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.

CYCLISTS from over South-East England rode Into the town last Saturday the guests of the Hastings and St. Leonards Cycling and Athletic Club, at their annual dinner at the Regent Hotel. Now entering its 75th year of operation, the club is one of the oldest cycling clubs In the country.

The visitors were from Tunbridge Wells,. Catford. Rye, the Medway Towns. Uckfield, Eastbourne. Bexhill and Welwyn. Welwyn Wheelers had the longest ride to the event 90 miles.

Guests of honour were Ken Joy, Medway Wheelers Cycling Club, British Best All-Rounder Competition winner in 1949, and holder of the R.R A. London to Brighton and back record, which he took last year: his clubmate. Peter Beardsmore, third in the B.B A.R competition, 1949, and winner in 1948: B W. Best, well known cycling journalist, timekeeper and administrator: A.E.C Harrison Medway Road Club and Tricycle Association, noted cycling official Roy Humphrey, Eastbourne Rovers Cycling and Athletic Club great enthusiast and worker for the sport in Sussex; and Councillor E A Tester. vice-president of the club and an old member and official.

Proposing the toast of the club Mr F.L. March who joined it in 1900 paid tribute to the president Mr Percy Bliss who was in hospital. With all his afflictions he was “the man with always a smile on his face”

Mr March recalled the history of the club. Its successes in county championships and the triumph of Mr George Jenkins; who is still a member, when he twice won the Bath Road Memorial 50, competed for by the selected 12 best road cyclists of the year, and represented the country abroad.

Mr J.H.Southerden proposing the toast of the guests said that the club was fortunate in having present so many prominent persons in the world of sport.

Responding, Mr Joy said that in the past the club had had great men in its ranks who had ridden with success under its name, and he mentioned Mr. George Jenkins. “ We should like to see more of your men In the big open events today.” said Mr. Joy. “but to do that you need more competitive events in this area. You have the talent and you have the experienced men to encourage you.”

Mr Harrison said that the Hastings C. and A.C. typified the spirit of the sport to which they all belonged. He wished the club every and appealed for more club men from East Sussex to join the Fellowship of Kent and Sussex Cyclists.

Mr. Best said that It was a great thing to have attained so many years of continuous life as a club, and he suggested that a yearly reunion of the club and the one or two others who were as old would become a great occasion in cycling history.

Paying tribute to Mr Jenkins, Mr Best said that the cyclists were now looking to Hastings to produce another like him.

Mr A. Freeman spoke on behalf of the athletes among the gathering.

Mr K. D. Rome, proposing the toast of the president, wished him a speedy and complete recovery. He was, said Mr Rome, one of the stalwarts of club life, and his assistance had been appreciated by many young members starting racing.

Councillor Tester, who responded for the President, said that it was an honour for the club to have so many distinguished visitors. Cycling was a great sport, and it was one of the few left today where members were not spoon-fed. In road racing especially everything had to be done by the competitors themselves, and that was true sport.

The prizes were presented by Ken Joy. Winner of the club best all rounder competition was J.H. Southerden (for the third time in succession), who has now made the Blackman Trophy his own. Second in the competition was R.F.Powell.

Other prize winners were :-
Cyclists –
10 miles (63in gear) J.H.Southerden:
10 miles P Hughes:
25 miles. P Hughes:
Rye-Hythe-Rye. [Rye Hythe Rye] J H Southerden:
Junior invitation 15 miles, E Jones (Bexhill Wheelers):
Tandem 30 miles, R Eastes [Ron Eastes Trophy] and P Adams:
10 miles’ junior championship
A Moorhouse:
evening 10 miles,P Adams.
30 miles. J H Southerden:
50 miles. J H Southerden
100 miles. J H Southerden:
12 hours. R F Powell:
25 miles. P Adams:
25 miles. J H Southerden.
Hill climb J H Southerden

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.