Vol 5, No 3
Articles in this issue
- The unheaded leader takes up Mr. Butt's Commons question on excluding bicycles from Regent's Park and sides with Mr. Lefevre against admission to any metropolitan park, citing the North London park from which riders were expelled; it then reviews the winter's Smoking Concerts, asks members for views on their frequency and the dramatic element, and closes with T. G.'s tribute to the retiring Editor, Ashley Barrett.
- Ashley Barrett's short letter thanking fellow-members for their support during his two years in the Editor's chair and hoping his successor will receive as much.
- Meetings of 13th and 27th February elect nine new members, accept six resignations, refer Scrutton's proposal to print the Blue Book as a Gazette supplement to a sub-committee, elect F. M. Williams Editor, fix 25th March for the opening runs and 3rd June for the joint meet with the C.U.Bi.C. and O.U.Bi.C., and decline to send delegates to the Pickwick's Hampton Court Meet conference.
- The new Editor asks members not to write to him at his office or call there, and to address all communications to 35, Eastcheap, E.C.
- District Captain W. J. Williams announces the opening run to Potter's Bar on 25th March, with a piano at the “Robin Hood” for music after tea and a request that singers bring songs.
- Daniel T. Nops reports that W. A. Smith has placed a stable at Savernake Cottage, Mill Hill Road, Acton at members' disposal, to be fitted with a Yale lock and keys at eighteenpence each, and announces the opening run to Sunbury.
- Arthur E. Buckler fixes the first run of the season for Saturday 25th, a short circular route through Esher, Hersham Green and Walton, meeting the West District at Sunbury and teaing together at the “Magpie”; start from Kingston Station at 4.15.
- H. G. A. Brown calls the Croydon and Blackheath Divisions out at four o'clock on 25th March to meet at the “White Hart,” Orpington, dismisses the “croakers” who say bicycling is on the decline, welcomes Stephen P. Smith's continued lead of the Blackheath Division, and names Godstone (“Clayton Arms”) for 1st April.
- Two February runs from Croydon: on the 11th, C. A. Brown, T. Herbert, F. H. Townsend and H. G. A. Brown ran to Godstone and back over capital roads; on the 18th the same party with J. C. Oswald fought a strong head-wind to Merstham and hurried home in the rain.
- A note that a few of the S.E. photographs can still be had at 35, Eastcheap, price ninepence each.
- Occidental reports the roads west and north-west of London on the 24th ultimo: the Uxbridge Road fair with stones between Acton and Ealing, Goldhawk Road spoilt by a new tram-line, Horn Lane heavily stoned, Kenton Lane capital, and the North Road stony between Whetstone and the foot of Barnet Hill.
- Repeat announcement of the concert in aid of the Club funds at St. Andrew's Hall, Newman Street, on Wednesday 15th March, admission 2s. 6d., doors at 7.30 and carriages at 10.30, tickets from F. M. Williams or any of the Committee.
- The circular sent by T. E. Scrutton and W. B. Tanner to the principal clubs' Hon. Secs., arguing that some forty London race meetings a year offering £10, £5 and £2 handicaps put about £700 of prizes on offer and tempt riders away from amateurism, and proposing that leading clubs cap open-race prizes at £5.
- Dodo tours the Stanley show in its new home, regretting the move from Holborn Town Hall and the general absence of novelty: the “Invincible” hollow rims, the inventor expounding the “Dutton,” a safety with the handles scooped under the thighs, the unchanged “Humbers,” an æsthetic “Stassen,” and a surprising crowd of tricycles including the Prince of Wales's “Cheylesmore.”
- The season's meet table by district: Lea Bridge Road and Syborn's Corner for Chigwell and Waltham Abbey (N.E.), “Jack Straw's Castle” for Potter's Bar and Eastcote (N.W.), Mill Hill Road and Hammersmith Bridge for Hanworth and Ripley (W.), Kingston Station (S.W.), and the Croydon and Blackheath Divisions for Orpington and Godstone.
- A reprinted medical article welcoming the spread of tricycles and bicycles as a healthy alternative to the theatre and music-hall, noting their use by country doctors, clergy and postmen, and their royal patronage; the Editor adds in brackets that the Prince of Wales chose a “Cheylesmore” and that the Queen and Princess Beatrice bought “Salvos” from Starley Brothers of Coventry.
- The third Smoking Concert, held on 20th February at the London Tavern, is judged the best musically though less well attended; the L.B.C.D.S. could give no farce, but J. C. Keynes and W. J. Williams opened with a duet, the “London” Glee Union made its début, R. Newman's “The Little Hero” was encored, and the full programme is printed.
- The season's list from the L.A.C. One Mile Open on 25th March through the L.B.C. 100 Miles Trial on 29th May and the Club's own Stamford Bridge meeting on 24th June, to the Amateur Championships at Birmingham and the Crystal Palace in July.
- For sale: a 56-in. hollow-fork “Norwood” by William Keen with Salsbury lamp and wallet at £9, a 55-in. “William Keen” at £10, a nickelled 57-in. “Humber” Roadster at £13 from an owner leaving England, and a clean sixth edition of “Cary's Itinerary” with maps at 4s. 6d.
- Rambler's paragraphs: the Royal Amateur Orchestral Society's advertisement showing St. Andrew's Hall is known to the musical world, thirteen new members elected this year, G. P. Coleman appointed B.U. handicapper and timekeeper for a fifth year, the coming Athletic Review, a new B.U. local centre at Bristol, the proposed B.U.–Tricycle Association amalgamation, and the District Visitor's 750 miles since 31st January.
- L. Edward Andreae, L.B.C., writing from 24, Ziegelhäuser Str., Heidelberg, offers to meet and give information to any members touring in Germany that spring or summer.
- A single line acknowledging a tour received from E. H. W. and E. P., with thanks.
- Standing notice that contributions must be addressed to the Editor at 35, Eastcheap, E.C., bear the author's name, be written on one side of the paper only, and reach him by Tuesday evening for immediate insertion.