History

 

HISTORY OF THE BEDFORDSHIRE DA

At a Cyclists’ Touring Club Council meeting held in Dublin on 10th July 1926 the following resolution was adopted:

“That permission be granted to form a District Association to be known as the Bedfordshire District Association, embracing the whole of the county of Bedford”.

This was followed by rides during August – 1st Informal, 8th Bicester, 14th Buntingford, 22nd Kirkby Hall (an archive photograph shows 58 on this ride), 28th St. Neots. Bedford riders met at the Town Hall and Luton riders met at Midland Railway Bridge, joining together somewhere along the way.

On 4th September the rides met at The Bull, Barton-le-Clay for tea followed by the Inaugural Meeting, which was chaired by Mr. B. Greaves and attended by 16 members. The first officers elected were: President: Dr. Kilham Roberts, Secretary: Woodbine Haylock, Treasurer: Harry S. Impey.

At a Committee meeting on 6th November 1926 Mr. N. Willham proposed that the D.A. colours be scarlet and gold, and at the next meeting on 12th March 1927 a letter was received from the Portsmouth D.A. stating that the colours were similar to theirs. (We still have scarlet and gold.) Curved badges with Bedfordshire D.A. in the D.A. colours were purchased at 1/3½d each.

Committee meetings in the early years were held in public houses or cafes during club runs, and if there was not a quorum present, members would be co-opted on the spot. There were only three or four meetings a year.

Officials

The list of officials throughout the years is given below. 1986 was the only year when three ladies held the key offices.

D.A. Presidents			D.A. Secretaries			D.A. Treasurers
1926—1929	Dr. Kilham Roberts		1926—1928	W. Haylock		1926—1932	H.S. Impey
1930—1949	Woodbine Haylock		1929	A.H. Berry		1933—1934	J. Clements
1950—1952	J. Aynsley		1930	J.W. Clement		1935	W. Haylock
1953—1955	C.S. Mortlock		1931	Mr. Freyer		1936	Mrs B. Haylock
1956—1958	C.A. Lewis		1932	R.N. Wellham		1937—1940	W. Wray
1959—1960	G.R. Lee		1933—1937	B.W. Edwards		1941—1942	K. Taylor
1961—1963	G. Swain		1938	K. Willis		1943—1944	R.G. Smith
1964—1966	E. King		1939—1940	B.W. Edwards		1945	K. Taylor
1967—1968	C. Lewis		1941—1942	K. Taylor		1946-1947	W. Wray
1969—1973	D. Allister		1943—1944	R.G. Smith		1948—1949	C. Lewis
1974	W. Goodge		1945	K. Taylor		1950—1952	J. Skidmore
1975	M. Scott		1946—1947	I. Ord		1953	Mrs. G. Manning
1976—1977	J.C. Keeling		1948—1949	B.W. Edwards		1954—1974	R.G. Smith
1978—	Mrs. V. Brown		1950—1955	C.A. Lewis		1975—1979	J. Bloxham
			1956—1962	E. King		1980—1982	M. Pennifold
			1963	K. Briggs		1983	J. Bloxham
			1964	R. King		1984—1985	C. Goodman
			1965—1966	D. Ruffle		1986—1987	Miss G. Brown
			1967—1971	W. Goodge		1988—1989	D. Basketter
			1972—1982	M. Scott		1990—1992	T. Marshall
			1983—1987	Mrs. V. Ruffle		1993—1994	Mrs. V. Ruffle
			1988—2002	J. Harris		1995—	D. Snow
			2003-2005	Jackie Popland
			2006-	Trevor Hughes

 

The first Annual Dinner of the D.A. was held on Saturday 5th December 1933 at the White Hart Hotel, Ampthill. The charge was 4/6d.

In the 1930’s the D.A. received an annual grant from H.Q. of £5, which was quite a sum in those days.

George Bullen believes his marriage to the sister of Jim Clement was the first of many who met through the D.A. Others in the 1930’s were Eric Goring and Margaret Barford and Bernard Edwards and Dorothy Knight. There have been many more weddings since.

In July 1932 a Recruiting Rally at Houghton House, Ampthill attracted over 50 people. There was another Rally at Flitwick Moor in the same year but not so many people attended.

The D.A. held at Tandem Rally at Tempsford on 23rd September 1934 and at Girtford Bridge attended the opening ceremony of the Bidlake Memorial Garden at 12 noon.

The Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935 was celebrated by a Loyal Greeting carried by relay teams of C.T.C. members over a route of 2,215 miles in 15 days, during the course of which it was signed by every Lord Mayor in England and Wales, the Lord Provosts of four Scottish cities, and nearly 100 Mayors and Provosts of important towns en route. We have in our albums photographs of the Mayors of Bedford and Luton signing the message.

It was decided to have a Clubroom in 1936 but one was not found until November 1937 when a room at The Sow and Pigs at Toddington was hired for 2/6d a night. This was closed by February 1939.

In 1937 Doris Hopkins (later Bazely) rode 198 miles in the Rosslyn Ladies 12 hour event, on a borrowed cycle (from Bert Bazely).

As early as February 1931 suggestions were being put forward to make runs more interesting to members. An Easter Tour of the Cotswolds was arranged, but a visit to Chater—Lea’s works on a Saturday afternoon could not be arranged.

During the War the D.A. operated a Comforts Fund for members serving in H.M. Forces. Collections were taken on Club runs and amounts of 5/—, and later 10/— were sent to members once a year. In July 1942 one member in the Navy wrote to say that he was earning far more money than most other serving members and asked that his share be sent to them. This fund was closed in 1947.

The News Sheet “The Bedfordshire Clanger” (later to become a magazine) was first issued in 1947 with Bob Lee as Editor.

1947 saw the 21st Birthday Ride and Rally of the D.A.~ It had been hoped to hold an event in Ampthill Park but this was impossible as Prisoners of War were still encamped there. Eventually it was agreed to hold the Rally at Home Farm, Wrest Park, Silsoe on Sunday 7th September. Rides left both Luton and Bedford to meet outside The Bull at Barton for some group photographs (50 members plus four cameramen). Elevenses were supplied by the good lady at Pear Tree Cottage. The Rally took the form of a gymkhana with obstacle races, egg and spoon race, mixed shoe race (whatever that is), slow bicycle race, treasure hunt and bean in pat (?). Also there was a tent with publicity material.

At the A.G.M. on 30th January 1949 there was a resolution that no Vice— Presidents be elected having regard to the shabby circumstances whereby Mr. H.S. Impey was excluded from office as Vice—President in 1948. The matter was left in abeyance for a year, and then for a further five years. Consequently the position of Vice—President has never been reinstated.

The first Bedford Section was inaugurated on 27th March 1949 and lasted for 19 months until October 1951. The Chairman for the full period was Mr. W. Wray, who said that Bedford seemed to have a fair number of floating members, so there was never a very large membership riding at any time.

The D.A’s Silver Jubilee Rally was held on 10th June 1951 at Silsoe and comprised camping, slide shows and sports events. The gathering was addressed by Woodbine Haylock and Jock Aynsley. The Silver Jubilee Dinner was held in December 1951 with 62 members present. J. Westcott was the Club Champion for 1951. John Lee was Club Champion for 1952.

Cycling was booming in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and the D.A. organised numerous events, such as Inter—D.A. contest, map reading competitions, Youth Hostel weekends, B.C.T.C. heat, Slide Lectures, Annual Dinners and Christmas Parties.

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary in 1966 a Boundary Ride was organised staying at Houghton Mill Y.H. overnight. Also in 1966 the D.A. had a Map Library which was run by V. May and later by B. Ruffle. The magazine “The Bedfordshire Clanger” was resurrected and re—named “The Bed Post” and edited by Max Scott for many years.

The D.A. Trophies

On 11th July 1948 Mr. G.R. Lee presented a trophy for inter—section competition, and stipulated that this was to be a perpetual trophy. The Lee Cup is still awarded but the requirement seems to have changed over the years. In December 1952 it was awarded to the D.A. member with the best performance in D.A. or C.T.C. contests. Ten years later the Cup was being awarded for outstanding service to the Club.

In 1950 the Luton Section purchased a trophy to be awarded to the rider with the highest number of attendance points. The cost of the trophy was not to exceed £4.

In August 1960 a Junior Trophy was presented by Mr. K. Briggs; and then in 1962 Mr. Don Allister presented a trophy for the highest placed Beds D.A. member in the local B.C.T.C. Heat.

Woodbine Haylock died in 1971 and a memorial fund was set up to purchase the Woodbine Haylock Memorial Trophy to be awarded annually for the best all round performance. The cost of the trophy was £20.76 plus engraving at £2.45.

In 1972 a Tankard was won by members attending an Isle of Wight weekend. This seems to have been awarded for attendance on Tuesday evening rides (to pubs, what else).

Also in 1972 Brian Braybrooke presented a Ladies Attendance Trophy to encourage more ladies out on rides.

1978 saw a couple of trophies being presented to the D.A. Max Scott presented a Clubroom Trophy for points won in games at the Clubroom; and after Miss Bradley attended the D.A. Dinner as guest of honour, the Sports Council Salver was received to be awarded to the winner of the Sports Day event. Later it was being awarded for outstanding service to the D.A.

Then in 1979 we received a Cup from Sealink for the Open Map Reading Competition. As we no longer organise this event the trophy was used as the Attendance Trophy for the North Beds. Family Section.

In 1974 the North Beds. Section was founded at a meeting on 23rd February hosted by John Lumbers. 16 members were present. The North Beds. Family Section was formed in August 1975 owing to their inability to keep up with the main Section. John Lumbers left the area in 1977 and the Section was taken over by Andrew Fellerman. When he left in 1979 the remaining members either joined Beds. Roads C.C. or the Family Section. The North Beds. Family Section is still going strong with rides on Saturdays and Sundays of varying distances to suit everybody.

Steve Hunt was winner of the G.H.S. Schoolboys’ 10 mile event in 1975 and achieved national fame.

1976 was the D.A’s 50th Anniversary and this was celebrated at a Dinner onl4th February at the Esso Hotel, Luton. John Keeling, President, made a C.T.C./Beds. D.A. sign for the occasion. There was a display of cycles in Luton Museum from 26th June to 10th July, and a publicity ride in Luton with a D.A. stall in Williamson Street.

1977 was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee when we all got a day off work/school.

The D.A. celebrated this event by an Invitation Ride to Wrest Park on Tuesday 7th June which was attended by over 60 riders. Amongst those present was Miss Ivy Donaldson who was the Club’s oldest cycling member at 90.

Also in 1977 the D.A. was invited to send couples on tandems to Ivinghoe where the film “Chimp Champ” was being shot. This was a tandem race where the chimps win. For this we received £150.

1978 was the C.T.C’s Centenary Year and a number of events were organised to celebrate. Veronica Brown had interviewed Ivy Donaldson and subsequently wrote an article for “Cycletouring”. Following this article Ivy appeared on Blue Peter T.V. programme.

There was an Exhibition of Veteran Cycles at Luton Museum showing 100 years of cycling with 22 cycles. This was organised by Don Allister and was a great success. During the period of the exhibition — 5th to 29th August — there were 14,000 visitors to the Museum.

The D.A. took part in the C.T.C. Centenary Relay Ride. Veronica Brown had a series of cycle rides around Bedford published in the Bedfordshire Times newspaper, and the Sports Council later printed a booklet based on these rides. Two floral carpet beds of the Winged Wheel were growing in Bedford Road, Luton, and The Embankment, Bedford. The D.A. organised a Bedfordshire Boundary Ride to celebrate the Centenary.

In the 1970’s and early 1980’s there was a Clubroom at the Methodist Church Hall, High Town Road, Luton where every Tuesday there were games and refreshments. There were also Christmas Parties, Slide Shows and Jumble Sales. A later Clubroom was at Marsh Road Methodist Church Hall, but this didn’t last long as all our equipment was stolen. We then moved to St. Lukes Church Hall, Leagrave, which was very nice but this only lasted two years because declining numbers didn’t warrant keeping a Clubroom.

In 1980 “Which” magazine approached the D.A. to test several bicycles and give comments. These were ridden regularly and changed over at the Clubroom so that all machines were tested several times. This transaction improved D.A. funds.

Also in 1980 and 1981 Trevor Humphries obtained sponsorship and trophies from Sealink for the Open Map Reading Competition. This event was held at Whitwell (Herts) and brought entries from all over. Overall winner was Ken McDonald of Glade CC. Others were Heather and Ted Beeson of South Bucks; Ian Butcher of Beds. Roads C.C., and Dennis Bray of Beds. D.A.

There was also an Invitation Ride to Woburn Park on 8th June which attracted over 100 cyclists from Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. Sports Days were being held at Lilley Village Hall and these lasted for three years. We had a publicity display in the window of the Town and Country Building Society.

1981 having been designated The Year of the Disabled, six members did a sponsored Boundary Ride and raised £400 which was divided between Stoke Mandeville Hospital and Lady Zia Wernher School for Disabled Children to buy a special tricycle.

In 1983 we hosted the Home Counties Rally and gained ~ wealth of experience. 180 came from all over — including Norwich, Sheffield and Hants. The following report appeared in “Cycletouring’.

For the D.A’s 60th Anniversary we held a lunch at Flitwick Village Hall on Saturday 6th September 1986. More people were able to attend a lunch than an evening dinner. On this occasion we were joined by Alan Leng, Secretary of the C.T.C. Also Presidents past and present:— Veronica Brown, Ted King, Cyril Mortlock, George Swain, Cyril Lewis and John Keeling. Also that year we had 60 mile or 60 km rides for which medals were issued.

We abandoned the magazine in 1984 when costs proved uneconomical and went over to an A4 Newsletter which is sent out to all members. In early days this was duplicated on a Gestetner until paper/stencils/ink proved difficult to get. In August 1999 Rick Hollingsworth laid out the text on his computer and produced an excellent Newsletter. Nowadays about 70 are sent via e—mail.

During the 1980’s the North Beds. Family Section trained several young people for their Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, some at gold level cycling, some at silver, but most were at bronze level. Veronica Brown was invited to St. James’s Palace for the presentation of gold to Jeanette Ling.

In 1988 Max Scott was awarded a Certificate of Merit, but by now he was living in Northamptonshire.

Sunday 16th February 1992 members of the North Beds. Family Section met Michael Mills, Voluntary Warden of Gulliver’s Spinney, Souldrop, to plant 38 trees, mostly ash but some oak. They were all labelled and numbered. £35 had been received from an appeal in the Newsletter.

In April 1994 Doris Bazely re-formed the Easyriders Section with a view to catering for more mature riders. Doris died on 16th April 1996. A framed photograph of her was awarded to the Section at the D.A’s 70th Anniversary Lunch. The photograph was passed around various members who each kept it for 6 months to a year. The group then decided to cease operating as a Section but continued to ride together.

The D.A. had a stand at the Cycle Fair at Bedford’s Civic Theatre on 1st June 1996 which was very successful.

8th September 1996 saw the D.A. celebrating its 70th Anniversary at The Chequers, Millbrook with Sunday lunch, and it was on this occasion that Veronica Brown was presented with a Certificate of Merit, much to her surprise. Also on this occasion Bill Wray, a founder member of the D.A. then aged 90, gave a speech and told members to make the most of him today as he didn’t think he’d make the next celebration. Unfortunately Bill died in August 1997.

At the A.G.M. in 1996 Dave Lukes was appointed Local Rights Representative -a post Veronica Brown had been coping with since 1975. Dave brought fresh ideas to the position and later organised a questionnaire which was sent out to all D.A. members. This brought forth offers of help from various members and led to the resurrection of the South Beds. Section in 1997 following the departure of Barry and Veronica Ruffle in 1995. Over 40 members expressed an interest in strengthening the Local Rights Network. Follow—up meetings took place in Leighton Buzzard, Ampthill, Bedford and Luton. As a result of this there are active campaigning groups in Leighton/Linslade, Mid Beds., Bedford and the Luton/Dunstable members were handed over to the South Beds, Cycle Campaign under the Chairmanship of D.A. Secretary John Harris. As a result of Dave’s pressure the cycleways in Bedford have all been signposted. Dave Lukes resigned at the A.G.M. in 2000 being replaced by David Hancock — but at present we are without a Rights leader.

Since Dave Snow took over as Treasurer in 1995 he has somehow managed to turn a £44 deficit into a healthy balance with funds invested in the C.T.C. which gives a good rate of interest.

14th November 1999 saw the planting of our Millennium Tree — a sorbus vilmornii the front garden of 2 Trinity Close, Felmersham. Philip and David Shaw promised to look after it.

In the year 2000 it was decided not to award Attendance Trophies as these were showing signs of metal fatigue, but to award medals instead and keep a record of winners in a “Roll of Honour” book.

September 2000 saw the 25th Birthday of the North Beds. Family Section which was celebrated in two ways. Ian Osborn and Veronica Brown rode the sponsored Churches Ride and visited 25 churches in 5 ¼ hours raising £161.50 for the charity. On the 23rd September there was a birthday party with 17 people present.

The D.A. have organised many events over the years, 50 in 4, Hilly 25, Treasure Hunt, Map Reading Competition, 100 km rides, Photographic Competition, Slide Shows.

On 28th February/lst March 2001, C.T.C. Director Kevin Mayne visited Bedfordshire starting at Leighton Buzzard and being escorted by Right to Ride Reps. To Kensworth, Ampthill and returning from Bedford. A meeting with him at Mid Beds. Council Offices attracted 14 members and Kevin presented D.A. President, Veronica Brown, with framed details of the D.A’s formation in 1926.

V. Brown June 2001