Hastings & St .Leonards Cycling Club Archive

Mr Frederick March, one of the most ardent and successful cyclist Sussex has known, has died in hospital at Hastings, aged 77.

“Freddie” as he was known to generations of racing cyclists and to the thousands who knew his familiar figure on the lanes of Southern England, won his first “event at “ Tunbridge Wells in 1908.. (remaining text missing)

Mr Frederick March, the well known Kent and Sussex veteran cyclist of 62 Mount Pleasant Road, having, died on Thursday last week. He was aged 77.

Mr March was a former active member of the Kent and Sussex Fellowship. He was a clock maker by trade.

Old cycling friends and representatives of the Hastings and St.Leonards and other cycling clubs, timekeepers and other cycling interests were among those attending the funeral at the Borough Cemetery on Wednesday.

The Rev C Champneys Burnham officiated. The mourners were Mr H March, Miss E March, Miss C March, Mr P Bliss, Mr T Harrison (representing Kent and Sussex Cylcing Fellowship), members of Hastings British Legion branch and many other friends.

The coffin was covered with the Union Jack in token of Mr March’s service in the First World War and his membership of the British Legion.

The family express their sincere thanks for kind sympathy and beautiful flowers received: also their grateful thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of St Helen’s Hospital.

Arrangements were by H Burton & Co (Hastings) Ltd.

A new website has been put together about the Fellowship of Kent and Sussex Cyclists.

During the second world war years of 1939-1945 a group of future Fellows by reason of their age or reserved occupation were inspired to keep their pastime of cycling alive during those difficult years for the benefit of fellow cyclists who were on leave from the services and to ensure that normal cycling club life would continue when hostilities finally ceased.

Following a range of informal gatherings of cyclists in 'The Gun” (The Gun and Spit Roast) Public House on the Heath in Horsmonden, F. L. (Freddie) March with the aid of Ted Harrison organized a meeting for the 2nd January 1944 to enlist the attendees to establishing the Fellowship of Kent and Sussex Cyclists.

From conception the Fellowship was formed of Gentlemen whose expectations of conduct was such that from its conception the establishment of rules and regulations of conduct were deemed unnecessary.

Membership of the Fellowship was achieved through nomination by fellow members for review and election into the Fellowship by the committee. The candidate must, by their past performance, activities and enthusiasm been a valuable asset to the pursuit of cycling over many years.

The Membership of the Fellowship is for life and a certificate to that effect is presented to every Fellow upon election, together with a Fellowship badge. The badge was introduced in 1956, thanks to the good offices of the late Percy Bliss and the late Maurice Chauncy.

As the Fellowship is managed by the membership of like minded individuals there are no fees or subscriptions associated with membership; however, donations to the General fund to cover the Fellowship’s operational costs are always appreciated.

From conception until 1955 the affairs of the Fellowship were administered by the Founder Members. In 1955 it was determined to appoint a Committee of Six “Men of Kent” or “Kentish Men” and Six “Sons of Sussex”, from whom the President, Secretary and Treasurer are appointed.

In 2012 Ladies were first invited to the annual luncheon, breaking the long-established Gentlemen’s only concept.

In 2015 a milestone in the Fellowship's history was made when Ladies first became eligible to be appointed Fellows' of the Fellowship of Kent and Sussex Cyclists. This momentous decision was achieved following a postal vote of all the membership and confirmed at the triennial meeting. This enabled the “Maids of Kent”, “Kentish Maids” and “Daughters of Sussex” to enjoy the rights and privileges of the Fellowship

At the luncheon in 2016, three Lady Members were welcomed into the Fellowship for the first time, thus ending 72 years as a male only organisation.