The Bristol Wheelers C.C. Gazette, Vol 1899, No 3
Articles in this issue
- Hon. Sec. and Treasurer E. Fawcett White summons members to the Forty-seventh General Monthly Meeting at the 'Greyhound' Hotel, Broadmead, on Wednesday 1 March 1899, Captain A. Ricketts in the chair, with an agenda covering minutes, election of new members and consideration of a Club motto.
- Profile of the Club's champion 'Harry' Appleton, who took up cycling in 1894 on a solid-tyred roadster before being urged onto the path; in 1898, his best year, he won eleven firsts, retained the Bath Challenge Vase and Club Championship, took the Hundred Miles Championship in 4hrs 9mins and finished third in the Fifty Miles English Championship at Birmingham.
- Report of the meeting at the 'Greyhound' Hotel on 8 February 1899: thirteen new members elected, a nine-man Sports Committee appointed with E. F. White as Sports Secretary, and the Subscription Committee's report accepted — defaulters may stay on the books until the year's end but receive no Gazettes or Fixture Books meanwhile.
- March 1899 fixture list running from the Forty-seventh General Monthly Meeting on the 1st through the saloon trip to London on the 4th, weekly skittle practice at the 'Eglinton' Arms, the Twenty-first to Twenty-fourth Evening Dance Classes at Hannah More Hall, a Smoking Concert on the 17th, and the Opening Run to the 'Swan' Hotel, Almondsbury, on the 25th.
- Teasing questions about the Birmingham trip — 'King Charles' and the new 'Brum.' dance, the Secretary losing his trumpet, 'Tin Whiskers' losing three half-crowns at the billiard match, and 'Billy Big Head' not knowing which end of the cue to play with.
- A short companion column of one-line questions: who are the 'Wilkie' crowd, who is 'Professor Bird', who sneaked the Secretary's trumpet, and who tried to pick up jelly with a fork.
- Miscellany opening with a limerick about a billiards-playing cyclist, congratulating Miss E. C. Shepherd on her painting 'Lissory Mill, Ireland' at the Fine Arts Academy, and reprinting a long Athletic News tribute of 14 February praising President H. R. Wansbrough, Captain A. Ricketts and Secretary E. F. White, and noting £60 was spent on the Gazette last year.
- The editor's column, prompted by a Morning Leader report of the Euclid C.C. at Grimsby, whose fourpenny weekly subscription covers club-run meals and breakdown repairs; he mocks the scheme, then argues local clubs let far too large a balance accumulate and invites members to bring forward candidates for election.
- Urges members not to miss the Good Friday run to the 'Golden Lion' at Wrington, leaving headquarters at 10.30 a.m., recalling how well the party was catered for there last season.
- Report of the challenge match at the 'Eglinton' Arms on 15 February in which 'Big Dick' (R. R. Wilkins) and the Secretary beat F. J. Roberts and W. H. Bawdon by six pins, 117 to 111, followed by a dinner at the 'Crown and Dove' laid by David Crombie at the losers' expense.
- Long comic account of the Club's first saloon trip, to Birmingham on 11 February, for which over fifty guaranteed to attend and two saloons had to be ordered; it takes in Professor Bird's dancing saloon (a penny extra for wearing boots), the Birmingham market, a run-in with a policeman, and the theft of the Secretary's trumpet during supper.
- A contributed comic ballad retelling the Birmingham trip in verse — the party finding the pantomime full, decamping to Professor Bird's dancing room, and the new Vice-Captain besieged by 'Brummagem gals'.
- By Mrs. C. H. W.: seasonal advice to lady members on choosing a cycling costume that will stand mud, dust, sun and sea-water, and on preparing for the season by walking, breathing exercises and short frequent rides while watching one's pedalling and position in the saddle.
- Announces a Smoking Concert at the 'Crown and Dove' Hotel, Bridewell Street, on Friday 17 March at 8.30 p.m., with members and friends invited and the Secretary asking for volunteer singers.
- Report of the 13 February matches against the Reform Cycling Club: the Wheelers lost the whist by 35 odd tricks (102 to 67), with only F. C. and W. J. Fawn winning their table, and the billiards by 135, though H. Appleton and F. C. Fawn both won their games.
- The Club's first attempt at bagatelle, against the Richmond Cycling Club at the 'Radnor' Hotel on 17 February, lost by 307 — six of the nine Wheelers had never played and two had never handled a cue, E. F. White losing by 81 and W. H. Bawdon by 104.
- The season's Opening Run will be to the 'Swan' Hotel, Almondsbury, on 25 March, with tea and a social evening afterwards; members are asked to bring songs and to notify the Hon. Secretary early as a guarantee is required.
- Following the success of the Birmingham trip, a saloon trip to London will leave Montpelier Station at 1.45 p.m. on Saturday 4 March and return from Paddington at 1 a.m.; tickets 4s, refreshments 2s, seats reserved for the first 25 members to guarantee attendance.
- Editor's note regretting that Mr. H. H. Bold's story has been crowded out for want of space.
- A single advertisement from a member: a light 'Swift' racer in perfect condition, 23 lbs, 84 gear, 24½ frame, No. 1 Special 1898, for £8 10s.
- The Secretary acknowledges a donation of 2s 6d from T. Riordan towards the Church Parade.
- The Treasurer's account of 1897, 1898 and 1899 entrance fees and subscriptions received, together with donations towards the expenses of the Gazette from B. Powell, H. H. Bold, H. Appleton and others.