NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 1993
Current (and New) Clarion Officials
The following are Officers of the Clarion for 1993:
Secretary Ian Clarke 0733 577108 18 Sapperton Werrington, Peterborough PE4 5BS Membership Ian Clarke (as above) Secretary Easter Meet David Gaffrey 0924 278421 Organiser 124 Sowood Avenue, Osset, W Yorks, WF5 ODB Racing Allan Wray 0226 724588 Secretary 15 Hardie Road, Havercroft,
Wakefield, WF4 2EN
Treasurer George MacKay 0389 74131 Shona, Lusset Road, Old Kilpatrick, Glasgow, G60 5LU
Minutes Denis Pye 0204 842869 Secretary 34 Temple Road, Halliwell, Bolton, BL1 3LT
Records Audrey Waddilove 0270 761446 Secretary 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX
Wortley Hall Brian and Ann Burchell 081 518 0184 Weekend 13A Highlands Gardens, Redbridge,
Organisers Ilford, IG1 3LE
National Bob Waddilove 0270 761446 President 36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX
Committee Peter Shepherdley 081 572 9672 Member 74 Albion Road, Hounslow, Middx, TW3 3RT
Committee Joan Lister 0226 724588 Member 15 Hardie Road, Havercroft, Wakefield, WF4 2EN
Committee Kevin Hulbert 0200 442973
Member 6 Montague Street, Clitheroe, Lancs, BB7 2EB
Almost a hundred years old....
No, that’s not the age of our National Secretary but the age of our Club. Next year sees the Centenary of the Clarion Cycling Club, some may argue that the Centenary should be 100 years on from our first Easter Meet, however the first Clarion Cycling Club was formed in February 1894 and here we are today still going strong.
The Clarion is steeped in tradition and history that few people (including myself) fully appreciate. This was brought home to me whilst driving home from work listening to Radio 4, a short potted history of British Cycling began by celebrating Boardman's classic Olympic win and like any keen cyclist my ears pricked up and turned up the volume. To my amazement the Clarion had quite some mention as playing a major role in the establishment of Cycling and as important a contribution as the penny farthing and the safety bicycle.
The Clarion may not mean much to the listening public but unlike many pieces of history we are still alive and kicking. We should all do our bit in promoting the Clarion movement (and a movement we are, not just another cycling club...) into our second century, how many other organisations can make such a proud boast
So how do we do it next year we aim to celebrate not only the last 100 years but also the future of our cycling club. We have put a great deal of effort into improving the communications of our organisation in the last few years so this should ensure that everyone knows what is going on. We have many regular events throughout the year and 1994 shall be no exception, I know that some of you will have never attended a single Clarion event during your membership and that many of you have not attended for some time so let's make the centenary year the difference and come along, at least to the Easter Meet. For those faithful followers, make an effort to coerce, cajole and bribe your club mates to come along. If you have any doubts just ark those who have been before.
The committee and organisation staff will guarantee that you will not be let down.
To me the Clarion is a fine Club with an envious foundation, a history that is hard to beat and a fellowship amongst members that is second to none. We may only be a fraction of our former self but we can regain our place as one of the most important organisations in British cycling without to much work, only a little apport from our membership.
A Clarion call to the Clarion membership, make the centenary year a one to remember.
Ian Clarke National Secretary, newsletter editor, membership secretary and all-round
good chap
The Centenary Year Plans 1894 to 1994
You should, by now, be fully aware that 1994 will be the year that we celebrate our centenary.
The Clarion was formed in 1894 in Birmingham by a group of like minded socialists who were using bicycles to spread the word of Socialism to the workers in the farming industry, amongst others.
The first Easter meet was in 1895 where we had our first conference and the Clarion grew in numbers and strength from there, Cafes and Cycle Shops were endorsed by the Clarion we even run our own Soup Kitchen style caravans drawn by horses.
The Clarion Call of ‘Boots’ and ‘Spurs’ was originally used by Robert Blatchford and his
army colleagues whilst telling stories in their dormitories. During ‘lights out’ the teller would call out ‘boots’ to see if his listeners were still awake, a reply of ‘spurs’ would
confirm. Robert Blatchford was the editor and owner of the Clarion newspaper first published in
1891, the name of this newspaper was adopted by our club as was the Clarion call which was used to identify fellow members on the road.
So, 100 years on and we plan to celebrate in a number of ways:
The Centenary Year sub-committee has been formed, any ideas let us know. Birthday dinner February 28th at Birmingham.
Centenary Easter Meet many events, see later.
100KM centenary time trial -Leeds to Scarborough.
Junior 2 day 3 stage road race at Lincoln Easter Meet.
Old ordinary (penny farthing) ride for publicity, Birmingham to Manchester. Clarion Camping at the York rally with a centenary display.
We shall be commissioning a Centenary design that shall be used on the letter-
heads and also a limited edition make of Cycling Jerseys. Other Centenary merchandise will be on sale at the Easter Meet.
Easter Meet 1994
At the Lawns Centre-Lincoln, Home of the National Cycling Museum
Celebrity Speakers, Clarion History display, CTC guided local rides Criteriums for all categories on a purpose made cycle track Time-trials 10 and 25, Vintage Cycle racing Discos, Dances, Lincoln Brass band Prize presentation and Annual Conference
Clarion Call to our older members and friends
The Easter Meet next year is set to be our biggest for many years, and how do we plan to go about this...
We are planning it to be a get together of as many current and past Clarion members as possible and we Shall be inviting anyone who has been a member of a Clarion Club at anytime, as you know, talk to anyone over 50 and there's a good chance they have been in the Clarion at sometime.
So, if you have not attended an Easter Meet for a while then this will be the one to come to, you'll meet all your old acquaintances, club mates and friends.
If you know of anyone who is out of contact with the Clarion please let them know and get them to come along.
We will have people coming from all corners of the UK so transport can be arranged.
Nominations for Committee
All nominations for National officials and committee members should be sent to the National Secretary by the 30th November on the nomination forms supplied to section secretaries.
Why not come on to the committee for a year
Who is the best Clarion section
Well according to the engraving on the Tom Groom trophy last year it was Fenland, rumour has it that the Sales and Publicity arm of the Section got in to full motion.
This year the award could go to a number of different sections but it all depends on them putting forward a claim to the National Office.
Crewe are figuring very strongly in the time-trial world but little is known of their other activities.
Also having a good racing year is Stockport they are however, also well known as socialites.
Now in their 60th year Nottingham are seeing something of a phoenix period.
Growing the sport from grass roots Sunderland have a strong Junior contingent.
...who else if you feel you have a good case to put forward then you may have a chance to win the most impressive trophy in the Clarion, the Tom Groom Globe.
wse0F Will the Fenland win again
Obituaries
It is with great sadness that we have to write of the loss of two Clarion members.
Henry Lloyd
Henry Lloyd of the Nottingham Clarion was a very dear friend of every member of this section and was well known by many of his Clarion friends thoughout our Club.
There is a memorial fund set up by Nottingham Clarion with the intention to award the Henry Lloyd Memorial Trophy in 1994.
Please send any donations to Nottingham secretary (see addresses)
As Francis Grafton put it: ’Thanks Henry, the work goes on, see you up the road."
Neil Duckworth
Of the Stockport Clarion died on the 18th July after a fall, whilst on holiday in Greece. Whilst racing in his early years for the Club, Neil was more known for keeping in the social activities of the Stockport Clarion.
Neil attended the last 10 Easter Meets, many people will remember him from his John Major mask at last years meet. Neil was liked by all who knew him and he will be sorely missed.
Clarion Cycling Shorts
Merlin Evans on his
old ordinary
Merlin Evans of Stockport Clarion is becoming well known these days as quite a character. His exploits are unlike many of the Stockport riders satisfied with early morning timetrials and drinking sessions, Merlin has to go one better. By now many of you may have seen him breathing fire, eating fire and also unicycling through b arning hoops of fire.
This year has seen Merlin exploring his competitive side with his penny farthing.
Merlin beats Obree
At the Market Harborough Criteriums Merlin beat World Record beater and Gold medalist Graeme Obree in the Old Ordinary race. Merlin has also ridden the world championships in Prague where he won his heat, took 3rd in the semifinals and finished 5th in the finals.
Merlin rode in National Clarion colours.
A penny for your thoughts Merlin
Stockport hitting the headlines
It is not just Merlin Evans that has been hitting the headlines for the Stockport Clarion this year. The racing team, especially the time triallists have been in full flight and getting in the results all year.
Paul Dentith has been figuring in the top few places in many races, club captain Andy Magee together with Dougie Clark, Dave Sheering and Dave Armstrong have all been placed highly in the North-West with a few team awards.
Super Vet
Derek Hodgins is still up there with the best in vets races winning prizes on time and on standard, whilst Janet Shaw has been picking up fastest lady awards and Will Sanderson has been turning out some impressive rides also. Will and Junior Team mate Daren Reynolds have both been riding for the Clarion Junior Squad.
Crewe up with the best
The Crewe Clarion Wheelers are probably having their best season ever, if the results pages in Cycling Weekly are
anything to go by.
Competition Record Smashed.
Leading the headlines is Christine Roberts the only Clarion record breaker for many years. Christine broke the 1983 record of 438 miles for the Ladies 24hr by an astounding 23 miles to record 461.446 in the RTTC National 24hr Champs. She even finished 5th in the competition against all the men
Crewe have many riders on form this year, John Waddilove, Steve Mitton, Chris Whittle and Alan Roberts have been picking up more team awards than any other North- West Team, backed up by Vet Ron Hodgkinson, Junior Stephen Hall and Juvenile G. Peel.
Trikey Trigger
Vie Trigger is still one of the best Trike riders in the region and places in most races.
Fenland keep away
Nottingham old
from the watch
Historically being based next to the drag-strip Al the Fenland Clarion has always been a strong time-trialling club, more recently bans on local sections of the road has seen a swing away towards road and track racing.
Simon Gow won the Rockingham Forest Whs 56 mile Road race in a two man breakaway.
Track women Lindsay Clarke and Alison Ede- Borrett are picking up many places with recent places in the Ladies 800m grass track finals of 3rd and 4th respectively.
Fenland Juvenile turned Junior Chris Bray continues to win his categories at mountain bike racing and after turning his talents to Grass track at the recent Mildenhall Gala weekend won the Juvenile omnium on two days before his birthday (he'd never ridden a fixed before. Ed). On the day before his birthday he won the Juvenile Cyclo-cross on his mountain bike and rode with seniors to win the 3000m scratch race on his 16th birthday.
Chris didn't share his winnings with his team mates even the person who loaned him the bike. Ed!) but as he is about to go off to college he'll probably need every penny
timers trialling
Gary Wharton past National Team Medalist is back into timetrialling Gary is currently making his way back into his previous form and already a number of top rides this year. Gary won the Rockingham CC 30 mile.
Stalwart Francis Grafton, the smoothest pedaller I know is still getting placings the Nottingham President continues.
Rumour has it that Gary's team mate Russ Simpsom is also still riding
What happened to the third element of this dynamic trio Paul Wass ..answers on a post card.
Junior Stage Race Easter 1994
As part of our Centenary plans we shall be putting on a two day three stage Junior road race at the Lincoln Easter Meet. This will include a road race, criterium and time trial.
History found in Rochdale
A phone call recently from the Museum of Rochdale brought great delight. They have been donated a Clarion marching banner by a local lady following the death of her husband Mr Wood.
The banner is still in good condition, it measures approximately 6 feet by 7 feet and is without it's poles.
It has been painted by a local artist and depicts a young lad wearing a blue suit with frills on his sleeves, he has blond hair and is holding a Clarion Trumpet with the word Clarion. The Banner belonged to the Rochdale section of the Clarion.
Ken Staines of the Museum is keen, as are we, to find out more about this interesting find especially when it was commissioned.
1895 Membership Card...
During his investigations Ken has also found a membership card for the Birmingham Clarion dated 1895.
If anyone who knows of this could contact either myself or Denis Pye we will be pleased to pass on the information to the Museum.
Wortley Weekend 16th and 17th October
Bookings and deposits are now being accepted for this social and cycling weekend.
Activities Include:
Club run starting 2.00pm from the Hall Slide/film shows
Clarion Hill Climb Champs on the Sunday see the RTTC handbook for details, Organiser Allan Wray
The emphasis is on socialising with full board accommodation, low bar prices and hopefully Merlin's fire eating, juggling and breathing acts.
Deposits of £10 should be sent to:
Brian and Anne Burchell 13A Highlands Gardens Redbridge
Ilford
Essex
1G13LE
Tel: 081 518 6184
For Sale
Clarion Racing Team Fund
Following the generous donation from Willy Pollock a special fund has been established to support the activities of the Clarion Junior Team.
The fund will be used to assist travelling expenses, entry fees and other items associated with its racing, training and coaching events.
Any donations from members, sections, shops or businesses will be gratefully received and if requested we can print acknowledgements in the next newsletter.
National Clarion "Centenary" Cycling Jerseys
Special limited edition for 1994 Top Quality Impsport
Short or Long sleeved road jerseys with pockets and tracksuit tops Prices range from £30 to £40
Orders to Ian Clarke at Naticnal Office
(Due to minimum order requirements we must have orders for 10 items before placing order)
Clarion 25 Champs results
This years Championships promoted by Allan Wray and the Calder Clarion were one of the best Championships for some time, greatly assisted by the weather and some would say a ‘float’ day, many would agree that it was due to the excellent tea tent thanks to Joan Lister. All in all a day to be remembered with many personal bests...
1st Paul Hodgkin son Crewe 54.57 2nd Paul Dentith Stockport 56.01 3rd 1 Wells Clifton CC 56.45
Clarion
3rd John Waddilove Crewe 57.16
Handicaps
Ist R Clark Bay Cl 50.31 2nd A Magee Stockport 51.01 3rd T Garwell Bradford Whs 52.09
larion
3rd Ian Clarke Fenland 53.03 Team Crewe
Hodgkin son, Waddilove and Ireland 2.50.17
Fastest Clarion Lady
Donna Stoddard Crewe 1.08.37
Tandem entries for this event are becoming more frequent does anyone wish to donate a Trophy
Fastest Clarion pair were the London ‘Animal’ duo George Fenwick and his stoker Mr Giles with an impressive time of 57.15, father and son duo from Calder the Milsoms recorded 1.01.39,
Track Champs Mid ro!
The Clarion Track Championships were held on the 30th of May this year, with the usual venue of Teesside's Clairville stadium the events were as well contested as always. The main event of the day was the Team Pursuit title with southern contenders out to win the Czech trophy that so often has eluded them.
Fenland were a well hung together team against the local Teesside riders who began to lose touch with each other towards the end of the 4KM losing out to Fenland by several seconds.
Fenland's second scalp of the day came in the sprint, from the open heats the fastest Clarion rider went into a Clarion only final. Only Ian Clarke (He can still ride a bike but not too far. Ed) managed to win a heat from all the southerners and went into a five up final with four Teesside riders ready to work him over
it wasn't to be.
Looking to put right the fortunes of 1992 Michael Holtby ensured he was not going to beaten by Fenland in the 5 Mile (especially by a woman) and he did so in fine style.
Are there any other sections who can put a team together for next years Clarion team pursuit champs
Claims for racing awards BARs and Championships
Claims will soon be due for the 1993 racing awards, these are for:
Senior BAR 50,100, 12hr Junior BAR 10,10,25,25 Juvenile BAR 10,10,10
Ladies BAR 25,50,100 Veterans BAR 25,50, cis std
Senior BAR team 3 riders
Fastest open 50 R L Ogden Trophy Senior Road Race points champion
Junior Road Race points champion
Juvenile Circuit Race champion
Track Champion on placings
All claims should be sent to Audrey Waddilove (records
secretary) no later than 30th November 1993.
Awards will be presented at the 1994 Easter Meet.
Don't Forget
You also need to send nominations for Club Man and
Club Girl awards. Who, in your section deserves it
Novice 25,25,25 (never won a prize before 1993!)
Junior Squad
The National Clarion Junior Team is beginning to gain momentum. The team was entered for an event in the Reynolds 531 series. Daren Reynolds, Will Sanderson (Stockport) Stefan Rick, Chris Osment (Heanor) and Simon Davison (Teesside) all took part.
The event was highly criticised by team managers as being to hard, too hilly and too long. Many top riders retired and despite a brave effort from all team riders none finished.
Two Wales in a Vauxhall
Steve and Ian Clarke took a team consisting of Michael (Turkey Neck Calves) Kay, Simon Davison and Will Sanderson to the Junior Tour of Wales.
Up against the toughest of opposition the team performed well on the Welsh mountains with Will placed highest at 22nd in a field of 120.
This major event is expected to be in next years calendar for the Junior Team.
Any juveniles who will turn junior next year should contact Ian Clarke to be considered.
Section Information
The following are the 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.
Scotland
West of Scotland Clarion J.J.Harris Cumbernauld 0236 730157 North-East
Bay Clarion Velo Tony Marshall Whitby 0947 821204 Sunderland Clarion Richard Betts Whitburn 091 529 3722 Teesside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesboro’ 0947 880488
North-West (Cheshire and Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Barbara Thompson Bolton 0204 656399 Bury Clarion Donald Lever Bury 0204 883584 Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Whalley 0254 823298
Crewe Clarion Wheelers Audrey Waddilove Sandbach 0270 761446
Manchester S'ford Clarion Harold Lamb Wilmslow 0625 533357 Stockport Clarion Derek Hodgins Stockport 0625 873480 Yorkshire
Calder Clarion Tim Moss Wakefield 0924 251515 Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion Dave Binns Huddersfield 0484 648144 York Clarion Dennis Hall Wakefield 0924 253022 East-Midlands
Heanor Clarion F Lambert Newthorpe 0773 713946 Nottingham Clarion Ken Hemsley Nottingham 0602 873118
South and South-East Fenland Clarion Harry Berridge Peterborough 0733 348235
London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow 081 572 9672
Diary Dates for 1993/4
Date Event Organiser Comments 16th October Wortley Hall Weekend Brian Anne Send deposits 17th October near Sheffield Burchell now
17th October Clarion Hill Climb Allan Wray Send RITC form Championships Calder Clarion to Allan
20th November Clarion Cyclo-Cross Heanor Clarion See BCCA Championships handbook
26th February Birthday meeting at TBA Birmingham
Easter Easter Meet at Dave Gaffrey Don't miss Lincoln this one
20th March Road Race Championships
3rd July 25 Championships Stone, Staffs
6th August Clarion Centenary Camping also 100Km time-trial York to Scarborough
7th August Centenary 10 mile time-trial Scarborough
16th October Hill Climb Champs
A fully detailed dates list will be printed in the spring 1994 newsletter.
Sponsors Sought
To sponsor our Centenary 100Km and 10 mile events Individual award sponsors ie. fastest lady or total event sponsors.
Could each section sponsor a prize