Cyclists Touring Club
Newark On Trent
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NEWARK NOTES from the Secretary

June 2001

An every-Sunday tale of cycling folk:

Firstly, a correction to my last "notes". To paraphrase Mark Twain, it seems that rumours of the demise of the tearoom at Bleasby have been greatly exaggerated. My apologies to anyone who may have been misled by my report, especially, of course, the proprietors.

As I type this, the section has just said goodbye to Nick Green, who has taken a new job “down South” following the closure of the foundry at Flowserve. As well as holding the office of treasurer for the section, he was a stalwart of the Sunday runs. Anyone who has read my previous notes without falling asleep will have seen that it wasn't unusual for him to go on the rides solo. I know many of you know Nick and will join us in wishing him all the best in his new career.

Going back to where I left off, May started with a run to Oakham, for which read “The Grainstore” again. Although only a small contingent left Newark, they were pleased to be joined by Pete Gifford. Work and other commitments mean that he can’t join the rides as often as he once did but his appearance is always welcome. Those of you who know him will be pleased to hear that he has now recovered from his accident last year.

The warm weather blessed our next two rides to Pleasley on the 13th and Stamford on the 20th, the latter being the longest ride so far this year at 90 miles. No, we’re not quite in Hardriders’ territory here at Newark.

The following weekend was the Late May bank holiday, or whatever its official title is, and we managed to maintain our tradition of a Youth Hostel weekend, albeit with reduced numbers. This time we were pleased to be joined by Bob Bocock, another former Newark member now in exile. After arriving at the hostel in Chester around mid-day, we headed up the canal towpath to the waterways museum at Ellesmere Port. A couple of miles out of Chester the nicely paved path suddenly turned to freshly mown grass, having just been re-opened after the lifting of Foot and Mouth restrictions. By the time we reached Ellesmere Port, my jockey wheels looked like two small birds nests (And leaving them so for another month destroyed a ‘sealed bearing’ wheel, that’ll teach me to be more conscientious about my maintenance.) We returned by the well known scenic delights of the Associated Octel works and Stanlow Oil Refinery. Well, it made a change. (Ed. It looked like a set for "Thunderbirds")

Sunday saw Bob, Nick and myself take a longer ride while the others visited the Anderton Boat lift near Northwich. Although currently under major renovation, (Ed. Due to open for traffic March 2002) there is still plenty to see. Jim suffered from no less than 4 punctures, setting us wondering if this was a record. Letters via the editor please….

And so to “Flaming” June, and the return of indifferent weather. It was also “Red Lion Month” following on from “Plough Month” in February. Nick carried the torch (again!) on the 3rd for a run to Market Rasen and found himself not just the only one on the ride but also the only customer in the Pub! The next weekend saw a clash of dates with John Ward’s Rural Ride to the Airfield Visitor Centre at Metheringham, (Organising drinking parties in beer production plants time again..) but Nick and I fancied the longer ride so, feeling slightly guilty, we headed for Kegworth and Costock. The pub at Kegworth has a framed original cartoon by Bill Tidy (who lives locally) in the bar, featuring a couple of bikes, much to our surprise. It also had the first letter missing from its “Bass” sign, which fortunately wasn’t a portent for the beer.

The 17th saw Peter on holiday, Nick packing for his move, and I had a stinking cold. And it was raining! Another No Show I’m afraid. For the last weekend of June, it was just myself on a trip to Stickford in Lincolnshire, to find that the pub was being renovated and officially closed. Fortunately, the landlord was working in the garden and took pity on the weary cyclist. I think this one will be visited again next year..

Mike Graham

Page updated 19/02/03