NATIONAL CLARION NEWSLETTER Spring 1995
100th Easter Meet Skegness Special
With Fraternal Greeting:
Page 2 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
MAYORS PARLOUR TOWN HALL
SKEGNESS
LINCOLNSHIRE PE25 1DA
Telephone
Skegness March 1995 01754 66113
MESSAGE OF WELCOME
It gives me great pleasure to welcome the National Clarion Cycling Club to the Premier resort of Skegness.
The eastern part of Lincolnshire holds many surprises for visitors, not the least of which is the sheer beauty of the landscape which belies the fact that Lincolnshire is flat.
I am looking forward to meeting many of you during your stay in Skegness and hope that you have a most enjoyable and successful conference.
EDITH SUTTON TOWN MAYOR OF SKEGNESS
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 3
Welcome from Merlin... 1995 Easter Meet Organiser
I should have realised that something was afoot, when last year at Wortley Hall, Jan Clark sidled up to me and bought me a pint. Not that our Secretary isn't the most generous of people, but I still hadn't finished the last one which he had bought for me ten minutes earlier.
Slowly, something inside me began to click must have been the castanet omelette which I had for lunch.....
“What are you after, Ian?”
“Oh, nothing really, why, are you at a loose end?”
“Not really, lots of things to do at home, you know, why?”
“Well, it’s just that we seem to have found ourselves short of an organiser for next year’s Easter Meet. Would you like another pint?”
It wasn't really quite like that, but when I woke up in the morning, it seemed to be impossible to back out, so here we are (I hope!) at Skegness.
I was greatly helped by Dave Gaffrey’s groundwork, by the Leisure and Tourism Department here in Skegness and by the fact that Skegness is such a popular and wonderful place to visit for our annual Easter Meet. My first Easter Meet was here and I haven't missed one since! Skegness always makes us so welcome and this year is no exception, so just get stuck in and enjoy the swimming, the bowling, the boat rides, the racing, the beer, the company and most of all, enjoy yourselves.
Merlin
Welcome from lan... National Secretary
1995 sees us entering our lst year in our 2nd century and everywhere look within our club and with many people talk to there is optimism, growth and enthusiasm for the National Clarion Cycling Club.
I believe that now throughout our club all of our members should know some, if not most, of the history of this great club of ours. If you are one of the few who has recently joined and does not understand much about what makes the Clarion special, then a read of this newsletter should fill in some gaps, the rest can be gained from your own section officials, any member of the National Committee or indeed come to the Easter Meet yourself to feel it first hand. Outside our club the awareness of the Clarion movement is now high within other non-national clubs and the media. If the number of ‘surprise’ letters about our continued existence, which have now dried up, is anything to go by then the Cycling fraternity is well aware of the Clarion, who we are and what we are about.
We should monopolise on this and continue to spread the word to all the cyclists we meet. The continued increase of section membership and the fact that cyclists join the Clarion because we offer very much more than the average ‘common or garden wheelers’, will, if we encourage it, guarantee our future strength.
Our 100th Easter Meet is held this month at Skegness and I hope you are all booked up to come. The Meet programme is shown later and is action packed as always. Skegness has always looked after us better than any other resort and this year covers a civic reception including a 'Glen Miller’ style Big Band concert, together with conference concessions (such as
Page 4 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
free swimming) and an excellent venue for our conference and prize presentation.
We have the races, socialising, and all the attractions of Skegness but don't forget the annual conference, this is your opportunity to exercise your democratic rights through your section delegates and all members are encouraged to attend.
You'll miss out if you don't go to Skeggy but if you cannot make it then I hope we will meet at some other Clarion event throughout the year. Failing that, drop me a line or give me a call on any Clarion matter and I will help if I can.
Boots Spurs
Ian Clarke National Secretary, Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Easter Road-Race Organiser, Agony Aunt and Specialist on 'Under Training’.
18 Sapperton Werrington Peterborough PE4 5BS
EASTER MEET PROGRAMME
Friday 14th April
1.00pm till 5.00pm Register at the Embassy Centre South Parade
7.00pm onwards Civic Reception and welcome by the Mayor of Skegness at the Embassy Centre. 'Glen Miller' style 'Big-Band Sound’ orchestra at the Embassy Centre.
Saturday 15th April
10.00am till 1.00pm National Clarion Cycling Club Annual Conference at the Festival Pavilion.
2.30pm Club Run leaving from the Festival Pavilion with different standards of ride. Details available at Registration.
7.30pm till 11.30pm Disco-Dance at the Festival Pavilion.
8.30pm Fancy dress competition.
Sunday 16th April
9.00am Clarion Open 25 mile time-trial. C25/25. Start West of Gunby Island on the A158 proceed to join the Al1028 towards Ulceby Cross where turn left on to the Al6 to Partney where turn left on to the A158 to Gunby Island. Repeat the circuit to complete two laps and finish on Chalk Pit lane in Candlesby. HQ at Candlesby and Gunby Village Hall.
Marshalls are desperately needed contact Francis Grafton on 01159 819817 or Allan Wray at the Easter Meet.
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 5
2.00pm Clarion Open Road-Race Entries on the line may be possible. Start outside the Half Moon Inn at Alford, proceed to Ulceby Cross round on the A1104. Begin circuit on the Al6 proceeding South to Dalby Bar where turn left towards Fordington to join the Al1028 at Ulceby. Turn Left to Uleeby Cross to complete each of the 7 laps.
HQ at the Half Moon Inn, please buy a drink whilst you are there.
Marshalls are desperately needed contact Ian Clarke or Allan Wray at the Easter Meet.
Sunday 16th April
7.00-11.30pm Final Evening Dance 8.00pm. Annual Prize Presentation 9.30pm Raffle (please donate a prize chip together and provide one section)
Monday 17th April
9.00am Clarion Open 10 mile time-trial. Start North West of Gunby Island on the Al1028 proceed towards Ulceby Cross where turn and retrace to finish before the Gunby Island. HQ at Candlesby and Gunby Village Hall. Marshalls are desperately needed contact Francis Grafton on 01159 819817 or Allan Wray at the Easter Meet.
Concessions to the National Clarion Cycling Club.
As part of the privilege of holding our National Conference at Skegness we will be given a concession pack for each member who registers to our Easter Meet. This will include:
Free Swimming Free Deck Chair Hire Free Putting Green Free Pitch and Put Free Bowling Free Bus Rides
Free Car Parking
Still need accommodation for Easter? Contact Ann Stocks at Skegness 01754 767820 for a copy of the accommodation guide.
Don't forget the competitions! what competitions?
We'll we have two trophies for Easter Meet attendance, first there is the B.W.S.A. Mileage Trophy for the highest total cycled mileage by any section. There is also the Neil Duckworth Memorial Trophy awarded to the section with the highest membership in attendance.
Page 6 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 7
“A Hundred Years ago... by Dennis Pye
The weekly Socialist paper, The Clarion, was started by Robert Blatchford and his friends in December 1891 and the first Clarion Cycling Club was formed by Tom Groom and members of the Labour Church in Birmingham in February 1894. By the end of 1894 there were four more Clarion CC’s in existence in the Potteries, Liverpool, Bradford and Barnsley and Tom Groom had already started to make arrangements for a big Meet at Easter 1895.
By March he was getting enquiries from a number of newly formed Clarion CC's including Manchester,
Nottingham, Newcastle and Leeds. When Good Friday came April 12th a hundred or so Clarionettes who were cycling to Ashbourne set out: half-a-dozen from Yorkshire; a total of about fifty from Birmingham, Nottingham and the Potteries; ten from Liverpool and over forty from the Manchester area. These, together with the noncyclists who travelled by train, made up a total of about 120. As promised, members of the Clarion paper's staff arrived: Robert Blatchford (‘Nunquam’) the Chief
himself, Edward Fay (‘The Bounder’”), Alex Thompson (‘Dangle’), Montague Blatchford
(Mont Blong’) and William Palmer
(Whiffly Puncto’). The Meet Headquarters were in the George and Dragon, where Friday night's impromptu concert took place. Among the songs were the Socialist anthem the ‘Red Flag’, and ‘Daisy Bell’ (about a couple on a ‘bicycle made for two’.) The Bounder was presented with a Trophy the top from a street-lamp! All agreed that it had been a ‘right merry evening of good fellowship.’
Next day's ride to Alton Towers in the bracing Derbyshire air freshened up those who took part, in preparation for another merry night in the George and Dragon. No wonder Dangle said afterwards that it should have been called the Ashbourne Meet and Drink!
The events of Easter Sunday, 14th April 1895, were described in the Clarion paper the following weekend:-
*,...we marched two-hundred strong to Dove Dale. Preceeded by the [Potteries] Clarion bugler [we] took the road in fine style...
It was a faultless morning with a wide sweep of pale blue sky, without the suspicion of a clud and a great strong English breeze which invigorated everybody.’
The first Annual Conference of Clarion Cycling clubs started at about 1pm on the lawn outside the Izaak Walton Hotel in Dovedale.
Page 8 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
Ashbourne 1895 The First Easter Meet
Dangle was in the chair; ‘which office he carried out to the satisfaction of everyone, lying down on the flat of his front elevation.’ Tom Groom spoke first, reporting on Birmingham’s first year. the mission of the rapidly-growing number of Clarion Cycling Clubs was, he believed, to spread good fellowship. He thought that cyclists were particularly fitted for this task: ‘Little troubles keep [them] sympathetic punctures, chains that break, nuts that loosen, lamps that won’t burn. Runs in the country and glorious sights prevent [them] from becoming narrow and bigoted.’
Tomended with the words of William Morris in his story ‘A Dream of John Ball’: ‘Fellowship is heaven and lack of fellowship is hell: fellowship is life and lack of fellowship is death.’
The business part of this first Conference was brief. It was unanimously resolved that a National Clarion Cycling Club be formed; that a Committee of three draw up some rules; that the Birmingham trumpet design be adopted as the national badge; and that an annual meeting of clubs be held. The conference came to an abrupt conclusion. As the printed report put it, ‘Dangle discovering that the grass was a trifle damp, the meeting was broken up.’
The high point of the first Easter Meet seems to have been an openair Socialist meeting in the marketplace on Sunday night. Said Mont Blong, ‘It stirred Ashbourne to its very foundations. And, sooth to say, it wanted stirring badly.’ A report of the meeting in the local paper ended:
‘,..things were pretty lively, the Socialists winding up with three cheers for their faith and their hearers replying with God Save the Queen.’
The committee of three met in Birmingham ten days later and drew up a short set of rules. The object of the National Clarion was to be ‘the association of the various Clarion Cycling Clubs for the purpose of Socialist propaganda and for promoting inter-club runs between the clubs of different towns.’
Standard whistle calls for club runs were suggested: ‘one blow: single file; two blows: steady; three blows: dismount.’
The National Committee of three did not meet again until early in the following year, when they discussed the venue for the second Clarion Easter Meet. But that, as they say, is yet another story...
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 9
TEAM
TEAM CLARION (The National Clarion representative race team) activities are gathering activities are gaining impetus as the 1995 season starts to take shape. We have secured some useful commercial support and will shortly take delivery of our new 1995 strip. The team will be supported by Adidas Continental, two big names that will really give our racing setup some credibility.
The plan is that we will be running a seven rider squad of senior riders, who will be racing together in teams of 3 or 4 riders on a monthly basis thoughout the year. We also hope to run a few teams for juniors and juveniles (subject to suitable riders being available). The main activiity will be the senior squad who will be well supported with each rider receiving a full set of kit and various other benefits. It is hoped that the up and coming and ambitious riders will see that TEAM CLARION is well worth supporting and that leaving to join the local RT Flash is not really the best move. Our aim is that new and developing riders will have TEAM CLARION as a goal and that if they put in the hard work and get the results they too can be in line for a place on next seasons squad and take advantage of all of the benefits.
THE 1995 SQUAD
Will be made up of six men and one lady rider from various sections and are as follows:
Graham Wardale Sunderland
Ian Taylor Sunderland Carl Price Sunderland William Sanderson Stockport
Duncan Hewitt Stockport Tim Duckett Fenland Lindsay Clarke Fenland
The riders are 2nd Cats or near 2nd Cats, while Lindsay is a current GB international and on the National Squad for Road and Track. The riders have been chosen because of their results and attitude generally (including their committment to the Clarion). I envisage that in 1996 the squad will be all at least 2nd Category and some will be Ist Cats, riders who “don’t cut the mustard” this year may not be part of next years set up. But hopefully this seasons crop will rise to the challenge and signs are already there that the above team members will all have better seasons this year than last.
A BETTER DEAL FOR ALL CLARION MEMBERS
As a result of our sponsorship with Adidas and Continental we will shortly be producing our own Mail Order Price List, which will mean that any Clarion member will be able to buy certain products at preferential rates (better than the best prices in Cycling) Products like Continental, Adidas, Miche Campagnolo will be available and the small profits raised will be ploughed back into the team. You will benefit by being able get kit for less money and the team will benefit too.
Page 10 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
TEAM BACK ROOM BOYS
The team will be well supported at races with a Manager and at certain races a Team Mechanic and Masseur will be in attendance. Our main mechanic is Mark Ingham, while Gordon Baker will be helping out from time to time with his “magic hands”
Saying this, we really could do with some extra help and if you would like to become a team official, please give us a call.
FUTURA BOWL 95
On Sunday 20th August 1995 the team will be organising a Junior International Track Meeting at Manchester Velodrome. The plan is that the event will raise the profile of the squad, provide Britain with a major Junior International Track Meet, introduce new sponsors to the sport and the Clarion and hopefully raise a few quid for the team.
There will be free admittance to any Clarion member who turns up in a Clarion top and presents their current membership card. However if you want to be more involved in the event then officials will be required and you should contact Steve Clarke on 01733 575421 to pledge your services.
FUND RAISING
Although we have secured some support, money is still required and all financial help will be gratefully received. Perhaps your section can have a whip around or organise a car boot stall or something to raise a few quid.
Even Team Manager Steve Clarke is doing his bit by deciding to take part in the Great Eastern Run (Peterborough’s local half marathon) and will sharing the sponsorship raised 50/50 with the Team and a as yet undecided charity.
1995 PROGRAMME
15/16th April Rockingham Forest 2 Day (Corby, Northants) (Easter)
21st May GA Bennett Trophy (Grantham, Lincs)
8/9th June Bath Circuit Races VC Taunton 2 Stage (Somerset)
8/9th July Hereford Kermesse Golden Valley RR (Hereford)
12/13th August Ribble Valley 2 Day
(Preston, Lancs)
If there is a race in your area, please come along and support the lads or lend a helping hand.
More races will be added as the season unfolds opportunities arise.
WANT TO BE ON THE SQUAD?
If you want to be on the squad contact Steve Clarke and tell him why you should be! Steve does his best to keep up to date with performances and as his spies out, but sometimes talented riders can be missed, so call him.
If you want to know more about or want futher information about TEAM CLARION contact:
Steve Clarke (Team Manager) 1026 Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE4 6AS Telephone: 01733 575421 Fax: 01733 331500
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 11
Page 12 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
CLARION DIARY
Saturday April 15th Sunday April 16th Sunday April 16th Sunday April 16th
Monday April 17th Saturday June 17th
DATES
Annual Conference at Easter Meet. Easter Meet 25 mile time-trial. Easter Meet Road Race.
Annual Prize Presentation.
Easter Meet 10 mile time-trial. 10.00am. Ride and social event based at the Clarion Cafe
Bridge Street, Manchester. (by the river). The ride will leave Manchester centre by riverbank and canal towpath for a short excusion into Lancashire for a pub lunch before returning to the cafe for refreshments and entertainment to celebrate the launch of the new book “The National Clarion Cycling Club, 1895-1995.” The Clarion cafe is situated inside the Peoples History Museum and any cycles would be welcomed on the day for display alongside the Clarion Cycling Club memorabilia and photographs in the Museum.
For further information please contact Merlin Evans, 0161 442 8441
Sunday July 30th
Saturday August 19th
Sunday August 20th
Sunday September 17th
Saturday October 14th
Saturday October 14th
Sunday October 15th
Championship 25 mile time-trial at Peterborough. Organiser Mr Richard Newcombe Fenland Section. Details in the RTTC handbook.
Track Championships at Manchester Velodrome. Including Sprint, 5 mile and team Pursuit Championships. Organiser Mr Graham Pearce Stockport Section.
Tel: 0161 448 1982
Futurabowl International Track Meeting. At Manchester Velodrome. Organiser Mr Steve Clarke TEAM CLARION.
Clarion Cyclo-Cross Championships. Organised by Calder Section. Details in the BCCA handbook.
Wortley Hall Weekend Near Sheffield. Good local rides, hills, scenery and views.
Clarion Inaugural Roller Championships. At Wortley Hall.
Clarion Hill Climbs Championships. At Wooley Edge North of Wortley Entries to Allan Wray of Calder Section (see RTTC handbook).
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 13
SECTION
INFORMATION
The following are names and telephone numbers of all Clarion sections throughout the country. Why not try to organise inter -section events, such as club runs, meeting half way between sections, or inter-club time-trials. You may wish to invite them to your socials events, club dinners etc.
Scotland
West of Scotland Clarion
J.J. Harris Cumbernauld 01236 730157
North-East
Bay Clarion Tony Marshall Whitby
01947 880929
Sunderland Clarion Richard Betts Whitburn
0191 529 3722
Teesside Clarion Colin Armstrong Middlesborough 01947 880488
North-West (Cheshire Lancashire)
Bolton Clarion Amy McLarty Bolton
01204 491595
Bury Clarion Donald Lever Bury
01204 883584
Clitheroe Clarion Edward Ireland Whalley
01254 823298
Crewe Clarion Wheelers Audrey Waddilove Sandbach
01270 761466
Manchester Stretford Clarion
Harold Lamb Wilmslow
01625 533357
Stockport Clarion Andy Magee Stockport
01625 524900
Wyre Clarion Donald Taylor Lancaster 01524 39453
Yorkshire
Calder Clarion Tim Moss Wakefield 01924 251515
Leeds (Yorkshire) Clarion Dave Binns Huddersfield
01484 648144
Page 14 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
York Clarion Angela Beardshall Wakefield
01924 264898
East-Midlands
Heanor Clarion Fred Lambert Newthorpe 01773 713946
Nottingham Clarion Ken Hemsley Nottingham
01159 873118
South and East
Fenland Clarion Ken Clarke Peterborough 01733 62217
London Clarion Peter Shepherdly Hounslow
0181 572 9672
NATIONAL OFFICIALS
If you know of people who are not near a local Clarion Section then we are always interested to help establish new sections. All we need are three founder members to begin a new section. For further information please ask them to contact the National
Clarion Secretary.
The following are Officers of the Clarion until our conference 1995.
Secretary
Ian Clarke
18 Sapperton, Werrington Peterborough PE4 5BS
01733 577108
Membership Secretary Newsletter Editor Ian Clarke (as above)
President
Bob Waddilove
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX 01270 761446
Racing Secretary
Allan Wray
10 Brier Lane, Havercroft, Wakefield, WF4 2AW 01226 722474
Easter Meet Organiser Merlin Evans
3 Green Lane, Heaton Moor Stockport, SK4 3LE
0161 442 8441
Treasurer
George MacKay
'T Shona, Lusset Road
Old Kilpatrick, Glasgow, G60 5LU 01389 74131
Minutes Secretary
Denis Pye
34 Temple Road, Halliwell, Bolton, BL1 3LT 01204 842869
Records Secretary
Audrey Waddilove
36 Brookland Drive, Sandbach, CW11 OLX 01270 761446
Wortley Hall weekend Organisers Brian and Ann Burchell
13A Highlands Gardens, Redbridge Ilford, Essex, IG1 3LE
0181 572 9672
Committee Member Joan Lister
10 Brier Lane, Havercroft, Wakefield, WF4 2AW 01226 722474
Committee Member
Kevin Hulbert
1 Ferndale Court, Coventry Road, Coleshill Birmingham, B46 3EZ
01675 464066
Committee Member
Peter Shepherdly
74 Albion Road, Hounslow, Middx, TW3 3RT 0181 572 9672
Committee Member
Anneata Hemsley
71 Parkview Court, Bath Street Nottingham, NG] 1DE
01159 589291
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 15
Conference have you missed out?
If you are not happy with any element of our organisation it is now too late to do anything about it. Well at least for another year.
I wonder how many members did not know that rule changes and decisions are voted on at the Easter Conference following a period of motions and amendments?
Papers were sent to all sections for motion proposals and your club should have discussed these.
Before the conference all sections receive final agendas which gives you the chance to decide how to vote. Each section gets 1 vote for each full 5 members. This means that if a section has not sent in his memberships form you may not be able to vote at all.
Sounds tough but that's democracy!
Results of Hill Climb and Cyclo Cross
Cyclo-Cross Championships Held at Heanor 1st Juvenile Michael Burton Calder
1st Senior Paul Milsom Calder
1st Veteran Peter Milsom Calder
Hill Climb Championships
Ist Andrew Spittlehouse Calder 2.48.2 2nd_ Ian Clarke Fenland 3.10.40 Julian Marshall Calder 3.15.2 4th Denis Hall Calder 3.28.4 5th George Masson Calder 3.49.10 6th George Fenwick London 4.06.10 7th Norman Luxford London 4.18.6 8th Jean Burton Calder 4.41.6
National Record by Stockport Vet
Derek Hodgins has broken the National Hour Record for Veterans at his local Manchester Velodrome.
Letter Head slogan
There has been some debate regarding our different slogans used on letter heads and other correspondence.
Past slogans have included: 'The Club for Wise Cyclists’, ‘Fellowship is Life’ and ‘Socialism the Hope of the World’. The National Committee has agreed to use ‘Fellowship is Life’.
If any member feels strongly about this then a motion to conference would be required to propose a change. The current rules explain the method for doing this.
Next National
Committee Meeting
The next National Committee Meeting will be held on Saturday 10th June at the Pump House Peoples History Museum in Manchester. This is part of the National Museum of Labour History and the site of the Clarion Cafe. It's on Left Bank just off Bridge Street, Manchester M3.
Please send any correspondence to the National Secretary, non-voting delegates are allowed from Section given prior notice.
Medals still needed
Stop, read this, then please go and do it!
For the National Collection I still need representative medals from the following sections:
Sunderland, Teesside, Crewe, West of Scotland, Stockport, York/Yorkshire, Heanor, London and any Lancashire Section.
Please see what you can do right away to help complete this historic collection which will be handed in care to the National Cycling Museum.
Page 16 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
We can publicise your events oh yes we can!
If you wish to be included in our diary dates, either for a club dinner, open race or whatever, just drop me at line.
We can also produce copies of address labels for any Clarion members, either for your own section or for section secretaries if you wish to mail anything to all sections.
Action-packed events at Wortley Hall
This year the ever popular Wortley Hall Weekend will be given a new lease of life. Whilst we will not be changing any of the current itinerary, new activities are being planned for racing members as a light-hearted yet competitive end to the season.
We intend to include competition roller racing, coaching/training talks from experts, the now established Hill Climb Championships and not forgetting the socialising at the bar.
Clarion Approved Caterers Cycle Traders
Once a common sign, the National Committee wish to reinstate this recognition and plans are a foot to appoint one Cycle Trader per section and two Cafes per section.
The exact procedure will be decided at the next committee meeting where charges, discounts, advertising and approvals will be discussed. Each section is invited to nominate for their region, head office will then take over the administration. Each Cafe or Shop will be given a wall plaque to display outside their shop and a register will be provided in each newsletter.
The result of this will to forge stronger relationships with our local shops and cafes and to provide recommended places for other sections when travelling away from home.
Chattanooga choo choo
And other famous Glen Miller tunes will be played at the Embassy Centre at our Skegness Easter Meet. I guarantee all who attend will enjoy this as did all those who attended the last time we were in Skegness.
Famous Clarion Members
Many of you will not know about some of our famous members over the years, those that spring to mind are Adrian Timmis Raleigh Professional who rode for Cannock Chase Clarion, Andrew Sutcliffe Editor of Cycling Weekly who rode for Teesside Clarion and of course the Greatest British Tour de France rider of all time Barry Hoban, still a life member of the Calder Clarion.
Ihave been told that Brian Ferry of Roxy Music was once a member of the Clarion, can anyone confirm this?
Colin Armstrong Bike shop owner, ex-International Trackie and Hedge Jumper of Great abilities.
I was recently told a story by the editor of cycling weekly who used to ride with Teesside Clarion who explained with admiration the demon descending and cornering skills of 1992 Club man of the year Colin Armstrong. On one occasion Colin miss-judged his speed but still managed to stay upright whilst bunny-hopping a complete hedgerow. What happened next I don't know......
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 17
ALBERT WINSTANLEY’S
OWD TOM
A CYCLING LEGEND
CYCLIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, HUMORIST, AND CHARACTER #2
owL
The following books are available from Bolton Clarion author Albert Winstanley: "Golden Days Awheel" normally £7.95 to Clarion Members £6.50 "Owd Tom" normally £6.99 to Clarion Members £5.50 Package price £10.00 for the two together. Please send cheques to: Albert Winstanley 66 Bradshaw Brow Bradshaw Bolton BL2 3DD
Page 18 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
Reprinted courtesy of Bolton Evening News
A blast from the past had fit young cyclists gasping in astonishment when Bolton Clarion staged its annual hill climb on Smithills Dean Road.
Everybody thought 78-year old Albert Winstanley was there to hold the other riders’ warm clothing when he turned up at the bottom of the hill.
They all took off their tracksuit tops and leggings and slung them across
Ace Albert’s the tracksuit tops!
By FRANK WOOD
his bike.
But when the last of them had heaved away from the start line, wily old Albert decided to have a crack at the lung bursting half-mile himself. Riders still trying to get their breath back at the summit could hardly believe it when Albert came into view on his touring bike complete with mudguards, lights and still with other cyclists’ clothes slung over the back!
The last time Albert, of Bradshaw Brow, Bolton rode a hill climb was before the war up the Nick o’Pendle, Sabden.
“These days, it’s the sedate cycle touring I enjoy,” said Albert who regularly writes about his jaunts in the national cycling magazines.
“I was left holding about four jackets when the last of the hill climb riders had gone. So I thought I'd give it a go just for fun.”
Clarion Press Officer Amy McLarty said: “He’s amazing. He got the biggest cheer of the day and reached the line in eight minutes.”
The event was won in an incredibly fast three minutes by Stuart Ormes, the divisional schoolboy road racing champion.
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 19
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Page 20 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995
‘FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE’
The National Clarion Cycling Club 1895~ 1995
by Denis Pye
The hundred-year story of a cycling club unlike any other. Started by enthusiastic readers of a much-loved Socialist weekly paper in the 1890s it became both a movement and a way of life for
thousands of ordinary men and women this century.
Publishing Serv 34 Temple Road oe Halliwell Bolton. Lancashire BL.1 3LT
Tel. 01204 842869
ISBN 0 9525071 0 2 Publication April 1995 104 pages, A5 paperback, 25 illustrations
£4-95, including post packing from address above Please allow up to 14 days for delivery.
I enclose cheque/PO for made payable to ‘Clarion Publishing’ for copy/copies of Fellowship Is Life NAME ADDRESS
P/code
Clarion Centenary Jerseys
Top quality Impsport Short Sleeved Jersey with 3 rear pockets, very attractive in a distinctive red and yellow design. There will never be anymore of these made Small, Medium, Large and XLarge, (tightish_fit) only £35.00, each
Clarion Tracksuit Tops Only two of these in stock, both size small, red with yellow band and Clarion
lettering, full length zip with single rear pocket. Top quality knitted polyester. Reduced Price only £15.00 each
Clarion Cloth Oval Badges The ever popular original cloth embroidered black, red and gold badge. For
sewing to jackets, hats, jerseys etc. a snip at £1.00 each
The Original Clarion Enamel Lapel Badge
Yes, this is the old favourite, show your Clarion identity in subtle style with this very nice 2cm oval badge. For fitting into button holes in your best dinner jacket lapel impress the ladies for only £2.00 each
Round Clarion Enamel Pin Badge As commissioned for the National Clarion Cycling Club's Centenary year by our
very own Merlin Evans. This round badge has the same Clarion logo as our medal and includes a pin for fastening to any attire together with hoops for attaching ‘year’ bars for each Easter Meet you attend.
The only available Clarion pin badge at an all inclusive price of £3.50
Clarion Baseball Hats
This very stylish baseball hat, black with red and gold Clarion embroidered badge fitted, (as worn by the National Secretary!) A definite must for the 'apresrace’ minglers. A not-to-be-missed offer of £5.00
Clarion Sweat Shirts
Team Clarion is the logo here, for any Clarion racing cyclist who needs to keep warm after races retain their identity. Red with yellow chest logo. Med Lge A birthday present for the Clarionette who has everything WOW £12.50
Available from head office: 18 Sapperton, Werrington, Peterborough, Cambs PE4 5BS (0733) 577108
Please make a contribution towards postage
Page 22 Easter Meet 1995 Skegness
Tour Organiser Wanted
After my last request I did receive a small amount of interest from members wishing to tour together with other Clarion sections. But, as always, we will need one person to make this happen. I am sure that once again this will provide a great facility to our membership who could go touring overseas and in the UK in greater numbers with members from other sections.
Could anyone wishing to drive this idea through to a become successful part of our Club please write to the National Secretary.
It's in the past so why talk about it? Because it was fun, that's why!
At the end of January a whole lot of us went ‘to Derbyshire for training. Day 1 consisted of extensive bike handling, bunch riding and echelon training on a close motor racing circuit at Darley Moor. That night we struggled up the snow covered track to Edale YHA and still dared to venture out for a hard club run the following morning.
We all learned a lot and enjoyed meeting other section members and appreciated Clarion Team Manager Steve Clarke's superb advice and coaching Thanks!
(I have to say that as he's my big brother otherwise he'll beat me up Ed’)
The Henry Lloyd Memorial Trophy
The Nottingham Clarion would like to thank all those who donated towards the memorial trophy fund. An amount of £240 was raised to purchase the trophy which shall be
awarded to the winner of their hilly time trial which is part of the RTTC Time Trial Series on
Monday 29 May. the
Big Thanks to Yorkshire Clarion Club House
Whilst you're enjoying yourselves at Skegness spare a thought for the Yorkshire Clarion Club House Committee who have kindly donated £100 towards the Skegness Easter Meet.
And remember for those of you looking for accommodation in Yorkshire the Clarion Clubhouse is ideally placed in Menston and caters also for caravans and tents.
For more information contact: R Beardshall, 23 Birchen Avenue, Ossett, West Yorkshire. WF5 8HT.
News Items Needed
Please, please, please send me more information about your sections activities, it's always a struggle trying to produce this letter and any help is gratefully received.
I wish to hear about anything at all interesting, I know there are hundreds of readers who will read what you have to say and find it interesting, so put a pen to paper.
Easter Meet 1995 Skegness Page 23
Beat this for fancy dress
On the Centenary Year this had to win the fancy dress, compare the detail of the outfit with the real Clarion Angel, or is this the
real one? The other contestants were also brilliant, it's hard to believe we
can come close to the quality of entries this year but I'm sure they are already working on it. Page 24 National Clarion Newsletter, Spring 1995