Miscellaneous National Clarion Jubilee Souvenir

THE FIFTY-YEAR STORY OF THE CLUB

At an early age, Tom Groom got himself mixed in politics, socialist politics. He was a member of the old Social Democratic Federation as far back as 1886; he joined the Fabians in 1890 and then, when the Independent Labour Party was formed, was one of the first two hundred to become attached. When, in 1891, “The Clarion’? was founded, young Groom immediately came under its magic spell. “The Clarion” took political Britain by storm. and Tom was one of its keenest storm-

If a cyclist be defined as a man ith a bicycle, then a Clarion cyclist was a man with a bicycle—and a saddle-bag full of ‘Clarions”. Tom Groom was one of the first Clarion tyclists. His earliest machine was a “penny-farthing’’ which he bought in 1888. He is a member of the Fellowship of Old-Time Cyclists.

nen the Birmingham Clarion Cycling Club established itself, facially, in 1894, Tom Groom, was at

the inaugural meeting. He was, in fact, the chairman. He has never been out of office since.

He has been national secretary on more than one occasion and has given five years of service in this capacity. He has been national president for

1944

many years and has presided at conference and council meeting more often than any other member. His witty ‘‘Cyclorama’’ articles in ‘The Clarion” remain among the most delightful contributions to cycling journalism.

Tom Groom’s has always been the broader, wider, view, which, no doubt, explains his constant enthusiasm for Internationalism. He was the club’s delegate when, in Ghent, in 1913, the foundations were laid of the Socialist International Workers’ Sport Association. His strong personality has done much to convince the official Socialist and Trade Union moyements of this country of the advisability of joining hands with our comrades of other lands. Through ‘Cyclorama,” he greatly helped to raise funds to send our athletes abroad.

Some years ago, the club did him the honour of electing him life member and perpetual president. No man ever merited recognition more. We are most fortunate that he is with us at this our jubilee to lead us in our celebrations as he has led us in our work and to write this, the story of the club, which he, himself, has done so much to build.

JUBILEE SOUVENIR

By TOM GROOM

SIXPENCE

Rati send congraiidations te the National Clarion Cycling Club on attaining its fiftieth birthday. Greetings to all memb, ers, past and present, and sincere wishes jer many happy egelig miles te come—

Many happy returns of the day

From the Raleigh Cycle Cao, Lid., Lenten, Nottingham

RALEIGH

The ltt Steet Bicycle

HAD THERE BEEN NO ROBERT BLATCHFORD

there would have been no ‘‘Clarion.”’

no Clarion Fellowship

‘The first number of “Ihe Clarion’ was published on 12th December, 1891. In the March of that year, Robert Blatchford “had a fat bank balance and a salary of £1,000 per year.”’. In October of that year he was out of work and, by a series of unforeseen events, £400 in debt. In December 1891-he started ‘The Clarion,’ to preach Socialism,

It was. a_ risky experiment. Socialism was not popular in those days. ‘Newspapers depend largely upon advertisements to enable them to pay. their way. Capitalists concerns were not eager to advertise in a paper run avowedly for the purpose of destroying Capitalism.

But ‘The Clarion’ was started.

Whilst he was working for the ‘Sunday Chronicle,’ Robert Blatchford paid visits to the Manchester slums. What he saw there—dirt, filth, insanitary housing, poverty, hunger and depressing hopelessness —made him sick. The tales he heard of unemployment, of under-paid labour; sweating and under-nourishment, made him angry, Someone sent him a pamphlet ‘‘What Socialism Is,’’? by William Morris and H, M. Hyndman, and, as he said “Directly I grasped the. collective idea I saw it was what I wanted.” He became a Socialist.

But the proprietor of the ‘Sunday Chronicle’ was not a Socialist, and didn’t think it was going to do his paper any good to have Socialism preached therein. R. B. said that if he couldn’t write about Socialism in that paper, he must find another. So the two parted, and ‘The Clarion’ was started.

MILLION LETTERS TO JOHN SMITH

Then R. B. wrote his famous Letters to John Smith of Oldham, explaining, in simple language, just what Socialism meant. Later on, these letters were published in book form, under the title of ‘Merrie England.” The book caught on. Thousands of copies were sold in Britain it was translated into dozens of different languages, and gave to Socialism, both here and abroad, a big help forward.

But not enough to satisfy R. B. In 1894 he had a brain wave. He issued ‘Merrie England” in a penny edition. It sold by the million,

In that same year the Clarion Cycling Club was formed. It was ‘The Clarion’ which had brought together the seven men who started the club. It was the penny ‘‘Merrie England” which gave them the greatest opportunity of carrying out one of the Objects of the club: The propagation of Socialism, as advyocated by the Clarion.

The Clarion, C.C.; the Clarion Fellowship; the Clarion Vans; the Clarion Glee Clubs, all did their share in spreading the gospel of Socialism, as taught by ‘The Clarion.’

BOOTS! SPURS!

But Robert Blatchford did more than teach us about Socialism. He taught us to appreciate good English literature. His ‘‘Book About Books “My Favourite Books;” his many articles on Poetry, Humour and such like, gave us a new insight into the beauty of the English language. And it was from Soldier Stories (“Cuffers’’) that we get our Passwords ‘‘Boots!’’ and “Spurs

And not he alone, but Alex. M. Thompson (Dangle), E. F. Fay (The Bounder), Montague Blatchford (Mont Blong); R, B. Suthers, Harry Beswick, Julia Dawson, Neil Lyons

and others, widened our outlook on

life in many ways.

UNQUAM”

THE TOUR THAT STARTED THE

Had there been no “Clarion”? there would have been no Clarion Cycling Club; no Clarion anything.

Were I to try to express the gratitude of all Old Clarionettes to that gallant company, I should need a Souvenir twice the size of this issue; and then should fail to tell them what they have meant to us. But this is an appreciation of the man who brought them together and who gained their trust, their affection and their loyal support.

WORLD UNITY

As for the Readers—Well, in 1939, I made a trip round the world and in Australia, in New Zealand, in Canada, and in other parts, I came across Clarionettes, who gave me a

joyous welcome, because of my connection with “he Clarion.’ And always their enquiries were How’s

Blatchford?, How’s Thompson?, How’s Suthers?, How’s Julia Dawson?; and so on,

There has been no other paper that I have ever heard of which gained so strong a link between Writers and Readers as that gained by ‘The Clarion.’

To the Younger Generation, this appreciation of ‘The Clarion,’ of Robert Blatchford and the other writers, may seem excessive; but it has to be remembered, that during the last fifty years the attitude of the public ‘owards Socialism has changed very considerably. Now, whilst it would be ridiculous to credit any one man, or any single group of men as being the sole cause of this change, yet the older hands, wh» have been through the early st ugg les must be permitted to give thei thanks, on? their gratitude, to those who first fired their enthusiasm in the cause of Socialism. And the man they will always best remember is Robert Blatchford. TG.

CLUB

Two weeks after Birmingham had formed the first Clarion Cycling Club they went on the first Clarion Easter Tour. Tom Groom reported the ex-

cursion in the ‘‘Clarion”’

We have started the Cycling Club, and at Easter we went on tour. We were seven! And we started from Birmingham on a dirty, damp, dark, dismal, dreary morning at 7.15.

But we got to Wolverhampton, and had a little refreshment, and we got on our jiggers, and we woke up, and the sun came out, and oh! we vere gay!!

Then came we into Bridgnorth and did there Bounderise; afterwards we sampled Bridgnorth, thence came into Arley and Bewdley.

Next day we pushed on to Evesham, via Stourport, Ombersley, Wor-

Clarion

cester and Pershore, and so back to Evesham, as quaint and pretty a little town as existeth. And, Good Lord! how we did eat that night!!

We arose early next morn for we were due that night at the Labour Church in Brum.

We had spent as grand a holiday

as possible. Ah-h-h-h! It was glorious

This article (here abbreviated) sounded a Clarion call and clubs

were quickly set up in all parts of the country, The next Easter tour of the ‘seven’? was to the first Meet.

Fibrax Brake Blocks are the finest means of calling a “halt”. They are made of specially processed material which is highly resistant to wear, with a braking efficiency which cannot be surpassed. Although production is limited we are sure your usual dealer will do his best to

supply you.

AND LINERS

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THE WORLD'S BEST

BLUEMEL BROS LTD WOLSTON

am

FIFTY YEARS AGO—ON 7th MARCH 1894—

seven men met together in Birmingham, in what was formerly a Wesleyan Chapel, and discussed how best to combine the pleasures of cycling with the propaganda of Socialism. And thus was born the first of all the Clarion

Cycling Clubs,

The chapel was at that time being used as a Labour Church. It has since been a sauce factory, a button factory, a warehouse, and several other things. What it is now I don’t know, as I haven’t seen the place for years. But it served a good purpose then.

There was another place, near by— strictly within the meaning of the Act—to which we adjourned after we had agreed that, as we were Socialists as well as cyclists, and as it had been ‘The Clarion’ which had brought us together, we would call cur club The Clarion Cycling Club.

Of the seven men who started the club, I am the only survivor. Harry

the first Captain; Chris J

g@hompson, the first secretary, have

“cong since gone over. But the announcement in ‘The Clarion’ that such a club had been started had hardly been made when Clarion Cycling Clubs sprang up all over the country.

THE PREMIER CLUB

At the first meeting of the Premier club, we laid it down that all officials of the club should be members of a Socialist organisation and that the committee be empowered to grant

surplus funds to the Socialist movement. I do not think the Labour

Movement got much “surplus” cash. All the balance sheets I remember had the “surplus” on the wrong side. But what with getting up concerts on behalf of ‘Cinderella,’ buying pamphlets for distribution, taking part in, and finding money for, elections, and subscribing towards strike funds, we generally got rid of the cash before it had time to become a “surplus.’”? Membership was a

ext expensive item about that

And as for work There was not a Socialist organisation in Birmingham that had not one or more Clarion cyclists on its committee, or a Socialist subscription list without its item from the C.C.C. So taking it by and large, the Birmingham C.C.C. outlined from the beginning, the duties and observances of every well-conducted Clarion C.C. If the well-conducted Clarion C.C. of to-day finds itself accused of riding away from propaganda and of being too casual in its respect for the ‘‘serious side of the Movement,” let it take heart of grace: the earnest comrade used to supply the Premier with the same quality of beans right from the beginning.

REMARKABLE GROWTH

From January, 1895, and onwards for the next few years, the growth

William Ranstead.

of the Clarion C.C.’s was remarkable, It was the boom period for cycling. Everybody cycled. One cycle firm boasted a list of royal and aristocratic patrons as long as your arm and a yard over. Portraits of popular actors and actresses, airily bestriding the “latest model,” or smiling broad expansive smiles across the handle-bars of models de luxe, appeared in every catalogue, and gave confidence to the timid that they, too, might go pottering in the parks without losing caste. The C.T.C. became fashionable and increased its membership by thousands, whilst its social prestige went up to

giddy heights. The N.C.U., controlling the sporting side of the pastime, became a power in the land, Hundreds of humble democratic clubs, caring neither for tuft-hunting or pothunting, came into being, and with them the Clarion C.C.’s arose and spread themselves over the land.

By the end of the first year over eighty C.C.C.’s had been formed, and the next season started with over one hundred and twenty clubs. Within three years the membership had gone up from seven to over seven thousand. And the original Object of the Club: To propagate Socialism and Good Fellowship, was actively and vigorously pursued.

Get your old Clarion cyclist to tell you the tales of the

FOUNDING of the CLARION CLUB HOUSES

in Handforth, in Menstone, in Ribble Valley, the one near Sheffield and at other places. You will faintly realise what the Clarion movement meant to the «arly Clarionettes in the first flush of their enthusiasm. The first Clarion Club House was born in the first Clarion Van. Charlie Reekie had borrowed a van from He set it down

but let Charlie tell the story “Like most good things, the first camp was not planned; it happened, and in this wise: ‘I have borrowed,’ D. Sutcliffe,

said J. ‘Ranstead’s

House

caravan and am going camping for a week or two. Would you care to spend a week with us?’ The idea liked me well, and also several others to whom the matter was mentioned; and so many wished to join in that I suggested we make a club of it. After enquiries as to cost of hiring tents, rugs, etc., I told J. D. S. it would mean £5. He said ‘Um.’ ‘I shall want that £5 to start with,’ I said. He said ‘Um,’ and found it. Then I found Lieut.-Col. Gen. Forshaw, a professional camper. He said we would want a horse. Then

Oversky Ford.

Home-from-home for Manchester Clarionettes

We are doing our best to ration-out supplies of cycling needs as fairly as we can. Supplies are controlled and we often regret that we have to say ‘Sorry, none in stock’’. So please remember our old slogan HALFORDS HAVE IT’’ and rest assured that, as soon as it is

possible, HALFORDS will HAVE IT again.

HALFORDS

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND WALES

THE HALFORD CYCLE CO. LTD., Head Office,

BIRMINGHAM

Prominent Vanners in the group are Tom Groom;

F. Bramley, later secretary of the T.U.

country,

The National Clarion Van Shrewsbury, 1914

J. Pownall Goodhall; F. Hagger, one-time

T. Jones;

National Treasurer, NCCC; with beard, E. Hartley, National Van Organiser.

I went to J. D. S. and said I would ‘7 @want another £5. Again he said ‘Um.’ We found a horse which was

‘quiet as a lamb, but a devil to go.’ He was—the latter. A stove was brought to light. This, like the horse, was a devil to go, though it had a broken leg. All these necessaries, with furniture and crockery from the Gorton I.L,.P. room, were put in, and on, the van one Friday morning and we started to test our horse’s going powers.

“That night we pitched our tents on Tabley fields. The first Saturday night, our three bell tents, marquee and caravan sheltered some eighty “Clarion” readers. We remained three weeks. The success was beyond our expectations, Many new members of the club were gathered in.

“The next Camp was held in August 1896, on a site divided from the old one by a brook. We had fifteen bell tents, two marquees and rugs and other appliances in proportion. We were six weeks under canvas—and not one fine week-end

“On the August Bank Holiday we held a sports meeting, This proved

be the forerunner of the long veries of Belle Vue sports.”

CLARION HOUSE, BUCKLOW

And that was the beginning of the clubhouses, for, in 1897, the Manchester clubs formed the Clarion Cyclists’ Club House Company, Ltd. The purpose of the Company was set out/as (a) renting of the house known as Acropolis, to be better known in future, as Clarion House, situated at Bucklow Hill, near Knutsford; (b) to conduct thereat a social club for refreshment, recreation and accommodation of members of Clarion Cycling Clubs in Bolton, Liverpool, Manchester, and other towns in the district.

Among the promoters were Robert Blatchford, Montague Blatchford, A. M. Thompson, W. Ranstead, Emmeline Pankhurst, C. D. Reekie, W.

Bevan, J. Herrick and T. Wadsworth, The clubhouse was opened on

Jubilee Day, 1897 and was an immediate success. And so the first clubhouse had its beginnings in the camp formed round the sides of the “Old Souper,”’ the first of the Clarion Vans.

“What Manchester» day...” You know the old tag. Anyway, “Yorkshire and North Lancashire soon got busy and fixed up, their clubhouses and others quickly followed. And so sprang up in England the first chain of Youth Hostels,

The noble Lord of the Manor at Bucklow Hill was not as enthusiastic about the clubhouse idea as we and so, when the lease expired in June, 1902, the Manchester clubhouse removed to Handforth, Cheshire. From Handforth, in turn, encroaching house-building caused another flitting. To-day, Valley House, near Wilmslow keeps up the tradition in fine style.

Ribble. Valley Clubhouse is main-

thinks to-

taining a_ restricted activity. The address is Clayton-le-Dale, near Blackburn. The Yorkshire Club-

house, Menstone, is at Chevin End,

Wharfedale. Clarion cyclists are always welcome at any of these houses. After the war there ought to be a revival of Clarion Club Houses with their congenial atmosphere of comradeship and Clarion Fellowship.

In London fred Hagger took charge of the vans. A great orator was Fred. His speeches consisted of one long series of perorations; but for raising funds and organising tours, he was even greater than as an orator. He saw what the Clarion Vans meant for Socialism, and he saw to it that they were not idle while he was» around. And, again, it was the Clarion cyclists who could be relied upon to ensure that the meetings were successful.

The credit of starting the Clarion Van movement be-

longs to Julia Dawson, Clarionettes to a sense of what might be done for Socialism by sending round the country

A MISSIONARY VAN

to preach the gospel in every town and village in the

who, in 1896, roused the

The van which C. D. Reekie had

“borrowed “for week-ends at Tabley

Brook was afterwards borrowed by Bob Manson (‘‘The Lone Scout”) for Liverpool. There was a period of depression in trade. Unemployment was tife, people were hungry, The Liverpool Clarion Scouts set the van up ina Square and gave away, or sold very cheaply, food to the starving unemployed. But it was not meals alone that the van—now the Clarion Van—supplied. The Liverpool Scouts saw to it that the reason for the cause of unemployment, and the way to prevent it, was also delivered from the van.

The hungry came for food. Others came to hear this new gospel of Socialism expounded. ‘The crowds grew bigger and bigger, and at length the Police were forced to interfere.

But what might be a nuisance in the crowded streets of Liverpool might be tolerated in other places. So the Clarion Van went out into the highways and the by-ways and carried the message of Socialism to the towns and villages round about.

Now, the ‘Lone Scout” was an Irishman with the gift of the tongue. To hear him tell of the ramshackle old nag which used to drag the van about was to listen to the guggling ripples of an Irish brook as it flowed over the ragged rocks. But one thing the “Lone Scout” would agree to and that was that wherever he took the van he could always be sure of the Liverpool Clarion cyclists turning up to help with the speech-making and with the sale and distribution of the Clarion pamphlets and leaflets.

THE VANGUARD

And, of course, it became obvious that one Clarion Van was not enough. Appeals for funds in ‘The Clarion,’’ were quickly responded to and soon half-a-dozen other vans were on the road. London had three going at one time. The Midlands built a motor van. There was one that started its career at the Shrewsbury Meet, in 1914, specially built for the purpose, with its sides and interior furnished with beautifully carved pannelling, designed and executed by the Glasgow Clarion Handicraft Guild.

These vans were put in the charge of Edward Hartley, who appointed the Vanners and planned the routes. Among the vanners were Fred Bramley, at one time Secretary of the T.U.C., and Tom Kennedy, who resigned recently as M.P. for Kirkcaldy. There were many others, but my memory fails me.

MERRIE ENGLAND”

The greatest opportiinity for the Clarion Cyclists, the Clarion Scouts; for the Clarion Fellowship, generally, came with the publication of the Penny ‘Merrie England.’’

Robert Blatchford had written a series of letters to ‘John Smith of Oldham,’ explaining, in words of two syllables, what Socialism meant. These letters caught the imagination and roused the enthusiasm of the Workers in the industrial areas. They were published in book form and caught on at once. It has been claimed that the book did more to

convert people to socialism than any

other book then published. So great was the demand and so valuable was it for socialist propaganda, that Robert Blatchford decided to issue a million copies at one penny each,

book with 206 pages at one penny

did not sound a commercial proposition; but the risk was taken and the Clarion Fellowship saw to it that every copy should be sold. The profits were nil, or negligible; but the gain to Socialism was tremendous.

The Clarion cyclists went out with bundles tied on their carriers, held meetings and sold the books. The Glasgow Clarion Scouts hired a lorry, packed it with penny ‘Merrie Englands” and went out to meet the crowds returning from a football match between the Rangers and the Celtic, A book of 206 pages for one penny! It was marvellous! The lorry returned empty.

Manchester had its own special method of pushing “Merrie Engjand”’, and accounted. for the sales of thousands. Birmingham took a stall in the Rag Fair on Saturday nights and delivered the goods in fine style. London did great business were

pleased with themselves, In fact, everywhere where. there was a Clarion organisation of any sort,

“‘Merrie England” roused it to deeds of daring do.

BLACKLEGGING

One personal reminiscence I had been invited by Redditch to give a hand, In the Market Place my impassioned utterances held the crowds awestruck, while the comrades lifted the pennies from the listeners and the stock of. ‘‘Merrie Englands” faded away. Then I had to make a dash for the last train to Birmingham. I caught it and sank, puffing and blowing, into my seat. A man opposite, with a husky voice, said “You did alright, iooniete. mate. You took my crowd away from me. How much did you make?’

1 explained that I hadn’t made anything. That it was a propaganda meeting for Socialism and that none of us made anything out of it.

A

The first Clarion Meet was held in Ashbourne at Easter 1895. Birmingham was responsible for calling and arranging the Meet. From. memory, about one hundred and twenty turned up. It was a jolly fine gathering. A propaganda meeting was held outside the Headquarters which at one time threatened to be not quite so jolly; but it ended all right. The conference was an irresponsible affair. The early Clarion cyclist was not worried about rules and regulations. It was all too soon for a constitution or for business matters. When’s the next Meet? Who is going to call it? A National Committee was elected to settle these points. They were: Harry Atkinson (Birmingham), J. D. Sutcliffe, (Manchester) and William Ranstead (Cheshire). Then we held a concert and cackled a lot, and enjoyed ourselves.

‘The next Meet was at Bakewell. About two hundred, or more, turned up at Bakewell. They came from all parts. Half a dozen came from the West—Bristol. One of these came on an old Penny-farthing machine and landed in Bakewell at 2 a.m., dead beat. He spent the next day in bed; but had to have a morphia injection before he could get his legs to stop pushing round the pedals of his machine.

The First Easter Meet and Tom Greg maar figure standing in second back row.

I don’t remember a propaganda meeting being held in Bakewell, but the news of our coming had been heralded by dire threats as to what these socialists might do, Bombing and rioting were among the least of the outrages we might commit. But nothing of the sort happened. A reporter called on our Host of the Royal Oak to learn of our misdeeds and was told; “I have had two hundred of these socialists in my house, this Easter, and a better-behaved crowd I have never had to do with. They may come again as often as they like.”

So that was alright. Indeed, on the Sunday night, after closing time, our Host asked those of us staying in the house, to take a drink with him. “For,’”’? said he, ‘I confess that at first I was greatly disturbed by the rumours I heard concerning your, coming; but now I have to tell you that I have been delightfully surprised at the friendly and courteous way in which you have used my

And that was that. At the Meet, in Chester, we got the same suspicions and the same farewell. The Chester police had ordered up reserves and had men in private clothes to follow us about. But one of these attended our, then, farcical conference and reported that “If these chaps kill

Included in the sien are

CLARION EASTER

ng

“Then the pentieman loosed up a lovely flow of Brumagemese. I had

pinched his crowd and spoiled his sales and—and I hadn’t made any

money out of it. This was too much! ‘The Professional being outed by a

damned Amateur, and for nothing!

“That’s your Socialism/is it?” After which he explained just what he thought of socialists and socialism and black-legging. It was a new point of view, and I was glad when I got to Brum.

THE OLD

The Clarion Badge was designed and produced in Birmingham. It consisted of a replica of the title of the paper. The letters were separate and were soldered on to the trumpet.

CLA BA

MEETS

anybody it will be from laughing.”

Leek (1897) came before Chester, (1898) and was the leakiest meet of them all. It rained incessantly, except for the open-air conference; at which, the same irresponsible legpulling, rather than business, was the order of the day. The chief item of that Meet was the wonderful reception given to ‘Dangle,’ ‘‘the Peoples’ Darling”—Alex. M. Thompson when we met him at the railway station with fireworks, bells, hooters and mouth-organs, and, for the moment, scared the only constable on duty into believing that the Red Revolution had begun.

rioting in the temper of the crowd, so he led us, officially, to the head-

quarters and then went home to bed. But I’m not going to tell of the

Pacidents of each of the Meets. There 3 a war on. There is a paper short-

age; and, anyway, I’m too lazy and

also much too hazy as to when or where or what happened at which Meet. Ask any of the Old-timers for their reminiscences and hear what

they have to say or, better still, come yourself to our next gathering and you will understand. Every Meet has its own special story; and though, as time goes on, we get more businesslike at our conferences, the old happy spirit always survives.

exton, E. F. Fay (The Bounder)

This was alright while the demand was small; but when the membership began to grow, the old method was too slow, so a die was cast and the present badge is much the same as in the early days.

THE NEW

But he found that there was more laughter than

and let the

INTER-

‘SOCIALIST SPORT

Workers’ Clarion Team of Cyclists, sentation, July, 1925,

In 1912 there came an unusual opportunity to the C.C.C. to distinguish itself. The French Union Sportive du Travail (Workers’ Sports Union) sent a letter of invitation to the T.U.C. asking it to send a representative to a preliminary conference to discuss the formation of an International Socialists’ Sports Union.

Now, the only national socialist, or labour, organisation, with any pretence to sport, in Britain, was the National Clarion Cycling Club, So the T.U.C. passed over the invitation to me, as National Secretary of the C.C.C., at that time. I jumped at the chance and submitted the proposal to the National Committee, who agreed and appointed Fred Hagger and myself as its representatives.

I, with my wife, cycled all the way; barring that bit across the Channel. Fred came by train and boat and we met in Ghent, where the conference was to take place.

It was a gorgeous conference, The Tower of Babel was a fool to it. French, German, Italians, and I’ve forgotten who else besides, got on the platform and fired off their speeches in favour of the solidarity of the Workers of the World and the

need’ for promoting Peace through

Sport. Some of the speeches were

infernally long. Doubtless they were

soul-inspiring and to the point; but to Fred and Me, who didn’t understand a word, they were a bit boring.

He wanted to get on the platform other comrades know what the British thought about -the idea; but as we couldn’t make top nor tail of what the particular motion before the meeting might be, Fred was handicapped. We turned to an Italian comrade, who could speak a little English ‘‘What’s he saying?” we asked. At that moment—or was it for an hour?—a Frenchman from

t

the Midi was giving it out with

vigour and wild gesticulations. The Italian comrade listened. Then with a woe-begone expression, he said “He speak in French, very fast, I listen in Italian, I tell you in English! My God, I cannot do it.” Fred had to take it for granted that it was all right; but his chance to take a hand was right off.

Olympiade, Frankfurt on Maine

Sole British Repre-

LS.W.S.U,

After the conference, and over a glass of beer, we learned that the proposal to form an International Socialists’ Workers Sports Union had been carried with acclamation, and that I had been elected to the International Committee, whose duties were to prepare a Constitution for submission to the next Conference, where the delegates would have plenary powers to vote on any propositions brought forward,

Ieattended the committee meeting, in Brussels; but they had mislaid the interpreter who could speak English, so I had to make the best I could of a Belgian, whose English was about equal to my French. And that didn’t get either of us very far, What I did gather was, that a sub-committee was going to draw up the proposed Constitution and send translations to the different countries, for amendments. Also that the next Conference was to be held; in 1914,°in Frankfurt-on-Main, Germany; and that the German comrades would notify us of the date. It was hoped that the conference would:be held in July. I ‘wrote several times urging that the’ exact- date be given. ‘At length I was told it was to be held in September.

Alas! In the September of 1914 the International Gathering was anything but fraternal. But in 1919 a conference was called in Seraing, Belgium, when, owing to the difficulties of transport and visas, only three nations were represented Belgium, France and England. Our representatives were Tom Stevens (Nat. Sec.), Joe Hobson (Nat. Treas.) and myself.

The main question discussed was as to the advisability of re-including the Germans in the Union, After an intense discussion it was finally decided to invite them to attend the next International Conference, to be held in Lucerne.

Lucerne Sports International

At Lucerne there was a good representation of many countries. A Constitution was agreed to and the organising was handed over to the Czechs.

It was at Seraing, and later at Lucerne, that we received cordial invitations to take football teams, runners, cyclists and swimmers, to

JOHN S. TAYLOR

Club Champion

er i

France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia.

We went. The money was raised by the Clarion C.C.’s. Of the tremendous receptions we got; of the friendly comradeship we met, and of the various incidents which happened, it would take several magazines this size to tell. But it did look as though the slogans “Peace Through Sport”, and “‘‘Footballs Instead of Cannon Balls’’, were likely to be realised.

Having got the International Socialist Sports Federation into something like shape, I applied to the T.U.C. and the Labour Party for official recognition. It was granted. Then I tried to put the British section on a wider basis, The Communists took possession of the organisation and, as they were not in friendly relations with the Trades Unions or the Labour Party, official recognition was withdrawn,

the

and the movement sank to almost

nothing. the efcris of George Bennett (London) the British Workers’ Sports Association was founded, To this we, as a Club, are affiliated, and through it to the Lucerne International. Whatever faults or mistakes were made with the first attempt, it stands to the credit of the Clarion Cycling Club that it first saw the great possibilities of such international effort; and when this war is over,

But later, mainly through

the need for, and the still greater

possibilities of linking up, in friendly rivalry, the Workers of all countries

on the fields of sport, will be evident

to every Clarion cyclist. It will be our duty, and our pleasure, to pcbhethen in every way the efforts of the B.W.S.A. and to take our place in the new endeavour to substitute the sanity of sport for the madness of murder.

CLARION RACING

‘The Clarion has always had something of a reputation for being a happy-go-lucky bunch, willing to try any thing once. Which probably best describes our approach to racing. Some of our lads—and lassies—trying the thing once, have tried it again— and again. Some have achieved considerable distinction. They have been glad to ride in Clarion colours and we have been glad to assist them. Much of the story of the elub could be written round events we haye promoted, Old-timers still talk of Clarion sports on. Glasgow Celtic Club’s concrete tracks of meetings at Belle Vue, Manchester, and at other places. We have trophies which date

back to the beginning of the century.

‘tom Groom has mentioned our unique record in the sponsoring of international, working-class, sport. Teams, which we financed, have carried British colours at Frankfurt, Prague, Vienna, Antwerp and Barcelona. We sent out these. young athletes as living tribute to our faith in the ultimate need for international working-class unity; as an earnest of our belief in the common destiny of the common people. We are rather proud of these efforts

Clarion C. A, C.

But, I’m afraid, the easy-going era of Clarion racing men is over. Some years ago the club decided to give the racers their head: decided for government of the racing men, by the racing men, for the racing men. We set up the Clarion Cycling and Athletic Club.

Probably the first step in this new direction was taken at Buxton, at Easter, in 1930. Tommy Hirst (Blackburn) became the first National Racing Secretary. At York, in 1932, he was given a National Racing Committee. At Nottingham, 1933, it was decided to set up local Clarion Cc. A.C.’s. It was also there decided by the N.C.C.C. to award prizes to the national champions of the club. The competition was run on a points basis and Gilbert Hamilton of Glasgow scored 15 points and won.

When the Trade Union movement decided, in 1934, to honour the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Clarion, as the only workers’ cycling club, was given the honour of organising the cycling events. We, also, in that year, sent a team to Prague. And again Hamilton won the championship.

The Shrewsbury Meet, 1935, saw the forerunner of the present C. A.C. annual Easter conference. For the first time, local C. A.C. representatives met. The committee which they elected decided that the road and track championship competitions should be separated and that the road title should be decided

over events at 25, 50 and 100 miles and of an average speed basis.

Constitution Adopted.

Eric Heath (Aston) became our National Racing Secretary in 1936. At Durham, 1937, the 12-hours event added to the road competition. Next year, at Gloucester, the current Cc. A.C. constitution was adopted. North Lancs and London had each submitted drafts. The London scheme was accepted. I was elected Secretary.

By the end of that year we had 18 jocal C. A.C.’s and 867 members thereof; to 19 Centres with 1128 members. But then came the war. We have since suffered, although not so badly as we~had feared and not so badly as has the average club. In fact, the

in 1939 we had grown

Clarion has done quite a bit to mini

mise official panic legislation. Whil the R.T.T.C. was ordering all English road-racing to stop, our West of Scotland C. A.C. was going ahead with its 12-hours race! Later, our Manchester centre helped British road sport to come-back by running its pay-on-the-day events.

We find ourselves reduced to 13 centres. But we look with hope to the future. From once being regarded with some disdain by the speeding fraternity, regarded as a mere nursery for other clubs, the Clarion has established itself as a power in the land—on both sides of the Border. Which, I hope, will be for the good of British sport and for the Clarion. Ts

K.H. CUP WINNERS

NATIONAL ROAD RECORDS He

25 Miles M.S. 1938 Taylor, West Scot. Soot. J. Hurrell, South Yorks Sees 1940 J. Hurrell, South Yorks... 1 1 21 1942 C. Cartwright, Manchester Is...0- 1943 Cartwright, Manchester 1 0-52 30 Miles 1938 D. Hacon, London 2d 16 4943. C, Cartwright, Manchester 1 15 38 K. Jones, London 3 20 50 Miles 1938 J. S. Taylor, West Scot. DAs 56 100 Miles 198% J.'S. Taylor, West Scot. .4 1988 J.S. Taylor, West Scot. 4 24 56 12 Hours Miles 1938 J. S. Taylor, West Scot. 243.875 J. S. Taylor, West Scot. 246.187

One of the keenest Clarion time trials is promoted every Easter, at the Meet,—for the Kenneth Humphries Memorial Cup—memorial to a young member who lost his life in a road accident on Christmas Day, 1927.

HOM. +S.

1929 South East London 3 34 34 1930 South East London ie 3 45 40 1931. South East London 3 37 30 1932 Middlesboro ps perol 56 1933. Oldham Ey 3 38 7 1934 Lincoln 52 1935 Pontyclun 1b 1936 Warrington 51 1937 Warrington 45 1938 Bolton ey 29 1939 Bolton-on-Dearne 31 1940 Manchester ene) 59 1941 Manchester oe Sipe ee ee 1942 North London 3 eas? te 40" 33. 1943. North London 3, 28 20

fe

25, 50 and 100 Miles

NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONS

*1938 *1939 1940 1941 1942 1943

*D and 12 Hour events.

and 50 Miles

1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943

NATIONAL TRACK CHAMPIONS D. Dove, Huddersfie

19:

war.

NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONS

Councillor ERNEST SUGDEN General Secretary

A Few Words, in the Jubilee Brochure, on the Club’s Activity

ON THE MATTER OF INSURANCE

may be of interest.

In the early days of the club, members were just amembers. But the club grew and with it grew a demand for some form of insurance.

About 1910 it was decided that we should start a scheme. It was a voluntary thing and we registered it under the Industrial and Provident Society Acts. A member who paid 1/- per year was covered in case of accident while cycling. ‘he scheme worked well for several years; eventually, however, it was decided that the 1/- premium should be added to the then club subscription of about 1/- and that all members would thus be brought under the scheme. It had taken some, years to get all the members into one mind on this proposition. Cover was for accidents only,

Third Party. Then followed a request for Third Party insurance. The club, itself, could not do this business. Under

THE NATIONAL SECRETARIES

The first National Secretary was J. Taylor Clark. How he got elected, who elected him or when, I don’t know. I rather fancy he elected himself, and as no one else was anxious for the work, he carried on. And a good job he made of it. He stuck to the post until he found it was too much, and then handed over. to J. Pownhall Goodhall, who was_properly and constitutionally appointed

(Vaughton Cup) M.P.H,

G. Hamilton, Glasgow

mins, L nnah, West Scot ylor, West Scot.

37 19

(Jones Cup) Kinning Park Kinning Par!

M.P.H. wee oa 21.330

Leicester. orth Lond ided on basi:

NATIONAL (NOVICE) ROAD CHAMPIONS

T. Willock, South Yorks J. C. Park, West Scot

South Wales land, London Rolfe, London. J. Walker, West Sc

A T J E

ndy, Manche: 5

Standing (1, tor.) H. Johnson, A. Whittaker, J, Hinton, Seated

O, Roberts, Stanley, Taylor-Clark Groom,

Livingston, J. Bowie.

by a conference, i 1904. He stuck it out until he, too, found that it. was taking up more time than he could spare, so he resigned. ‘Then we elected two secreturies Booker and Short, of Sheffield. They stuck it for a year and then they’d had enough; so the job was handed over to Tom Stanley and F. Farrand. Farrand lasted one year and was replaced by Livingstone. Stanley and Livingstone—two good pioneering names— did wonders in increasing the number of the clubs.

Tom Stanley resigned in 1911 and was followed by Tom Groom, elected at the Easter Conference of that year. He was in charge until 1916, when Tom Stevens took on the job and kept going till 1921, when Ernest Sugden took over. Ernest did thirteen years as Hon: Sec., but in 1934 was appointed full-time secretary, and has held the post ever since. During his twenty-three years of office Ernest has had a busy time in

the various Insurance Laws, we had to do our third-party businéss with one of the recognised companies. For this benefit, we agreed to pay an extra 9d. per member, per year. During the last war members were as busy as are we to.day. It was not always easy to arrange meetings of

the National Committee. It was, therefore, decided that we should endeavour to make some arrange-

ment whereby we could contract out all our insurance business.

The Committee approached the Co-operative Insurance Society, Ltd., and, after several meetings, an agreement was reached. Since that time I have never heard any suggestion that that bargain should be terminated. Which is proof of satisfaction.

From that date members have received, in personal cash payments, £2,520; in first-aid and get-you-home grants, £122; third-party claims, on behalf of members, have totalled £1385 and £6527 has been recovered for members under the legal-aid department, These amounts cover the pe ten years—four years of which have been war years when cycling activity is reduced. The benefits have been secured by members out of payment of the club’s membership fee and not by reason of any additional premiums, Clarion members enjoy the best cyclist-insurance obtainable at a fee inclusive of subscription. ES. coping with the Insurance Scheme difficulties and with the developments of the Unions of the Club Sections. But he has done, and is still doing, a fine job of work. When this war is over and the boys and girls get back to their sections, there will be a hard time for the National Secretary of the National Clarion Cycling Club.

We have had good records from those who have gone before and we may rely upon it the future will be met with the same loyalty and enthusiasm.

THE FIRST NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF NEWLY-FORMED “NATIONAL”

CLARION CYCLING CLUB, 1911

J. Hobson, F.

Hagger, G. Poole, J. Bowen, J. Pownall Goodhall,

NO PURCHASE- COUPONS

BARGAIN basements have no place in the business of insurance.

The best time to buy an

endowment assurance policy is NOW, for although prewar assurance is available at

pre-war cost the younger you insure the greater your for sfne

return money

invested.

Your money grows FASTER

in life assurance

CO-OPERATIVE INSURANCE SOCIETY

Established 1867

The Sign of Securile

MILLION POUNDS

Chief Office 109 Corporation St. Manchester 4.

London Office 42 Kingsway, W.C.2.

ASSETS EXCEED 51!

OFFICIAL BADGE MAKERS MEDALLISTS

MAKERS OF TROPHIES, SHIELDS

BADGES, MEDALS

PRIZES FOR CYCLING

CLOCKS, PEWTER WATCHES CUTLERY CUT GLASS

LEATHER GOODS

&e.

Write for samples to

VAUGHTONS

Lip. BIRMINGHAM

Yorkshire: 3, MANOR ST., BRADFORD. Tel. Birmingham GOTHIC WORKS, Livery St. Tel.

And when the War is over

The “SCOT” will come again

That Braw wee bike “The Flying Scot” That lives up to its name

Its riders being FREE

Will like its FREEDOM more

And they will knock a minute off

The time they did before.

THE FLYING SCOT

RATTRAY

MURRAY STREET, PARLIAMENTARY ROAD GLASGOW, C.4

Bradford Central 3431-2

1907

OLD-TIMERS AND THE TRADE

H. H. ENGLAND Editor, Cycling”

Happy Jubilee Greetings to the National Clarion Cycling Club.

May its wisdom be ever refreshed by continued contacts with the open road; with the wayfarers who travel thereon and with the peoples living along its verges whose neighbourliness is made possible by the very roads that join them in fellowship.

My own started with

life-long

interest in cycling a fascination

I conceived as a child for my father’s badge—a long trumpet bearing the word “Clarion.” 1 cannot now remember what he may have told me of his earliest cycling associatior but I do know that he was a Yorkshir West Riding tailor and that his own great enthusiasm for cycling linked with many friends of the wheel in Halifax before my family moyed into Lancashire where, from the age of 13, my father’s practical gu.dance and inspection led me to a love oi touring by bicycle. With gratitude, thereore, do I convey my congratulations on e Clarion’s 50 years of service to cyclists send wishes that the future may provide wider opportunities for the development of a common well-being for all ride bicycles.

ALEX, M. THOMPSON

One of “the four” who founded “The

Clarion”’; part author “The Arcadians,”

etc.

And so it’s fifty years ago? Well, do you know, Comrade, I’ve sometimes thoug lately that I was perhaps getting a bit pas: the fine full bloom of my youth. When first met what Tom Groom will probably call the Premier Club, I don’t think my knees creaked quite as much as they probably would if I tried now to repeat the fabulous feats of my great cycling days.

Ah, those Clarion Meets!. I look ka on them and deliberately declare that I have had more hearty joy of them than of any other event in my long life. I have a photograph on my desk of a group at Bakewell. Sutcliffe, Whiffly, Ranstead, Atkinson, Taylor Clark, Reekie and—whose is this finely-chiselled, cherubic face, ‘so innocent arch, so cunning-simple,” “a sight to make an old man young?” Why, Tom Groom, of course, And—fifty years ago, you said? Why then, this unfledged boy, this “‘unfeathered two-legged thing” must be at least and I’d been thinking for years that he was about 25. For years and years, if anybody asked me, “How

Tom Groom?” I always answered,

Dh, not more than 25,” Instead of

wich, O Perfidy, thy name is but you can’t be too careful: there are laws of libel.

There’ is another face on my picture. But I won’t write about him. T will only quote a letter I received from him at the end of last November:

“The Clarion was dearer to our hearts than ‘Merrie England.’ That is a fact. The Clarion was US. Merrie England was only mine and only a single effort. But the dear old Perisher was an achievement and I still regret its death and resent the ingratitude of the fools who killed it.

“And it was the Fellowship and that was a real thing, the Spirit of which is still alive. That Fellowship as an organised personality, was due in a great measure to Fay, and in a lesser degree to Cartmel Robinson. And_ it was US. The word Socialist to-day does not mean what it meant to us in the Clarion days.”

But if I start on that theme I shall never end. So I will briefly answer, dear Comrade, that I haven’t time to write the message for which you ask and to wish the C.C.C. many happy returns of its semi- Centenary. Perhaps I will do something for the next. Meantime, Comrades of the Clarion Fellowship, BOOTS!

CONGRATULATE

NATIONAL

CYCLING CLUB

A. P. CHAMBERLIN Secretary, National Cyclists’ Union

One of my earliest recollections of cycling was closely connected with the Clarion. I remember, as a boy of seven or eight, my father frequently having a friend call, who always arrived on a bicycle and sported a Clarion badge. He invariably carried a newspaper and the newspaper was called the Clarion.” I have very keen memories of some fast and furious arguments, which, at the time, I was always of the opinion arose from the visitor's cycling activities. Members of the Clarion will, of course, be able to form a far better opinion as to the nature of these discussions.

1 have also most happy memories of riding on the “step” of this good Clarion member’s bicycle.

Since then, I have had many pleasant rides and rallies with Clarion members in all parts of the country which have whetted my appetite to see more of them.

I am quite sureythat in the post-war period the Clarion will continue to prosper and take its full share of those responsibilities that must be the effort of all good cyclists, not only to maintain and keep what we have won se far, but to make sure that the cycling public—being the most numerous body of road users—shall have

‘the greatest voice in road affairs; and so

let me join with all Clarion members in wishing the Club Many Happy Returns, Good Luck, and Prosperity.”

G. HERBERT STANCER Secretary, Cyclists’ Touring Club As one_who remembers the birth of the

Clarion Cycling Club, and who attended one of its earliest Easter meets (on the fringe of Sherwood Forest) I offer my

heartiest congratulations on the attainment of a Clarion jubilee.

Cycling has made great strides in those 50 years, but the value of organised efiort to preserve the rights and liberties of cyclists. has not diminished. On the contrary, there has never been a time when our interests were so seriously threatened as they are at present. Upon the conclusion of the war restrictive legislation witl have many advocates among those who wish to reduce our numbers.

All this points to the necessity of cyclists being well organised; and as_ the Clarion was originally established with a political background, there is every reason now for carrying those early democratic ideals into the arena of modern road politics, and applying them to the defence of the weaker vessels on the public highway.

May good fortune attend the Clarion in any work it may undertake along those lines,

Rt. HON. JAMES WELSH Lord Provost of Glasgow

The 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Clarion Cycling Club recalls to me many pleasant runs and excursions that I had as a member of the Glasgow Section 42 years ago.

The Clarion Organisations of that period, particularly the Cycling Club and the Field Club, with the fellowship attached, were a boon and a blessing to every one connected with them.

The ordinary Club runs were enjoyable enough, but week-end runs, midnight runs,

OTHER CLUBS AND THE PRESS

and special trips as far as the Lake District and the West Highlands of Scotland were highlights. The Annual Scottish Meet brought Clarion cyclists from all over Scotland together, and this association was valuable in many ways, proving a stimulant to Socialist effort all over Scotland. Among my mementoes I treasure photographs of the groups taken at Dunkeld when Harry Beswick attended as representing the Board, and on one memorable occasion when ‘Dunfermline was the place, A. M. Thompson graced the proceedings.

What the Clarion Club meant to the working people in Scotland was difficult to measure. Many, working long hou s, looked forward to the release at the weekend and to escape into the pleasant surroundings of the beautiful countryside. Propaganda work was also carried on, and many districts heard the new Social gospel for the first time; and the distribution of literature was a regular feature.

I congratulate the Club on celebrating its 50th Birthday and hope that the new generation will obtain the same sat i and pleasure out of their activities as I did. I hope to hear of the continued progress and activity of the Club all over the country,

WILLIAM STEWART

Founder member, Independent Labour

Party, and Clarion Van Propagandist.

All believers in Socialism have reason to thank the Clarion Cycling Club. Fifty years ago there was throughout the Socialist movement a wide and eager propaganda spirit. New converts were keen to speed the good news and make other converts. Out of this spirit was born the’ Clarion Cycling Club.

They were all readers of “The Clarion.” They took their inspiration from its editor, Robert Blatchford. They were all Socialists and they were all cyclists. What more natural than that they should combine their two faiths? And thus Socialism got its mobile pioneering corps.

Many a dull meeting has been electrified by the advent of a group of Clarion cyclists mingling with the audience, selling literature, distributing leaflets, helping with collections, and, in various other ways, turning an indifferent gathering into a Socialist demonstration. Many a laborious speaker—such as the present writer— has been heartened when he knew that there were Clarionettes in his crowd who understood what he was trying to say.

The famous “Clarion” and its famous editor have passed out. But the cycling club remains to continue its work. In the movement, there is still plenty of need and room for the wheelmen—and women—of the hard road. In fifty years they have done great work for the Cause. In less than another fifty years their successors will see the results in the establishment of a Socialist condition of life for all the people.

Long live the National Clarion Socialist Club!

MAJOR WATLING

Traders’ Union and President, National

Committee on Cycling.

Heartiest congratulations to the National Clarion Cycling Club upon its 50th birthday. During this long span of happy life it has done wonderful work for cycling. If those who attended the inaugural meeting of the Club could have foreseen what would be the outcome of their splendid efforts they would certainly have been pleased to know that in 50 years, cycling would have achieved such an important place in Britain, as a sport and pastime.

As for the future, the town must mingle still more closely with the countryside. Of all the vehicles which provide intimate knowledge and understanding, the bicycle is pre-eminent. The work of clubs and associations which encourage cycling is worthy: of the highest commendation,

ALEX. TAYLOR Hon, National Racing Secretary

CONGRATULATIONS. contd.

S. J. BYRON Editor, “The Bicycle”

The strength of the cycling movement lies in the unbounded enthusiasm of its devotees. Their ardent love of cycling will be the corner-stone of our strength in the future.

In this spirit “The Bicycle”’ joins with those many cycling friends in wishing the National Clarion C.C. heartiest congratulations on the occasion of its 50th Birthday and in expressing this Jubilee message pays tribute to all who, by their enthusiasm for the great game, lave helped to make Clarion history.

TOM KENNEDY

Old vanner and, until a few weeks ago,

Member of Parliament for Kirkcaldy.

Tom Groom will have an_ interesting story to tell. His message will bring recollections, both wistful and joyful to many readers. Fifty years is a long time and a lot has happened since those early days. My own parliamentary work is over. Often, I feel, that if I could begin again, I should do better. But that cannot be. It may be that the work we did in the old years —and, in recent times, too—has_ not altogether been without good results. any rate. we tried, and the Clarion tried. Congratulations!

TOM TYASS

One of the old-timers who helped build

the first clubhouses.

I began, I remember, on a boneshaker,” in the ’80’s; I matriculated to an ordinary,” then a Kangaroo,” a_ telescopesafety and, latterly, to a modern diamond frame. I have lived to see the “infernal” combustion engine come to menace all road-users. Citizen Pushpedal will have to defend his rights and not let himself be made ‘a road louse by the Juggernaut brethren. The Clarion has had fifty years’ experience of fighting. You should be fit for this coming battle. Boots!

Published by Halifax, Yorkshire.

ALEX. TAYLOR (Hon. Editor) PRINTED BY

JUBILEE SOUVENIR

Some day, some one will write the history of the Clarion Cycling Club. Some generous spirit will get down to the painstaking task of research among the old minute books, through the files of old ‘Clarions’, ‘Cyclings’ and other journals; will accept reports from local sections and stories from old members. He will compose the collectién in so many pages and then we shall be able to say that the official history of the club has been written.

We do not cla that this little booklet fulfills these conditions. We have enjoyed pondering over the available minutes. We have studied old newspaper clippings and. old photographs and can assure you that there is plenty of material for the historian of the future. But, for the present, we are subject to paper reserictions.

Outline ot History.

It has been our aim to sketch an outline of the cluh’s romantic story and to clothe our picture in something of the old-time Clarion atmosphere of good fellowship and comradeship. We feel that Tom Groom has succeeded in 4his. We hope that your excursions with him will have brought both happy memories of the past and inspiration for the future. The club owes a great deal to Tom

We thank others who have made this magazine possible Ernest Sugden for his contributions on In-

J. S. MIDDLETON Secretary, The Labour Party.

Only the old timers,” who were youngsters when I was a youngster, can feel in their hearts all that the “Clarion has meant to us in our. inner lives and our attitude to the world and its folk. The warm humanity that flowed from Robert Blatchford’s pen, the joviality and good fellowship that “The Bounder”’ shed upon us during his all too short life, the fine journalism that “Dangle perpetrated as commentator upon the facts and follies of the times, the outpourings of Mont Blong’s”” immortal lyre and the wonderful and instructive B'ografies”” of “The Insect,” the clear thinking that Bob Suthers brought to Local Government and other practical. political problems, never to mention “The Flying Scotsman” of happy memories and Tom Groom’s worthy service to us all; Julia Dawson’s enlightening encouragement for our women and to most of us men as well—all these and more Have been old familiars in our mind’s eye as our years have fled and we, too, towards the dust descend.

The little flame of Socialist effort the “Clarion” band began has set fire to many hearts and, though the old paper is no more, its mark the history of our

Socialist’ and Labour Movement and, through that, upon the nation and the world at large—despite all present evils

and desolations—is quite beyond our know- Tedge.

In all corners of the world around the

Seven Seas the Sneialist message has spread as the one hope of the world, and

we .of the Fellowship can all rejoice that miracle of our

we have witnessed this generation.

I join with all oar good comrades in cherishing a great and glorious memory.

surance and on ‘Tom Groom; “Cycling”? and Aubrey ‘Todd (London) for the use of the block of Alex. Taylor; “Scottish Cycling News”’ for that of Jack Taylor; our friends who sent us their good wishes; our advertisers for their practical interest and our own members who are now going to take all the copies we can have printed and see that they are well and truly sold. The Future of the Clarion

From having looked backwards, through all these pages, can we now turn and look into the future for a

moment

We can see that early attempts are to be made to restrict our freedom as cyclists. Can the Clarion help resist? We feel confident of the answer.

Is there something the club can 4 t» further its political aims and jects? Until the classless society realised, there will always be work for Clarion Cyclists. Let each one of us learn more of Socialism and of its splendid possibilities; let us help educate the youth of the country to see “the vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be’’; let us help, too, to unite the differing sections of the Movement, Here, in fact, the Clarion is in an unique position. Just as 50 years ago, we were particularly fitted for the job we did then; to-day we are probably marked out to render another service, to the cause In the club we have members of all parties of the Left: Labour, LL.P., C.P., $.P.G.B. and others. They all get on well enough when they are with us. Given a bunch of Clarion leaflets they would distribute them without a qualm. Could we get all of these separate groups into a habit of working together for a common purpose? Could we give practical demonstration of our motto: ‘Fellowship is Life; Lack of Fellowship is Death’? We se! job there for the Clarion. <a

POSTSCRIPT

In these reminiscences I have been handicapped by having few records handy. For any sins of commission —the giving of wrong dates—or omission the leaving out of important items and the names of men and women who should have been mentioned—I must plead the absence of the necessary records and a poor memory.

Of all the Clarion organisations which were formed fifty years ago the Clarion Cycling Club alone remains fully alive. And, so jong as it keeps true to its Objects Mutual Aid, Good Fellowship and the Propagation of the principles of Socialism, it will. have good cause and reason for keeping alive. Boots!

TOM GROOM.

for the National Clarion Cycling Club, 15 West View, Hopwood Lane, McLannan Co. Tyrp., 240 Horr Street, Grascow, C.2.