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53, Mirabel Road, Fulham, Set Werioie
Volume UV.) Nos
All material must be sent to the Editor not later than the 15th of the month prior to publication. Articles published do not necessarily represent the view of the Editorial Committee,
In our last issue we stated the new policy of the magazine, Our aim, we said, was to be usefulness. That. aim we are going
to.do our best to carry-out, but this is going to be very difficult without the co-operation of individuals and Sections.
The chief way in which "Boots" can be useful is in keeping you in touch with each other at a time when personal contact becomes increasingly more difficult, and by letting Sections know how others are tackling today's peculiar problems, so that we can all benefit from their experience.
This means that we have got to get news of your activities, and as we do not possess a bevy of reporters, you must send it to us, At present you are not. This month we have had reports from a mere half a dozen Sections, and even the fact that two of them. are very encouraging, does not do much to make up for tho smallness of their number. Not a single individual has given us news of comrades serving in the forces, and only one has thought of sending a subscription so that a pal in the army can get the mag, regularly.
No doubt this is due to lack of thought and not lack of inclination, A lot of the lads greatly appreciate a reminder of home and news. of. their old comrades, and 1/6 isn't a great price to pay for it. The fact. that we don't agree with this war is no. reason for. ignoring the lads who have to fight it.
Another manifestation of this thoughtlessness is the way in which many Sections have forgotten to pay their bills for past issues, Now that we do not get a months credit for our materials prompt payment is more important than ever, but in spite of this, last month's income set a new low record. If you do not honour your obligations with a little more alacrity, we shall not be able to carry on,.
In the prescnt circumstances it is not surprising that
some Sections should be submerged by a wave of pessimism. But there is no reason why the submersion should be complete or lasting, Some have shown a remarkable degree of buoyancy, for example Watford is able to report a considerable increase in membership, which has been achioved since the start of the war. If this can be done in one part of the country is should not too difficult for others to maintain their numbers.
It is.all a question of tackling a new problem with new methods, If we are all going to accept defeat, sit back and groan deeply, there is going to be no Club, And-not much of anything else,either,
PAGE 2.
One of the pen you cannot say or write anything without i official view of the Union Committe the comments that I make in this ar views of the Committce as a Comm? me as an individual exercising opinions. through the journal,
n Secretary is that being regarded as the But take it.from me that ticle are de! tely not the ttee and are being written by vight as a member to express my
I want in this article to comment quite candidly on the work of the Club in the London Union during the last year, .I want place certain facts before the readers of "BOOTS!" and to ask them to seriously think over the points: that I raise.
During the year from the last Annual Delegate Meeting it is not possible for us to record any progress in the London Area at all, Guite to the contrary, it would be more truvhful to say that we have not even been able maintain the degree of activity. that we had attained last year. The vecruiting campaign was not a. guecess, the social functions have »een definitely bad from both a social, and financisl point of view, the politisal work of the Union and of the sections has been negligible, The membership of the sections is continually fluctuating and sections in many
cases have not increased their membership over a long period.
Now it is not true to say that we have not the.forces that could make a successful club. possibie.- Fs is”quite possible that we have a better le “ship in the sections than the avérage club and it seems to me, therefore, that we have got to Look -elsewhere for the seat of the trouble.
If, therefore, with an active leadershiv generally and a membership that is usually prepared to follow a Lead. when that lead is given in the correct way; the Club. stili does not flourish,. T think that the trouble could be classed under two main headings 1, that the need for’ the Club no longer exists and 2. that the policy of the Club is holding back the progress cf the Club.
T am firmly of the opinion that we are. suffering from a severe dose of Point 2 which, if we are not careful, will lead up to;Pointat;
Fow do I make this out. Here are just a few points that nee:
would like to draw to your attention, Fiz “ly, we Claim to be a political club but our political activities amount to just about nothing. The Club prides itself that it has no political policy put has room for Socialists of all sorts. But it is -just this
lack of a political policy that. prevents us from concucting any activity because it is not possibdle to find more than the very
elementary matters such as relief of refugees upon which we can.
ed on next page:)
VOVEMBRR 1939, poems; Page 3.
(continued from previous page obtain agreement, We are told that to force the issue on any given subject would split the Union or that such and such a grouping would not accept the majority. decision. And so we drift into political stagnation,
At the same time the political character of our Club keeps
out a large number of people who would like to join a progressive Club but are not yet prepared to accept Socialism and drives
out a large number of politically minded youth who are not prepared to sink into the political apathy of the Clarion,
Alongside of this political sterility is the refusal of the Club to center the sphere of mass work among cyclists through the medium of the great cycling Associations such was envisaged by the proposal for mass affiliation to the National Cyclists! Union. The isolation of the Clarion from the great mass of cyclists is proceeding. apace. I consider that this can only be ‘stopped by. broadening the basis of the Club to admit any cyclists of progressive opinion whilst at the same time organising the policy of the Club in such a way that our lead to the rest of the cyclists would be clear to all,
History is proving that the arm-chair Socialist, by his complete complacency and in the knowledge of his own “superlority", in fact becomes one of the most reactionary elements in the working class movement. Our Club. full of these gentry,who. strive to keep the Club “pure* who have no faith at all in the capacity of the conmon people to thresh out their own. problems and fight tooth and nail against any attempt to get the Clarion right into the heart of the eycling movement. These same "socialists" also refuse to consider working for majority decisions in which they do not happen to believe thus
exposing their real contempt for democracy,
Let the Club adopt a poliey, both in the political sense and in the sense of cycling politics, let the whole of the Club unitedly strive to carry out that policy as one man, let us do away with the hopeless “pure socialist” septerianism into which we have sunk and we shall have'a quich response in the enthusiasm of the members and in the vitality of the Club.
The Fulham Section now has a new clobroom situated at the "Duke of Wellington,’ Haldane Road, S.W.6. which is just off the North End Road. The Clubroom is open on Friday's at 7.30 p.m, and members from any section are very welcome,
"BOOTS" can be posted to you or your friends for a year. for 1, 6d,
Gn 4 BOOTS! NOVEMBER 1939.
DEFENCE OF DEMOCRACY.
The following comes to us from a Spanish refugee now in France, She is a young.-girl who left her country with the last of the Republican forces. Her name is not published for reasons. which will be. obyious to you. The article illustrates one of the root causes of the present situation. There were authoritative voices which warned us of results of a fascist victory in Spain. They were ignored, but events have proved them right. The Government whose policy resulted in the- defeat of the Spanish people: still réins. "Can wevbelieve that it is fighting for democracy now?
The news that used to come from the front was very poor, The Fascists were advancing, not by their valour, nor enthusiasm, but py the great superiority of armaments that they had, The German aviation, infinitely superior *to ours. numbers, did not cease pombarding the front and the towns in the rearguard. There was:an absolute rainfall of bombs which. impeded the movement of our troops.
We struggled against becoming dispirited although we all understood that if neighbouring nations did not help us in time it uswag impossible to fight against such an avalanche of guns, tanks and planes, nor against the men who wielded them, of whom however, the Spanish never felt the slightest fear. Always we had the hope that the democracies would not allow a friendly people to succomb, a Republic which defended democracy at the same time as world peace, We rested our expectant glances upon France as upon England rand the United States, but the help of these countries did not arrive, and the Fescists took Barcelona. ey
Two days before the loss of this town, the civil population left. Our exodus to France took cight days, devs the hardest and most tragic of my life Almost without food, sleeping in mud ond gweat, without plankets or anything, without a home, making long marches on foot, the lorries and cars were employed by the army
and. enduring: constant bombing despite the fact that almost all the evacuated were women and children; the Fascists loosed upon us the hate and rage that they have toward the people who defend their Liberty.
Butsif the physical suffering was great, much greater was the moral, To think of Spain fallen into the hands of the criminals that during so much time were assasinating women and children, and tearing to pieces the Spanish people, was horrible, While we women moved from danger our brothers and families remained fighting although without knowing what their lot would be.
ADVERT, Bed and Breakfast or Board Residence at members house, apply 82, Willow Street, Mawney Road, Romford, Essex,
November 1939. Boots!!! "PAGE 5.
I regret to inform you that it has become necessary to cancel future orders of "Boots" as I am now convinced that the
section by its own inactivity has become defunct. The last three Sundays at: the supposed meeting place for the run nobody except myself has turned up. Further, a committeo meeting was to be held this week, when only two others came along and one of those was due for military service eeeecesosee WeGlondinning. SOUTHAMPTON
Although Southempton Section has not beeh greatly affected by the war situation up to the moment, we are expecting to lose a few active members after the calling up of the 20 to 22 year old lads, but we hope, by the use of our mag., that we shall be able to keep in touch with them.
Since the start of the war our runs have been well attended. Up to the present we have been able to book tea in the usual manner but there was a little dismay when one of our caterers charged an extra penny owihg to the increase in the price of butter and sugar. The lads have reason to be annoyed because
although the price of food has increased, the pay packet is still the same size. We are wondering how we shall get on when
rationing starts and what schemes other Sections have in mind to deal with this. It was thought at first that the black-out would put ‘the damper on night riding but we now find that it is quite enjoyable riding in the dark along the country lanes with no motorists to pester us.
In this emergency situation some way of keeping the Section in existence must be found. At our A.G.M. to be Held shortly a special Emergency Committee of three is to be formed. This committee will handle the affairs of the Southampton Section, should the majority of the General’ Committee got called up. This committee will be composed of girl members or male members not liable for military service. Special recruitment of girls is taking place to fill the places of the lads. Weare also
holding a Social. to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the formation of the Section as we are unable to hold the Annual Dinner.
Just a word to the London hardriding Sections. Our hardriders are itching to meet you at some unknown destination in the near future. Will those interested get in touch with our Secretary. cece eceee Jean Brewster.
We BOOMS IN! NOVEMBER 1939.
This month has séén the last’ eno ‘events of-our prot potedseason. The final "25", held on the popular. North Hertford course,
attracted-an- entry of 37..-Times returned-were .very. good.6Qnsiderthe lateness of the event and rather bad conditions. The
Fastest Time: ache
debe 47
W.; Hllett Ip tase 8.24
a ne +f 1.. 8.45
D. Edwards (8%); 2ol0»36
2. L. Slade (90) 1.11.10.
Be 8. Pocock. (8 Le 6.87
Bwo- weeks after this event. the hill climb. was held, ‘at Low" Hild; near Roydon. Owing toa regrettable break- down in, the i honorary timekeeper's domestic arrangemmn ts, the start was delayed some considerable time. We could, of course, provide him..with an efficient,.alarm clock but then he would prohably have a new excuse ready. The large, Kensington contingerit were rewarded by first,.and. second, places,: these going to W.D.Elliott and F. Beidham BaePee gs Ernie Goodspeed,. the. Hackney lad, cariie” in third. The. winner: did very well to :pill ‘Frahk,one off (as’,
Micky., .soon .to. be. back..we ‘hope, would haves, it), for. Frank has... been about, jour, best hilt olinbér for. several _yoars.
review of the past, season reveals ‘two. outstanding Peaturéa: increased, enthusiasm, manifest in. maton increased entries,. and enormously improved. performance ‘The. former applies more to, short distance racing than to the longer distances... Most our lads still seem very wary of "hundreds" and "twelves" although’ thers:ig some improvement.in. this respect. Undoubtedly the most striking:feature. the. amazing -improvement, evident. in -times.. returned. ‘At-the beginning.of this season only Bill Spooner. had beaten fore "50".;, Now. we.have eight. riders who can beat 2.ie That this improyement-relates to-.all distances ccatts shown -by the: breaking of all club records, except Doug. ‘Hacon! 8 singlé "30". Club champion Bill Spooner has,.been responsible for pig ti of the increased standard of performance, his puLseandine rides being a.1.1.53, "25". and. .9..4.40.14."100". Bill nas risen: to a high place in..the time trial.world and has certainly done much to make known the name of the club in the London area... Of. the sixty awards we have secured in opens this year, Bill has deservedly large..share.
Here‘are some:of the many high’ spots of the..years ...winning of open events by.George.Barnes, rnigs,Goodspesd and Biil. Spooner: Dick Davia' regular 1.4 ride and his 222 miles in his first "12": Bill Ellett's 2.12 in the Valma "50", when he beat Spooner, and his 4.45 "100": six awards won in the Upton Manor "50", and, best of ali, Bill Spooner's long run of successful rides in opens.
NOVEMBER 1939 BOOTS!" RAGE Fo, “seal London News. OLUB RECORDS Single: 25. W.G. Spooner 1-52 30 D. Hacon 1.16.26 50. W.G. Spooner 2-11-29 100. W.G. Spooner 4.40.14 200. W.G. Spooner 10.31.15 12 hr. W.G. Spooner 228k miles. Tandem: 30 (W. Ellett le 7.29 (E.H. Goodspeed 50 (W.S. Berry Qo 5.54 (A.F. Forrest CLUB .CHAMPIONSHIP.
1. Spooner. 1. 1-58 2-11.99 4.40.14 8282 “21.879 mph. 3. AR. Davis. LS OLS. DPB! SS 2225
NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP.
GO ‘Av. Spevd 1. B.W. Tucker. 2.16.17 22.397 mph. Be Gs Barnes. 1. 6.29 2-24. 6 21.690
3. F.R. Edwards. 1.9.3 °2421.29 21.464
seoe AS is usual when the Government issues its various edicts,
the new lighting restrictions are’ most-difficult to really grasp in detail. The lighting of the front lamp is governed by the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927 which lays down that the hours: of darkness is the time between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise during summer time and half an hour each way during winter time, et ane
ese. On the other hand, the rear lamp’ is governed by the Lighting Restrictions Order, 1939 which says that the lamp must be sonaWs lighted from sunsét to sunrise. Thus during summer time the rear light must be on an hour before the front lamp and in the winter
time half an hour earlier. I leave you to work owt whether I am correct or not and there is no prize for the answer.
eeee Incidently, it is also noteworthy that a cyclist can be fined £100 or one years imprisonment for certain offences under the lighting Acts while the motorist, for worse offences, is only liable to £50 fine or six months imprisonment. Another nice little piece of “impartial” treatment of working men and women,
sees On another page you will réad of. the different treatment of
the problem of the new life ‘in the sections by two different. sections. It is important that’ ghould grasp the moral of these reports in relation to :your owm section...’ mange cess It is pleasing to mote, however; thet most of ‘the séctions are maintaining a good average on their runs and ave trying to put the recommendations of the Executive of the London Union into
effect. Hounslow reports that it will beholding its’ social functions: as usual and that it has set up a committee-to maintain contact
with the members in the forces,:
eeee [also hear that the Watford Section has elected its officials from those among the members who are in.exempted occtipations and that the section is maintaining itself quite well, This latter also applies to the North London Section, which’ has girl.members for its sécrétary and social secretary. ‘The North Londoners still get their turn-outs of twenty or so quite regularly.
eoee Hast Ham Section reports that the runs are being quite well attended and that the section is suffering from the attentions of Cupid. The section has recently had three marriages, and there are a further four chaps contemplating marriage, Further, am informed that three others are “seriously thinking of courting" If the section can get on in the face of that lot it must be doing pretty well, Send your suggested inter-run to R,Hook,
36, Nevman Road, Plaistow, E.13.
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