The beginning of Wigmore Cycling Club

In March 1948 five ex-servicemen were at a loose end and decided to have a meeting at the Smallholders Club. The five went on to become the founder members of a cycling club. The five were Tom Butler, Pete Milner, Roy Harman, Ted Lewis and Ian Kasper, with Phill Tapp,

J Crayton and John Cruddington joining soon after.

One Monday evening a meeting was held at which 30 people were present, all having been rounded up after tremendous efforts by the founder members. This meeting resulted with the election of the first committee and Tom Butler being elected as club leader. For the first six months the club meetings were held at the Smallholders Club and then moved to a tin shed, better known as the British Legion Hall.

Actual cycling activities did not start until 1949. The first club run being attended by twelve members who, after numerous stops for recovery, arrived at their destination 8 miles away in Maidstone. The club run attendance picked up to 40 riders and it was decided that each week they should try to get one pub further than the previous week.

It wasn’t long before Time Trialling was introduced into the club. George Butler, with an amazing time of 1 hour 9 minutes and 30 seconds for 25 miles became the clubs first “ Best All-rounder “. In 1951 the B.A.R. was officially started, with a ladies and junior championship as well. Pete Milner won the first official B.A.R. and retained the title for the next three years. Following this came Charlie Staff, a former club junior champion, who won the B.A.R. in 1955 and 1956.

Wigmore Cycling Club has now survived 56 years and has over that time produced many fine riders in all disciplines of the sport, with the highest honour going to Kim Staff who rode for Great Britain many times, including at the Commonwealth Games.

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