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Sun Jul 23rd 2023

Cycling UK Wantage 30th Anniversary Tea

Leader: Steve Swanton	Start Time: 3:00 pm	Start Location: Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington, SN7 7RE
Description: Cycling UK Wantage marks its 30th Anniversary with a day of rides at various levels, all culminating in a special tea and cake stop at Uffington village hall. Whether you are participating in one of the celebratory rides or making your own way over, both current and past members and friends of the club will be very welcome to join us. Please can we ask that you complete a quick registration here: Registration link, so that we have a reasonable feel for the numbers for catering. The hall will be open from 2:30pm and all of the celebration rides are scheduled to arrive before a 3pm start. Please see separate entries for details of the individual rides.
Riders: Chris Higgs David Bridge Des Higgs Gareth Smith Mavis Rose Steve Boreham Val Smith Riders = 7 Report: Well, what a fine occasion to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of our wonderful club! And made very special for our chairman John by the surprise presentation of a plaque and card in recognition of his long and continuing service to the club as chairman for 14 years and membership secretary for 16. The beautiful plaque, crafted by our own Jon Townsin, was made from black walnut inlaid with a sycamore rendition of the Uffington White Horse, an emblem of our club. (A short video on the making of the plaque can be found on Jon’s Facebook page.) The card in the form of a hand-painted map of old West Berkshire, was lovingly drawn, by artist and calligrapher Jane John, another long-standing club member, and was signed by everyone present (and some that couldn’t make it). About 45 club members gathered in the hall after the afternoon’s 4 rides to a wonderful spread of cakes, savouries and fruit provided for us by Chris and Des Higgs. They were ably assisted by Vin and Holly, who kept us well-supplied with tea, coffee and squash. Steve S had prepared a display of club publicity materials and press cuttings going back to the early years of the club, including a collection of photographs taken on rides and events over the years. Interesting to see some much younger faces and remember some of those riders who are no longer with us. Towards the end of the tea, John stood up to say some words to mark the occasion and to thank those who had helped to make the day to run so smoothly. Steve S, a founder member of the club, then filled in some club history – starting from monthly 40-mile rides from Wantage Market Place, the ‘innovation’ of half-day Saturday rides and later of Tuesday Evening rides, designed to make group cycling accessible to all. From the very start the club has had an ethos of welcoming those new to cycling and widening cycling horizons for all. And as John noted, we had realised during the pandemic how important the social side and sense of community was to many of our members. May this long continue. Steve then handed over to Nicole to make the presentation. She honoured John with a brief citation of his involvement with the club, to thank him for all he has done and will continue to do for us, and to present the plaque and card. Delightfully, this was all a genuine surprise. John was visibly moved and said a few words of thanks before posing for a few photographs with his gifts. A moment to treasure and we were all so pleased that we had managed to keep the secret from both John and Carin. It was then time to clear up and make our happy ways home, with the various groups intermingling for the ride back to Grove and Wantage. Thanks to everyone who came along to make this such a special occasion. A big thank you to Chris and Des for the excellent spread and to Steve B for helping at the hall all afternoon. Thank you too to Nicole and Jo for conceiving and co-ordinating the gifts for John, Jon and Jane for their wonderful craftsmanship and to everyone for keeping the secret. May the club and its members enjoy many more years of happy and safe cycling. Here we list those who helped out at the hall and /or made their own way there for the tea.
30th Anniversary spread - with thanks to Chris and Des, 23 July 23 30th Anniversary Tea - 23 July 23 30th Anniversary Tea - 23 July 23 John with the lovely White Horse plaque John with the map signed by club members - 23 July 23 Post presentation congratulations - 23 July 23 Roger engrossed in the club display - 23 July 23 Programmes, posters and news cuttings going back 30 years
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Start Locations: WMP
Wantage Market Place; OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove

Categories: 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.; 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.; 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.; 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.; More Information