aa) SUMMER/AUTUMN 1998
New Sections join the*tlarion
Results of Easter, méet-Time Trial Wortley Hall Weekend Booking Form Dates for Clarion Track and “25-mile championships.
A MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
So what is the Clarion all about? ask myself (and others) this question often, so don’t assume that just because am the National Secretary that must know the answer. So for those of you who maybe haven't been in the Clarion long or perhaps you've been a member but you haven't really been active in the National Club that much, you probably want to know a little more
don’t want to dwell on the past, enough has been said about our history and to be honest with you I’m fed up to the back wheel hearing about it. What matters is the present, the future and how much fun and satisfaction we can get by being members of the Clarion. Sure if you want to know about the past, send me £5.50 and I'll send you Denis’s book it’s an excellent read and draws many parallels with cycling today, but that’s as far as want to go.
The Clarion today, can only be described as a club, not an association but a club, one big club spread over the UK. If you don’t take advantage of the National activities then you may never get to appreciate what many of us already do. We've got friends throughout the UK, the kind of friends that will put you up when you need a room, buy you a beer every 6 months when you meet them, they'll even loan you a bike so that you can start racing on the track. The same friends enjoy riding with you, racing with you and even know a few couples that have crossed sections for loving relationships. It’s true!
What other organisation can you join as a cyclist and enjoy so much for £4 per year? You have the chance to race on the Manchester Velodrome, to socialise, to tour, to compete for some fantastic trophies and to meet fellow members throughout the country almost every other month.
Our club is unique, it may not be a specialist cycling club but what it is, is a true all-round club that can cater for just about every aspect of cycling and still have time for a chat and a laugh in the bar or cafe.
My request of you is to come along to any one of our events, join in, ride with us, whatever you chose just pick one event and come along. If you don't, you really will be missing out.
The Clarion’s great, the Clarion’s a club, we're people and we like riding bikes, see you soon.
lan Clarke National Secretary 18 Sapperton, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 5BS Tel: 01733 577108
PS.
A few of you may know that will be moving later in the year to Hertfordshire, someone asked me if will change clubs? Silly question. Mind you can imagine a new Clarion section, perhaps the Hitchin Gonads Clarion!
Page 2
Don’t miss these events they’re important and coming up soon
Clarion Track Championships Saturday August 29th Manchester Velodrome 4.30pm
Organised by Graham Pearce and the Stockport Clarion
This years Track Championships date has been moved to the August bank holiday weekend and can be combined with the 25 mile championships which are the following day in Lancashire.
The track championships will include the following events:
Solo Pursuit Championship
One rider per section allowed to be nominated on the day
Team Pursuit Championship
4 riders from each section present compete for the Czech Trophy 5-mile Championship
Final event of the evening compete for the 5-mile trophy
Sprint Championship
Juvenile Omnium Championship
Based on best placings from 3 nominated evenis
Start planning your teams and put this date in your calendar. This is a unique opportunity to ride this world class track in true race conditions.
For further details contact Graham Pearce on: 161 448 1982
25-mile time trial championships Sunday August 30th, 7.00am Garstang Lancashire
Organised by Tony Bowles and the Bolton Clarion
This event is detailed in the RTTC handbook on course L2525, entries should be sent to Tony Bowles no later than 15th August on standard RTTC forms.
Tony Bowles 24 Meriden Grove, Bolton, Lancs BL6 4RQ
Tel: 01204 491595
The event includes the following championships:
25-mile champion to be awarded the Kenneth Humphries Trophy 25-mile team champions
Ladies champion to be awarded the Rose Bow! Tandem champions to be awarded the Milsom Shield
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 8
Clarion Road Race Championship goes to Will Sanderson of Stockport
Clarion Overall Position Position
Johnny Hargreaves ist Harrods 19:26
Chris Burrows 2nd New Brighton
Carl Ruebotham 3rd Team Travelwise all st 1st Will Sanderson 4th Stockport Clarion +231” 2nd Matthew Ball 5th Fenland Clarion
David Perry 6th Raleigh M-Trax
David Lowe 7th Atom Elite all st
Daniel Fox 8th Pace Racing +331” 3rd Tim Duckett 9th Fenland Clarion 4th Dave Langlands 10th Fenland Clarion
Andrew Dilkes 11th Atom Elite all st
Alex Critcher 12th Atom Elite 5'57" 5th Duncan Hewitt 13th Stockport Clarion 623”
Jeff Vernon 14th Birkenhead North End
Stephen White 15th Birmingham CC
David Cole 16th Weaver Valley 6th Rob Shaw 17th Stockport Clarion 7th Les Copeland 18th Stockport Clarion
Keith Sylvester 19th Mid Shropshire Wheelers
Simon Myerscough 20th Team Rapide
Noel Healy 21st West Pennine
Mark Warburton 22nd Tunstall Wheelers
Dave Werrell 23rd Macclesfield Wheelers
Simon Hardman 24th Rugby Velo
David Austin 25th Atom Elite all st
Due to the low number of race entries the 2 events were combined the race distance reduced to 65 miles, on a 10-mile circuit with 2 drags per lap. This was where the breaks happened, on lap 2 and lap 5.
After numerous attacks on laps 1 and 2 the first decisive break got away the second time up Primrosehill. The break included Duncan Hewitt, Will Sanderson and Matthew Ball racing for National Clarion honours and Carl Ruebotham, Johnny Hargreaves, Chris Burrows, David Lowe David Perry. This group worked well together to increase their gap over the main field to 3 minutes at the end of the 3rd lap.
On lap 5 this group split again. Duncan Hewitt blew it when he punctured just before the climb (completing almost 8 miles on a flat front). On Primrosehill Hargreaves, Burrows Ruebotham got a gap, Will Sanderson wondering what had happened to his Stockport Clarion teammate keeping an eye on Matthew Ball for The National Clarion honours.
The leading threesome kept up their momentum and on the last time up Primrosehill Burrows attacked but Hargreaves reacted closing the gap at the top of the rise making Burrows suffer for his earlier effort. The inevitable sprint finish was on the cards as the riders rode the remaining 7 miles to the finish.
Hargreaves turn of speed from the track caught out Burrows Ruebotham at 200m to go.
Sanderson won the sprint in the chasing group of 4, beating Ball for the National Clarion Championship.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 4
RESULTS OF THE EASTER TT
The Easter Meet time trial 1st Doug Clark Stockport 1.03.49 this year was a hilly time trial 2nd Dave Langlands Fenland 1.06.32 on the edge of Dartmoor. 3rd Tim Duckett Fenland 1.09.05 The ride out to the start Stuart Waller Nottingham 1.10.15 ended in rain, which stayed
throughout the event, well 5th Dave Smith Nottingham 1.13.44 actually it didn’t because 6th Steve Hope Fenland 1.14.09 half way up the long climb 7th lan Clarke Fenland 1.17.03
the altitude was so high that 8th Ashley Phillipson Fenland —‘1.27.56 the rain turned to snow. The riders were then looking forward to the long downhill section but unfortunately the snow turned to a stinging sleet/hail that made vision and speed almost impossible.
Back on the flat, riders got back into the swing of things but by now they (we) were already soaked and cold to the bone and many of us grovelled back to the finish. Two Stockport riders Duncan Hewitt and Julian Mortel, together with Dave Mack from Nottingham went off course due to a marshalling muck-up, this not only upset a few people but more than likely had an effect on the team prize and final finishing order.
After winning the Easter Time Trial Doug Clark frets over the thought of riding with Colin Lewis.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 3
TORQUAY CLUBRUN
On Easter Sunday we had a large turnout of riders who were ready for a guided clubrun from the Mid Devon CC. The riders who turned out varied in ability from club riders to ex-Tour De France rider Colin Lewis. Colin is now a 50something vet but is extremely fit Still today.
Our ride took us out of Barton Hall and through some beautiful Devon roads (high hedges, narrow lanes and short sharp hills). The group stayed together although it was rather quick. After a while we hit some longer hills as we neared the coast and the group split in to two or three smaller groups.
We road down to Babbacombe Bay and across to Bishopsteignton (across the mouth of the river Teign). We then headed inland towards the circuit we had used the day before for the time trial. This day, the weather was much better, the sun was shining and we couldn't notice too much wind, it was by far the best ride of the weekend.
We all met up at the café at Dunsford as our group rode in, there was already 20 or so riders sitting in the café looking out the window waiting for us, which was not so good, as my over-tightened look pedals failed to release my feet and promptly fell off, right in front of everybody much to their amusement.
After a quick cup of tea and a tea cake we headed back to Torquay at a pace which could only be described as ‘fast chain gang’, the group split under pressure but we were all escorted back to Barton Hall by different
members of the Mid Devon CC.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page S
Sizes: extra-small 34”, small 36”, medium 38”, large 40”, extra-large 42”
Please note:
Each size is tight rather than baggy.
Jersey does not have Centenary text.
Price: £35 each
Please send cheques made to National Clarion Cycling Club to
lan Clarke.
Summer/Autumn 1998
n Jerseys Now Available
The long-awaited, highly desirable, Clarion road jerseys are now available. These fetching jerseys in the Clarion official colours of red and yellow are made in shortsleeved only designs (get your own arm warmers) in the latest airtex style with 80% polyester 20% cotton material.
The front has a small Clarion logo and the rear has a large logo together with 3 pockets for snacks, money, Clarion propaganda etc.
Page 7
Easter Meet 1999 plan
Merlin Evans (Easter Meet organiser) has located a new Easter Meet venue in North Wales at Bangor. Full details will follow in the next newsletter but here are afew details of what we expect at Bangor.
Following this year’s comments we will give people the choice to find and book their own accommodation in Bangor city and area. A charge will be made for attending the evening functions.
Future Easter Meet venues have been fixed as follows:
2000 Skegness 2001 Llandudno
The following is a provisional list of events
and activities:
ES
f—433 mile mountain time trial eal Circuit races on Anglesey motor racing circuit 5 Organised group club run Ceilidh band evening The local area includes Anglesey, Snowdonia, Llandudno with many beautiful ¢q potential rides and trips in this mountainous
region.
areas,
Accommodation options:
Option 1 Half board accommodation at the University halls of residence.
The rooms are all well furnished, clean and very new. Each room has it’s own shower and toilet and tea/coffee making stuff.
For every 8 rooms there’s a kitchen for group use. The price will include breakfast and an evening meal.
Option 2 Do it yourself accommodation
DESTINATION. BANGOR Summer/Autumn 1998
Wortley Hall Weekend 1998
Friday October 23rd to Sunday October 25th
Wortley Hall is just North of Sheffield on the East side of the Peak District. The area is quite beautiful and it is easy to ride across to Holmfirth (Last of the Summer Wine area). The building and grounds of Wortley are quite magnificent and the accommodation is warm and comfortable. Most people go there just for a quiet relaxing social weekend but every year the number of active cyclists attending increases and there are plenty of rides to go on at different speeds.
The weekend also includes the annual hill climb championships which will this year include a number of extra prizes such as fastest fixed wheel rider, full touring kit (mudguards and saddlebag) first lady, youngest rider, oldest rider etc. This should make the event much more
Wortley Hall is a magnificent building set in it’s own beautiful gardens
SummenAumtumn 1998 Page
Please complete the following form (or photocopy it) and send it to Brian and Ann at the address below by the 24th August.
Prices: Friday to Sunday (two nights bed and breakfast plus, Saturday evening meal Sunday lunch)
£59.00 (code FA) £47.50 (code FB)
Sharing en-suite rooms .£66.50 (code FC)
Sharing standard rooms Single person en-suite room Single person standard room
£55.00 (code FD.
Saturday to Sunday (one nights bed and breakfast plus, Saturday evening meal Sunday lunch)
Single person en-Suite «6... ceed ed rene ee £40.00 (code SC)
Please mark ‘db!’ for double bed (these are on a 1st come 1st served basis)
Name Code V for veggie double bed sharing Eg Mr Smith** FA Vv dbl id Eg. Mrs Smith** FA dbl
x £15 deposit an 7 days prior to date)
Number of members in this party (i.e. this form only): (Please note that the full charge will be made if cancelled less
Please send deposits (and this form) before 24th August to:
Brian and Ann Burchell 2 Wulphere Close, Dunkeswell, Honiton, Devon. EX14 QUU Tel: 01404 891740
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 10
OBITUARIES
Harold Lamb
Almost a year after his wife Marian Lamb passed away, Harold Lamb of Manchester and Stretford Clarion passed away on the 31st May 1998. With the funeral at Macclesfield on the 10th of June.
Harold had been cycling during this year and was keeping as active as possible despite ill health. Aged 88 this year, Harold had played a full part within the Clarion. He ran the Manchester and Stretford Clarion for many years and was also on the National Committee during the 1950s. Harold attended all but a few Easter Meets and Wortley Hall weekends right up to last year. He was well known for his passionate beliefs of Socialism and the strong desire to keep the Clarion CC following the Socialist ideals. Harold stood steadfast against the old motto of the Clarion ‘Fellowship is life, Lack of Fellowship is Death’.
Both Harold and Marian were keen cyclists, they toured extensively abroad including tours to Switzerland, Norway, Germany and Austria.
As Harold was off to serve at war he told Marian that she would be better a spinster than a widow. Harold served in Burma and India and on his return
they married during VJ week in 1945.
Both Harold and Marian will be dearly missed as will their presence at Clarion events and in and around fF Stockport.
The Clarion is a lesser club without them but a stronger club with fond memories of them.
The late Harold Lamb with Fenland’s Harry Berridge
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 14
OBITUARIES
Edward ‘Ted’ Chappell
Edward ‘Ted’ Chappell passed away on Thursday 14th May 1998.
Ted joined the Newcastle and Gateshead section of the Clarion in 1939. During the war years he served in the Royal Navy as a telegraphist in India, Burma and Singapore and he was also involved on the Normandy beaches.
After the war Ted returned to the Clarion and during the years served as National Committee member and National racing Secretary, as well as being very involved in running the Newcastle and Gateshead section.
In 1969 he became very ill and upon recovery retired from active participation in cycling and took up sailing, whilst remaining in the Clarion.
Sailing became the love of his life. We joined the Coquet Yacht club and spent every opportunity sailing off the Northumberland coast. Holidays were also spent on chartered yachts, including the Norfolk Broads, Holland, Greek Islands, Yugoslavia and Denmark.
After retirement we sold our last board in 1990 and took up walking. Switzerland was our favourite walking country and also the Black Forest in Germany.
Since 1977 we have travelled the world, mainly adventurous holidays such as safaris in Africa, Southern Russia, India, China, Japan and the Far East as far South as Australia and New Zealand.
In all this time he still attended the Easter Meets wherever possible and was pleased to be able to take part in the Centenary celebrations.
feel that with Ted’s passing, along with Marian Lamb and Willie Pollock, that a certain era within the National Clarion has come to an end and a younger generation is now taking over.
Muriel Chappell
PS. too joined the Clarion in 1949 and briefly served as National Secretary prior to Marian Lamb taking over in 1966. Older members may know me as Muriel Ames.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 12
CYCLE CLIPS
The Clarion Network Grows
New Section in North Wales
Robin Hartley of Bangor has started, this year, a new Clarion section titled the Gwynedd section. Based in Bangor, this will be ideal for next year’s Easter Meet where they will be forced to meet all of us and really get into the Clarion movement.
New Section in Herefordshire
am not certain if the geographic spread will also cover Worcestershire but this new section already covers a wide area and fill an empty gap of Clarion coverage so hopefully we will be able to find new members for them. Peter Cowan is secretary of the Herefordshire Clarion.
Clarion Road Champs 1999
The Fenland Clarion will next year, run the National Clarion Road Race Championships.
The events will include an 80km for 3,4,J,W and an 130km for 1,2,3 categories. The date is Sunday 16th May 1999 and the event will be run on the hilly and windy course at Great Gidding South of Peterborough.
Book Fellowship is Life
This book is still available from the second print run. The book written by club member
Denis Pye covers the 100 year history of the Clarion and is an excellent and informative read. It is well researched and even includes a picture of the current National Secretary at no extra cost. Priced at £4.95 (plus 50p P&P) it is a really good buy and an ideal present for fellow members.
Copies available from the National office.
Promotion cards available
Small promotional cards, detailing a quick overview of the National Clarion are available from the National office. They include a blank space to add local contact details. Please send a stamped, self addressed envelope.
Display board is available
Should you need to promote the Clarion at local events you may borrow the Clarion’s own display board. You’ll need to come and get it though as it’s much to big to post.
Anyone know of whereabouts of old Clarion sections
We are trying to find out if there are any possibly defunct Clarion sections that someone is keeping the old records from. If you know of any old Clarion information about past sections please let us know.
Summer/Autumn 1998
The Clarion enjoys membership from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Nottingham share a beer and a bike.
Page 13
Not a lot of people know that...
Brian Ferry of Roxy Music used to be in the Houghton Clarion
Peter Jacques Top BCF Sprinter used to be in the Calder Clarion
Adrian Timmis of ANC Alfords Squad (80’s) used to be in the Cannock Chase Clarion
World Champion Colin Sturgess’s mum and dad are Life Members of the Calder Clarion
Barry Hoban Top British Tour Rider used to be in the Calder Clarion
Merlin Evans Top Man of the Clarion is...
41 BCF Champion on the high bicycle (Penny Farthing) for the vets 1 mile in 1998
2 World Bronze Medallist on the high bicycle for the 10 mile event
Nottingham Junior represents the Country
18 year old promising Junior Martin Smith has been representing the country in the ‘Six Nations’ Track championships recently. Competing against teams from Russia, Wales, Denmark, Belgium and Holland, Martin rode in the scratch race, points race and team pursuit.
Martin has 35 points on his Junior license which should guarantee him a second cat’ license when he moves up to Senior next year.
Martin is also off to ride the next round in Moscow and should return in fine form for the Clarion Track championships in August.
With a team pursuit time of 5.04 Martin is trying to pull together a Nottingham team to challenge the Fenland and Stockport stronghold on the much sort-
after Czech trophy this year.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 14
Clarion (Manchester) Team in the Irish FBD RAS
Graham Pearce took a team of 5 riders to this top amateur stage race. Seen as a very tough race the team were not expecting great results but the chance of fielding a National Clarion Team was one not to be missed.
The Clarion Team included Julian Mortel, Will Sanderson and Duncan Hewitt, ‘guested’ riders on our team included top roadman Wayne Randle and Robin Numan.
All riders finished the event and Wayne Randle finished very high in the general classification and won the king of the mountains jersey.
Pictures are of the team car and the team:
Summer/Autumn 1998
Proposed Clarion Tour Challenge 1999
(ideas and feedback needed)
At the last Committee Meeting we discussed what ideas or events we can introduce to strengthen the Clarion. It seemed that what we needed was something that typified the Clarion of today, that is a Nation-wide cycling club, a strong social side yet one which enjoys being on the bike. We also wanted to promote the Clarion and increase our awareness.
It was suggested (and this is where we need your feedback) that we could run a tour (not a race) that encompassed Central England and passed close to a number of sections, stopping overnight in convenient Youth Hostels.
The Tour would be very flexible in a way that members and non-members could participate in at least the smallest way possible. For instance a short ride to join us at one of the Youth Hostels. At the opposite extreme, riders could begin at the start point say, Nottingham and then ride each of the 4 legs daily stopping at each designated Youth Hostel returning with the final fourth leg to end back at Nottingham.
Each leg would be a rideable distance (eg. 80 miles) and would be ridden at a relaxed club pace.
As an idea a typical route could be, run over an August or May bank holiday:
1st Leg Friday Shining Cliff YHA (Derbyshire) to Crowden YHA (Glossop) 2ndLeg Saturday Crowden YHA to Shining Cliff
3rd Leg Sunday Shining Cliff YHA to Thurlby YHA (Nth Peterborough)
4th Leg Monday Thurlby YHA to Shining Cliff YHA.
The route would therefore be convenient to skip between Nottingham and Derby regions across to East Manchester and back to Nottingham Derby region then to Peterborough before returning to the Nott/Derby region. Certain riders may decide to only join the Clarion for individual ‘leg’ rides or any combination to suit them and where they live.
Every year the route could be changed to rotate the start and finish points around the local sections.
For participants completing all four legs, a medal or certificate could be awarded and the ‘been there done that’ Tee shirt could be an option.
In order to promote the Clarion we could use the event in many ways to encourage nonmembers to join us, or to encourage sections to run fun runs to join us with newly starting cyclists. The options are endless and we would welcome any feedback from any members.
Please forward comments in writing to lan Clarke, if we receive enough positive comments we will consider running this event however if we get no positive feedback we will assume that the interest for such an event is not there.
SummernAutumn 1998 Page 16
A rider, way ahead of his time A short true story...
Scene:
Walkden roundabout, East Lanc’s Road, Sunday June 3rd 1950 at 6.00am, the
Bolton Clarion Open 25 mile TT.
A rider:
Sits on his bike waiting to start, out of the corner of his eyes he sees the timekeeper’s highly polished shoes start to rock from heel to toe.
Timekeeper:
“Johnny Ball, this is one of your lads and can’t start him, he is not properly dressed”
Johnny Ball: “Why is that Tom? He has black shorts and jersey on”
Timekeeper: “Yes, but he has white socks on”
The rider: Gets off his bike, takes his socks off, jumps back on his bike and is pushed off a few seconds late.
The timekeeper was Tom White, the pusher off was Bill Spence from Leigh Clarion, Johnny Ball was the Bolton Clarion’s racing secretary and the rider was me (Frank Bibby) aged 15 years on my first ‘25’. The bike was an
old BSA ‘Iron’ with 26 x 11/4 steel wheels and did a 1-14-28
“TWE REGULATION CLEARLY SAYS A BELL”
The cartoon is reproduced by kind permission of Bicycle"
There is only
gue bell for the Weight ox, Price 1/8, ad Racer This is it!
Gold, Blue or Green.)
The Vic! ree SPRING RING BELL!
IF YOU CANNOT OBTAIN LOCALLY, SEND POSTAL ORDER VALUE 1/6 (OR 1/8 IF COLOURED FINISH IS REQUIRED) TO
VIC-TREE PRODUCTS LTD., BAGOT ST., BIRMINGHAM, 4 YOUR BELL WILL BE SENT TO YOU BY RETURN POST.
including the late start, and had a bell on!
Frank Bibby Bolton Clarion and National Committee Member.
SummernAutumna 1998
Page 17
An Unofficial Report of this years Easter Meet
This year’s Easter Meet was held in Torquay and in an attempt to get all of the different sections staying in the same place, Merlin arranged for the accommodation and conference venue to be at the same location Pontins Barton Hall, Torquay.
Everyone arrived at some point on Good Friday, the journey only took most of us around 4 hours. As we were unable to book in until 3:00 p.m., those of us who had arrived early made straight for the bar surprise surprise. In the bar some of us shared a table with a couple who had been coming to Barton Hall for 10 years and heartily enthused about the quality of the accommodation and the food. (For reasons that will come to light as you read on personally think that they have lead very sheltered lives.)
When we eventually got our keys we went to our respective chalets. Stepping into our chalets we entered a time warp returning back about 30 years. Our chalet looked as though it had not been decorated since it was built, the bedding was stamped 1977 and we did not have a shower in the bathroom just how would we clean our bikes? We sat on the beds for Q an hour in complete shock, discussing whether we could tunnel out and escape, before deciding to make the best of it and unpacking. (We also had to share our chalet with ants, which is bad enough, but they didn’t even offer us anything towards the cost of the room!).
At dinnertime we set off to the dinning room in the knowledge that even if the rooms were below par we would have a hearty dinner wrong! The menu looked reasonable but when the food arrived the portions were small and the food was either over cooked or indescribable. Half way through the meal we suddenly heard ‘bing bong bing’, yes you’ve guessed it, in true hi de hi style we were treated to announcements of the days’/evenings’ entertainment.
That night everyone congregated in the bar to commiserate, drink away their sorrows and sign on for their meet ribbon. As arranged everyone from the Nottingham Section wore their club Tshirts and sweatshirts and very impressive we looked too, receiving many admiring comments from other Sections.
Saturday morning arrived and breakfast turned out to be the best meal of the day. After breakfast some went to the committee meeting whilst others investigated Torquay.
On Saturday afternoon 14 riders participated in the afternoon’s time trial, which was 23 miles long and started and finished in Bovey Tracey. It was a very cold day and as we were starting the riders off it began to rain. Due to a Marshall not
Spring 1998
understanding where he was supposed to stand, the first three riders went off course. One rider turned up at the finish but the other two, Dave Mack and Julian Mortel, never showed up. Because of the adverse weather conditions we were extremely worried about them and set off to look for them. Unable to find either of them we returned to Barton Hall where they turned up an hour later cold and wet but safe. Douggie Clark of the Stockport Section won the event with a time of 1 hour 3 minutes.
Saturday evening was the traditional fancydress party for which we had our own venue on the Pontins site. A lot of people took part and put a lot of effort into their costumes. Once again the Nottingham Section looked very effective in our Hawaiian theme but the winners were old Mac Donald, his Cow and the milkmaid. Martin and Stewart made very fetching hula girls and Martin found a most original place to keep his wallet A ask him where when you next see him. Everyone danced the night away to the disco and most of us were too drunk to care about our chalets when we went to bed that night.
Sunday was a laid back kind of morning with everyone doing his or her own thing. In the morning many of the keen cyclists went on one of the club runs (see separate report) whilst the rest of us either caught up on sleep, watched the Paris Roubaix in a local pub or went into Torquay. Prior to going on the club runs everyone had their photo taken by the local press famous (or should that be infamous) again.
During Sunday’s evening meal there was an interesting announcement by the bing bong bing man “would the owner of vehicle registration please move it as you are blocking the drive or it will be towed away by a large tractor”. Dave Smith stood up and his face matched the colour of his club sweatshirt. Everyone on the surrounding tables pointed at him just to make sure that everyone knew who it was and that he could not creep out quietly.
It was during Sunday evening’s meal that the members of the Clarion made sure that we could not go back to Pontins even if we had wanted to. The compere uttered the words ‘for those of you who go home tomorrow’ and before he could finish his sentence the whole of the Clarion let up an almighty ‘YYEEEESSSS’. The compere was not impressed to say the least.
At Sunday evening’s trophy presentation the Nottingham Section came away proud. Martin Smith received so many awards that he wore a trench in the carpet; Jenny Harwood was honoured with the Club Woman of the Year and the Section won both the trophy for largest
Page 18
by The Nottingham Clarion
presence at the weekend and the coveted Tom Groom Trophy. All of the Sections then danced the night away and celebrated their successes. After breakfast on the Monday morning everyone bid their farewells to each other, packed their cars and began their journeys home. Despite the ‘different’ accommodation and food everyone had a good time and will have plenty of stories to tell people when they get home, (some of which cannot print). This weekend has proved that even in the face of adversity the good spirits and camaraderie of the Clarion Cycling Club shines through. Roll on Wortley Hall!
Editors note:
think we had all expected Pontins to have been more up to date than they actually were. The concensus seemed to be that the grouping of the Clarion in one place was a good thing, but the food and accommodation was below what we had hoped. We never know what to expect when we try something new and am glad we did. We have checked out next years accommodation and it is way ahead of Barton Hall for the same price. For those of you who may not trust lan and Merlin again then you have the option of booking your own accommodation.
Despite the lack of luxury some members made the most of Barton Hall
Spring 1998
Page 19
CLARION SECTIONS
The following are names and telephone numbers of all Clarion sections throughout the country. Why not try to organise inter-section events, such as club runs, meeting half way between sections, or inter-club time-trials. You may wish to invite them to your social events, club dinners etc.
Scotland
West of Scotland Clarion George Mackay Glasgow-ish 01389 874131
North-East
Bay Clarion Tony Marshall Whitby 01947 880929
Sunderland Clarion Simon Fisher Washington 0191 417 6414
Teesside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesborough 01947 880488
North-West (Cheshire and Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Amy McLarty Bolton 01204 491595
Bury Clarion Sylvia Roscoe Bury 0161 761 6856
Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Clitheroe 01200 442609
Crewe Clarion Wheelers Andy Grace Crewe 01270 841836
Stockport Clarion Julian Mortel Manchester 0161 445 6064
Wyre Clarion Carl Taylor Lancaster 01524 39453 Donald Taylor
Yorkshire
Calder Clarion Joan Milsom Wakefield 01924 274087
Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion Dave Binns Huddersfield 01484 648144
York Clarion Angela Beardshall Wakefield 01924 264898
East-Midlands
Heanor Clarion Fred Lambert Newthorpe 01773 713946
Nottingham Clarion Ken Hemsley Nottingham 0115 987 3118
South and East
Fenland Clarion Ken Clarke Peterborough 01733 62217
London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow 0181 572 9672
West Midlands
Herefordshire Peter Cowan Kington 01544 340690
Wales
Gwynedd Robin Hartley Bangor 01248 371797
Central Secton Brian Burchell Devon 01404 891740
If you know of people who are not near a local Clarion Section then we are always interested to help establish new sections. All we need are three founder members to begin a new section. For further information please ask them to contact the National Clarion Secretary.
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 20
CURRENT CLARION OFFICIALS
Secretary Newsletter Editor President
Racing Secretary
Easter Meet Organiser Treasurer
Membership Secretary Records Secretary Wortley Hall Weekend Organisers
Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member
Racing Team Manager Committee Member
18 Sapperton, Werrington, Peterborough PE4 5BS
Bob Waddilove 6.0... cece cece cence eee 01270 761446 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, OLX
Pump Station House, Daleside Road, Nottingham, NG2 4DH
3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 3LE
Kevin Hulbert 01675 464066 Ferndale Court, Coventry Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 3EZ
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, OLX Brian and Ann Burchell (have moved) 2 Wulphere Close, Dunkeswell, Honiton, Devon. EX14 QUU
130 Crompton Way, Bolton, BL2 2SB
117 Southcliffe- Road, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 IES
70 Springdale Gardens, Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SS
Norman Luxford cae. sssseis enesens eeeew vee A O18! 851 8202
93 Sandstone Road, London, SE!2 0UZ
Harwood.
Here’s Ben, here’s where he lives and where he goes to his clubroom.
The Nottingham Clarion Clubhouse and home of Paul, Jenny and Ben
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 21
DATES FOR 1998 EVENTS
Saturday 29th August Clarion Track Championships Manchester Velodrome (includes juvenile omnium champs)
Sunday 30th August Clarion 25 mile Time Trial Championships Garstang/Preston L2525 Organised by the Bolton section See RTTC handbook for details (includes Ladies Tandem champs)
Friday October 23rd to Wortley Hall Weekend Sunday October 25th North of Sheffield Sunday October 25th Clarion Hill Climb Championships
Near Wortley Hall! (Entry on the line)
NATIONAL CLARION CYCLING GLE
Clarion awards night at Torquay this year (note Tim Duckwitt of the Feniand Clarion with the Trophy on his heac!}
on)
Summer/Autumn 1998 Page 22
EASTER MEET VENUES SO FAR
1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
Summer/Autumn 1998
Ashbourne Bakewell Leek Chester Skipton Shrewsbury Bakewell Stafford Chester Nantwich Worksop Warwick Matlock Shrewsbury Lincoln Chester Warwick Buxton York Shrewsbury Buxton Crewe Buxton (23rd) No Meet Leamington (24th) York Chester Shrewsbury Buxton Warwick Chester York Shrewsbury Chester
1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964
Buxton Warwick York Nottingham Lincoln Shrewsbury Chester Durham Gloucester York
Buxton Valley House Leicester York
Buxton Leamington Chester Cheltenham Edinburgh Shrewsbury Buxton Durham
Gt Malvern Shrewsbury York Peterborough Mablethorpe Harrogate Gt Malvern Buxton
York
Gt Malvern Skegness Morecambe Skegness
1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Buxton Southport New Brighton Scarborough Gt Malvern Southport Skegness Skegness Scarborough Blackpool Cleethorpes Bridlington Skegness Fleetwood Cleethorpes Fleetwood Skegness Morecambe Whitby Llandudno Cleethorpes Fleetwood Skegness Morecambe Scarborough Blackpool Skegness Llandudno Whitby Skegness Llandudno Whitby Torquay Bangor
Page 23
No words could be read on this page.