Mercia Report 06-12-2015

The Mercia Lloyds Cycling Club held it’s 50th Anniversary celebrations at the Henhurst Hill Social Club on Sunday 29th November 2015 organised by Vice Chairman Ian Jarvis, Secretary Tony Marlow and Ian Hill Social Secretary. The day started with a 50 kilometre cycle ride starting from the Henhurst Hill Club. Over 40 riders entered the anniversary ride, but only 25 completed it, which was not surprising due to the rain and high winds.

The ride took the riders through Tatenhill, Barton under Needwood & Walton, to then go through Catton Park to Croxall and onto the A513 going under the Midland Main Railway line to cross the river Tame to take a left hand turn at the National Arboretum Island to join Route 54 to go along the lane to Whitemoor.

On reaching the 2nd T-junction the riders turned right to cross the Lichfield Wychnor Railway line and the A38 to go through Fradley village to Fradley Junction where the Trent and Mersey canal joins the Coventry Canal. (Some of the riders made a stop here for refreshments at the canal side Cafes ).

From Fradley Junction the cycling continued to the A513, turning left to go into King’s Bromley to turn left again on the A515, then to turn along the A513 in the direction of Rugeley. It was then along the B5014 right for Pipe Ridware then onto Hamstall Ridware to go through Morrey, Hadley End &Hoar Cross to cross the A515 to cycle along the B5017 up Vicars Hill passing St George’s Park to the New Inn. Then it was mainly down hill back to Henhurst Hill Club with the wind behind them.

Those who didn’t stop for refreshments completed it within 2 hours. The rest of them who did the ride joined the others at the Buffet totalling 70 persons.

Chairman Peter Rose welcomed all those present who had come along to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. There were ten founder members in attendance: Richard House, Alan Pettitt, Derek and Mavis Hopper, David Stanbury, David and Kate Kennedy, Ken Goy, Peter Dooley and 2nd claim member Tony Shardlow. The Mercia Cycling Club was the amalgamation of 3 clubs in 1965. Swadlincote Wheelers, Overseal Cycling and Athletic Club and Burton Club, Rykneld Road Club. Also in attendance were members of the two Derby Cycling Clubs South Pennine RC and Derby Mercury RC (including Tricylist Jim Hopper who still holds Mercia Tricyclist records). Other guests were David Clarke, professional cyclist, Trevor Jarvis of Flying Gate Fame and James Allen of Lloyds Cycles, Swadlincote. There were tributes to deceased former members President Tom Slater, Mary Harvey Committee member and Les Lowe, former Chairman and long distance cyclist who rode over a million kilometres. The day ended by the cutting of the Anniversary Cake made by Marline Jarvis.