Shortly before Christmas 2013, I received a telephone call from one of the founding members of the Northwood Wheelers, Colin Turner. Shortly after that, he very kindly emailed his reminiscences of the early days of the club, which I incorporated in the Club History page.

I've also received a packet of material from Colin in the post. This included a stack of club newsletters, and some photographs (below). 

An update on the history of the Northwood Wheelers, and some personal reminiscences, by Colin Turner via email 22/12/13.

In late 1947 Tom Simpson, Gordon (Boff. short for boffin) Empson, my brother Roy & myself, were ask to assist with running the cycling section of The Northwood Boy’s Club. I can’t remember if any others were involved at this time. We none of us had any experience of running a club as none of us had ever been a member of a cycling club. There were so many restrictions placed on what we could do that it soon became impossible to operate within the boy’s club. A rather acrimonious break from the Boy’s Club ensued and in 1948 we formed the Northwood Wheelers.

We soon came to the notice of a local resident, Mr. Fred Reynolds. Fred was a council member of the Road Time Trials Council, the then governing body of time trials in the UK. He helped us get the club on a proper footing. Jack Sharp was another who helped us in the early days. He later became president.

My memories of the early days are rather vague as unlike David I did not keep a diary. Tom Simpson worked with Stan Boyes, Stan was a cyclist/tricyclist of long standing, in my memories of the club he was always there, so I am sure got involved at an early stage.

I have my Youth Hostel Association membership card for 1948 and it records eight overnight away rides in that year. Most of those would have been club runs. The one that stands out is Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham, in November. This run became a regular on the weekend nearest the 5th November.

My first record of racing activity is in June 1949 when I entered the Uxbridge Wheelers 25 on 19th June, I recorded a time of 1.7.55. My first record of a club event is a 25 on the Amersham course on 26.3.50, it was won by Alan Browne in 1.6.42.

Northwood Wheelers club events that I entered in 1950 were 4 x 25 miles, 2 x 50 miles. 1x 100 miles. We also took part in 4 x 25 mile inter club events against local clubs.

Another early event, 6.2.49, that we took part in was the Brentwood Road Club’s 100 mile utility event. There were a multitude of classes that one could chose, from a Ladies 100 in 9 hours to a double gents tandem in 6hr. 30min. Tom & I entered double gents tandem. A few other club members entered solo in eight hours. It was a hard ride, cold, foggy near the sea at Malden and a niggling cold breeze all day.

Tom & I were ahead of schedule so waited near the finish, cold, shivering, we had a 3 minute window 6.30 to 6.33 to be classified, we went in and recorded a time of 6. 27 so no certificate.

I have copies of the club magazine from No.2 to No.14.

My racing records stop in 1954, by this time I was married with 1 child and finding it difficult to find the time to get fit.

After the Interclub event with South Ruislip. Back row left to right: Brian Huggins, Ada Turner (nee Stratford), Eileen Meredith (nee Kennedy), Ken Meredith, ?, Brian Major. Middle row: David Saunders, Roy Meredith, Gordon Empson, ?, Alan Stratman, Tony Standing. Front row: Alan Browne, Colin Turner, Tom Simpson, Bert Mills, ?. 

Prize presentation, 1950. Back row left to right: Mr Browne, Eileen Kennedy, Ada Stratford, Mrs Sharpe, Mrs Browne, Bert Mills. Middle row: Stan Boyes (Vice President), Tom Simpson, Jack Sharpe (President), Fred Reynolds (Member of the RTTC council), Mr R. Houston (Vice President). Front row: Roy Meredith, Colin Turner, Ken Meredith, Gordon Empson. 

Club Dinner 1951

Walking race