the top lady rider. Anyone wishing to find out the current position as the results come in should ring Peter Roscoe on 0161 761 6856.
TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS
A full result will be published in the next issue of B&S but known at
time of printing is as follows.
Attendance 29 people of which 5 were juniors.
Solo Pursuit Champs
Duncan Hewitt (Stockport) beat Dave Langlands (Fenland) ina close final where they level-pegged each other for the first 15 of 16
laps.
Team Pursuit Stockport (Copeland, Hewitt, Sanderson
Mortel) beat Oakhill
5-mile 1st, Will Sanderson (lapped the field)
2nd Duncan Hewitt, 3rd Simon Lawman (Bolton)
NATIONAL CLARION RECORDS
New record setters will receive a certificate in recognition of their achievement and everlasting glory
10 Miles Senior Dave Langlands Fenland 19.57 1998 Woman Lindsay Clarke Fenland 22:11 1994 Juvenile David Lunds Teeside 22.35 1980 Junior Paul Hodgkinson Crewe 21.23 1989 Veteran NOT CLAIMED Vet Tandem Alan Wray Ken Hartley Calder 21.20 1982 Vet Tandem Team Alan Wray Ken Hartley Calder 21.20 1982 R.Asquith A.Lumley Calder 21.17 1982 D, Smithers L.Smithers Calder 22.09 1982 Tandem Dave Hinde Alan Roberts Crewe 18.59 1982 Mixed Tandem Dave Hinde Jayne Connell Crewe 20.03 1985 25 Miles Senior Paul Hodgkinson Crewe 51.29 1996 Woman Christine Spotswood Crewe 57.18 1987 Veteran Roy Hodkinson Crewe 54.16 1994 Junior James Williamson Crewe 56.10 1998 Tandem A.Barroclough Alan Wray Calder 48.35 1984 Mixed Tandem Dave Hinde Jayne Connell Crewe 50.02 1985 Trike W. Fisher Sunderland 1.03.58 1986 Vic Trigger Crewe 1.03.58 1992 30 Miles Senior Gary Wharton Nottingham 1.06.01 1993 Tandem Jon Waddilove Bob Waddilove Crewe 1.03.40 1993 50 Miles Senior Alan Robeits Crewe 1.45.00 1997 Woman Christine Roberts Crewe 1.59.35 1987 Trike Vic Trigger Crewe 2.05.53 1990 Tandem Mixed Alan Roberts Christine Roberts Crewe 1.51.35 1991 Team Frank Taylor Notts/Derby 1.46.01 1976 Dennis Hoe Notts/Derby1.51.05 1976 Francis Grafton Notts/Derby1.53.50 1976 100 Miles Senior Alan Roberts Crewe 3.48.48 1992 Woman Christine Roberts Crewe 4.10.03 1994 Trike Vic Trigger Crewe 4.54.50 1990 Tandem Alan Wray Ken Hartley Calder 3.56.50 1985 12 Hours Veteran Roy Hodgkinson Crewe 270.99 1995 Woman Christine Roberts Crewe 256.78 1994 Trike Vic Trigger Crewe 218.00 1990 Team Alan Roberts Crewe 262.81 1991 Roy Hodgkinson Crewe 257.51 1991 Christine Roberts Crewe 253.88 1991 24 Hours Senior Mark Botteley Fenland 469.277 2002 Woman Christine Roberts Crewe 461.446 1993 Veteran Ken Hartley Nottingham 400.79 1987
No Veteran Records at 10, 30, 50, 100 miles something must be done about that! Claims for records can be sent by Section Secretaries or by individuals to the Records Secretary, Mrs. Audrey Waddilove, 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach,Cheshire CW11 2LX. She needs to know: DATE, EVENT, COURSE NUMBER and YOUR RESULT. To be a Record Holder at any level of sport is a really meaningful thing as it gives others the incentive to improve, so our National Record Holders really do deserve a BIG VOTE OF THANKS. They have done their bit for The National Clarion, will you do yours? 5
Mrs Lotte Elizabeth Ada Hurling
Lottie was born on 25th February 1905 and, losing her father in the First World War, grew up with her brother William and Mum in the Islington area. Her grandfather was a Welsh lay preacher. Lottie attended Gifford Street Sunday School off Caledonian Road.
After leaving school aged fourteen, she served her apprenticeship for tailoring and furrier work at Jones Brothers in Holloway Road (now a branch of the John Lewis Partnership). The training proved useful as she worked for forty years in a Welsh family tailor in Stoke Newington. The son of that tailor, Emrys Edwards, writes on Lottie’s hundredth-birthday card ‘I remember you as a teenager, Miss Jones, when I was a mere stripling of eight or nine years old’.
In 1929 she married Harold William Hurling, an engineer also of Islington, at Emmanuel Church, Hornsey Road, N7, where Harold’s father was organist. Lottie and Harold eventually resided at Victoria Road, Stroud Green and had two children. Joyce and Philip, attending Stroud Green Baptist Church with them.
Another friend, Arthur Neves, states on his birthday card to Lottie ‘(feel honoured to be able to send you my very best wishes on this great occasion of your hundredth birthday. I still remember riding my bike from Charing Cross station to 31 Victoria Road, Stroud Green, in 1943’. Arthur was in the RAF with Harold. Lottie and Harold were keen cyclists. Manette Whitman writes with her card ‘I will always remember Lottie being such a sport in her younger days when she would ride tandem with Harold. And how can I forget the day when, arriving at the farm, Harold was bereft to find Lottie was no longer on the back! He didn’t realise that she had got off at the top of Lavender Hill to pull her socks up. Harold had even spoken to his wife on the way down the next hill to tell her he was changing gear, but he still hadn’t noticed she was not there. They were, indeed, blessed with a long life together’.
During their life they helped the homeless at Rowton House in Kings Cross, cooking meals which were served in Harold’s sister’s shop at 2A Kings Cross Road.
In 1972 Harold and Lottie retired to Enfield, linking up with Lancaster Road Church in George Coomb’s ministry. Harold and Lottie were married 72 years, always being very active.
Lottie’s family now includes her daughter Joyce and her son Philip, who lives in Kent with his wife Ann. There are also two grandsons: Christopher, who lives in the Highgate area, and Robert, who lives with his wife Rosalind in Bedford. There are two great-grandchildren, Robbie and Charlotte.
FINANCE REPORT
At the June meeting of the committee it was agreed that there would be a committee proposal at the 2006 annual conference to increase Clarion subscriptions to £6.00 from the present £4.00. Although the total balance of our bank accounts amounted to £7 400 at the 15 October 2005 this will be run down as we continue to spend more than our income. The committee also decided that we should aim that cash resources should not decline beyond £4 000 before we curtail our spending other than equipment and stock. Since the £6.00 subscription will not apply until January 2007 it is prudent that the proposal is placed at next year's conference. The increase of £2.00 might seem to be a big jump but the last time subscriptions were increase was in 1994 and this
was by £1.50. The increase will probably be greater than price inflation but quite close to wage inflation so the burden will not so great as all that. Hopefully the membership will realise that benefits are accruing from the committees present spending decisions and vote for the proposed increase,
The Clarion is fortunate in having a committee that is careful with expenses and having members out there making anonymous donations. One of these was for £100 and this has been used to buy a ‘CLARION café sign for the archive. These have become a collectors item -hence the price. Our thanks are extended to this donor for his generosity.
Peter Roscoe.
So that we can keep you more up to date with news about the Clarion, please ask to be added to our email newsletter mailing list. You can email Ian Clarke on clarionce @ntlworld.com
Please note that many people have given us email addresses that are no longer valid or may have been spelt incorrectly. About 20%
Clarion email newsletter
of all contacts we have on our email mailing list are bad addresses. So if you think you should be getting email newsletters and are not, then please email us again. Thank you.
Please also remember that we can add you club's events to this list to help promote it amongst other Clarion sections.
Any members, or members
families who own any material, documents or memorabilia which is relevant to the Clarion are respectfully asked to donate such material to the National Clarion Committee if it is no longer
Archive material wanted
wanted.
A serious lack of archive information has been noticed by the Committee who are currently investigating having a permanent display at the Pump House People’s History Museum.
GET YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS ALL AROUND THE CLUB
EMAIL OR POST YOUR INFO TO:
RICHARD NEWCOMBE 67 HALL LANE, WERRINGTON, PETERBOROUGH PE4 6RA or
richard@hallane.com
good sharp photos welcome, or high res jpeg if sent by email
Resume of Minutes of the National Committee Meeting at The Arden Arms in Stockport, on Saturday, 18th June 2005
Present: Nick Biden, Merlin Evans, Charles Jepson, Ken Hemsley, Peter Roscoe,
Tan Clarke, Jayne Bevitt.
Apologies for absence: Ruth Coates, Denis Pye, Jackie Mortel. Steve Clark.
Minutes of last meeting: The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record.
Matters arising:
Discussion took place on the need for and the format of a membership card for the year 2006. Some felt the Club should have a membership card, others felt the Members’ Handbook was duplicating the information on the membership card. The need for a handbook was questioned, others felt the membership card could be incorporated into the Handbook. Discussion was inconclusive; to be resolved at the next meeting.
It was agreed that Secretary should investigate the cost of hiring the PA system or the purchase or hire of a loud hailer in order to facilitate clearer communications at the Track Championship.
Committee approved an expenditure of up to £250 on new Clarion Cycling shirts by Peter Roscoe. Chair reported the passing over of Christine Newcombe a highly respected and long serving member of the Fenland Section. A true Clarionite and an inspiration to all who knew her.
Correspondence:
Secretary stated that all correspondence was being answered by letter within 24 hours. He had written to Steve Woodruff regarding the location of the former York Clarion trophies but had received no reply. Secretary’s Report:
Secretary said that he had little to report as everything appeared to be going smoothly. Bolton Section had organised a very successful Inter Section ride to the Clarion Tearoom at Roughlee which had attracted 23 riders from a number of Sections, Past President Brian Nightingale and his wife had met the riders at Roughlee. The next issue of The Clarion newsletter was ready to be posted out. Everything was in hand for the CTC York Rally and the South Yorkshire Festival. He and Ruth Coates would be manning the stall at York for the duration of the rally. He and Merlin Evans would be taking the stall to the Wortley event. Really great archive material in the form of photographs and written material had been received from Bert Allen and the estate of Harry Aspden respectively. Thanks had been sent to Bert.
Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer state that the anonymous donor had agreed to pay for a Clarion Caterers sign which the Club will use in a planned permanent Clarion display in the Peoples’ History Museum,
He stated that the Club held £1,463 in its current account and £5,945 on deposit, plus stock. To date no monies had been received from the Easter circuit race meeting. He also reminded members that expenditure continued to outstrip our subscription income.
Racing Secretary’s Report:
In the absence of the Jackie Mortel, Secretary reported on the outstanding success of the recent Time Trial weekend down in the Fenlands. Steve Clarke had put in a great deal of hard work and had been rewarded with an excellent turn out from a large number of Sections in both events. Secretary stated that Sunderland Clarion had agreed to look into the possibility of repeating this new venture in 2006. Membership Secretary’s Report:
Merlin stated that he was processing memberships as they were received.
He had some membership form which were suitable for general distribution at the York and Wortley Rallies.
Easter Meet Organiser’s Report:
Jayne Bevitt report on the success of the Easter Meet, the target of 100 members was reached and the event had made a small surplus. Everyone present expressed their pleasure at what had been an excellent
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and well organised meet. Meeting recorded a big vote of thanks to Jayne and Ian.
Jayne said that along with Jan she would be willing to run the Meet in 2006 and outlined some ideas for the programme. She also asked committee to consider Buxton, Matlock, Shrewsbury or Warwick as potential locations. Of the four, committee favoured either Matlock or Shrewsbury. Committee felt having three cycling events during the Meet had helped to make Ashbourne so successful and hoped that this format could be repeated in 2006.
Points Competition
Organiser Peter Roscoe stated that the competition was up to date as of April 28th. Meeting expressed great satisfaction with the competition and all agreed that it was generating the hoped for interest amongst members, something that could be all too clearly witnessed at the Fens.
Report of the finance sub committee
This report which had been tabled was adopted as the Club’s guidelines.
Peter Roscoe proposed and Ken Hemsley seconded that the National Committee should propose a subscription rise from £4 to £6 at the Easter Conference in 2006. Such a rise if adopted by Conference to be implemented from January 2007. Passed unopposed.
Report of Non-Racing and Racing Awards Sub-committee
Subject to the renumbering of Rule 10.5 (ie Clarion Novice Champion) to read new Rule 9.6. The Subcommittee recommendations were accepted en-bloc and will be put to conference in 2006 by National Committee.
Wortley Hall Meet 2005
Secretary outlined the programme he and Peter Roscoe had prepared and stated that all details were in the next issue of The Clarion which was due out to all members next week.
It was agreed to charge £2 entry for the Time Trial and £2 entry for the hill climb championship Track events
It was agreed to charge members £5 for this afternoon’s training session and £10 entry for the Track Championships, juniors to ride for free.
Championship Events for 2006.
Item 25: In the absence of Racing Secretary the provisional dates appear to be:
10 and 25 TT Sunderland Clarion(provisional) date 17th/18th June?
50 TT to tie in with the MDTTA event July 22nd
Road Race Fenland in March or Stockport later in the season.
Cyclo-cross Heanor in September.
Track Oakhill 3rd Sept provisional
Hill Climb Bury at Wortley on Sunday Ist Oct.
Could Section Secretaries please confirm with Racing Sec. Jackie Mortel
Post Cards
It was agreed to purchase 2,000 postcards of the Easter Meet group photograph.
Any Other Business
Tan Clarke said that Social Secretary Steve Clarke had offered to assist in the running of the annual Wortley Hall Meet. Steve’s offer was welcomed by Committee. Steve and Peter Roscoe to organise the Meet in 2006. Secretary stated that Wortley has already been booked for 2006, the weekend of 29th, 30th Sept, Ist Oct.
Peter Roscoe asked for assistance on running the hill climb as he was short staffed at last year’s event. Help will also be needed on the time trial.
Place, date and time of next meeting: Wortley Hall, Saturday October 29th at 10.30am
Meeting closed at 12.30 pm
Ashbourne 2005
by Jayne Bevitt
If you didn't make it to the Easter Meet this year... be sure to come next year. Easter Meet 2005 was brilliant!!! It all started round the bar of course, on Good Friday night, at The Green Man Royal, in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Clarion friends, old and new, met up to catch up on all the news and enthuse about the weekend's activities. Whether cycling or not, Ashbourne had something to offer everyone. Saturday morning began with a pleasingly efficient Annual Conference, and as the hammer went down to mark its close, we were off to Darley Moor circuit for a 30 mile crit, while Charles Jepson accompanied a group for a ramble around Dovedale. The crit was a fantastic success, thanks to Jackie and Julian Mortel's hard work, and proved quite lucrative due to anumber of riders entering on the line. However, had it not been for Steve Clarke, commissairing at the last minute, when it became apparent that we were commissaireless, it would have been curtains! Oh well, there's nothing like a last minute glitch to keep you on your toes!
On our toes we were too, on the pedals, round and round the fast-paced circuit of Darley Moore; it was a whole lot of enjoyment with a dose of suffering along the windy back straight, just to make sure we thoroughly appreciated that pint of beer later. It was fast and furious with riders like Duncan Hewitt, Andy Horner, Dave Langlands, Carl Garfield, Michelle Buck, Lindsay Clarke, Ian Clarke and me, all taking part, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd of Clarion supporters!
That evening for an extra dose of leg work, we were kicking up our heels at the Town Hall with "5 Go Off", an excellent Ceilidh band, playing a mixture of traditional and modern music. The caller had us all in stitches trying to follow the moves, galloping this way, spinning that way, weaving in and outto find you'd lost your partner again! IT soon learnt to watch what Marion Royle was doing when I started tripping over my own feet; she definitely had a flair for the moves! Well, we all laughed and danced till we dropped and quenched our thirsts with two barrels of specially commissioned "Boots and Spurs’ ale, made by Leatherbritches brewery, which can only be Lycrabritches from now on!
After what seemed like a very short sleep, it was up early for a quick breakfast and back into the saddle for race number two. This time it was a "sporting" TT
around the Derbyshire hills, with clear weather and plenty of cakes and tea back at the HQ to spur us on. I didn't believe it at the time, but looking back now, see that it was the perfect hangover cure! The turnout for the race was superb, and even though our legs throbbed from Ceilidh mayhem, we flew the Clarion flag again with no less gusto than usual.
The day just got better and better, with a gathering of 60 Clarionettes on the gardens of the Isaac Walton Hotel in Ashbourne, for a photograph, to mark the event of the very first Conference held by the Clarion CC, at the very same spot 110 years ago.
After a mini club run, taking in one or two more public houses, it was back to our rooms for a wash and brush up in time for the Annual Prize Presentation Dinner. The dinner at The Green Man Royal was amazing! Not only was the food delicious, but the room was beautifully set out and the trophies a magnificent sight to behold, high up on the stage for all to see and marvel at.
The evening began with a welcoming speech by our Clarion Treasurer, Peter Roscoe, who had us all in stitches as he praised the merits of ‘lubrication'(with drink), and how much we all benefit from a drop of lubrication from time to time. The Deputy Mayor, whose turn it was to speak next, needed no encouragement to follow on from Peter and turn the whole thing into a comedy double act. You only needed to look at the tears of laughter rolling down people's cheeks, to know that the speeches were very uplifting. The Deputy Mayor made us promise to come back to Ashbourne very soon, but only if we brought Peter 'Chubby' Roscoe with us too!
Our very special guest for the evening was multiple world champion and Olympic track cyclist, Bryan Steel, who along with his lovely wife Dawn, joined us for our Sunday night festivities (congratulations due, since Dawn recently gave birth to a baby girl called Rhiannon!). Bryan helped to hand out the trophies to the prize winners and in true 'Parkie' style, was invited to sit on the stage with Ian Clarke to answer questions about his cycling career, both serious and light hearted, posed by all of us.
Yes it was indeed a splendid Easter Meet, with no end of fun and excitement. So here's to an equally memorable one in SHREWSBURY, Easter Meet 2006! Please come along, you'll love it!!!
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No words could be read on this page.
Every issue of “Boots” will have a round up of local news from the various Clarion Sections providing I can put sufficient pressure on someone from each section to send the info to me. Please send me photos and text of your sections activities and it will all go in.
Email: richard@hallane.com
BURY
Support for our section clubruns is currently growing but as it comprises racing men and mountain bike men it does tend to be patchy. Nine of our members competed in the splendid ‘10’ and ‘25° miles Clarion championships run in conjunction with Fenland open promotions and organised by Steve Clarke. This also-became a Bury Clarion weekend as some wives went along for the pleasure of getting away. Alas Bury’s defending 10 mile champion Philip Albiez was unplaced as was our other contender for honours Andy Horner. These two members take their cycle
Richard Newcombe, Editor
racing very seriously which does place many demands on time and energy. Philip found himself over committed and took a couple of months rest but now he is ready to round off the season and make a defence of his club 10 miles championship. Andy made a spirited defence of his Clarion 50 miles championship title but had to be satisfied with runner up position. He did, however, win our 50 miles championship, which we run in conjunction with this event. Andy places great emphasis on being a Clarion member and has been most supportive of the Points Competition, which he is on the way to winning for the second year in succession
FENLAND
Furkapass
2436 m.U.M
Jan Jayne from the Fenland Section pictured during a holiday at the top of the Furkapass where
Ian proposed to Jayne and she accepted.
OAKHILL
The Club continues to thrive with regular meets of both the road and mountain bike sections. The highlight of the year for the Club has been Harry Stephenson's trip to South Africa in order to ride in the Cape Argus could this be a Clarion first? According to Harry it was an experience not to be missed and certainly has the makings of a good Club run. Club President, Ruth Coates and Charles Jepson furthered the Club's international links when they took their trusty tandem to Iceland in order to do a 1000 mile circum-navigation, a great if rather windy experience, but at least it didn't rain. Their greatest challenges came at the start in (a)trying to check in just 11 minutes before the aircraft was due to take off (O.K. so they went to the wrong airport a simple enough misake!)and(b) then trying to persuade the baggage handlers to accept a fully loaded unboxed, unwrapped tandem which had not been through any kind of security check.
The road Section turned out in force on a number of Charity rides: Manchester to Liverpool, Manchester to Blackpool (and back to Whalley). Ruth and Secretary did the Morecambe to Scarborough ride and managed to ride their tandem up Sutton Bank
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without stopping. The Heritage Ride organised by Bolton Clarion to the Clarion Tearoom at Roughlee had our support and was a really good day out. Two members rode a leg of the Make Poverty History Cycle ride to Edinburgh.
On the racing front members supported the time trial and the crit at the Easter Meet and the excellent 10 and 25 weekend organised by Fenland.
On the boards of the velodrome the Section managed to beat Bolton Clarion and Bury Clarion in a three way match. This was a very successful and well
supported event which hopefully will become and annual challange between what are three evenly matched Sections.
The highlight of the Mountain bike year was the annual trip to the French Alps for 14 days of sheer downhill hell! The Terror Trophy Race, run this year on the World Cup Down Hill course at Morzine was won by John Blackadder. John was delighted to win the Guillotine Trophy but struggled to pull on the winner's yellow jersey.
SUNDERLAND
Although Sunderland is situated on the north east coast of England, it is nevertheless only an hour's drive from parts of the Yorkshire Dales. Taking advantage of this reasonably close proximity to the Dales, it has become a regular feature of the section these past 3 years to go by car, with bikes on board, to Richmond or, as was the case in June, 2005, to Reeth. This occurs at least once and sometimes twice each year; more often than not with the composition of each small group changing somewhat. Richmond and Reeth are both ideally suited as bases and starting points for excursions by bike in to the Dales.
From either of these two spots, places such as Kirkby Stephen, Hawes, Ayesgarth Falls and Leyburn can all be briefly visited during an average club run. Whetting the appetite perhaps for visits of a longer duration on another occasion when it is not the intention to see several places in one ride.
Although these places, and many more too numerous to mention, are popular with Dales' visitors they have nevertheless lost none of their essential charm and basic Dales' character. And all are set within the overall framework and backdrop of serenely beautiful countryside.
Nevertheless some amount of climbing by bike is almost inevitable. One can't for example go by bike to enjoy a pint at the highest altitude pub in the land without involving some sort of effort! Even if in this instance it is more of a long and hard moorland slog rather than a daunting steep climb to Tan Hill from Reeth. However, there are climbs when for little other reason than that they represent a challenge which can be tackled and conquered; albeit on very low gears and perhaps at little more than walking speeds. And indeed to be truthful, it is not unknown on occasions for even dedicated club cyclists to partly walk sections of the sign-posted 24% or almost in 4 Buttertubs pass near Muker, for example.
On our excursion in to the Dales in June we
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incorporated incidentally a fifty miles reliability ride, which began immediately from our base at Reeth. Heading west and a little north along Swaledale the foot of the Butter Tubs on this occasion was passed by with barely a sideways glance as we sped on to Kirkby Stephen; all the while experiencing beautiful countryside. At Kirkby Stephen we made halt for a bite to eat at a café for it was our intention to make this our farthest point on a roughly circular loop. From Kirkby Stephen it was due south to join the A684 for a short period while at the same time altering our direction eastwards along Wensleydale to Askrigg. Changing from what had been reasonably good and fine weather for most of the ride, fine and cold rain, which at first had only threatened, now became steadily more persistent, and clothing which was deemed perfectly adequate for the day and the time of the year was found to be inadequate. Taken together with road bikes lacking the necessary clearance to the wheels to fit mud guards, and riding changed from being a pleasure to being thoroughly unpleasant. "Will you ever learn?", might well be asked even of experienced riders! However, we were a pretty hardy group who had experienced a lot worse and we pressed on. It would also be true to say we had no alternative! On reaching a little place called Redmire advantage was taken of refreshments being offered at the community centre. However, and understandably so for the time of the year, there was no heating and it was cold and shivering group which, having briefly had tea and cake and left in return quite large pools of water on bare, yet highly polished, floor boards and chairs, stood now outside and faced the daunting prospect of six or so mainly up hill miles over mostly open moorland before cars and dry clothing could be reached.
Although the rain on the quite steep climb had by now mainly petered out it had been replaced by very chilly conditions on the exposed moorland; and the more so the higher we climbed.
Inclinging, wet clothing and feeling extremely cold
despite the increased heart rate from the effort put in to climbing, it is difficult to imagine how any one of us could have coped with a puncture let alone a snapped chain in those circumstances. Did someone mutter, "flaming June!" However, and thankfully, this was not the case and it was a question of car
Prize winners
NON RACING AWARDS
The Tom Groom Memorial Trophy:
Winners: Fenland Section
Clubman of the Year: Steve Smith (Oakhill Section) Clubwoman of the Year:
Alison Lilley (Fenland Section)
Most Meritorious Junior Rider of the year:
Adam Yates (Bury Section)
British Workers Sports Association Trophy, (aggregated the highest mileage)
Winners: Stockport Clarion
The Brian Braithwaite Memorial Award (Photographic Competition)
Winner: Rodney Bryant (Bolton Clarion)
The Neil Duckworth Memorial Trophy (the greatest number of members) Winners:Calder Clarion
NATIONAL RACING CHAMPIONSHIP AND AWARDS
TIME TRIALLING
The Clarion 25 mile time trial championship;
Ist David Langlands (Fenland)
2nd Mark Botteley (Fenland) 3rd Andy Horner (Bolton) Fastest Veteran on standard.
Derek Hodgins (Stockport)
Fastest team of 3: David Langlands (Fenland) Mark Botteley (Fenland) Ian Clarke (Fenland)
Ist Woman Kathryn Smith (Nottingham)
2nd Woman Jayne Bevitt (Fenland)
The Kenneth Humphries Memorial 25 mile Time Trial at Easter Meet Winning team: Heanor Clarion The Clarion 10 Mile Time Trial Champion Winner: Philip Albiez (Bury)
The Bert Brown Womans 10 Mile Time Trial Winner: Jayne Bevitt (Fenland)
The Time Trial Novice Champion
Winner: Steve Smith (Oakhill Section)
The Time Trial Champion
Ist Derek Hodgins (Stockport) 25.0194
2nd Paul Dickinson (Bolton) 24.238
3rd Kathryn Smith (Nottingham) 23.404
The Womens Time Trial Champion
Ist Kathryn Smith (Nottingham) 24.139
The Veteran Time Trial Champion
Winner Derek Hodgins (Stockport) 25.0194
2nd Bob Harber (Brighton and Hove) 22.055,
3rd Joe Hardman (Oakhill)21.197
heaters on followed by dry clothing and hot drinks from flasks on arriving safely back at Reeth. Whereupon it proceeded to lash down with rain! That the downpour hadn't occurred any earlier was yet another reason to be grateful. BC.
at Ashbourne
50 mile time trial champion Winner Andy Horner (Bolton)
The Hill-Climb champion
Winner Andy Horner (Bolton) ROAD RACING
The Skegness Trophy
Winner Keith Haddon (Heanor Clarion) Road Race Champion,
Winner: David Langlands (Fenland) TRACK RACING
Womens Track Champion
Winner Jayne Bevitt (Fenland) 4km Team Pursuit Winners STOCKPORT The 5 Mile Track Championship Winner Duncan Hewitt (Stockport), 2nd David Langlands (Fenland), 3rd Will Sanderson (Stockport) Track Sprint Champion
Winner Julian Mortel (Stockport) Individual Pursuit Champion Winner David Langlands (Fenland) CYCLO-CROSS
Cyclo-Cross Champion
Winner: Mark Thornley (Heanor), Ist Senior Cai Tang (Heanor),
Ist Veteran Ian Nutter (Heanor)
Julian Mortel and Les Copeland of Stockport, winners of the Czechoslovak Trophy. 14
MAKING US A BETTER CLUB
USE O
I stumbled into an involvement with the national committee but this has brought me a great deal of enjoyment and made me more aware that the Clarion is as much my club as Bury Clarion is. This inspires me to think of ways of making my Clarion club a better club and I have taken a number of initiatives that have I believe have been helpful towards this end. There is one initiative that has been started by Ian Clarke that I think can with benefit be developed and this is the use of the internet to communicate more information. For example I am interested in the Clarion competitions and would like to know how the season long ones progress. Also I would like to think that those who are have relative performance would find the competitions more meaningful if they were to know the current
WORTLEY HALL 2005 Don't miss the action. cycling, drinking, hill
climb, drinking, eating
and socialising with your best mates, oh drinking etc.
A full programme of events is always an enjoyable feature of the Autumn Wortley Hall gathering and this year will be no exception.
Roll up, roll up on September 30th to October 2nd
F THE INTERNET
positions throughout the year. In this respect I keep the Points competition up to date with the information I have obtained and I will email this to anyone requesting it. However, we also have a track points competition, a road race points competition and time trial championship but current information is not available. I suggest that if anyone were to let me have their current performances in these competitions I could email or mail those interested when I produce the current information on the ‘Points’ competition. This should not be too difficult as I do not anticipate too many requests. Five people have requested current information on the points competition and Iintend to develop this. If only two people respond to this initiative I would be pleased but if no one responds I might think my efforts in vain.
lan Clarke from the Fenland Section is proud of this Xray pic of his now unattached collar bone sustained during a recent grass track meeting. He was awarded third place having flown across the finish line.
So proud in fact was our esteemed National Chairman and Vice President that in spite of being in considerable pain he struggled round Mildenhall Cycle Rally showing a copy to everyone he met. Some say he was even giving away signed copies to amazed grass track fans.
Brian Braithwaite Photographic Competition winner, Easter 2005
This photograph won the competition this year and is featured on the cover of this issue of Boots Spurs. It was taken by Rodney Bryan whilst touring in the Lake District in May 2004.
Please submit your photos for this years competition. Entries may be taken to the Meet or sent to:
The National Secretary, Charles Jepson J.P. Aysgaard, Beardwood Brow, Blackburn BB2 7AT
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Minutes of the Annual Conference held at the Green Man Royal Hotel, Ashbourne, Easter Saturday, 26th March 2005 (commencing at 10 am)
Prior to opening the meeting National Secretary circulated to all present: copies of the agenda, the Secretary's report, the income expenditure account for the year ending December 2004 and a list of the resolutions received from Sections.
Attendance: 23 (delegates and members) from 10 Sections.
Election of Chair: Wendy Pye (Central) proposed and Peter Roscoe (Bury) seconded that Vice President Ian Clarke (Fenland) be appointed Chair. Elected unopposed.
Apologies for absence: Anne Burchell (Central). Secretary read messages of fraternal greetings from ex Clarion President Brian Nightingale (North Lancs) and Sian Charlton (Lowestoft) who also forwarded their apology.
Election of Tellers: Guests, Margaret Jepson and Geoff Godswell were appointed tellers. Secretary informed the meeting that the number of card votes required to change the Rules of the Club would be 227 or over. (i.e. two thirds of the total number of card votes held by those present).
Minutes of the 2004 conference held at Scarborough: Ken Hemsley (Nottingham) proposed, Jayne Bevitt (Fenland) seconded that the minutes were a true record. Agreed, There were no matters arising
from these minutes.
Standing Orders Secretary's Report: Denis Pye (Central) recommended that a proposed Rule change received from Fenland Section be re-worded to read 'Eligibility for any national Clarion award shall be restricted to first claim members of the Clarion’. The Fenland delegate agreed to this rewording. Standing Orders Secretary then questioned the consequences of accepting a proposal from the Bury Section which contained a reference to 2006. Bury's delegate agreed to withdraw the proposal in view of the Racing Rules Review meeting scheduled for Easter Monday. The remaining proposals from Bury, Oakhill and the National Committee did not appear to pose any problems and were allowed to stand. He then reminded delegates of the Standing Orders under which discussion would be governed and stressed that there was no provision for motions to be proposed under ‘Any Other Business’.
National Secretary's Report: National Secretary had circulated a written report and invited questions. Peter Roscoe(Bury) stated that the report suggested that he was solely responsible for the Wortley Hall Meet, when in fact it was a joint enterprise with National Secretary. Meeting noted the point and accepted the report has written.
Treasurer's Report: Treasurer, Peter Roscoe (Bury) had circulated the income and expenditure report and offered to answer any questions on his report. He stated that the planned expenditure for the coming year had been published in Boots and Spurs in an attempt to keep members fully informed.
The Treasurer spoke briefly on the balance sheet, expressing the opinion that the Club was spending wisely and that there was no need to raise the annual subscription at the present time. Bob Harber (Brighton and Hove) stated that when the need arose to raise the subscription members would respond better to a 'gradual and sooner' rise than to delay until a larger rise became necessary. This view gained wide support from those present. Club President John Leese (Heanor) said the Club shouldn't be spending thousands of pounds then asking for a rise in subscriptions. Chris Goode (Manchester and Stretford) said what members get for just £4 was absolutely remarkable. Steve Clarke (Fenland) stated
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members may wish to see a ceiling placed on how much the National Committee could spend before having to gain the approval of Conference. Chair said if Sections held this view they should put a resolution to a future conference for discussion. Merlin Evans (Stockport) said the money being spent was an investment aimed at building the Club and should not be seen as expenditure. Treasurer informed the meeting that the £1000 paid to the Mikron Theatre Company had not come from members’ subscriptions but from the 'ring fenced’ Harold Lamb Fund, adding there could have been no better way in which to recognise Harold's contribution to the Club.
The accounts had been audited and were in the opinion of Nick Biden (auditor) a 'fair and accurate record’, Meeting recorded a vote of thanks to Treasurer and to auditors Nick and Cheryl Biden
(Stockport).
Appointment of Auditors: Peter Roscoe (Bury) proposed and Cath Leese (Heanor) seconded that Nick Biden and Chery] Biden serve as auditors for a further twelve months. All agreed
Election of National Officials and Committee: Chair asked the meeting to approve ‘on block’ the unopposed nominations for:
President John Leese nominated by Central, Heanor Oakhill Sections.
Vice President: Ian Clarke (Fenland) nominated by Central and Bury Sections
Chair: Ian Clarke (Fenland) nominated Bury Section
Secretary: Charles Jepson (Oakhill) nominated by Central and Bury Sections
Treasurer: Peter Roscoe (Bury) nominated by Central and Oakhill Sections
Racing Secretary: Jackie Mortel (Stockport) nominated by Central Section
Standing Order Secretary: Denis Pye (Central) nominated by Oakhill Section.
Proposed by Cath Leese (Heanor) seconded by Ruth Coates (Oakhill), all elected unopposed.
Chair asked for nominations from the floor for the positions of Social Secretary and Minute Secretary. With the approval of the meeting Steve Clarke (Fenland) accepted the position of Social Secretary and Charles Jepson (Oakhill) accepted the position of Minute Secretary.
A ballot was then held for the two remaining vacancies on the National Committee. Ken Hemsley (Nottingham) and Nick Biden (Stockport) were duly elected by secret ballot.
Charles Jepson (Oakhill) resigned as Minute Secretary.
Peter Roscoe (Bury) proposed and Wendy Pye (Central) seconded that Ruth Coates (Oakhill) be appointed Minute Secretary. Elected unopposed.
Rules Changes:
Anamendment from Bury Section to Fenland Section's proposed New Rule 7.2 regarding second claim members, seconded by Nick Biden (Stockport), was lost.
Steve Clarke (Fenland) spoke to his Section's reworded proposal 'Eligibility for any national Clarion award shall be restricted to first claim members of the Clarion’. Peter Roscoe (Bury) said that to accept such a rule would contradict what was stated in the Clarion advertisement in the CTT Handbook. Charles Jepson (Oakhill) questioned whether it could ever be right to treat good and supportive members as second class citizen by denying them their fairly won awards. Bob Harber (Brighton and Hove) said that rather than close the door on second claim members the Club should first look to local circumstances. Merlin Evans (Stockport) voiced his opposition to the proposal stating that the Club should be proud to be open to all and all should be treated equally. The proposal was lost. Anamendmentto Rule 10.12 from Bury Section. Rule to read: The title of 50 Mile Time Trial Champion
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shall be awarded to the fastest Clarion rider in a 50 mile time trial designated by the National Committee. The champion to be awarded a medal and hold the Rylance, Linklaker, Ogden Trophy for a year. Seconded by Ruth Coates (Oakhill). Motion carried.
Bury Section withdrew its proposed New Rule 10.15 and their subsequent 3 amendments to the said new rule.
Bury Section withdrew its proposals to delete Rules: 11.1; 11.2; 11.4 and 12.1.
Oakhill Section's proposal to delete Rule 10.14 The 'Tom White' Team Trophy for the 25 mile time-trial organised by Crewe Clarion Wheelers, shall be awarded to the fastest team against the 'Bidlake' system (i.e. 3rd fastest time to count). The award shall be presented at the Annual Meet but retained by Crewe Clarion Wheelers for safe keeping. A Clarion medal shall be awarded to each member of the winning team. Seconded by Peter Roscoe (Bury). Motion carried.
Oakhill Section withdrew its proposal to delete Rule 11.3
The National Committee's proposal to amend Rule 10.3. Rule to read
The title of Clarion 10 Mile Time Trial Champion and the Alec Holliday Memorial Cup shall be awarded to the fastest Clarion rider in the 10 Mile time trial championship organised in the name of The Clarion or any Clarion Section. The Clarion Committee shall designate the event for the forthcoming year. A medal shall be awarded to the champion. Seconded by John Leese (Heanor). Motion carried.
The National Committee's proposal to amend Rule 13.1. Rule to read
The title Cyclo-Cross Champion, the Alf Taylor Memorial Cup and a medal shall be awarded to the highest placed Clarion rider in the annual Clarion Cyclo-Cross Championships. Medals shall be awarded to the first Senior, first Woman, first Veteran and first Junior. Seconded by John Leese (Heanor). Motion carried.
Wortley Meet: Secretary stated that this would take place over the weekend of September 30th to October 2nd. There would be a 10 mile Time Trial on the Saturday morning followed by a road ride after lunch. The National Hill Climb Championship would be held on the Finkle Lane course on the Sunday morning commencing at 10.30am. A detailed programme will appear in the June edition of The Clarion newsletter. He cautioned that early booking was absolutely essential as there were only a limited number of rooms available for our use.
Events for 2005/2006
National Clarion Championship Events 2004-2005:
Events for 2005: Club President John Leese (Heanor) confirmed that Heanor Clarion would once again be running the cyclo-cross championship in late September.
Secretary stated that the date of the Track championships to be held at the Manchester Velodrome had been moved forward by one week to Sunday, September 4th due to the World Masters taking priority. Events for 2006:
Road Race: To be run by Fenland
10 Mile Time Trial and 25 Mile Time Trial Championships: Secretary to contact Sunderland Clarion with a view to running both events over the course of a single weekend in the north east. If necessary the National Committee would run the 10 as a éClub event' the day prior to the Sunderland 25.
50 Mile Time Trial: National Committee to nominate an event for 2006 (most probably the MDTTA event).
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Hill Climb: Bury Section in conjunction with Wortley Meet. Cyclo-cross: Heanor Section
Grass Track: Fenland Section
Track: Oakhill Section
Annual Meet 2006: Much to everyone relief, Jayne Bevitt (Fenland) and Vice President (Fenland) offered to organise the Meet in 2006 asking members to approach them over the weekend with suggested venues. Advance information to appear in the June issue of The Clarion newsletter.
Any other Business:
Bob Harber (Brighton Hove) asked meeting to record thanks to Ian Bullock for his efforts in getting the Brighton and Hove Section started, membership had risen from to 23 in less than two years. (note from Sec: also an excellent website which gives an ideal illustration of exactly what is meant by our motto: ‘fellowship is life’)
Secretary announced the formation of a new Clarion Section in Lowestoft, albeit just one member at the moment he was hopeful it would develop. Starting new Sections no matter how small, how slow or how far they proposed to ride was, in his opinion, the way forward something the new Brighton Hove Section had so clearly illustrated. There was also a good chance that a new Section would be formed in the north west on May Day, following an International Workers' Day Cycle Ride.
Secretary urged all Sections to support Steve Clarke (Fenland) on June 4th and Sth when over the course of that weekend the Fenland Clarion will host both the 10 Mile and the 25 Mile Time Trial Championships plus a social gathering on the Saturday evening. If this exciting idea works as well as National Committee hopes it will lead to the Clarion Cycling Club effectively holding four Annual Meets per year: the Easter Meet (and drink), the Time Trial Championship Weekend, the Clarion Clubs’ Ride (this year being organised by Bolton Clarion on Sunday June 2th) and the Wortley Hall Weekend in Autumn. So Clarion ‘arise, the long, long night is over’.
Peter Roscoe (Bury) proposed a vote of thanks be recorded to Ian Clarke (Fenland) for the efficient manner in which he chaired the meeting.
Meeting closed at 1.12.
Welcome to new/old member Bernard Heath B.E.M.
In the early1950’s Bernard drew together a cottages for the use of hill walkers. These are nucleus of young cyclists and reformed the mainly located in wild and lonely places. For this Huddersfield Clarion. Monthly club runs were work he and his wife were awarded the B.E.M. arranged, Saturday afternoon rides for young some years ago. The M.B.A. membership now members and a strong active racing group was stands at approximately 3500.
formed competing in time trials. Because of their Bernard is still an active cyclist, riding 10-15 miles success in time trials they wished to race under day weather permitting. He recently completed a name Huddersfield Clarion, but decided to form ride from Lands End to John O’ Groats ona touring the Huddersfield Star Wheelers. This new club basis with two other Star Wheelers who are also went from strength to strength and recently pensioners.
celebrated its 50th anniversary witha membership Further to the return of old members, my brother of approximately 75. recently informed me of an old member living in In the 1960’s Bernard’s job took him to the far Huddersfield who was racing in the 1920's. He is North of Scotland to Thurso where he lives to this Victor Briggs now aged 97 who is still physically day. Is he our most Northerly member? One of his active and interested in local cycling. Is he main interests while in the north was the formation —__Clarions oldest surviving member?
of the Mountain Bothies Association, an Stephen Heath
organisation which repairs and maintains remote
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THE SAD DEMISE OF THE ISLE OF MAN CYCLING WEEK
As with many things these days, only 20 or so years ago the demise of the IOM week was unthinkeable. The mecca of Ist class cycle racing and a happy, carefree to hell with it all holiday drew thousands of cyclists of all kinds. How did it come to such a sad end? Many reasons can be put forward but unfortunately, in my opinion, it is a symptom of all that has gone wrong with cycling generally. The sport, along with many others, has taken itself too seriously and neglected the hard riding, hard playing, happy-go-lucky seam of enjoyment which was evident up to a few years ago. The CTC has done its best to keep the club runs alive but Time Trialing is in decline, road racing is not producing the improvement expected and in fact the only real successes are the track riders God bless ‘em. There seems to be too many serious reasons for riding a bike now to keep fit to slim or lose weight to name but two. The “average” performing racing man or woman is often obsessed with a spartan existence even if the results do not warrant it.
Enough of the gripe, lets get back to the IOM week. The first visit for me was in 1948 with Ashton Clarion pal Cyrus Hall carrying on to Liverpool after a hard week-end in wild Wales. We sailed over to Douglas on the old and ailing “Ben McCree”. An old tub maybe but it carried thousands of bikies and their bikes (no cars then) to the promised land. We stayed three days at Ballasalla YHA then three days at a hostel in the north of the island. We saw most of the racing, I think the Frenchman Baldassari won the International (only two laps then) then in the evening Reg Harris was the attraction as he broke some records on the rollers, on stage at the Villa Marina. Mostly though we learned what a cracking time could be had when a load of cyclists gathered together in one spot Douglas. By the way, beer was on unofficial rationing then so we made the most of it in Douglas where the news of that didn’t seem to have reached them. We also discovered and were amazed by the variety and grandeur of the scenery quite breathtaking in parts.
My next visit was in 1954 when Joan and myself and a party (appropriate word for this trip)
including Joe Pilling, Frank Walsh, Derrick Clarke and Jose’, Harold Simpson, Les Cook and again Cyrus Hall. I mention these names in full because readers who knew them will understand what a wild time we had. The racing was good (Ray Booty won the International with Harry Hardcastle third) but the abiding memory was of the water pistols yes WATER PISTOLS! Everybody including all the international teams had them. The nights out in the pubs and clubs were spent in Pakamacs. Sounds crazy, which it was, but the fun it created was extraordinary.
For various reasons, probably one of them was wetrot, I was not able to go again until 1983 when I found it still a great week of racing and fun so I organised an annual trip for the Glossop Velo until about 1995. We always met up with the Buxton CC (led by JJ McDonald), Wigan Wheelers, West Pennine, etc. and always had a great time, a wonderful weeks holiday. However, from about 1990 it had started to decline the spirit of enjoyment seemed to evaporate leaving a sediment of happiness among the hard core of veteran IOM enthusiasts.
I suppose the numbers of non-competing holidaying cyclists dropped away the IOM lacking the attraction of sunny weather at the training camps and the many organised tours that we have now and have become the norm. Funny thing though we seldom had bad weather, I can only remember three days rain the whole time I was there.
I may, at some future date be persuaded to reveal some of the madcap happenings over the years providing I make sure I can’t be sued. Just one lovely interchange Ben Hart went to the bar after a lengthy session in a pub full of cyclists the landlord asked if the cycling club had a drink problem Ben replied that NO WE ARE REALLY A DRINKING CLUB WITH A CYCLING PROBLEM.
It is sad that it is now confined to history because it had been very special, very communal atmosphere with great camaraderie which I fear may never be repeated.
Ken Britai
ECTION INFOKMATIO
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.
CENTRAL Ann Burchell Honiton 01404 891740 EAST MIDLANDS
Heanor Clarion Anne Taylor Wilde Heanor 01773 761299 Nottingham Clarion Paul Harwood Nottingham 0115 9126436 NORTH-EAST
Sunderland Clarion Allan Smith Sunderland 0191 584 8948 Teeside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesborough 01947 880488 NORTH-WEST (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Dave Bissett Bolton 01204 853127 Bury Clarion Peter Roscoe Bury 0161 7616856 Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Clitheroe 01200 446488 Crewe Clarion Wheelers Andy Grace Crewe 01270 841836 Manchester Stretford Christopher Goode Scarborough 01723 341050 Oakhill Clarion CC Charles Jepson Whalley 01254 51302 Stockport Clarion Julian Mortel Manchester 01625 575959 Lancaster Clarion Donald Taylor Lancaster 01524 382673 SCOTLAND
West of Scotland Clarion John Harris Cumbernauld 01236 730157 SOUTH AND EAST
Brighton Hove Dr Ian Bullock Brighton 01273 682133 Fenland Clarion Ken Clarke Peterborough 01733 562217 London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow 0208 5729672 Lowestoft Clarion Sian Charlton 01502 563262 Dorset Clarion William Edgington 07840 403200 WEST MIDLANDS
Birmingham Roger Shayes Solihull 0121 603 7536 Herefordshire Alvin Smith Wigmore 01568 770327 WALES
Gwynedd Robin Hartley Rachub 01248 605424 YORKSHIRE
Calder Clarion Andrew Spittlehouse Wakefield 01226 709436 York Clarion Andy Scaife. Leeds 07780 586097
Tf you know of people who are not near a local Clarion Section then please encourage them to start a new Section. A Section of just one member is better than no Section at all. For further information please ask them to contact the National Secretary
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CURKENT CLARION OFFICIALS
Secretary Charles Jepson Aysgaard, Beardwood Brow, Blackburn, BB2 7AT 00.00.00 seed 01254 51302 President John Lees
38 Nook End Road, Heanor, Derbys, DE75 7QQ
Chairman Vice President- Ian Clarke,
31 Poppy Field, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 8TU ...................00...000-/ 01767 314207 Treasurer Press Officer Peter Roscoe 6 Horncastle Close, Bury, Lancs BL8 1XE 01617 616856
Minute Secretary COHAS nnesdacnnduds Saunube 5 Seed 01254 823546 Standing Orders Sec. Denis Pye
Temple Road; Hallewell, Bolton BL1 3ET ...........-.2....4.........-. 01204 842869 Racing Secretary Jackie Mortel
14 Ingersley Road, Bollington, Cheshire SKIO5RF .........................4 01625 575959 Easter Meet Organisers Jayne Bevitt Ian Clarke
31 Poppy Field, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 8TU ...............0.00.00.0 01767 314207 Membership Secretary Merlin Evans
3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 3LE.............00.00.00. cess 01614 428441 Records Secretary Audrey Waddilove
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX 2.0... 01270 761446 Wortley Hall Organisers Peter Roscoe Steve Clarke 0161 761 6856 Social Secretary Steve: Clark eprint cite etree 01733 252595 Boots Spurs Editor Richard Newcombe
67 Hall Lane, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6RA ..............00.. 01733 706498 email: richard @hallane.com
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ken Hemsley, 117 Southcliffe Road, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 1ES 01159 873118
Nick Biden, 50 Highfield Road, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 6EP .01614 855437
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Easter Meet 2006, Shrewsbury
Set on the beautiful and winding river Severn and close to industry’s birthplace Ironbridge, our 2006 Easter Meet will take us to Shrewsbury.
Conveniently on the AS5 at the end of the M54, yet amidst some fantastic cycling countryside Shrewsbury looks set to build on the outstanding success and turn-out we had for Ashbourne
this Easter. The Clarion have visited this city 8 times since 1900, but this will be the first time since
1953...about time we returned. We intend to have a full packed program of social, cycling and competitive events, and maybe
a couple of surprises too! Our headquarters will be the 3-star hotel The Lion, where we have a special room rate agreed
of £35 per person, per night inc’ breakfast. BUT, this special rate is for bookings before the end of November, so...BOOK EARLY.
For further information:
The Lion Hotel: 01743 353107 (quote the Clarion Cycling Club) www.corushotels.co.uk <http://www.corushotels.co.uk/>
Shrewsbury Tourist information centre: 01743 281200 www.shrewsburytourism.co.uk
www.shrewsburytourism.co.uk Accommodation booking enquiries: Alison Patrick: 01743 281222
Or Contact Jayne Bevitt or lan Clarke on 01767 314207 or via email clarioncc@ntlworld.com
Also don’t forget to stay on the Clarion email newsletter circulation
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