Magazine of the National Clarion Cycling Club
National Secretary's Report
Presented to Meeting of National Committee held at Wortley Hall, Saturday, October 29th 2005
Once again feel our attendance at the York CTC Rally was most worthwhile and our stall attracted a great deal of attention on both days thereby reminding visitors that the Clarion is still very much alive and what is more important still very different from every other cycling club in the land. New members are attracted by our history and what the Clarion still stands for. Three, possibly four, new Sections will hopefully grow as a result of our attendance.
Thanks to members of Bolton Clarion enthusiastic support over the weekend.
The South Yorkshire Festival held at Wortley Hall was in a different way equally successful.
For a Club with historical links to the birth of socialism in Britain it is a place to be seen, It enables us to foster links with other groups particularly the International Brigade Memorial Trust. This fraternal organisation honours the memories of many Clarion cyclists who fought and died in the Spanish Civil War. As a result of selling their badges and poster we were able to send the IBMT a donation of £50 towards their work.
Asmall amount of mechanise was sold at both events the profits from which help to off the costs of our attendance. I do feel that despite the cost our attendance at such events should be maintained as we are a special Club and our Clarion fellowship is something that should be shared with others at every opportunity.
I have for the second year running placed a full page advertisement in the Cycling Time Trials handbook I have also placed an advert for our own book ‘Fellowship is Life’ in the next edition of Northern Wheel, the organ
for their
of the Manchester District Association of the CTC, this excellent publication has a very wide circulation and will hopefully result in the sale of some books as Christmas presents.
I feel that the timing of the Track Championship needs close examination. The track was booked for four hours and the programme extended to cater for a wider ability range of riders.
Yet for the fifth year running the championship attracted a smaller attendance than Bolton, Bury and Oakhill get at their inter Section matches. One must question whether we should be racing round an indoors velodrome in the middle of summer.
Two events I will be actively encouraging members to support are: The Clarion Heritage Ride now in its third year, I intend asking our comrades in Bury Section to select the route. The 10/25 Mile Time Trial Weekend following the great success of June's event in the Fens, our comrades in Sunderland have agreed to repeat this double TT championship event over the weekend of 17th/! 8th June. Such events bring Sections closer and are really good for the Club and its members.
Finally on Friday, October 28th as part of the 100th Anniversary celebrations of Bolton Socialist Club, anew Clarion Section was formed: the Bolton Wood Street Clarion. It was with great pleasure and pride that I was able to read out to all those present at the Wood Street Club message of fraternal greetings from Dave Bissett on behalf of the committee and members of our existing Bolton Section one of the strongest and most active of all our Clarion Sections.
Rumours were rife about a new section of Bolton Clarion being formed somewhere in Bolton. We presumed that October 28th was the date of it’s inception. It seems however that the inaugral ride took place sometime before this date, to Riverton Barn apparently.
1 am reliably informed that Bolton Clarion Cycling Club is not about to be disbanded, the new section taking the name of ‘Wood Street Cycling Socialist Clarion’.
One is right to ask the question: is there a hidden agenda? this in the light of Bolton’s troubled past.
NEW SECTION IN BOLTON
reproduced from Bolton Clarion Newsletter
We, I include members of the committee, have been reliably informed that no such agenda exists, so that being the case, Dave Bisset extended the hand of friendship by letter to the new organisation, oddly enough the reply came by way of a membership form via our national secretary and not via the new Wood St Socialist section.
So rest assured Bolton Clarion members, our club is safe and long may it continue in it’s support of members, cycling participation, be it racing, audax, hosteling and general club riding.
Chairman’s summary from October committee meeting
Read on and you will find a reduced and abridged version of what came out of the Clarion’s last committee meeting in October at Wortley Hall.
At the committee was Merlin Evans, Charles Jepson, Ken Hemsley, Peter Roscoe, Ian Clarke and Jayne Bevitt.
Missing was Ruth Coates, Denis Pye, Jackie Mortel, Nick Biden and Steve Clarke.
Spending beyond our means
There was some big discussion regarding our current spending rate, on average for the last couple of years (and also 2006) we are spending about £2000 beyond our income. To put that in perspective, for every paying member at £4 per year, we are spending £8 (give or take a pound).
All agreed that this cannot continue, but the club will need to adjust it’s spend and/or increase membership fees from £4 to £6. Which is the proposal for next conference.
Much of the overspend is in order to offer membership events such as track champs and Wortley hall which are usually a little subsidised. There’s also a fair bit of publicity to promote the Clarion. Finally the membership card/handbook plus the interim newsletter ‘The Clarion’, these together cost about half of the overspend as these are recent additions to our agreed budgeted spend. So that’s why we need to increase the subs to £6, not much is it?
Membership cards
It was agreed that we would not issues membership cards for 2006 but instead issue the handbook (and rule book) with the statement ‘membership card’ and a space for members to write their own name in.
How much do we have?
The Clarion has in the region of £6000 in its funds, so we have some buffering to keep us comfortable but our treasurer Peter Roscoe stated that he felt we should spend below £4000 without changing our spending habits.
Helmet wearing pro-choice?
Another topic for discussion was from a letter from the Fellowship of Cycling Old Timers who asked us to support their stance on the helmet debate. It was discussed whether the Clarion should have a policy or
statement in it’s constitution. After much debate we decided we would not open this up for discussion at conference even though any section could propose a motion for conference.
Membership numbers
We have some 600 members today which is a good year on year increase since Charles took over the secretary's job.
Points competition
Peter Roscoe (our treasurer) who conceived this competition intends to simplify the competition by limiting it only to National Clarion events, thus dropping the inclusion of sections own open events. Everyone agreed that the competition generates good interest among members but also agreed that this would make the burden of the work more manageable.
Easter Meets for 2007 and beyond who knows? Organisers Jayne Bevitt and Ian Clarke said that Shrewsbury was already well under way and that Hereford was booked for 2007. But they have said that they will step down after 2007 for certain and let someone else take the challenge. So 2008 Easter Meet has no organiser or venue.
2nd claim members should they be eligible to win prizes? The debate continued with a proposal that 2nd claim members should only be eligible for prizes after 2 years of continuous membership. This proposal was not approved by committee. The effect of this is that a member of Wobbly Wheelers could join the Clarion 2nd claim and win the National Clarion championships if
they were fast enough.
.and finally
Don’t forget all of the officials are elected by the membership at the conference, everything is done democratically and in accordance with our rules. So if you feel strongly about any of these issues, either attend conference or get elected to committee so you can start to steer your club the way that the membership wants to.
Tan Clarke Chairman
Shrewsbury 2006
Once again Ian and Jayne have pulled out all the stops and the Easter Meet this year is going to be superb. If you miss this one you’ always regret not being able to spin the subsequent
yarns. First off, get your menu sorted for the dinner on Sunday evening fill in the form below and
send it off. A photocopy will do, you don’t want to spoil the magazine. Then read through the list of events on the next page and you will realise the opening sentence was quite correct.
If you haven't already ordered your meal through your section secretary please fill inthe form below with your choice of menu, copy and send along with your cheque to: 31 Poppy Field Biggleswade. Beds. SG18 8TU by 1st March.
Easter Meet levy is £30 per person (£25 for U16s) please send full amount or £20 deposit per person. Chqs to National Clarion CC.
Starters (tick for your choice)
Avocado and smoked bacon salad 0... cece
Main Course Braised British beef steak with roasted root veg' parsley potatoes
Escalope of salmon with a saffron white wine chive sauce
Vegetarian Spinach cream cheese pativiare encased in a crisp filo pastry wild mushroom cream Sauce ...............0000
Dessert Rich dark chocolate truffletorte .............0 cece
Fresh fruit salad and pouring cream... 2...
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
Friday 14th April
6pm onwards Meet at Headquarters THE LION Hotel in Wyle Cop, for drinks and gathering. Registration and collect meet ribbon.
7pm-8pm Civic Reception with the Mayor Councillor David Farmer For welcome drinks and nibbles
Saturday 15th April 10am Free guided tour of historic Shrewsbury. 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Ipm-Spm Open Circuit races: at the new Sundorne Sports Village Shrewsbury Entries to Mr K Clarke 16 Bew Close, Stanground, Peterborough. PE2 8TF Organised under British Cycling Rules entries as per BC racing calendar. Categories; U16/14/12, L,3&4 cat, E/1/2 cat. 7pm-11.30pm Evening Social with Ceilidh Band Global Disaster (from Shrewsbury) This will be in the Adam Ballroom at THE LION hotel. Including a special Clarion section ‘team games’ competition
Sunday 16th April
8am Mid Shropshire Wheelers 25 mile time trial at Prees See the CTT handbook for entry details. Club run from THE SQUARE, High Street in Shrewsbury Set off by the TOWN CRIER Destination Ironbridge. 2.30pm Group Photograph at Ironbridge
7pm-11.30pm ANNUAL DINNER AND PRIZE PRESENTATION
With special Guest of Honour, past Clarion member Tour de France
rider Current National vets Cyclo-Cross Champion Adrian Timmis Awards All annual racing and non-racing awards
to be presented, other awards to include:
Section mileage award for highest aggregate
mileage for riding to Ashbourne
Greatest number of members in attendance from one section
Brian Braithwaite photographic award (display open to all members)
Monday 18th April 10am ANNUAL CONFERENCE. All members welcome but delegates only with voting rights.
Easter Meet Levy £30.00 Includes all evening entertainment and the annual dinner
Contact Jayne Bevitt Ian Clarke on 01767 314207, email: clarionce@ntlworld.com Lion Hotel: 01743 353107, www.corushotels.co.uk
Shrewsbury tourist office: 01743 281200, www.shrewsburytourism.co.uk
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RACING ROUND UP 2006
Every week there are some members who peruse Cycling Weekly keenly looking to see what Clarion clubmates have done in events. Alas we only get a name mentioned without knowing the story behind the performance. One story that is interesting to tell is that of Ian Taylor, Sunderland Clarion who on the 21 August won the Clarion Road Race championship. Although he was the only Clarion rider to finish the Stockport promoted event he was undoubtedly a very worthy winner of our club championship. As last year it was a class entry that included Rob Hayles the eventual winner, Matt Stephens second and Mark Lovat third. Not surprisingly these three broke away from the main field leaving our man in the first chasing group. Two miles from the finish he aimed for a high placing by bravely launching a successful solo attack on the last hill. He forged ahead alone but the group did reorganise and its leaders steamed past Ian. Even so he finished in a creditable twelfth position and got his name in cycling weekly for winning the Clarion Championship. New member Andrew Woolf, Nottingham Clarion, enjoyed a very successful season. He won the Clarion 10 miles time trial championship and along with clubmates Phil Hirst and Harvey Norris won the team prize in open 50. None of these three had previously ridden a 50 miles time trial.
Dave Albutt, Crewe Clarion was a competitor in the 50 to 59 years group of the 2005 LC.F.World Cycling Championship in the at Oostende,
Belgium. There were 23 other members of the British L.V.R.C. team. Two days before this on the 5 August he raced at Zingem and as is customary in Belgium the pace was very fast so he had a good indication of what to expect in the championships. Super vet Don Flint won his class in the end of year Matlock CC cyclo cross a bottle of Baileys was quite welcome for the New Year celebrations. No first claim members featured in the CTT B.B.A.R. although it was good to see second claim member Bob Harber completing the three distances, Kath Smith carried the Clarion banner finishing in a splendid tenth position in the ladies B.B.A.R.
continue to argue the case that it would be a good idea to breathe more life into our Time Trial Championship by attempting to get comparisons between riders’ performances throughout the season.
For the second year in succession for my own interest I have followed those in contention and advised them of their relative positions. In 2005 Derek Hodgins and Paul Dickenson were the main contenders and Derek was still in with a chance in the late season Cleveland 100 but when he had ridden 85 miles the police stopped the event as a result of an accident. Philosophically Derek says “well there is always another year’ well he is only 72 years old. Not all Clarion riders who have completed the three distances claim as they have no chance of getting in the medals. I argue that it is good to see what fellow club members are doing
CLARION TIME TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2005
Name 25 1 Paul Dickinson, Bolton 57.44 2 Derek Hodgins, Stockport 58.26 3 Kath Smith, Nottingham 1.01.32 4 Dave Albutt, Crewe 1.01.21 5 Steve Hope, Fenland 1.06.31 6 Bob Harber, Brighton 1.06.54
50 100 mph 1.57.22 4.24.1 24.756 2.00.19 4.27.33 24.343 2.11.13 4.25.38 23.276 2.06.58 4.50.25 22.913 2.16.24 5.07.14 21.358 2.14.50 5.19.52 20.504
and they could always aim to have the satisfaction of improving their place and average speed next year. Below is the result I have gleaned from available information for 2005.
Derek Hodgins kept the Clarion flag flying at the
recent C.T.T. dinner when he received his medal for third place in the Rudi project. This was for the target time but he was also tenth fastest on scratch for which he received another award.
Peter Roscoe
CLARION TEN MILE TIME TRIAL
Held under CTT Regs. ST OCT 2005
Place Name
1 Andy Horner Philip Albiez
3 Colin Wright Jayne Bevitt
5 Phil Culshaw 6 Charles Jepson 7 Martin Perfect
Thanks to David Lindsay for diligently timekeeping, Ruth Coates for manning the finish board, Merlin Evans for marshalling the island and all those who came to support him. Also my thanks go to the riders for playing their part in what was for me an enjoyable morning despite the disappointing entry. Philip Albiez made a determined attempt to win and for 35 seconds held the previous record but Andy Horner had the edge and beat Philip and the record that has stood since 2002 by one minute. These were sterling performances on an extremely hard morning of what must have been gale force winds you
Section Time Bury 26.55 Bury 27.20 Oakhill 32.17 Fenland 32.21 Oakhill 32.51 Oakhill 33.19 London 40.51
should have seen me trying to mount the caution signs on the lamp posts when enduring horizontal showers. This situation compounded the demands of a course that must rank as one of the hardest in the country. The quality of these rides is also underlined by the fact that Jayne Bevitt was over one minute outside her ladies record.
always appreciate the support of the rider who finishes last and my thanks must go to Martin Perfect who had been inclined to avoid facing the forecast conditions. Without Martin the entry would have been even more disappointing.
Peter
These six Bury Clarion members were pictured at the start of the Club Championship 25 on 25th September 2005. They are from left to right: Steve Hepworth (1.14.13), Philip Albiez (1.00.38), Andy Horner (1.00.06, Winner), Vince Eastwood (1.02.58), Mark Rudy (1.11.13) and Tom Hilton (1.18.00).
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Place
wo
ll 12 13 14 15 16
CLARION HILL CLIMB CHAMPS Held under CTT Regs. 2ND OCT 2005
Andy Horner Philip Albiez Andrew Spittlehouse Chris Goode Jayne Bevitt Edward Perfect Martin Perfect Richard Fenn Charles Jepson Paul Mitchell Simon Horner Angela Blackhorn Stuart Walsh George Fenwick Merlin Evans Thomas Albiez
Section Time Bury 2.48.7 Bury 2.54.2 Calder 3.06.5 Manchester Stretford 3.23.3 Fenland 3.30.1 London 3:53.2 London 4.02.0 Calder 4.12.7 Oakhill 4.12.8 Nottingham 4138 Bury 4.27.0 Central 4.28.5 Manchester Stretford 4.54.8 London 5.03.3 Stockport 6.10.3 Bury 7.08.5
Thanks to timekeeper David Lindsay and Timekeepers assistant, Ruth Coates for their help in the running of this event.
Andy Horner was just one second slower than his winning ride last year but he was over five seconds faster than fellow Bury section member Philip Albiez to take the title for the second year in succession. No doubt Philip will be looking forward tonext year for another bid for this championship. It was good to see their sons thirteen year old Simon and twelve year old Thomas riding this event. Thomas’s time establishes a record for a twelve year old.
Stuart Walsh rode the Bert Allan bicycle (there's a story here) as he did not want to struggle with his heavy mountain bike. Merlin Evans took on the challenge and rode up the hill on this loaded machine to establish a mountain bike record that’s ripe for picking.
Allriders are worthy of mention for contributing to
the success of this event but I must make special mention of Angela Blackwood and Edward Perfect who did splendid rides for their first ever cycle races. Finally thanks to Ross Cutts, Calder, for doing the important task of manning the result board.
Hope to see you all next year,
Peter
Honour for Cyclist, 90
by Gareth Tidman reprinted from the Bolton Evening news
When Albert Winstanley purchased his these days in Bolton and cyclists are now first push bike in 1930, cinema audiences only interested in how fast they can go.” were being wowed by the first talking Shortly after taking up his beloved movies, Hitler was yet to become hobby, Albert began combining cycling Chancellor of Germany and the Western with another of his passions, World was in the midst of the Great photography, contributing Depression. articles and pictures to most Now 75 years and nearly 750,000 of the cycling magazines and miles on, Albert, in his 90th year publications of the day.
is still in the saddle enjoying He served in the Army every minute he spends on the throughout the Second long winding road. World War but still found He will be honoured as one time to indulge his love of more than 1,000 local for cycling.
sportsmen and women More recently he featured on the 85ft Spirit contributed to a Radio Four of Sport Sculpture to be programme on this year’s built on the De Havilland 75th anniversary Way roundabout neer the celebrations of the Youth Reebok Stadium. Hostel Association, whose The war veteran who now lives in outlets have provided him Bradshaw Brow, Bradshaw, began with many a welcome cycling as a means of travelling to resting place on his travels. work as a clerk at Fielding Despite his age, Albert hopes Solicitors, in Bolton Town Centre, to enjoy a few more years on from his former Halliwell home. his bike. He said: “The roads He soon developed a passion for the are much busier today but I sport that would last him a lifetime. would still urge people to Since then, Albert has toured take up cycling. It is a great extensively throughout Britain, France way of getting fit and seeing and Spain and is busy planning his the world around you.”
latest excursion around the Emerald The Spirit of Sport sculpture will Isle when he crosses the Irish Sea to be covered by more than 1,000 visit his daughter later this year. panels featuring pictures of Despite retiring from his job as an sportsmen and women from the engineer more than 25 years ago, borough, including the People’s he still summons up the energy to Choice, a list of sporting heroes chosen cycle more than 5,000 miles by the readers of the Bolton Evening
wed,
every year. News. It is due for completion by the end He said: “Cycling has been a major part of of the year. my life. (Albert is a member of Bolton Clarion)
“Unfortunately, cycle touring is in the doldrums
WORTLEY WEEKEND OCTOBER 2005
The Easter Meet is the prominent event in the thoughtit fitting to give them the rules for a happy Clarion’s annual calendar but the Wortley married life. We did in fact have two recent weekend will also hold a special place of affection engagements to celebrate as we also had the in the hearts of the regular attenders. The 2005 pleasure of the company of Edward Perfect and weekend started as usual on Friday night with a his lovely finance from Byelorussia. A special most attenders enjoying a meal and conviviality at_ welcome was made to Ros and Clifford Cutts, the Wortley Arms. Back to the Heanor Section, who were the Hall it was nostalgia time as only members at their first the group enjoyed a video of Wortley Hall weekend which I the 1952 film Spinning gather they would recommend Wheels. as a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I did not think we J would ever match the 2004 weekend when we enjoyed the superb play presented by the Mikron theatre about our magnificent club. What we had was different but just as memorable for me. Talent spotter Charles Jepson had engaged the Jenkinson brothers who were superb entertainers with their folk
High winds and rain on Saturday morning were the last thing we wanted for another try at the Wortley 10. Despite my working hard to attract riders it was just a few enthusiasts who gathered at the Sovereign in Shepley for signing on. Only seven
members then faced the “Stuart Walsh displaying the Bert
timekeeper for the test Of Alien cycle as mentioned in the endurance against the terrain hill climb report songs and poetry. All we need
of the Pennines and the is for Charles to keep up the adverse weather. Fortunately good work of finding the rain was no longer pelting down but high entertainers to maintain the attractiveness of the winds prevailed. Andy Horner won the event and weekend.
despite the conditions set up a new event record.
The weather for Sunday morning was much better Back to Wortley for refreshment and the than the previous day and support for the annual afternoon’s programme. A dozen or so were outon hill climb championship was very good. Andy the clubrun but alas no one joined Sylvia and Horner won for the second year in succession with myself for the planned outing to Cannon Hall Philip Albiez in second place. It was a pleasure to which is owned by Bradford Corporation. This see their young sons Simon and Thomas riding the was very enjoyable for us as the hall is set in event. Again it was nostalgia time as Stuart Walsh beautiful grounds and houses an interesting rode Bert Allen’s much loved Johnny Berry bike museum. There are many places of interest in and in the hill climb. Alas Bert is no longer able to ride around Sheffield but I am at a loss to know what has donated his bike to the Clarion.
will attract those without their bikes.
Back at the hall it was prize presentation time and Saturday night started with the usual annual the traditional Peter Shepherdly quiz. The buffet dinner in the splendid setting of the hall. Twenty- lunch at a bargain price was enjoyed before fond eight of us sat down for our choice of meal and farewells to the comrades we always look forward afterwards my toast was our glamorous Jayne and to seeing at these gatherings of the Clarion Clan. intrepid Ian. As they were recently engaged I Why not resolve to be with us this year am sure
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you will like Ros and Cliff Cutts enjoy this splendid social occasion. Peter Roscoe
Happy Clarion members gathered for a final farewell outside the impressive stately home that is Wortley Hall. There were a couple more of us, we were taking the
photgraphs
Clarion Badges.
I have received a letter from a responsible UNISON officer regarding the sale of Award medallions on ebay.
It seems that the sums of £60 were paid for Open 25 time trial winners medallions from the year 1937. These should perhaps have been in the National Clarion Archive hopefully to be on display at the Pump House People’s History Museum.
Money talks I suppose.
Can‘t you read? It says No cyclists.”
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Round the Sections
Every issue of “Boots” will have a round up of local news or items of interest from the various Clarion Sections providing 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 Richard Newcombe, Editor
BRIGHTON HOVE
Brighton Clarion member plays key
role in getting £3M for local cycling
In last year’s Pedalling to Freedom programme on Radio 4 both Denis Pye, the Clarion CC’s historian, and our national membership secretary, Merlin Evans expressed their belief in the connection between ‘Fellowship is Life’ Clarion-style socialism and the bike. Quite right and we shouldn’t be deterred or diverted by the sight of the new leader of the Tory Party speeding through London on two wheels. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all! But clearly even in the best imaginable circumstances not everyone is going to be one of those burners-up of miles, known since the Mikron production Pedal Power as ‘fast lads’ or their female equivalents. And not everyone would even want to ‘potter’ about the countryside on 25-mile rides like we do every fortnight in our Section. Butif we can get many more people using bikes for getting about town, to work, to school and so on the environmental, health and general social benefits will be enormous.
With that in mind, we are delighted that one of the founder members of our new Section (started early in 2004) Joyce Edmond Smith, has played a key role in ilitate
getting some serious finance to promote and f the wider use of the bike locally. Joyce is a regular
participant in and sometimes organiser of our Sunday rides, and a Labour Councillor and Chair of the Council’s Sustainability Commission. During 2005 Cycling England selected six towns to become ‘Cycling Demonstration Towns’. The others are Aylesbury, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster. In the case of Brighton, the city as a whole was too large to qualify so the award was made to West Brighton and Hove. This includes most of the flatter parts of the town East Brighton, where the South Downs runs into the sea forming lines of white cliffs, is distinctly hilly. A £500,000 grant will be made by Cycling England for each of the next 3 years and the City Council will match this making £3 million in all. The money will be spent ona wide variety of projects including improving cycle routes to a high standard, advising on personal travel planning and a Beacon Cycle Training Centre cycling organisations including the Clarion of course will have be consulted and will have plenty of opportunities to make suggestions for further
Local
ways of promoting cycling locally.
We are interested to hear about what is being done in the areas covered by other Clarion sections. There'll be more about what's going on in our neck of the woods, and our part in it on the ‘Cycling in Brighton’ page of our website www.brightonandhove-clarion.org.uk.
Tan Bullock
BOLTON
Two Bolton section members, quite new to cycling and both taking it up late in life as a way of improving their health and lifestyle (in their 60’s) have made 100 mile bike rides after only a short time bike riding. A staggering achievement. am referring to Peter Moore and Ken Hahlo, both motivated by quite different reasoning. Peter, a former patient at Chi ‘s Hospital, was determined to put back a little something to show his appreciation, while Ken decided he wanted to gain his one hundred and fifty kilometer certificate on the clubs reliability ride to Chester. Well done to both of them they will bean inspiration to other members who will follow
in their wheeltracks
We owe a big debt to Fred Smith for organising club track nights. What a wonderful sight, Bolton Clarion members hurtling round one of the best velodromes in the world. I have long been of the opinion that cyclists of the area should use such a facility to the full, use it or lose it was the early cry. Due to it’s success however in developing our world class “super trackies’ it would seem it’s future is assured,
Another outstanding contribution this year was the ride of Paul Hackin in the longest Audax event of all, London-Edinburgh-London, over eight hundred miles, wow! Paul is also a “Super Randonneur’ with an End to End to his credit as well.
BURY
The year saw more Bury Clarion members ride more events than at any time since the 1960's and the portants are we will have an even more impressive year in 2006. Eighteen members supported Clarion events and this along with the performances of Andy Horner and Philip Albiez saw us finish in second place in the team section of the Points Competition. Andy won for the second year in succession whilst Philip improved from third to second place. Although these succ were assured before the Wortley events, Andy and Phil supported the Wortley ten miles TT and the Hill Climb finishing in first and second places respectively. It was pleasing that their sons Simon and Thomas rode the hill climb Simon taking the junior award and Thomas setting a record for
his age group.
Several of our members are active at the Velodrome and again the Yates twins, Simon and Adam have been particularly successful. Along with joiner Martin Wolfenden they finished first, second and third in the Under 14 section of the league competitions. This was particularly impressive for Simon and Adam who were promoted to riding with the seniors in the latter half of the season. The scoring of points to maintain their lead was then all the more demanding but they rose to the challenge with confidence and flair.
Plans are well in hand for our annual awards evening on 18th March. Members from other sections are welcome and more information can be obtained from Bob Duckworth on 01204 884297.
Peter Roscoe
FENLAND
Last season ended well for the Fenland Section, two highlights for me were a visit to see the Tour, a mountain section in the Pyrenees and then a weekend in Ghent to see the six-day. There we met up with members from several other Clarion sections, the weekend included a Birthday Party meal for Dave Langlands at a fancy restaurant and visits to infamous drinking houses where all day drinking went on. I would urge all Clarionites to have a go at this weekend. A hardy group rode from Ostend to Ghent and the return journey was complete with snow and ice. Whata trip. The racing started around 9 or 10 at night and finished in the early hours of the next day after that excitement there was usually a trip to a nightclub to calm down a bit!
Our club racing programme was very well supported with often as many as 40 riders attending. Following the friendly tradition of the Clarion CC we welcome all and
other clubs in the area come along to ride.
This year our Racing Sec, Steve Clarke re-introduced a Club 50, the first time for a number of years we have put one on. This proved to be a popular event and people entered from as far away as Leicester. There were many good natured arguments after the event having discovered a minor course measuring error which resulted in the “SO” actually being “55”. Such popular support has resulted in this event being held again this year but with a more accurate distance and of course incorporating the National Clarion Championship. The annual Grass meeting was again held at Biggleswade and was well attended, good hard fought racing was followed by a very pleasant BBQ at Ian and Jaynes residence. The membership of the Fenland section continues to grow and we had a few more members last year than the previous year.
Rounding the year off was a very good club dinner and prize presentation held at a local Golf Club.
OAKHILL
Over the past twelve months the Section has been well represented at Clarion events by a small but nevertheless enthusiastic band of members. The highlight of the year probably has to be our under strength track squad reaching the final of the team pursuit at the Clarion Championships. Our team of Phil Culshaw, Geoff Downs, Colin Wright and Dave Gillibrand were well beaten in the final by Stockport Clarion but we moved a step closer to winning the legendary Czechoslovak Trophy. We will be back next year stronger and with more experience as a number of members now ride regularly in the track leagues.
The highlight of the mountain bike year, for John
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Blackadder at least, was his win on the World Cup Downhill course at Morzine for the Club’s Terror Trophy. Which just goes to prove if you don’t succeed try and try again. Well done Big Man!
Tip of the year for all Clarion mountain bikers: get up to Glen Tress (near Pebbles) the Black and Red routes are awesome and the Hub of the Forest Café us great. President Ruth Coates and Secretary Charles Jepson ended a good year on their tandem by competing in the M&DTTA 10 mile time trial, run by Derek Hodgins of Stockport Clarion, I say competing,Geoff Downs and Joe Hardman competed, Ruth and Charles’ time suggested a café stop en route. Nevertheless this annual Christmas event was really good and members of all sections within travelling distance of Middlewich should consider riding next year.
Sadly an excellent year for the Club ended ona very sad motivator of our very successful road tours. A generous note with the sudden and unexpected death of Harry and caring comrade who lived life to the full and in true Stephenson whilst out jogging. harry was one of the Clarion tradition always sought to share his happiness founder’s of the Club’s road section and a leading with others.
STOCKPORT
Ghent '05 report
Stockport Clarion dispatched a delegation of three intrepid stalwarts to witness "The Six" in Belgium. The Ghent Six-day track race is a place where great beer meets great cycling. In the light of terrible weather which left them trapped in bars for endless hours, Merlin "liquid-only-diet" Evans, Julian "anyone seen my coat" Mortel, and Doug
“couldn't they have made these bunks a foot longer" Clark stayed up till 4am every night in the hope that they'd find out what time the bars shut. But for the most part, they never found out.
Fruitless conversations in the bars included.....
Doug to fellow Englishman: "Are y'here for the six?"
"I beg your pardon,
certainly not" Eddy Merckx rather good cyclist of “er sorry, I only asked" yesteryear, if you don't know who he is
"What sex?” then you should think about joining "No, not the sex, the six" Westmead. Eddy Doug, together at last.
"Six of what?"
"The sex day bike race, mean..." Belgium is nothing like England. And Belgians are nothing like Englishmen. They go everywhere on bikes that weigh more than a scooter, and even during a midnight snowstorm girls in knee length leather boots will be biking over the cobbles. They speak something closer to the Queen's English than we do, with the exception of Merlin's Belgian friend Dirk, who having spent an unhealthy amount of time in the company of our club president, now says things like “ave got wa’er in me ha’ or som'et' liiike tha". He's a rare example of someone who's grasp of a foreign language actually got worse by spending time with native speakers. This may be because Merlin appears to be dispensing with English and doing most of his communicating via text messages.
In the absence of Dave Whitehead, who presumably couldn't get travel authorization, we had to make up our own rude limericks in the bar "Dulle Griet" (wit 250 soorten dranken), while feigning being able to speak a foreign language, and getting better at it the more we drank.
Jules decided it would be a good idea to leave his coat at the velodrome coat-check. It contained his passport, credit cards, car keys and most importantly, his BCF card. Some numb-nut then accidentally handed it out to the wrong person, whom it turned out was a "wrong" wrong person. Said person took all Jules's cash and dumped the coat, by which time keys had been remade, credit cards cancelled, and valuable drinking time wasted in a variety of Belgian police stations.
One night Doug shook hands with Eddy Merckx then promised not to wash his hands for a week. Eddy immediately went off to wash his hands.
Anyway, there was this bike race. To summarize, it was really good, and two Belgian blokes beat lots of foreigners. The limey World Champs got their asses handed to them on a plate, the product of some heroic over-racing earlier that month, After 6 days it all came down to the final sprint, which seems to happen a lot, we're not sure if it's more than just the gears that are fixed. Certainly the derny-racing was more fixed than a Scicilian Wrestling Match, each race would see three motorbikes cross the finish line almost simultaneously while the music got louder and louder approaching the sprint. For the most part the commentating was in Flemish, though in the madison whenever a team gained a lap Austin Powers would scream "Yeah baby!"
We'd arrived in Belgium with only a set of tickets to get into the centre of the track (standing room only), but no seats. However over the course of the three days we developed several techniques for evading the under-interested and over-served ticket-checkers and managed to warm some particularly good seats. When their bona-fide occupiers showed up we'd more on and warm up somebody else's seats. You tend to get in about 2 beers per seat-change.
The Ghent six is a great experience, you need to have a high tolerance for beer, bikes, smoke, cold and staying awake. Hold on to your coat, and if you're 6'5" then try to sleep diagonally with your feet hanging over the ladder.
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A Book Review by Charles Jepson
‘Fifty Years of Hudderfield Star Wheelers'
Compiled by Adrian Hinchcliffe
Adrain Hinchcliffe is to be commended on his efforts in compling a most comprehensive history of one of Yorkshire's most renown cycling clubs. This 304 page book, published in 2003 as part of the Club's Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations consists of no less than 18 illustrated chapters packed with historical detail, tales of tours at home and aboard, along side numerous items of general interests to all cyclists.
The story really opens in Chapter Two: entitled 'The National Clarion’, written by our own Bernard Heath (Central Section). Here Bernard makes the reader aware that
crossing of Iceland in Chapter Four is awesome! It made me get out the map to see if Ruth and I could do it on our tandem. The legend of Harry Fotherby's holiday to the sun is another splendid tale pedal, laugh, keep it simple and stop when your wheels touch the Med and then try to get into a posh casino in your cycling shorts. Absolutely great!
Quite a number of chapters cover the achievements and contributions of individual members as well as comprehensive Club records. Although these are very well presented they
the Huddersfield Star Wheelers sprang from the National Clarion. Clarion legends like Ernest Sugden, Jim Straker and Donald Dove all credit a mention as does the ‘Tramps Tour’ of the Lake District, a week ofunplanned touring on just thirty shillings (£1.50). All excellent stuff.
Chapter Three deals in detail with the break from the National Clarion that led to the formation of the Star Wheelers in 1953. A number of quite valid reasons for separation are put forward by
the writer John Hinchcliffe. Sadly I found this chapter little more than a damning criticism on the education provided in the schools of Huddersfield. Pupils clearly left with little or no awareness of social history; the importance of heritage or the role of critical analy brighter note Hinchcliffe recalls when joining the Huddersfield Clarion in 1950 everyone was known by anickname, he was christened 'Inky'. A good tradition, which alas only seems to survive within the ranks of the ‘barrow-boys' of the Tricycle Club. I wonder if John's cycling comrades still call him ‘Inky’, I rather hope so.
The account of the Star Wheelers 1958 unassisted
FIFTY YEARS
Compiled
by
Adrian Hinchcliffe
perhaps don't hold the same interest for the general reader opposed to those acquainted with the persons concerned. It would be remiss were I not to mention Granville Sydney, probably the Star Wheelers most famous member, who as winner of no less than six National Hill Climb titles could truly be described as a legend in his time.
The book contains plenty of
as
interest for the touring cyclist: Midnight runs,
Christmas Tours, ‘Riding in the New Year’, climbing Mont Ventoux, the L'Eapee du Tour and the Fiftieth Anniversary ride: Land's End to Cape Wrath to John O'Groats, the list is endless.
For anyone wanting a comprehensive picture of a thriving cycling club this book is an excellent read and certainly the compiler and the contributors are to be congratulated on their work. I would recommend all members to get down to their local public library and insist they acquire a copy for their shelves as it does deserve to be widely read. I feel at £13.95 a copy the price is a little too steep for the general reader, that said it is certainly far more interesting than reading five copies of Cycling Weekly.
y
SHREWSBURY REVISITED
ANOSTALGIC RECOLLECTION
Eureka or words to that effect when I found my finish sheet for the Kenneth Humphries 25 of 1953 Easter Meet held at Shrewsbury. Before I give you some gems from this document indulge me whilst I reminisce about the golden age of cycling and the Clarion all those years ago. It was the first Easter Meet for myself and a few other young members of Bury Clarion. So on Good Friday the 3rdApril we assembled in Bury for the 80mile ride to Shrewsbury. cannot recall whether we were in long trousers or shorts— it wasn’t that warm. Shorts would have been khaki drill from the Army Navy Stores and trousers would have been our oldest pair and stuck in our socks. Those smart people from Stockport had gone upmarket and were probably dressed in jeans secured at the bottom with toe straps. We all rode fixed wheel, mudguards were seen as essential and at this time of year we would have our lights with us. Loaded in our Carradice (or similar cotton duck), saddlebags we had packed our washing and kit, probably a spare shirt and underpants for the three days along with an old blanket.
By today’s standards we would have been regarded as very poor as we could not afford a bed and breakfast establishment for accommodation hence the blanket. The Easter Meet organisers in doing their best to get as many people as possible attending had stumbled into the splendid idea of hiring a school for their less well of comrades. We did have the luxury of using the school canteen for cooking but the sleeping arrangements were the classroom floors and the blanket we had brought with us. Ken Clarke, Peterborough Section had the luxury ofa tentand sleeping bag in the grounds of the school.
There was the usual dance on the Saturday night and then the Kenneth Humphries 25 on the Sunday. Bury girls Barbara Horne and Maureen Bennet were down to ride the ladies 10 but the lack of focus by the lads meant that they did not get to the timekeeper on time and missed the event. These two ladies are still members but Barbara (now Gunshone) lives in Goole and Maureen (now Walker) lives in Vancouver, Canada. Looking through the finish sheet for the ‘25’ I wonder why I cannot see youth racers Keith Holland and Frank Jefferson I cannot see them having finished lower than 76th which is the last finisher on the sheet I have. Apparently then only four of us from Bury kept our appointment with the timekeeper. Our preparation for the event was to take our mudguards and lights put onour black racing shorts and a dark sports shirt to comply with the regulations of the time. I suppose we also pumped a few extra psi into our wired on ‘linoleum’ tyres a Tom White quip (I'll bet the Stockport Elite rode tobs)
Bert Brown and Tom White were the timekeepers. Bert started the ladies and probably the men with Tom timing at the finish. So here we had legendary figures whom later had memorial trophies to commemorate their contribution to cycling. The course was out and home on the A49 going south from Shrewsbury towards Church Stretton. As I recall it looked formidable with its surrounding hills.
Geoff Morris of Hednesford section and the elite Midland Clarion C&AC won the event. I can see him now storming across the finish line with a 1.00.18. His speed was outstandingly faster than any other finisher and gave hima Imin 46 seconds margin over sixteen years old John Clayton of Stockport Clarion one of the smart jeans brigade. Not surprisingly Hednesford won the KH trophy and Geoff along with the Midland Clarion team were prominent nationally for some years. These days I bask in my minor successes from years ago. On one occasion actually beat Derek Hodgins but it wasn’t this event Derek finished with a 1.5.10 in tenth position and I finished with a 1.5.58 in thirteenth position. However, I see I was four seconds faster than P Clarke, Fenland and twelve seconds faster than the legendary Harry Aspden. At the time I marvelled that a man of 42 did so well now I marvel that I beat this legend of the road. There is a lot of other interest in this old finish sheet relating to the sections and C@ACs I see that Peter Shepherdley belonged to a Richmond Twickenham Section and that he raced for the Middlesex Clarion C&AC. Bury riders rode for the Manchester Clarion C&AC. If my memory serves me right it was Kenneth Humphries father who presented the trophy to the Hednesford Section at the Sunday night prize presentation.
silver strands.
There may not be as many attenders at the Easter meet these days but we remain pure gold without any So if you haven’t yet been to an Easter Meet make a resolution to be there this year and you might have a treasure within your memory bank to recall in 10, 20 30, 40 or even 50 or so years time.
Peter Roscoe (Who will be pleasantly surprised if he is here in 10 years time)
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These two photographs were emailed to me shortly before my computer was hit by a virus which stopped my hard disc working. When it was eventually rescued the engineer had been unable to recover any files and I was unable to remember what text went with them. Howver, liked the pics so here they are and depict the use of a bike for various activities in times gone by. If the sender would like to resend the material which went with these pictures I will include them next
time. Richard Ed.
SUNDERLAND SECTION
Check out the new website that Sunderland Clarion are now using to promote their activities. It’s very good, clear and easy to use
sunderlandclarion.org.uk
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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 resolution jpeg if sent by email
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 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/Derby 1.51.05 1976 Francis Grafton Notts/Derby 1.53.50 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?
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FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2005
From the information available at the 6th January 2006 total expenditure including provisions amounted to £5 017. This exceeded total income of £2 717 by £2300. However, we remain financially sound for 2006 with the essential asset of £5 590 at bank and what is for us a far less liquid asset of £2 152 stock
Subscription income amounted to £2 131, which is an increase of 1.8 per cent on 2004. This continues the trend of the past two years.
The committee has approved a financial plan that will mean spending will continue to exceed income during 2006. However the aim is to finish with funds that will cover the purchase of assets such as computers when necessary and an absolute minimum amount of funds at bank of £2 000 ie. around one year’s subscriptions.
Peter Roscoe, Treasurer
USE OF THE INTERNET.
In keeping with the spirit of my note in the last issue of Boots Spurs, Ian Clarke and Derek Hodgins sent me copies of their claims for the veterans' ten mile time trial record. This made me realise that had an oversight in not staking Andy Horner's claim for the honour how remiss of me and doesn't this underline the benefit of the internet to our club. Ian's claim was 22.28. Derek went better with a 22.03 in 2002. Having this information I put a claim in for Andy Horner's 21.09 achieved in April of this year as a 41 year old. Has anyone out there done better? If you are in the 50 to 59 group or when you were in this group I suggest you make a claim and see what the national committee do with The case for age groups is clearly demonstrated by these claims Derek Hodgins achievement when he was 67 should surely be recognised as a current record as well as that of Andy Horner. Maybe someone has gone even faster than Andy?
Do not forget to let me have your email addresses if you want to be kept up to date with the current positions in the Clarion points competition and the time trial championship.
Peter Roscoe
In Search of Sustenance wealth of places we can refill water bottles, buy
choccie bars and know well in advance the (From Bolton Newsletter) tearooms that will be open and at what time of It crossed my mind after the very hard and long day. Who would have thought that service
ride to Ingleton and back, how, duri ing the lean stations, with their internal shops, would be the years of recent cycling, late sixties to early tife savers that they have turned out to be. Some
eighties, many of the cyclists cafes closed their gyen have hot drinks available and many are doors for good. The’bonk’ has been ever present’ tijised during audax events as check points
with us cyclists but there was always somewhere here cards are stamped as proof of arrival, or
a pint of tea and toast could be found. I realised departure. 24 hour opening is another advantage,
dia during the lean years the bonk was more we use Forton Services during our all night ride, painful due to the lack of decent stops on route after a snack, a snooze is also on the menu. Long leading to many miles of misery. Today we seea Jive the petrol stations
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Shrewsbury 1949
1949 57 years ago, but to me the memories are still fresh and I might as well share them with you all. Since that time most cycling has changed the racing the smaller club runs the helmets the traffic, not to mention the £2000+ bikes, but the camaraderie and the joy of the open road is still with us. What pleasure can beat a good 40 mile thrash to lunch a pint or two with clubmates and the ride home magic! It is probably as good without the thrash but I have never ridden with a club that did not have one give or take a mile or two. The Clarion was always a happy club and I see no change in that. Back in 1949 however, when I was a member of the Ashton Clarion (7 miles east of Manchester) and raced for the Machester Clarion C AC we had a four day tour each Easter and in 1949 we decided to combine it with the Easter Meet and race in the Ken Humphries “25”.
The Thursday morning we rode on a lovely balmy (an appropriate word for that gang) evening to Rudyard Lake hostel calling at the Hanging Gate pub near the said hostel. We had rather a session there with a sing song (what fun is hidden in that phrase) which started the tour with a bang. Next day in great weather we did over 100 miles in Shropshire and the Welsh borders. After lunch at Newport it was a great bit and bit thrash all the way to Great Malvern where anti climax we got lost looking for the hostel, no GPS then. We finally found our way and had a really good night in the local, quite a hike as I recall.
Ron Horner (later a Clarion “25” record holder) and myself “clicked” with two girls from Lichfield, fell madly in love (or lust, who knows?) and stayed with them until lunchtime on the Saturday. That left us with seventy miles to Shrewsbury and the “25” the next day. So, we gave it some “welly” and arrived at tea time to join in the festivities. The scenery and quiet roads over the Malverns and up the A49 made for a super ride and we managed to see some of it through the sweat. We had missed the Friday
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night but we made up for it, drinking, dancing and yarning with Clarion comrades from all parts of the country.
There were sixteen of us from Ashton Section and my memory tells me there were about 500 at the meet. Ron, Eric Brooks and me finished up that night with three girls from the camp site but think we should draw a veil or at least a tent flap over that episode.
Up on Sunday morning bright eyed and bushy tailed (who an kidding?) for the “25” where our club had mixed fortunes. Bob Inman(Stockport) won it with 1-4-30 (He broke the comp record in 1951 with a 57-17). Ron Horner finished 10th in 1-6-04 and I finished 37th with 1-8-07, the rest of out team getting lost on the way to the start. By the way there were 150 entries, 131 started and 128 finished. I reckon Ron and myself did well the pre-race preparation of 180 hard miles in the previous two days along with the festive nights would bring cries of shock-horror today. We enjoyed it though, that was the main thing. After the race the sunshine was glorious and most spent the day in the Valley Gardens sunbathing and nattering to fellow Clarionites. it was a marvellous time and although I have been to a few Easter Meets since, Shrewsbury in 1949 was the one for me.
In contrast the Easter Meet at Buxton in, probably 1964 or so, was, apart from the night time festivities, something of an endurance test. Itrained, snowed, hail fell and it blew a gale. The K.H.”25” on the Ashbourne Road was absolute purgatory I rode in shorts, two pairs of woolen tights, two sweaters and and overjacket, honestly.
Someone should look up the times for that event, it would be very interesting. Still, as usual, everyone had a good time, it is a good job cyclists are a hard and resiliant species.
Ken Britain
Stockport Section and Glossop Velo
ECTION INFORMATIO
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
EAST MIDLANDS Heanor Clarion Nottingham Clarion
NORTH-EAST Sunderland Clarion Teeside Clarion
Ann Burchell
Cliff Cutts Paul Harwood
Allan Smith Colin Armstrong
NORTH-WEST (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion
Dave Bissett
Bolton Wood Street Clarion Dennis Pye
Bury Clarion
Clitheroe Clarion
Crewe Clarion Wheelers Manchester Stretford Oakhill Clarion CC Stockport Clarion Lancaster Clarion
SCOTLAND West of Scotland Clarion
SOUTH AND EAST Brighton Hove Fenland Clarion London Clarion Lowestoft Clarion Dorset Clarion
WEST MIDLANDS Birmingham Herefordshire
WALES Gwynedd
YORKSHIRE Calder Clarion York Clarion
Peter Roscoe Edward Ireland Andy Grace Christopher Goode Charles Jepson Julian Mortel Donald Taylor
John Harris
Dr Ian Bullock Ken Clarke
Peter Shepherdly Sian Charlton William Edgington
Roger Shayes Alvin Smith
Robin Hartley
Honiton
Heanor Nottingham
Sunderland Middlesborough
Bolton Bolton
Bury Clitheroe Crewe Scarborough Whalley Manchester Lancaster
Cumbernauld
Brighton Peterborough Hounslow
Solihull Wigmore
Rachub
Andy Scaife
Leeds
01404 891740
01159 329304 0115 9126436
0191 584 8948
01947 880488
01204 853127 01204 842869 0161 7616856 01200 446488 01270 841836 01723 341050 01254 51302
01625 575959 01524 382673
01236 730157
01273 682133 01733 562217 0208 5729672 01502 563262 07840 403200
0121 603 7536
01568 770327
01248 605424
01226 709436 07780 586097
thecutts@supanet.com
proscoe @beeb.net
If 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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CURRENT CLARION OFFICIALS
Secretary Charles Jepson Aysgaard, Beardwood Brow, Blackburn, BB2 7AT .............0 00000020000 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 ..........0..0. 0.00 01767 314207 Treasurer Press Officer Peter Roscoe
Minute Secretary Ruth @oateser meter en eee 01254 823546 Standing Orders Sec. Denis Pye
34 temple RoadyHallewell, BoltomBLISUP 01204 842869 Racing Secretary Jackie Mortel
14 Ingersley Road, Bollington, Cheshire SKIO 5RF .................0.00000. 01625 575959 Easter Meet Organisers Jayne Bevitt Ian Clarke
31 Poppy Field, Biggleswade, Beds. SG18 8TU 00000 000ce cece 01767 314207 Membership Secretary Merlin Evans
3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 3LE.......0.0.00 000000 eevee 01614 428441 Records Secretary Audrey Waddilove
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX 20.2... ee 01270 761446 Wortley Hall Organisers Peter Roscoe Steve Clarke 0161 761 6856 Social Secretary Steve Glarkemiar seveeryte erie 01733 252595 Boots Spurs Editor Richard Newcombe
67 Hall Lane, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 6RA .......0..00.00 cece eee 01733 706498
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
7 23
The Music Hall, 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 AS 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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