CLUB NEWS CONFERENCE 2022

Elections

Following elections at conference on Saturday 17th September the following officers have been appointed:

President

– Neil Shand, North Cheshire

Chair

– Edward Ireland, Clitheroe

Secretary

– Edward Gilder, Broadland

Minutes Secretary

– Charles Harvey, Broadland

Membership Secretary

– Paul Whitehead, Blackpool

Events and Competitions

Secretary

– Steve Clarke, Fenland

Treasurer

– Jonathan Leigh, Dronfield

IT Manager

– Michael Stainer, Dronfield

Boots and Spurs Editor

– Edward Gilder, Broadland

We welcome two new officers from Dronfield, the most recently formed Clarion section and say goodbye and many thanks to Andrew Martin, Tuxford who has been our treasurer and Neil Matheson, West Lothian, who has been our IT manager. Both have worked hard for the club in recent years and have earned a break. Thanks guys.

It is my intention to stand down as Secretary at the next election. I only ever (reluctantly) volunteered for the job as a stop gap.

I remain keen to hear from anybody interested in taking on the role of secretary, as I wish to return to solely being the Boots and Spurs Editor. Boots and Spurs is suffering from not having my full attention and I regret that.

Conference Motions

There were three motions to conference, previously circulated to all sections. The first by Tuxford sought to promote interaction with refugees who might welcome cycling opportunities. No vote was ultimately taken on this, but in a discussion on the topic, the feeling of conference was that this was indeed a worthy aim to promote, best done in many cases at section level, perhaps in partnership with existing organisations that work to support refugees. National committee will consider whether there is a role for the national club in this work, and we would encourage sections to look at whether they can take action in this area.

The second by London sought to change the way subscriptions are collected. Moving from an annual subscription payable on the 1st January to a rolling subscription running for twelve months from the date of joining. This proposal was rejected by 825 votes to 307.

The third motion by Brighton sought to replace the block vote system used at conference and based on section numbers, with a one member one vote system. This was rejected by 766 votes to 294, with 4 sections abstaining.

Many thanks to the 13 sections and 1 private member that took the trouble to attend to the rest of you I say “where were you”? We have over 30 sections so more than half of you were absent.

Next year conference is likely to return to the Easter Meet, which is being held at Lytham St Annes on the 7th - 10th April 2023. Details are provided below and can also be found on the web site. Those at the meet will be able to attend in person, whilst those unable to attend the Easter Meet should be able to log in to what will be a hybrid event. We look forward to seeing more of you next year one way or the other.

– Edward Gilder

Easter Meet 2023

Arrangements for this are well under way thanks to the efforts of Paul Whitehead from Blackpool. Given the strength of the Clarion in the north of England it was felt that another northern meet would not be unreasonable, and the event has been booked into Fylde Rugby Club at Lytham St Annes for the weekend of the 6th to the 10th April. The club has excellent catering and social facilities and there is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets in the area, ranging from posh to cheap as chips, depending upon your tastes the weekend is likely to include another Audax, some circuit racing and local tours, supported by Blackpool Clarion. Pete Lashley has been invited to return to entertain. More details can be found by following the QR code on the advert elsewhere in the magazine.

Membership Numbers

Membership numbers have bounced back following a dip during the pandemic and presently stands at just over 2100, but with an increase in private membership to nearly 100. Clarion membership offers excellent value for money and of course includes insurance. If you know of members who have not renewed, encourage them to reconsider. Get them out on their bikes again and enjoying the company of fellow cyclists. As for those who have not previously been members, pass on your old copies of Boots and Spurs to show what an active and vibrant club the Clarion is.

Merchandising Officer

We have a new Merchandising Officer – Tim Wadsworth from Cotswold who has kindly taken over the dispatch of shop items and that has freed up some space in my garage –Thanks Tim.

Cotswold Discount

This is now 12.5% - you will find a Cotswold advert on the back cover with the code – if you wish to use at in store then you will need to take your copy of Boots and Spurs to the store and show it at time of purchase.

Obituaries

FRANK JEFFERSON, BURY CLARION

Long-time member of the Clarion Cycling Club frank Jefferson passed away whilst at Bury Hospice in July. Frank joined Bury Clarion in the 1940’s, later becoming a life member: he remained active and always a hard-working official until a surgical operation curtailed his beloved life on two wheels.

For many years Frank worked as a grocer and during that time he managed several Co-op stores around the Bury area. Following the demise of the Co-op shops he opened his own corner shop. Following that and until his retirement, he worked as a mechanic at Pilkington Cycles, going on from there to open his own small cycle business.

Frank, like so many of his age was required to do two years national service and with his grocery experience was recruited into the Army Catering Corps, where he helped the soldiers of the British army to “march on their stomachs”. Following his demob, he was back cycling immediately and whilst on a cycle tour to the USA and Canada me Debbie, an American girl from Minnesota, who became his wife.

For those who remember gas streetlights, Frank’s father’s job was to service and maintain them around the streets of Bury, replacing the batteries and the timers in the ignition system. As there was still a small amount of life left in the old batteries, Frank acquired them and shared them amongst club members. They would provide a glimmer of light for about two nights before a replacement was required!

Just as Frank shared out these batteries, so he shared with us his love of cycling and the Clarion cycling club. Those members past and present who knew Frank have lost a very special friend.