Hastings & St .Leonards Cycling Club Archive

ADVANTAGES of the time trial over massed start bicycle racing were stressed Mr. J. Spackman, of the Century Road Club, when he proposed the main toast at the 82nd annual dinner, prize presentation and dance of the Hastings and St. Leonards Cycling and Athletic Club at the Castle Hotel on Saturday.

Mr. Spackman said that in massed start racing the top riders were reaching a much higher peak of performance than ever before. This meant that fewer riders would reach the top. and that lota of other riders would never reach the top. But in time trials they could “have a go" and get a lot of fun out of It, even they were not near the top men.

“In, massed start racing unless you are near the top men you have drop out." said Mr, Spackman. “You cannot carry on riding slowly."

Recalling that the club was founded 1876, Mr. Spackman told the large company, which Included visitors from many other clubs at Rye, Eastbourne. Southborough. Sittingbourne. the Medway Towns, Dartford. and elsewhere, that Hastings was among the earliest of cycling clubs. Their first dinner was held In February. 1878. and later that year three members competed in an open event.

FORTUNES REVIVED

In 1881 It was decided to bar trlcyclists. but a year later they were again permitted to Join the club, and the following year a special event was run for them. In 1885 the father of Freddy March. Tolly March, led revival the club's flagging fortunes by securing the first away win. In 1886 Archie Stokes won the home trainer championship of the world, and 1898 saw the club's first hill climb. In 1898 road racing was abandoned under ruling of the National Cyclists' Union, due to police action.

In 1900 Tolly March claimed the 24 hour record, in an unofficial ride done privately, of 220 miles 21¾ hours. 1909 track racing was resumed, time trials were started, and Freddy March made his debut. In 1911 the club saluted the past by organising two ordinary bicycle races. The athletic section was formed in 1913 and survived until 1950-51.

During the 1914-18 war the club remained alive and after the war Freddy March won a number of N.C.U. Sussex championships. The year 1924 saw a new star in the firmament, and George Jenkins won successes on road and track.

During the last war the club still kept going, but on a reduced scale, and the man responsible was Percy Bliss.

Mr. Spackman paid a tribute to Jack Southerden. the club historian, who was writing their history after a successful racing career.

Mr J H Southerden, responding said: “We have seen another year added to the club’s long life and the purpose of this diner is to celebrate our progress. As a cub gets older the past becomes more interesting and more important. May of us are very proud of the past, and 1957 has been a good year, with regular Sunday and Wednesday runs, and with a good i programme of time trialling and many evening events."

Mr. Southerden dealt with the' highlights of the past racing season, and said that Maurice Carpenter had done It again by winning the majority of senior events, and the club championship for the second year In succession. P. Adams had set up a new club record 392.1645 miles In 24 hours.

Speaking of the women's section. he said that Esther Rolleston had made new club records at 25 and 100 miles and for 12 hours.

Mr. Percy Bliss, the president, who was the chair, proposed the toast of the visitors and especially' welcomed those from other clubs.

Mr. W. T. Collins (Eastbourne Rovers), responding, told Mr. Bliss:
“You and your club act as a magnet which draws us to this dinner year by year, where find good fellowship and good sportsmanship - a tradition which has been built up over the years. We wish the club continued success In the field of sport this wonderful pastime ours."

Mr. E. C. Harrison, of the Medway Road Club, also responded In a humorous speech.

Mr. E. C. Southcot, a former president of the N.C.U., spoke on his reminiscences of cycling racing at the Olympic Games past years.

Dinner was followed by dancing. with Mr. W. Baker as M.C.

The president presented the awards follows:—
Best clubman, M. Lingham.
10 miles gears under 63in., M. Carpenter. 27mln. 41 secs;
10 miles. Junior Powell Shield. L. Chambers. 26mln. 52sec;
15 miles. Junior Trophy. D. Page. 47min 3sec;
25 miles. April 25. M. Carpenter. 1hr 8mln. 25sec;
25 miles, Ron Eastes Memorial. M. Carpenter. 1hr 4mln. 54sec.;
25 miles, September 25. A. Moorhouse. 1hr. 3mln. 51sec.;
30 miles, M. Carpenter. 1hr. 21min. 45sec
50 miles, Croft Trophy, A. Moorhouse, 2hr. 13 min. 45sec.
100 miles trophy. M. Carpenter, 4hr. 54mln. 32sec.;
12 hour. P. Bliss Trophy, M. Carpenter. 221.412 mile, won outright;
24 hours, P. Adam. 392.1645 mile;
Rye-Hythe-Rye, M, Carpenter. 1hr. 52min. 39sec.;
Speed Judging. L. Chambers;
Hill Climb. A. Moorhouse 2min. 57 2-sec.;
Christmas Day 10 mile. M. Carpenter. 28min. 31sec.;
B.A.R. F. Martin Trophy. M. Carpenter, 21.114 m.p.h.