Wigan Wheelers Club Dinner and Prize Presentation Evening.

Saturday January 23 2010.

The club dinner and prize presentation evening was a marvellous success. The club was well represented by numerous members, their families and friends, ages ranging from nine years old to those in their more senior years.

Everybody appeared to be enjoying themselves, having a drink and indulging in the delicious hot buffet provided by Pig Catering and followed by fabulous desserts.

As for the presentation, I must thank Dave Brabbin for the introductions and his array of hilarious anecdotes, (will club funds stretch to purchasing a joke book, that Dave could use in the future). His repertoire is very entertaining.

A big thank you for Richard Handley, who gave a very enlightening speech, which began with his roots in cycling to the present time and the heights he has now reached, securing a professional contract with the newly formed Raleigh team. I believe you will all join me in wishing him every success, in the future and look forward to seeing him climb the podium, in prestigious events. Delivering a speech as Richard did, can be unnerving for a young lad and he had to come out of his comfort zone, which by the way, is doing thirty miles per hour, on a bike. In my opinion it was an introduction to making public appearances, which Richard will no doubt do as he continues to achieve success. Well done Richard.

A big well done and congratulations to all the club prize winners, who include: Bradley Britch, winner of the Maurice Jones Memorial 10 mile handicap cup, Derek Locket, winner of the Liptrot-Dewhurst 25 mile handicap cup, Ian Woodcock, winner of the Fletcher 50 mile handicap cup, Colin Farrar, winner of the Cavey 25 mile handicap cup, Tony Darbyshire and Tom Farrar joint winners of the Cutler 10 mile handicap cup, Danny Burrows, winner of the 10 mile time trial series and also the Senior Best All Rounder, Ian Woodcock the Veterans Best All Rounder and the Wigan Wheelers Best All Rounder for which he received the Veterans Shield and the Tom Hughes Shield. A special mention for Chloe Lawless who received an award for her endeavours in cycling.

An award was made to club member, Lionel Lea, who earlier this year retired as club chairman. He is one of the “elders” of the club with over fifty years service in various capacities and over 400,000 cycling miles in his legs. Thank you Lionel, may your wheels keep on turning.

I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Chris Lawless (second claim Wigan Wheelers member) on his achievements in a variety of cycling disciplines in which he has excelled, I am quite sure that if he was a first claim member he would be challenging for some of the awards mentioned.

A prize raffle took place on the evening, I would like to thank everybody who purchased tickets and congratulate the prize winners, with a huge thank you to the donators of the prizes, without which there would be no raffle. Thank you to Caitlan Williams for drawing the prize winning numbers.

Once again I think the biggest thank you should be reserved for Harold Woodcock, Amanda and Christine Black, who work tirelessly, behind the scenes, to make sure, that the club functions are a success, as I am sure you will agree they are.

I would also like to thank other speakers on the evening, including Ian Hughes, who welcomed the guests, Colin Farrar who spoke on behalf of the prize winners and especially Mike Wink. It was marvellous to see him looking so well after his accident and hope that his recovery continues. His words of advice regarding insurance, when cycling abroad, are very valid and should be taken heed of.

May I also take this opportunity to thank the organisers of the club events that have taken place this year, these include Dave and Eileen Brabbin, Harold Woodcock and Christine and Amanda Black, without their dedication there would be no races for the prize winners to win.

I will conclude at this point, by once again thanking everybody who played any part in a most enjoyable evening, members and guests alike. I look forward to the coming racing season and wish everybody competing, continued success and next years prize presentation.

John Williams