© CTC Wessex Member Group of the Cyclists’ Touring Club
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CTC WESSEX
History &
Administration
History &
Administration
a bike in our region. Regular congregations of over 60 cyclists gather at Burley Tea Rooms every week. The CBC has a very large overlap of members with the Wessex DA such that the boundaries are often blurred.
In West Dorset, with Brian Archer as Chairman and Peter Loakes as secretary, George Fox founded the “Wednesday Wanderers” mid-week group aided by Johnny Read; always a stalwart of the “West Dorsets”. Now with Malcolm Howell as Chairman and Mike Durham as secretary there are Saturday rides too with the “Saturday Sauntereers” as well as a special group, the “Thursday Folders” who make use of folding bicycles travelling on buses and trains to extend their range.
In Salisbury, ever guided by Alan Clarke who became a DA Vice President, and assisted by Graham Dudley, as well as the general Sunday section they run a mid-week evening group for hard riders. organised by Malcolm Walters.
EVENTS & RALLIES The Wessex DA has hosted the CTC Birthday Rides on two occasions. In August 1977 at Salisbury 280 members, including overseas participants gathered daily at the Elizabeth Gardens for the start. In those days only two groups were needed to cope with the numbers and the “A” rides were planned at 60 miles, the “B” rides at about 45 miles. Ruth and JackMerchant with Jean and Ron Trill were the chief organisers. In 2003, the DA again hosted the rides and took over the Haven Holiday campsite at Warmwell for the week. The rides were much larger this time with almost 1500 participants. David Durose was the lead organiser for the Wessex DA and was supported by his committee of volunteers who included Christopher Chaplin, Alan Linge, Annemarie Manley, Ken Reed. and myself. The rides were attended by Kevin Mayne, National Director (Secretary) of the CTC and Phil Liggett the President.
In 1981 the DA celebrated its 70th Anniversary with a catered lunch at Sturminster Newton at which Alan Leng, National Secretary of the CTC attended. The 70th anniversary was also marked with a relay ride around the regions of the DA at which nearly 60 people signed the attendance book. In 1986 celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a similar lunch but since that time the 80th and 90th Anniversaries have gone un-noticed. Hopefully this is not the forgetfulness of old age!
In 1983 the DA held a heat of the Veteran’s triennial 100mile rides for the DA. It was organised by Keith Matthews.
In 1996 the Salisbury Section hosted the first South of England Rally organised by Graham Dudley and family aided by Alan Clarke. Formerly known as the Home Counties Rally, the CTC net had been cast wider to provide more variety. The headquarters was a large school in Laverstock on the outskirts of Salisbury. Salisbury Section too were responsible for hosting the 1998 CTC National Dinner in Salisbury City Hall, this time organised by Jimmy Walker.
In 1990 and 1991 the DA held a residential weekend rallies at Swanage named the “Purbeck Weekend” in the old Grammar School. Members of the Union Cyclotouristes Saint Lo attended here and our President, Barbara Johnston, took advantage of the contact to establish the “twinning” arrangement which exists to the present day. The arrangement is maintained today by Norman Payne and the St Lois last visited Wessex in 2006. We look forward to returning to see them in France in 2008.
AUDAX & RANDONNEE EVENTS: The formation of Audax UK made a significant impact on the DA and prompted me to found the “Dorset Coast 200km” in 1978. It has run ever since, celebrating the 30th event