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Dave Amesbury
7th October 2007
Introduction
It saddens me to report that, after 10 years at the helm this is my last year as Secretary as I will be standing down at the AGM. So I would just like say thank you to all my friends in the Section and DA for their support over the years – it really has been fun and hopefully will continue to be so for many years to come. But, do not despair, Bristol riders, there is a very strong possibility that you will get a REAL cyclist as my replacement! (About time, bays the mob, waiting outside with the tumbril, guillotine nicely honed)
Note:- The first order of our new Centenary Club clothing arrived and was distributed, Another order will to be placed, given enough orders. That well known firm of outfitters to the cycling gentry, Parker and Chapman (with some help from TAL) are to be thanked.
2006 AGM Held at the Clubroom, on October 11th 2006 with, disappointingly only 24 members present.
| Section Awards |
| Attendance Trophy | Jane Chapman |
| Club Member of the Year | Andrew Phillips |
| Committee 2006/2007 |
| Chairman | Hugh Marshall |
| Secretary | Dave Amesbury |
| Treasurer | Jane Chapman |
| Rides Secretary | Sue Hawkins |
| Social Secretary | Reg Porter |
| YH Secretary | Joe Prosser |
| Press/Publicity Sec | Andy Phillips |
| Bike Week Coordinator | Jane Chapman |
| Ex-officio members | Joan Orchard, Berry Parker, Sally Pearson |
Club Rides
A succession of cold, wet and windy Sunday mornings in the late Winter and early Spring took its toll on the numbers attending both the Sunday rides. At times it seemed to be difficult to raise double figures and I personally led two rides where I was the only one out and two with only one other. The situation improved during the lovely late Spring weather which brought members blinking out of the unseasonable darkness to enjoy some very pleasant rides. After the Spring, it did seem, once again, that the elements were conspiring against us and there were times when, as a ride leader, once again I stood in the rain at the start, with the dire Sunday weather forecast in my mind frankly hoping no-one would turn up! Usually, some hardy soul or souls did turn up and an attenuated, rather damp but enjoyable ride ensued. We have, at times, had difficulty in reaching twenty in total on both Sunday rides and it was disappointing that both the Rounders and the Barbeque were cancelled due to lack of support. The Medium paced rides seemed to be marginally more popular, which is understandable, but it is a shame because there have been some nice Easy paced rides, including visits to NGS Gardens, and we do need support on these rides to attract and keep our new and older riders. The weather hasn’t helped, admittedly and the continuing absence of a significant number of our older regulars, who now do other things, particularly with their families, at weekends, is keenly felt. However, numbers did improve as the Summer progressed and warmed up with good attendances at our weekends away and on rides. Younger new members are appearing and it is hoped that this trend will continue in order to replace our lost stalwarts!
Our now customary and popular Sunday (turkey free) Lunch Ride to the “Port of Call” in Clifton took us via the seaside at Portishead – enlivened by the tin of exploding dog food during elevenses in Waitrose - a fearsome terror weapon indeed – we all thought it was the odour of a particularly lively cheese. Thanks to Sue Hawkins for organising the meal, leading the ride and squeezing the £5 deposits out of reluctant wallets.
Hugh’s Marshall’s Boxing Day Ride via the arboreal delights of Leigh Woods, Pill (I love thee still – Adge Cutler) the soaring majesty of the Avon Bridge and the late Elizabethan architectural gems of the Chittening Trading Estate led to a delightful lunch chez 44 Church Road and including Ann’s melt-in-the-mouth mince pies and a MOST robust mulled wine. The New Year’s Day Ride to Hinton Blewitt started off 2007 reasonably well – not too many headaches were being suffered this year, perhaps New Year’s Eve is now just one festival too far!
A 100 miles for 100 years Anniversary club ride, on the first weekend in September, was led by Jane Chapman. Making good use of NCN Routes, eight riders enjoyed a pleasant and interesting day out in Wales. The route took them to Usk for elevenses. Then via Bettws Newydd, Clytha Park to Llanover and Blaenavon. Then downhill all the way to Pontypool and Cwmbran and eventually to Newport, a crossing of the famed Transporter Bridge, the Newport Levels and Caldicot Moor to Chepstow. A quick dash back across the Severn Bridge to Filton to beat the rain ended a glorious day’s cycling. See also the 2007 Summer Tourist for a full report.
Weekends Away & Club Holidays
I don’t know how he does it, but for our Rent a Hostel Weekend on the first weekend in February Joe Prosser managed to find a hostel next door to licensed premises! The venue was a bunkhouse, the Exmoor Basecamp, owned by the National Trust at Countisbury. 18 attended and all voted both the accommodation and the adjacent pub a great success. Even the weather was good. The rides were, being Exmoor, a little hilly but ensured good views, well worth the effort, should you survive the ascent. Saturday’s ride took in roads we have ridden, and enjoyed, on our many previous visits to this lovely part of the country travelling via Oare, Exford, North Molton and Simonsbath to Lynmouth. The final climb up Countisbury Hill was taxing, but at least raised a thirst! For Sunday’s half day ride we headed for the coast at Woody Bay and the Valley of the Rocks with coffee at the famed Hunters Inn and returning via Parracombe, where tragedy struck – the pub was closed. You can’t win them all, Joe. Another great weekend, in Bristol Section tradition, enjoyed by all.
For the first year that I can remember, we did not run an Easter Tour. A proposed visit to Salisbury YH was cancelled due to lack of support mainly due to short notice. It isn’t anyway one of our favourite venues. There were also some objections to paying nearly £20.00 for B & B in a Hostel.
Although we missed out on Easter Weekend there was adequate compensation on offer in our August Bank Holiday visit to another National Trust Basecamp, this time at Stourhead. With almost perfect cycling weather on our side 18 riders enjoyed a good weekend around the Dorset and Wiltshire borders. After a leisurely ride down on the Saturday, the group decamped to Mere for dinner and the usual convivial evening in a local hostelry, wending their merry way back in the moonlight with sleep and the next day’s ride on their minds. Or not, depending on individual consumption. Sleep, anyway.
To Shaftesbury for coffee on Sunday, where we witnessed three racing cyclists (without Hovis) climbing Gold Hill. Out of the saddle and such faith in the strength of their chains! Thence a quiet perambulation along the lanes of the Wiltshire Cycleway. Quiet, that is, apart from our encounter with a prize Agricultural Idiot reversing a piece of farm machinery covered in spikes, at high speed along the road, who had we been seconds earlier would have caused carnage among the riders. One feels that, with the huge size of tractors, trailers and other farm impedimentia, coupled with the seeming oblivion to other road users by some of the drivers, these days it is almost as dangerous to ride the lanes as the city roads! However pleasant scenery, good company and an excellent pub lunch at Broad Chalke restored our spirits. Post Lunch, an exhilarating swoop downhill from Fovant Down and then lanes via Fovant, Tisbury and Hindon brought us back to Mere – where, wonder of wonders, there was a beer Festival in progress in a local pub! Paradise, indeed, for some of our riders and also one of the best carvery Sunday dinners I have ever eaten. An enjoyable day indeed. Homeward bound on Monday, via Frome, the riders paid their respects to a certain Mr. Tucker at his grave (an isolated real ale pub near Faulkland) and a rather hilly last few miles home didn’t mar a another wonderful Section weekend away. Thanks to Joe Prosser who, from his lonely exile in Aberdeen organised the accommodation.
With the YHA rationalization program still under way, yet another of our long time favourite Hostels closed its doors at the end of September. This time it was Capel y Ffin an isolated yet hospitable place, set in lonely and magnificent scenery above Llanthony on the way up to the Gospel Pass. Its last night, however was celebrated in fine style, for not only was the place packed with walkers but Jane Chapman had booked us 18 places so that we could join the wake. Our members assembled, having arrived by various routes and having claimed what beds were left shoehorned themselves into the dining room and member’s kitchen for dinner. All appeared to be complete chaos at first sight but somehow the Warden, pocket sized Welsh human dynamo Gaynor and her helpers produced a good dinner – with three choices, too! The clinking of the bottle recycling bin next morning gave evidence of an evening well spent – need I say more? One did wonder if few more nights like that could have saved the place – probably not, it would need a huge amount spent on it to bring it up modern standards. With a tinge of sadness, we made our various ways home next day with a feeling, somehow something had been lost.
Clubroom and Social Activities
Healthy cyclist’s appetites were satisfied in the form of various vast pizzas and pasta platefuls at our Italian themed Christmas meal at Amici’s. A welcome return to this venue (previously known as Sorrento’s) A lively evening ensued, with not too immoderate quantities of wine and (I believe) somewhat cheaper beer than last year fuelling a convivial evening. Thanks to Sue (again) and Reg Porter for all their work in setting it up.
The Clubroom I am pleased to report, staged something of a recovery with a steady attendance of between 20 & 30, even though we had to increase the cost of admission to £2.00. Perhaps it’s the free tea and bikkies! Next year I think we’ll put the admission up to three quid and chuck in a bag of chips. Some excellent presentations have been enjoyed, including another Richard Sale Arctic extravaganza – now there is man who takes risks. His wildlife pictures are stunning – we are so fortunate to get him! George and Ann Martin shared their extended tour of Austria, Croatia and Italy with us – always a pleasure to see. We had our eyes opened about Nova Scotia and Mark Weber’s ramble around Jordan, Petra, the Dead Sea and along the Phosphate Railway was a joy! The Section Tour of Northern Ireland revealed what an attractive place it is and well worth a visit. The Auction of (mainly) bike bits ably presided over by Auctioneer Gary Harris raised over £170.00 mostly in 50p and £1.00 lots, a welcome boost to Section funds.
DA & National Events
Once again the Bristol Section Choral Society, fresh from its triumph at Castle Combe, put in a fine showing at the DA Carol Service. My granddaughter Sophie was impressed, even more so with the accompanying tea! Thanks as always to our friends at Stroud for a great afternoon.
Then it was time for the donning of posh frocks, suits and a sprinkling of DJs for the Centenary DA Dinner and Dance held, as last year, at Eastwood Park. Amazing how different cyclists look in civvies! Hugh handed over his Master or Ceremonies gavel to Berry Parker who coped magnificently – job for life methinks? We were all pleased that Ann Meredith received the well deserved award of the Baker Merit Trophy for her 14 years work as DA Assistant Secretary but disappointed that, owing to illness she could not accept it personally. The Guest of Honour, Jill Keiron, Chair of CTC Council, gave a most interesting and amusing address to which Hugh gave a commendably brief response. Many thanks are owed to DA Social Secretary Joan Orchard for her considerable efforts in making the evening such a success and to Brian Griffiths for obtaining the Raffle prizes. Jane Chapman was only able to coax one other person who attended the function out on her ride on the following Sunday - well done, Berry – trouper to the end!
The DA Photo Competition resurrected for Centenary year and organised by Joan Orchard and Reg Porter included, in addition to the evening travel show a display of archive photographs assembled by Reg Porter to mark the DA Centenary. Unfortunately, as in previous years, the evening was poorly supported which was a great disappointment to the organisers and Reg in particular.
We once again gave reasonable support to the Castle Combe Service, although with fewer numbers and if one takes into consideration the ones that rode but didn’t attend the Church the Bristol Section Choral society was seriously depleted, in extremely fine voice, most certainly but depleted. Thanks again to Canon Roger Clifton who arrived on his Dawes, conducted a lovely service and rode off into the afternoon no doubt to do the Lord’s work elsewhere! We all missed Hugh Marshall’s presence at the Church but his wife Ann’s illness precluded his attendance. Everyone, I know, will be very pleased to learn that she has now recovered, after her spell in hospital. None more relieved I would suggest than “Ollie” the Marshall’s rather adorable O E Sheepdog!
We had quite a good attendance at Grittleton for the Inter-Section Meet. Good weather blessed the event and a pleasant ride, picnic and convivial hour or so at the “Nield Arms” made Hugh Marshall’s dedication to the tea-urn worthwhile.
It was difficult to believe three years had gone by since the last Tri-Vets and as in 2004, thankfully, on June 10th the weather was perfect. It seemed that, at last, Summer had arrived especially for us to celebrate the Centenary of our DA when 44 riders in 4 Groups, each in the charge of an experienced Leader, set off from Winterbourne in the cool of a fine Sunday morning to enjoy a day of unbroken sunshine in the Lower Cotswolds and Wiltshire. As the organiser, I was overjoyed that the day was a success and to those who thanked me personally I’m very grateful, A full report of this ride appears in the 2007 Summer Tourist including a list of all those who made it possible.
The visit to Bristol of the Bristol/Bordeaux (plus Munich) cycling group, as part of the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary or the twinning of the two cities was marked by a lunch at the aptly named Bordeaux Quays Restaurant attended by the Lord Mayor and members of the Section and Thursday Group and this was followed by a ride from Malmesbury the next day to meet the Thursday riders at Luckington. 84 in the pub – and we all got served - phew! Still didn’t get our picture in the paper, though. Many thanks to Brian Griffiths for organising the festivities.
August 19th and 100th Anniversary month finally arrived and Reg Porter’s dedication to organising the 100th Anniversary Ride paid off handsomely. The Bristol ride, well supported with over 20 riders, started near to the original venue at Filton and wended its way via Tytherington to the Wyevale Garden Centre at Milbury Heath for coffee and cakes (what else on a Sunday?) where more Bristol riders joined the throng. The colourful procession then proceeded via Severn Vale to Ham for lunch at the “Salutation” where over 70 riders assembled and made short work of the buffet lunch before making their way via Stone and Damery to Tortworth, the destination of the ride in 1907, for a reverential view of the 800 year old Tortworth Chestnut and a Thanksgiving Service at the lovely Church of St Leonard’s near the tree.
Thence through the lanes to Charfield Village Hall, where over 120 members, new and old, from Bristol DA Sections and other cycling clubs sat down to the Anniversary Tea courtesy of the local WI. So the Anniversary day ended happily with riders making their way home to all points of the compass on a rather chilly, gloomy evening but with, hopefully some memories to cherish for years to come and perhaps wondering who will be around for the 105th, 110th even………125th ? Once again a full report of the day appears in the 2007 Summer Tourist including a list of all those who made it possible.
Audax Events
Bristol action woman and Audax Queen Jane Chapman’s South Glos 100K was, again well supported with around 120 on the road. The weather wasn’t as brilliant as we have grown used to for this event, with a very stiff Southwest wind but at least it was (fairly) dry. The event was started in style, at Alveston, by the Thornbury Town Crier Dave Slocombe, who also happens to be a CTC Member and Thursday Old Timers rider.
Incidentally, Jane is planning another one next year, a new 150K route based on the Avon Cycleway, using a local Rugby Club as a base and coinciding with Bike Week.
We always know when Autumn is upon us when it is time for Joe Prosser’s “Tasty Cheddar” 100K usually held on the first Saturday in October. Always a popular ride, This year there were 146 entries, 129 starters and 120 finishers on a rather overcast but warm day.
Regarding the PBP, successful Bristol riders included our refugee from Devon DA, Dave Johnston and exiled member (only to Devon) Jon Croome.
Section Finance (see Treasurers Report)
Press & Publicity
The local media have been kept informed of our activities, with some small modicum of response.
As stated below, our publicity Stand was present at the Bike to Work Breakfast and at the end of the Big Bike Ride during Bike Week and steady stream of enquiries and great interest in our publicity material resulted.
Our publicity stand was also present at the Bristol/Bordeaux celebratory event at Bristol Zoo and also at the Sustrans 30th Birthday Party in Castle Park.
National Bike Week
Once again the Section made its presence felt during Bike Week with our publicity Stand at the Bike to Work Breakfast and at the end of the Big Bike Ride, for which we provided our usual strong Marshalling presence.
No “thank you T” shirts this year, only a very short DVD of the event, nice but not enough for an evening’s entertainment!
Cycling Rights & Network Activities
Jane Chapman has kept us up to date with developments in the National Cycling Network.
People
If there are two people in our world of cycling who have represented over so many years the very best of what we do, then it has to be Ted & Sheila King. I took a picture of them at the start of the 2004 Trivets, consulting the list of riders in the warm sunrise of a wonderful early summer’s day. I called it “An Unbeatable Team”. Nothing more apt, I think. Our thoughts must be with them at this difficult time for them both. Sheila’s presence was greatly missed at this year’s Tri-Vets I know that this event has a special place in her heart and I trust that she would have been pleased with how the day went and that my efforts lived up to her high standards
Charles Winstone
1916 – 2006
| | On a sad note we were sorry at the passing of Charlie at the age of 89, just short of his 90th birthday. Chas was a long time rider with various Bristol Sections over the years and I well remember him riding with General Section in the 1950s. He won the National BCTC Final in 1955. Always the perfect gentleman, in his later years he was a regular at the Clubroom and his recollections of Club life were always a pleasure to hear
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Ray Broome is in fine spirits after a successful heart by-pass operation. I don’t think anything could keep Ray down for long. Or his wife Jean who came off her bike on their first post-op bike ride together and ended with badly cut hands and a tummy full of antibiotics! She is also recovering well. Hope to see them out with us soon?
Poor Alex Rendu took a tumble within an ace of completing the Paris-Brest-Paris and suffered a broken collar bone. A great disappointment for him, but I am sure he will try again in 4 years time.
Appreciations
The Committee once again wish to thank all the members of the Section for their support and companionship over the past year. I am sure that next year will be as good as and possibly even better than the last. Special thanks are due to all our Rides Leaders, who have braved the elements to provide us with an amazing variety of Sunday outings!
In my final Annual Report as your Secretary, I would personally like thank all the members of the Committee, past and present for all the support I have received over the past 10 years they have always been a top class team and have made a Secretary’s task an easier and more pleasurable one.
I owe many thanks to our Chairman, Hugh Marshall for his help with so many things and to our President, Ted King, who has been attending our Committee Meetings where his wide experience of Club matters and cycling in general has been invaluable to me.
Bless you all and thank you.
Dave Amesbury
7th October 2007
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