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25 Years Ago

The 'Easterley News Sheet' reverted to the 'Easterley Gazette' title again in February 1985 with a revamped masthead and 'Cabbie' Banks' history of the pre-war Easterley R.C. was serialised from that issue. The Club's 50th Dinner, Dance and Prize Presentation was held at the 'Tree Tops', Epping with 184 attending, including four founder members: George Bryson, Reg Groom, Jack Scott and Harry Weddell. Sadly Reg Groom, passed away a few weeks later, though literally in the saddle. At the Dinner there was an anniversary cake and a special photo display of the club's first half Century.
In the Speed Judging contest Ron Neal came first with a difference of only 2 seconds! In the Lea Valley 2-up 25 in March we had five pairs: Sid & Graham Charlton (1.7.20), Andrew and Brian Budd (1.8.38), Chris Bush and S. Little (1.8.49), Julia Reynolds and R. Smith (1.10.38) and Tracey Haines and Stan Broom (1.15.45). Julia and Tracey took the the first two places in our Open Ladies 25 (Maud Harrison) in April. Just for variety, Sid and Graham Charlton also rode trike and tandem in various Opens.
Improvements at the Hut included new mattresses (with covers), curtains, lawnmower, a micro-wave and a fire extinguisher. An industrial type vacuum cleaner was tested 'on approval'.
At the annual roller contest against the Harlow C.C., we narrowly lost out overall though Helen Reynolds was fastest lady and Andy B. fastest senior. Despite the snow, which had blocked parts of the A11, Graham C. actually rode home on his bike!
At the Half-Yearly Meeting it was agreed that all remaining founder members should be made Life members. Second claim membership was introduced. Also standards were set for trike, tandem and track. A new Club tandem 30 record was set by Andy B. and Graham C.

5O Years Ago

Jan 1959
There was a Xmas Holiday outing to Llyswen, Wales. The annual dinner was to be at the Chestnut Tree, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton on 24th Jan. Tickets were 17/6 (87½p) or just 3/6 (17½p) for dance only. George Miller was making appeals for large size prints of the Hut under construction to show at the Dinner. Windows and doorways had just been finished. Another £200 was needed to finish the job properly.
Mar 1959
The first 25 was to be on the Abridge course on 1st March.
There were 90 present at the Annual Dinner organised by Henry Edwards, the best amount for a number of years.
There was a proposal by George Reynolds to turn the Eastern Section into an affiliated Club. This would result in the Club withdrawing from the London Private Members Organisation (of the B.C.F. formed out of the old N.C.U.) and become an independent club.
Don Morrison, the Club Hut Sec., thanked those who donated towards it at the Dinner.
May 1959
The AGM was held at The Bungalow, Chigwell Row. The change of status was carried by a large majority. The Club hut was coming along well and expected to be finished by the end of the season, but had run out of money again. Alan McGuinness won the 72" Gear 25 in 1.10.49. In the first ordinary 25 C.Wilson won in 1.06.02, while Molly Swann came 4th in the E.C.C.A. Ladies’ 10 in 28.05.

Digging the first sods at the sight for the Easterley Country H.Q. ‘The Hut’ at Ugley.
L to R: Len Stewart, Pete Standing, Don Morrison, George Reynolds, Foreground: Ron Neal

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Kai Peters in the club hilly 30 in 1969.
Kai was a member from 1969 to 1974 and now lives in Shrewsbury

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End to End 2003

Read the account of our John O'Groats to Land's End ride where we raised over £5000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

The finish at Land's End in 2003

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Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil!
Helen, Craig, Andy, Richard and Julia at Mildenhall circa 1991.

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Julia riding the ECCA Festival Ladies/Vets road race around 1991

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Building the Country HQ - 1958

And the Country HQ in 1985"