"Sixty Years On" - 1972

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After several years absence, Keith Parfitt made a come-back and Bob Gray, back from his spell in the Bahamas and then living in Winchester, rode out to meet his old colleagues at Griggs Green in January.  Hostelling week-ends were spent at Arundel, Stow-in-the-Wold and Salisbury and the annual "bun-fight" at Darby Green for the Border C.A.'s prize-giving was well supported.  In March, Les Warner put on an absorbing slide show of Scotland at the Horsell hut.

The previous year's "50" course was used again and, about this time the names of Mike Sharples, Derek Constable, Stewart Jackson and the Essex family began to feature in the runs attendances.

Eight West Surreyites joined with several hundred cyclists, including groups from France, Norway and Australia, on a three day rally on the Isle of Wight, Bernard Reeves causing considerable annoyance to Russ Mantle by waking him at 5 am with a cup of tea!

In early May, over 50 riders - mostly schoolboys and girls - started on a 50 mile sponsered ride that raised £237 - for "Action for the Crippled Child", an event ably organised by Gareth Keller.

Russ Mantle won a map-reading event planned by John Fletcher in May, also a later rough-stuff event while Gareth Keller carried off the treasure hunt.

Longborough in the Cotswolds was the week-end billet for nine Thursday Nighters.  On the joint K.W.'s run in June, when Bill Inder had negotiated a reduced charge for hot lunches for a party of 17 at Selborne, on the grounds that many taking part were OAP's, Charlie King of the K.W.'s caused raised eyebrows from the staff when, after a hearty meal, he ordered liqueurs and cigars!  June was cold and wet while July produced temperatures that lifted tyre patches.

Some went to Cranborne hostel for August Bank Holiday, others spent nine days in Devon and Cornwall.  In the September "100" with only six riders, fastest time was recorded by Ray Craig on a tricycle followed by Harold Coleman, Robert Pidgeon and Jeff Findlay.

There was a high turn out for the joint K.W.'s run in October with 35 being at Holmbury St. Mary youth hostel for hot lunch.  After watching the 'Ville hill-climb on Horseblock Hollow, the D.A.s speed-judging was run off at Balls Cross, the first three being A. Robinson, R. Mantle and B. Vowler.  The hill-climb at Oakhanger fell to Russ Mantle, the free-wheeling crown going to Harold Coleman.  At the November A.G.M. at Abinger Hammer, Harold Coleman took over the Secretaryship and Ray Craig came on to the Committee while George Porter retired after pressing for the Edwards Cup to be put to a new use.

Owing to the closure of the Prince of Wales Hotel at Guildford the annual dinner was transferred to Woking's Cotteridge Hotel with Colin Quemby as guest speaker.  There was a hostelling week-end at Charlbury and a new tea place - The Cedars at Binsted - was tried.

Christmas tea was at Tongham with 40 present but for the first time for many years there was no appetiser run on the 25th as it fell on a Monday and there had been an all day ride on the previous day.


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Web page by Chris Jeggo.  Last revised:  25 December 2004.