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DE LAUNE CYCLING CLUB

FOUNDED 1889

Sponsored by EVANS CYCLES (UK) Ltd. & SPECIALIZED CYCLES

 April 2003
No. 849 -74th Year

www.delaunecc.org

REMEMBER WHEN THE CLUB RUNS STARTED FROM HERE?

THE PRESIDENTS REPORTS

How about another ' Last Supper '? Guess what, the sale of the club room has fallen through. It would seem that our buyer could not get permission to build flats on our old site. I would guess that the economy situation at the moment has not helped and the housing market has slowed down.

The property will go on the market again through our estate agents. Never mind, the property will sell in time. Any land that is only a dozen miles from the centre of London will sell in time.

What other news have I got for you this month, well not a lot. Cliff Steel our man of many parts has fallen off his bike racing and fractured his arm and is all strapped up. If that is not bad enough, he has just moved in to a house that needs a lot of decoration. That reminds me of the joke of the one armed paper hanger.

I hate to talk about this, but most of our old members are in the departure lounge of life, or in other words getting old, so this should give them a smile !

A few weeks ago I went into a branch of HSBC bank in Oxford Street to pay in some cheques. I was confronted with three machines. I thought which one! Paying in, cash out, or statements. Guess what ? One machine did all three and looked very complicated.

When I arrived at the machine I pushed the button to 'pay in' It asked me if I wanted an envelope ? I pushed the button to say yes. Out came the envelope. Now I had to fill in the envelope. By the time I had counted all the cheques and completed the envelope the machine told me my time was up and I would have to try again. The small queue behind was not happy.

I go to the back of the queue and start again. I go through the same procedure. ( and it gives me another envelope ) As I could not see a decimal point, I put in the amount £474 and not £474.00. Guess what. It showed I had deposited £4.74 and it did this twice. I again came out of the queue, after a lot of tutting from the people behind I went to the help desk with my bent envelope.

I was told by the lady to get in the queue again and when I got to the machine she would come over and help me ( I felt about two feet tall ) When I finally got to the machine and looked for her, she had gone. Again, I had got another queue behind me !

I finally put in the correct amount and the machine asked me to put my envelope in the slot. Which slot ? I could see four, One could be for the envelope, one could be for your plastic card, one could be for a statement and one could be where the cash comes out but which one ? And a queue had formed behind me again.

I thought sod it. I just walked away from the B####Y machine. On the way out I saw a sign saying counter service up stairs. I go up the counter and guess what I see ? A queue of older people with crumbled paying in envelopes!!! (Just think of all the interest you lost because you are too old to understand these machines. Ed).

Hope to see you all out for the De Laune road race on the Sevenoaks Weald course on Sunday the 6th of April. We have got a full team riding.

Kav.

Wally Gimber RR for cats Cats E/1/2/3/4 held in Kent on March 2. 

Promoted by Dulwich Primavera

Results
1 Gary Baker Angliasport / Condor Cycles
2 Tim Bayley Arctic . Shorter Rochford Rt
3 Colin Roshier Team Quest / The Bike Shop
26 James Lett De Laune Cc / Evans . Specialized
40 James Peckham De Laune Cc / Evans . Specialized

I am also told that Danny Rudd and Brian Dacey rode in this event, Brian first rode this event over forty years ago, and that one he won.

Surrey League RR held at Crowhusrt on March 15, 2003
Cats 2/3/4 . 60 miles
Pos Name Club/Team Cat Time
1 Sean Kilroy Glendene CC 3 2:40:10
2 Nick Abraham Prestigevc.com 3 @ 0:42
3 Mike Ladbrook Pacific Racing 4
27 Craig Poster De Laune CC

The South East Road Racing League first event of the year was at the tough Brenchly circuit taking in the gruelling climb 9 times on March 16.
Cats 2/3/4
1. Alan Flight Team Luciano
2. Ben Lockwood GS Invicta
3. Mark Hill Artic-Shorter RT
15. Craig Porter De Laune CC

I found the letter from Martin Itter, in the March issue of the DLN, most interesting but was sorry to learn that his father, Peter, died three years ago. Probably, like many of our older members I remember Peter very well. When he was a member of the Dulwich Paragon CC he was a regular competitor at Herne Hill and was a distinctive figure on the track because of his large frame (body not bike). As a member of the De Laune he took on official roles and was equally adept at administration with our national bodies the NCU and BCF.

Here is an anecdote about Martin. On the occasion of the first Crystal Palace Cycling Festival held on the August Bank Holiday Weekend in 1953 there were many varied events, both cycling and non-cycling, including one for very young children where Martin emerged as the youngest cyclist at the Festival, so he certainly took to two wheels at a very early age.

On a different note I see we have a new date for the Old Members lunch in Brighton. Frances and I intend to be there and we are Looking forward to meeting up with many old friends.

Arthur How

THERE IS NO FOOL LIKE AN OLD FULL

Roy Savery was seen boarding a plane last week at Gatwick, said he was off for two weeks training in Spain, well that is what he told Gina, so why did he have Viagra in with his vitamin pills.

NEWS JUST IN

WE HAVE RECEIVED A NEW OFFER ON THE CLUBROOM

ALSO RECEIVED CLUB TEAM PHOTO SEE WEB SITE

FRED PEACHEY MEMORIAL '25'

The above event will be held on the 10th August on the Chilham course (Q25/8). The start time will be 7.00 am. I will require more marshals & helpers than last year, as new regulations now require every rider to sign on when they collect their number. Also the whole course will have to be checked out for any hazards, i.e. 'Risk Assessment'. Please contact me early as I do not want a last minute rush and have the embarrassment of having to ask my 2nd claim club for help.

VETS RECORDS (Amendment)

Alan Rowe's '10' record (age 63) shown in the December DLN as '22.24' should have read '22.44' (my typing error).

BBQ and Max Dods Memorial Run.

To be held on Sunday 27th July. Arrive Herne Bay. 9.00 am for those who wish to be hammered by Alan Rowe for around 40 miles, or you maybe you'll decide for a more sedate ride along the sea wall. If you haven't the energy for the run just turn up for the BBQ, everyone welcome.

Further details give me a ring on Tele No.0 1227 373045.

Malcolm Adams

Malcolm enclosed a quiz with his notes which you may like to have a go at and support a worth will cause. Ed.

Rachel Hedley Communications 
rachel@rhpost.demon.co.uk 
Tel: 020 8291 3450 
Fax: 0870 0513754 
Mob: 07710 280757

For Sale Condor Italia Racing Bike Immaculate condition, hardly used 58cm . Columbus 7005 tubing . Ambrosio A7 Carbon forks . Campag Daytona groupset . Mavic Open Pro rims . Stronglight headset Look pedals . Orange and blue paint work

£750 ono

Contact Rachel on 07710 280757 (or Judith on 020 8674 2507 between 8 and 24 April 03)

Two track bikes also available, call for details.

The Memorial Clubroom Cont.

Saturday 21st November. We have concreted one third of the man hall-the turn out of members to concrete was fantastic, with only two wheelbarrows and a distance of 50 feet to run or walk, it had to be seen to be believed. Brian Saxton turned up with two fire buckets and proceeded to run up with them full of concrete (He's a runner y'know-all the best for the Belle Vue!)

Well, that's where we were on the 21st November. We have had a full time bricklayer working and Alan Jackson has been doing the drain laying (He's a qualified plumber-for those not in the know). Have we any bricklayers in the club? If we have please ring Farnborough 51241., we have labourers aplenty and materials,

The-money side of the venture will come from a Grant from the Government, and any Funds that can be raised by Club Members. My hopes at the moment are for moving into our new Clubroom by late 1971!

To sum up: When this job started the turn out had been great, only to drop down to three or four members. This drop in helpers has so far cost us about three weeks delay-at least. To date I am happy to report a good turn-out once again. In a month or so it will be too late for amateurs, only professional tradesmen will be required . plus a helper or two . HAVE YOU BEEN ONE OF THE HELPERS SO FAR!!!

P.S. Ken Hill has moved in already, he has put a fantastic number of hours in on the work, but then he always has . for the De Laune

Editor's Note Because of the delay: in publishing this issue some of the work which Ken has mentioned has gone beyond his report. I look forward to the next letter from him

THE NEW CLUBROOM Jan 1971 Ken Fuller

How it all started

Work should have commenced in the Spring however, due to pressure of work by our man in charge . Mark Ballamy the project did not get under way.

In July I chatted to a few keen members and it was decided, after a conversation with Mark, that I should take over the actual work orgranisation and he would order materials and meet Surveyors etc. A short meeting by all interested members was held on the new site, and it was decided that a start should be made immediately. I feel that it should be made known that a start had been made on removing the timber floor by Jack Young and other members before this meeting.

August 6th. We began the rather tricky task of dismantling the roof and gable ends a good turn out of members . the dust flew and slates descended from all directions battle had certainly commenced! We continued demolishing . three chimney stacks, Two gable ends . main roof, front lean-to roof and cupboard walls rear extension roof this work all carried out on Wednesday evenings and Saturdays. This stage was completed by Saturday 12th September with 'yours truly' greatly relieved that no one had bean injured. My admiration goes to the lads who turned out to help, not one of them apart from myself, had any building knowledge. When all this roof, etc., was demolished Charlie Carlton started his moan of 'Where am I going to keep the waste paper collection now there was no roof' One week later Charlie had his lock-up:

The next jobs were . erection of fences, to protect the public from De Laune members; trench for cross wall footings and concrete to same; trench for electric and other services; trenches to check drainage, clear away five skips of rubbish -much amusement here to see Graham Crocombe in the skip with cut-of-control wheelbarrow . several others ended up the same way, but by skip number five the lads were filling it like professionals.

November 7th: Saw the start of leveling hardcore for the concrete floor. An acquaintance of Jack Young turned up with a lorry load of shingle that saved us a bit. We had two apprentice bricklayers start . Jack Young and Bill Miles, with Brian Dacey labouring for them . I believe Jack got so keen he's thinking of going to evening school!

February 1971 Since Ken Fuller sent his notes to George Starsmeare a very great change has taken place at Choumert Road, but before giving you the up-to-date position I would like to throw a considerable brickbat at our Editor!

At least three months ago I asked him to produce a complete list of members who had given me wonderful donations towards the new clubroom. Now, after long delay the Dec/Jan issue has NOTHING! So all I can do is to extend my very grateful thanks. On behalf of the Club, to everybody who has so generously given over the past year and sincerely hope they will not have thought us unappreciative of the help given,

You may remember that Ken told us of progress as at 21st. November, when we had concreted one third of the main hall. A second session followed on December 6th using ready mixed concrete and the final section of the hall was completed when we had the use of a portable mixer, which was borrowed by Mark Ballamy. Each of the three days' when the stuff was laid was really fine and the many workers slogged away readily. Next weekend was, of course, Christmas and it snowed: Meanwhile, our full-time Bricky had built the ten foot wall which divides the hall from the front portion of the premises and Ken had superintended the erection of scaffolding to facilitate building up of the side walls . all now completed. That is the main hall.

On January 9th. We took delivery of stacks and stacks of timber and again foreman Ken Fuller was keen to get this into position, so very quickly floor or ceiling joists, whichever way you look at it were trimmed as necessary and hoisted into position both in the hall and in the front portion. Delivered the same day were hundreds of square feet of chipboard panels, sent by George Wood from Brighton and then our fantastic luck with the weather deserted us and a lot of the roof work had to be done in the pouring rain. In between times eight yards of sand arrived and had to be shifted into the site . Ken Hill making with a chorus of "I do like to be beside the seaside" At other times we had five yards of ballast, given by a friend of mine and then a lorry load of thermalite blocks . and it still rained.:

While this was in progress and I managed my weekly stint, I had a calamity at home when my sitting room ceiling came down on me and the whole lot had to be replaced and the room redecorated:

On the 16th. it rained but Ken fixed up a polythene umbrella and amatuer chippies Dacey, Crocombe and Young, under the watchful eye of Ken Fuller, did some elementary joinery work on the roof timbers in preparation for the hall roof-light timbers.

The really big day was to be January 30th when Ken was all set, with a very early band of workers, to get the roof covered so that the Felters could follow on immediately behind us to make the place weatherproof and of course . you guessed it -it rained: Disappointed when there was no seeming let up some of the lads went off early. However, a few of us managed to sort some hardcore while Ken was up and down the roof in the rain putting final touches to bits and pieces to ensure nothing would delay the Felters once they were able to start. By now the hall looked like a swimming pool, the only bright spot being the canteen bar which was organised by our Canteen Manager, Brian Shambrook.

Sunday the 31st turned out bright, but not until early morning fog had cleared. I thought I would pop down to the Club for an hour to lay a few bricks. When I arrived a voice from the roof called out "Come on, get that coat off". Ken Fuller, Mark Ballamy 'assisted' by son Paul, Ken Hill and the Felter, were banging away on the roof and the tar boiler was cooking merrily. Ken, who has already given many hours of his time, had got Mark out of bed to go and get the Felter started, and after putting in yet more he had to return to pick up his car, leaving us to carry on as far as we could. The day turned out really grand and we finished work at about 3.p.m. with the main hall roof almost complete. The Felter told us that he would cover all we had laid . and he did.

Typing this on Sunday 7th. February, and bang up to date. Yesterday saw Ken put a finishing touch to the main roof round the rain water gully. We took delivery of another 3,500 bricks and shifted out yet another skip load of rubble. All of us spent some time acting as labourers for the Bricky, getting hundreds of bricks up on to the first floor scaffolding, knocking up mortar, etc. He did a great job starting on the building of the walls of the lounge.

Electricity is on. A new gas service is laid as far as the meter position. Window frames have been delivered. I have purchased and am holding the water heater which will meet all our requirements, including the showers.

Today, Ken Hill, Bob Jenner and Charlie Carlton, moved all the paper out of the rear 'lock-up' and into the main hall in readiness for the demolition of the back wall which has to be rebuilt.

Ken Fuller, Brian Dacey and I have from time to time taken photographs which should add up to a useful record.

Mark Ballamy has made a donation towards the Clubroom Funds to ensure that the medals of Jeff Butcher and 'Beefy' Russell can be suitably mounted for display in the new home. Some of these are extremely handsome and will make a fine show.

I think it is appropriate that the names of all those who have had a hand in the work so far should be recorded, even if some were only able to spend a short time with us or at infrequent intervals . we are always glad of help.

Ron Sefton (From the 34th Nomads) - Ken Fuller - Ken Hill - Graham Crocombe - Lennie Double - Bill Miles - Brian Dacey - BrainSaxton - BrianShambrook - Richard McFarlane - Alec Bedford - Tim Hookins - Alan Jackson - Mark Ballamy - Chris Chalet - Jeff Valentinu - Roger Meadows - Richard Portnnier - Roy Savery - Bob Jenner - Geoff Sinnett - Mick Valentine - Harry Thomas - Kevin McNiolly - Don White.
Charlie Carlton - Mick Peel - Max Dods - Dave Tomlinson - Mnrtin Ashdown - Ted Carlton.
Ed- Carlton - Francis Carlton - Ian Sims - Jerry Foley - Jack Young.

I would offer my apologies to any member may have missed, but at this time this is all I can recall. There hive been the behind-the scenes workers who include Peter Itter who has been acting as Storekeeper for some of our materials for a very long time. Finally, we should all extend our thanks to Dot Fuller. It is only through her patience and goodwill that Ken has been able to take the vast amount of time away from his family. We owe a double debt of thanks to them both.

To be cont

PRODUCED by MARK & JASON BALLAMY
DISTRIBUTED BY BRIAN SAXTON

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