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| Published: 3rd October 2011 To tell the history of the club we must start at around 1950. Odd, we know, but the reason will become obvious later on. Circa 1948 members built a substantial club room on premises owned by the Woodhouse Dog Track Co. (Woodhouse Lane) In these post war years people had to be very much “hands on”, so the place was built by the members, mainly Fred Richardson, Alan Grisedale, Ted Leyland and John Nicholson. We know that two or three members donated £100 each, which probably paid for the materials. Other known members about this time were Alan Baxendale, Dave Kirk, Lionel Lea, Dennis Pilkington, who were all teenagers then. However within a few years the building was destroyed by fire and all the club records stored there were destroyed. So you see, this article is written mainly from memory of existing older members. We do know that the club was formed in 1919 (after the First World War) and some founders were Eric Capper, Fred Green, Percy Wellings, Alec Longthorne, Manny Atherton, Harry Cunliffe and Ann Webster. Around the year 2000 the original name of the club was changed from Wigan Wheelers Cycling and Athletic Club to Wigan Wheelers Cycling Club because we no longer had any track athletes. We have quite a collection of competition trophies and it is from these that much of the story can be told because names of winners are etched onto them. They are, you see, the existing record of the competition side of the club. At this stage it must be emphasised that the club in it’s present form is much more recreational than competitive. Most of our members today enjoy the camaraderie and social side of the club run rather that the serious sweat and toil of training for competition. Therefore when cycle racing facts are quoted remember that this was then and not necessarily now. Little or nothing is known about the years 1919-1940 but it is a known fact that cycle touring was a well enjoyed experience. Club runs could have many more riders than today because the motor car was far less numerous. Cobbled streets were the norm then together with tram lines but there were less accidents than today. During the 1930’s (years of the Great Depression) the bicycle was very much the working man’s means of escape into the countryside of north lanes of Cheshire, away from the smoke and grime of the Wigan District. This was when the Youth Hostel Association thrived and cyclists and ramblers took full advantage. After 1945 the cycle was more popular then ever because the car was inactive due to petrol rationing and not many people could afford a car. At this point we must pay respect to the members who lost their lives between 1940 and 1945. They were Mr Liptrot and Mr Dewhurst. Sorry but we do not know their Christian names but they are remembered annually when members compete for the Liptrot/Dewhurst Trophy in an open 25 mile time trial. During the early 1950’s our existing members, Jim Harrison, Alan Baxendale, Dave Kirk, Paul Smith, Lionel and Peter Lea, Len Roby, Eddy Ashcroft and myself, Harold Woodcock enlisted. These were the halcyon days of cycling in which we raced in. A time trial on Sunday morning (7.00am start) and by 11.00am be back on the bike to join the club run at some designated café. In fact the main part of the day for the racing lads was the “burn up” over the last 10 miles to see who could be the first into Wigan. The winners would usually be Alan Danson, Fred Richardson, Alan Grisedale, Jimmy Anderton or Bill Bannister. Alan Danson is worthy of a mention here, not only for his film star looks and perfect physique, but because of his cycling achievements when he represented England at the Commonwealth Games as a track specialist. However, going back to the club run, which could often number over 20 riders who were out to enjoy the cycling and love of the countryside, it wasn't uncommon to see them meet up at tea time on a summer evening at The Swan at Winwick to join forces with Ince Premier Wheelers and the Wigan section of the Cyclist’s Touring Club. After drinks at the Hermit Pub many only got home after 8.00pm. These were the days when the younger members brought along their girlfriends, so I am sure there are still some happily married couples around Wigan who in their old age remember these happy times. Club captain during this time was Fred Green who rode tandem with his wife. During the 60’s and 70’s cycling generally went into decline, petrol was again available and the small car was affordable to the working man. Club membership went down but during this time some die hards remained faithful to the bike. One of the main workers at this time was Alan Baxandale, particularly on the race organising scene. About the time massed start racing was becoming more popular and by 1975 membership increased. The Club secretary at this time was Dave Houghton, it was Dave who encouraged younger riders and organised various road races eg. Wigan Park Races and for 2-3 years the races around the town centre. Many thanks are due to him for raising the club’s profile during these years. From the 1980’s and up to date little has changed, even though the bike itself has changed dramatically. From fixed wheel bikes of steel we now have alloy, carbon,and titanium bikes with at least twenty gears. And so to the present time. The main cycling activity is still the Sunday club run when we meet at 9.00am alternatively at Ashton Library (to go into Cheshire) or Cherry Gardens Pub, near Wigan and Leigh Infirmary to ride into North Lancashire. ____________________________________________ |
Information and recollections - of cycling in Wigan and surrounding area...
...Written by Dave Chambers.
Published 9th October 2011
...Hi,
I've just looked up some old photos and press cuttings in the family archives of the Wigan Amateur Bicycle Club.
My uncle ‘Don Lee’ is featured doing a couple of time trials and wining the B.W. Rudd cup. The time keeper was former club treasurer
Mr. E.J. Johnson - on leave from the RAF.
Leonard Gladwin was the fastest man for the 25 miles with 1hr 13 minutes' 2secs. Wallace Turner was second and Don Lee was third.
In the North Lancashire Time Trials Associations open 25 mile course, (north of Preston) Don Lee was first - 1hr 8minutes 24secs out
of 84 riders… The date was the 6th June 1943.
I remember going to Fallowfield with Uncle Don and my Grandfather many times…Wooden wheels, a cinder track and a chrome
framed bike are memorable.
Uncle Don was a member of W.W. - pretty well all his life… He did many miles on his bikes.
I remember Alan Danson, and the Turner ‘twins’ coming regularly to my Grans. Another legend of the club and a great friend of mine
was Arthur Turner, (of Bryn) ‘what a character he was!’
My Mother - Mabel Lee, would go regularly on club runs… enjoying their Sunday trips.
Hope you find this bit of history interesting.
Best Regards to you and the Club.
Dave Chambers, (formerly from Hindley)
This story is helping us to piece together the history - thought lost!
Thanks Dave.
Ronnie.
_____________________________________
- …Published “around 1956!”
• Cycling has always been a popular pastime with all classes in the Wigan district. A section of the Cyclists’ Touring Club was
formed in Wigan in 1928. “A”… section is for members who ride 90 to 120 miles in a day and “B”… section for those who cover
60 to 90 miles. Thirty or forty members take part in a run, but to avoid impeding faster traffic - riders split up into smaller
groups of eight and ten.
• Touring holidays by members have been as far north as the Isle of Skye and as far south as Devon and Cornwall, and
members have toured many parts of the Containment. A map library covering almost all parts of the British Isles is available for
members.
• The Wigan Wheelers Cycling and Athletic Club was founded in 1919 and many records have been broken by members,
including: -
Liverpool to Edinburgh -‘tandem’ by Tom Hughes & John Ibbison in 1925.
London to Liverpool -‘tandem’ by James Shepherd & Tom Hughes.
Tom Hughes Liverpool to Edinburgh – ‘tricycle.;
Edinburgh to York – ‘tandem- tricycle’ by Tom Hughes & Eric Robinson.
Land’s End to John o’ Groats – ‘tricycle’ by Tom Hughes.
Albert Hughes and Tom Hughes also established a record for a ‘tandem- tricycle’ from Liverpool to Edinburgh, and Tom Hughes
secured fourth place in the Polytechnic 24-hour ‘tandem-paced’ race at Herne Hill, London in 1929, covering 448 miles 1,000
yards.
Many club trophies are competed for annually. There are other cycling clubs in the town.
• One of the best known cyclists for many years was the late Tom Hughes, who cycled in many European countries.
• Mr. S. A. Hall of Wigan, a well-known writer on cycling, was in January, 1949, awarded the Sir Alfred Bird memorial
medal and plaque for services rendered to the Cyclists’ Touring Club.
• There were also many successful track cyclists in the past. Benny Jones, of Ashton-in-Makerfield, (a township adjoining
Wigan) competed in the Olympic Games and won the 5,000 metres race. Barry, in one season won no fewer than 25 first prizes
and 18 second prizes…
Amongst his many successes were the Muratti Cup, the Palmer Cup and the half- mile championship of Ireland. Other
prominent riders included Tommy Sharratt, Bill Rowe, and Tom Rimmer.
Many local cyclists have been prominent in recent years. Albert Turner, (of Bryn) did a remarkable performance in a National
24-hour Time Trial… Alan Danson has had numerous successes both in this country and abroad... Alan Grisdale and Fred
Richardson, (of the Wigan Wheelers) have won many awards in open Time Trials.
The Premier Wheelers also have strong road and track racing men.
All clubs have social activities and runs every Sunday.
This information has been kindly provided by - Mr John Critchey of Orrell.
Published on website; 25th October 2011
Thanks John.
Ronnie.
-Club President.
Mr John Critchey of Orrell. |