In May 1883 the Courier recorded "a very large influx of excursionists to Leamington on Whit Monday, and though the weather was a little unfavourable, being showery, the annual bicycle meet and fête at the Jephson Gardens was not unenjoyable. The Midland Bicyclists fell in order of procession and generally exhibited "good form", by way of steadiness and dressing, following the order to mount having been given on the bugle and their leaving by way of Holly Walk."

Well we had something to live up to, and we did; we managed to present a goodly body of men and women, upon the steps of the Town Hall, just as the picture showed from the 1920’s; except that no-one told Cavin, who was dressed noticeably differently from the rest of us. Well you can’t please everyone.

As soon as the 30 plus cyclists had rounded the corner into Clarendon Street however, the sham was to be seen, as first Alan Edwards and then Roger Gardner and Cavin peeled off to left and right leaving the main body to journey to a café in Kenilworth; for cyclists can’t go without lunch on a Saturday, and certainly can’t wait until scones and cream and jam and tea at 3:00pm in the Jephson Gardens Restaurant. Alan, Roger and Cavin were however making a bee line to the Jephsons to put up the myriad photos from the dim, distant and not so distant past that formed a panorama of the history of cycling and athletics since our coming together as a Club in 1928, in the green hothouse next to the restaurant.

And those display panels had taken a lot of effort from a lot of people, notably Pam Styles, Cavin and Carol, Roger and Liz, and numerous other cyclists and athletes who had dug into their lofts to find useful memorabilia. The organising committee had met regularly through the year to achieve the result but, as always, panic was setting in during the last week. Everyone who went to look enjoyed learning something, if not indeed a lot, that most of us didn’t know previously. The Palm Court Trio provided music in a relaxing nostalgic atmosphere for two hours as the cycling, sorry bicycling, party returned to consume those lovely scones with cream and jam, and extra cake, and to talk about old times and meet members and friends past and present.

Then we all rushed away to prepare for the evening dinner dance in the Pump Rooms. Well some rushed away. Others of us had to take down, transport and reassemble the photo montage in the Pump Rooms reception lounge. This had to be ready for the arrival of the diners and our Diners in Chief, the Chairman of Warwick District Council Mike Doody, Dale Best and Pete Rourke from the Amenities Department, without whose support we wouldn’t maintain the track and cross country facilities that we are able to use all year round, plus Simon Steele from the Courier from whom we receive such good publicity. Tony Sollis from the Observer who also gives good support wished us well but couldn’t make it.

Dale Best and Pete Rourke were aware of the funding put in over 40 years by WDC, particularly at the track, which had helped us develop and extend as a Club, but they did express surprise at the extent of our achievements on wheel and on foot over the 75 Years of The Club’s existence, as set out by Alan in his response to Councillor Doody’s toast to The Club.

Cavin was still trying to track club activities at the end of the 19^th Century leading up to the formation of the joint club in 1928, but we knew we hosted National and International X-Country on the Newbold Farm Estate between wars, and then the first National after the 2^nd war on the 307 acres purchased by WDC which became Newbold Comyn. The Club also promoted the 1935 Jubilee Sports when 6000 converged on Victoria Park. Vicki Park of course still sees cycle racing and race walking.

The use of the Pump Rooms was not new. On most Saturdays Club cycle rides started from there and annually cyclists from all over the Midlands met in the Pump Room Gardens on the first Sunday in September. We had staged Classic Cycling events since the 30’s – the annual 100 mile trial being particularly strong in the 60’s and 70’s – Len Orrick won the last in 1975 and in 1970 we hosted the Womens National 100 won by Beryl Burton. Last year we had hosted the National 10 Champs organised by Steve Walker; and of course our Womens Team won the National 10 in 2002 – Pam Styles, Chris Walker and Tina Mullins.

Athletes were prominent over the period. Tom Buckingham won the Midlands Marathon in1962, and was part of winning GB team at the 90km Comrades Marathon in South Africa. Then of course Cavin was pre-eminent in 70’s, setting world bests for 30m, 50m, 100kms, and 100miles – running not riding ! also featuring in the medals at Comrades and the London to Brighton.

We had brought on many younger people who achieved national prominence as Junior and Senior Athletes – recently Jeff and Jenny Christie, Jonny Aires, Sara McGreavy, James Walsh, and before them, and still continuing, Simon Kinson, the Wurr brothers, Noel Edwards, Andy Hart, Sue Harrison and Suzie Tawney – some of whom necessarily move on as University and life takes them elsewhere.

Mention of Suzie illustrated how the sport had extended over time and we had to move with it. Suzie, International Vet Athlete, double medal winner at the European Masters – we didn’t have Veteran categories for most of our history.

After dinner much of the Club’s silverware was presented along with much deserved life memberships to two stalwarts. Roger proposed Steve Walker for his long term service as Secretary and race organiser, safe in the knowledge of Steve’s pre-booked presence at the dinner. Alan was not quite so confident of his proposal, having had to resort to subterfuge from Pete Hart to ensure Henry Mortimer safely returned from the afternoon’s Gloucester League cross-country and arrived at the Pump Rooms in time to receive his accolade. "H" joined us on 20^th Aug 1962, and the occasion was appropriate to recognise his 40+ years of service to the Club and Warwickshire Athletics, and the encouragement given to a great number of runners, no matter the weather or conditions underfoot.

A surprise presentation was one of a missed award to a 19 year old for his performance in a 100 mile cycling time trial. Back in 1963 a young Lance Ravenhill kept going at the Finish and didn’t have time to pick up his certificate. Roger made the belated presentation. There were many other deserved awards, listed elsewhere.

One of the more remarkable guests was 92 year old Freddie Dale who with late President Ted Clifford was there at the founding in 1928. Both had continually encouraged us to keep the two Sections together. Ted was latterly known as Mr Athletics but he actually joined the Cycling Club. Whereas Fred, known as a Cyclist, started with the Leamington Athletic Club on 21^st Sept 1928.

We have a deserved reputation for staging high quality National and Regional Cycling, Track & Field, and XC Champs. Thanks were given to all cyclists and athletes who help marshal and organise events like these, particularly where we act together as one Club.