Some Notes On The Early Days Of The Potterers Cycling Club

Founded 24th. October 1971.

By

Ted Harrison, Arthur James, Jim Catt & Ted Upton.

On the occasion of the Club having achieved 21 years of activity, I have been asked to pen a few reminiscences of the early days.

During the 1960's the four who were to found The Potterers were devoted supporters of The Fellowship of Kent & Sussex Cyclists, but sadly only two Meets were held per year and very few opportunities to ride together were possible. Ted Harrison suggested that we might get our bikes onto cars to Cranbrook and ride out for an hour or so before the Spring Luncheon, but it never really took off, he insisted that no form of organising be done by The Fellowship to avoid diverting members from their own Clubs.

However, we four stalwarts felt that we would like to meet for a ride (and a pint 1) as we did in our many years of Club Cycling, and we were able to make the odd Sunday date here and there. Eventually we decided that we would form a Club and fixed our inaugural meet at the Red Lion, Hernhill, as it was roughly halfway between Sittingbourne and Herne/Chestfield. The four of us arrived promptly at Noon and occupied a small bar which they had in those days, and were soon into the serious business of enjoying our beer and talking Cycling, unfortunately there was nothing to eat, not even a packet of crisps, so we just kept drinking in the time honored way of our old club days, and each of us bought two rounds, which were just squeezed in by 2pm.

Ted Harrison had been reading a book by G. Lacy Hillier entitled "The Potterers", about a number of young men who enjoyed several activities together, including cycling. Why not call ourselves 'The Potterers', so that was decided, and we even 'purloined' the badge, adding to it the 'C.C.' to complete the title "The Potterers Cycling Club". Riding home caused rather a problem, at least, for Arthur and myself, due to the gallon of beer, but we 'pottered away' until we reached Bysing Wood Hill, which somehow appeared to be extra steep. "We don't want this hill", said Arthur "Let's go round it", which we did, by walking through the woods and a ploughed field .....all time consuming, but comparatively easy, and it must have been almost 5pm when we eventually reached Sittingbourne.

At our first A.G.M. Arthur and I were appointed President and Secretary. Len Stevens was the first member, and was later joined by Mike Johnson, (both Son's in Law of Jim Catt), Maurice Chauncy met us on occasions when he visited Ted, and on his 80th birthday in 1979, was made our first Honorary Life Member. Bill Underhill, Dave Marvell, Barry Gifford and Jim Moody-Smith joined our ranks in 1979, so we now had a nucleus of 10. In 1980 we met Dave Nuttall and Wally Swan at the cafe in Court St. Faversham and as they showed interest we invited them to join us on our Sunday Run to the Three Mariners, Oare. On June 14th 1981, on a glorious Summer's Day, we enjoyed the largest turn-out to date, with 15 present at the Kingsdown Arms, Frinsted and joined by two new members, Geoff Bolwell & Ted Emery.

Until 1982, most of our meets were monthly, on a Sunday, but as some of us reached retiring age we were able to start weekday runs - Thursday seemed to be the best day, as Jim, who was still working, had a day off. A highlight on 29th April 1982, was our first official French trip when A. James, E. Upton, E. Clark, W. Swan, J. Linton & R. Pendleton (average age 66), ferried to Boulogne and rode to Le Touquet. A grand day, only marred by the fact that we did not see any "Topless Beauties".

As Secretary it was my duty to be responsible for communication and I started with a flimsy sheet listing the Sunday runs for 6 months, occasionally asking members for 50p to defray postage and expenses. This met with the occasional remark "He wants money again, must be buying his beer". This situation continued until the A.G.M. 1981 when The Sec./Treasurer was devastated to report a Cash Deficiency of £1.58. It was all resolved by a proposition by Jim Catt that we should pay an Annual Subscription of £2; this was carried, and all those present paid up on the spot, "We were rich again". And here in 1992 with Subs still £2 ..... how many organisations do you know of that have not imposed any increases during that time ?

By this time the runs list had grown and I was able to circulate about six pages of a Newsletter, and for the Christmas Issue 1982 I had the inspiration to give it a name, and what better (in my opinion), than "Pottering Around". This has survived, thanks to Ann Miller, helped by Ron Walton, and all the members who contribute items, having now reached a total of 642 pages, plus this issue. Copies of all these are held by The President, Secretary, Editor and myself, and probably historically minded members have copies tucked away. No doubt, if you would like to 'look into the past', any of the above would be pleased to consult 'The Archives'.

Finally I feel that you will agree that 21 years is something to be proud of, and demonstrates the Fellowship and co-operation of members plus the dedicated work of our Officials.

Let us hope that the support of all will continue, and that 'Pottering Around' will still appear every Quarter.

Ted Upton.