Latest:
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Mayfest 2022
Published: August 29, 2022
Information on the 4 tours around Ludlow have now been published
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Christmas Dinner 2021
Published: May 26, 2022
Star Cafe Eccleshall
8 members enjoyed a break from Covid
Derek Everton, Dave Tipper, Alan Conlan, Peter Hambley, Bob Beaman and Bob Baker
Judy Hitchens enjoying her lunch
Alan Preston took the photograph
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
James Brindleys Canal
Published: September 2, 2021
A 25 mile cycle ride along the Trent and Mersey Canal on Saturday 11th September 2021
Route:
Stone Whitebridge Industrial Estate 9.30
Plume of Feathers Inn 2-7 miles
Wedgwood New Factory 3-4
Trentham Lock 3.7I
Incinerator 6.2
Etruria Musem and Canal Junction 8.6
Wedgwood Old Round Tower
Middleport Pottery
Westport Lake 11.6
Harecastle Tunnel 12.6 miles
Return to Whitebridge 25 miles
Peter Hambley, Ros. Powell and Alan Conlan at Etruria Museum
Alan Preston, Peter Hambley and Ros. Powell at Westport Lake
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Millmeece Pumping Station Latest News
Published: August 25, 2021
Flywheel of Steam Pumping Engine
Coal Screw Feeder
Boiler Lagging and Economisers
Cornish Boiler
Visit by Peter Hambley and Alan Conlan on 14th August 2021 prior to first steaming for 10 years
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Millmeece Pumping Station
Published: August 8, 2021
Grand Opening Weekend
The first steaming operation for ten years following the restoration of the Cornish boilers.
14th August + Yesteryear Rally
15th August + Classic Motorcycle Rally
Open Days
18th & 19th September + General Interest Rally
16th & 17th October + Yesteryear Rally
Opening times for our Steaming Days and Rally Event Dates: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Picnic Area Light Refreshments Only on Rally Events And Open Day Days
Wheelchair Access to the Station and Toilets
Regret No Dogs Allowed In Buildings
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Diamond Wedding
Published: July 29, 2021
Mayfest friends with Michael and Christine Evans at Welshpool 2002
Wishing you a very happy Anniversary 2021
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Second Octogenarian Charity Ride
Published: June 18, 2021
Peter Hambley and Alan Conlon have successfully completed the RAF A Rides Global 2021 Charity Ride.
We have had two years when it has been difficultto raise money for the RAF Association. Collctions in the street or supermarkets have been stopped because of the restrictions whilst the demands on the Charity for veterans, widows, serving personnel and their dependants have increased.
A two day collection for the Wings Appeal at a supermarket would normally raise about £700.This year to make up for the shortfall the Newcastle under Lyme Branch and friends have supported the RAF A Rides goes Global.
Two riders Peter Hambley and Alan Conlon completed the 35 mile ride last Saturday at Waltham in the Wolds, Leicestershire.A full report with pictures can be seen on: www.//justgiving.com/fundraising/Peter-Hambley1
Currently £650 has been raised with further pledges outstanding.On behalf of the Branch please accept our gratefull thanks.
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Second Octogenarian Charity Ride
Published: June 18, 2021
Peter Hambley life member of RAF A and Chairman of the Newcastle under Lyme Branch will on Friday 4th of June join the RAFA Rides Global at Waltham in the Wolds, Leicester attempting a cycle challenge raising money for the Wings Appeal.
Peter, a life long racing and touring cyclist completed National Service in the RAF 1957 to1959 and represented RAF Yatesbury and Technical Training Command in successful winning RAF cycle racing championships. When he was not racing he was on duty as a Junior Technician air radar fitter working with Bomber Command Victors at RAF Honington. Now aged 85 he hopes to complete the 35 miles in 4 hours.
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Peter Swinden Birmingham St. Christopher’s 1935-2020
Published: December 9, 2020
Welcome Guest
Pete Swinden Tribute
It was Easter 1956 and large groups of cyclists were riding to the annual St. Christopher’s Rally at Morecome. Proceeding up the A6 trunk road towards Preston the North Staffs. Section combined with the Birmingham Section and Peter Swinden met Peter Hambley. Within a year the two sections had met at a National St Christopher’s Get Together, the Annual Dinner and organised Youth Hostel cycling weekends together.
Cyclists had always ridden off-road on old tracks, bridle paths and canal tow paths but in 1955 a formal identification of difficult rides was undertaken by a new organisation the Rough Stuff Fellowship. Riders had to complete 3 routes approved by the committee before obtaining membership. Soon St Christopher’s members Peter Bowyer, Reg Carter, Michael Evans and John Withers were riding over Cannock Chase, up Jacob’s Ladder and along Lathkildale. Not to be out done the two Petes with Barry Blagg were crossing the Berwyns in a 1957 March blizzard to find the Wayfarer Memorial stone. Did Mountain Biking originate in the United States?
Peter H was called up for National Service so Peter S decides to team up with John Withers on a racing tandem bicycle. For eight years they rode all over Britain planning, exploring and then racing in an attempt to win 24 hour competitions and claim long distance cycling place to place records. A total of 6 Midland Road Record Association records were approved including the 24 hour in 1961, culminating in the National R.R.A. 1000 miles record in 2 days 18 hours 9 minutes in 1964 and the Lands End to John a Groats record in 50 hours 14 minutes and 26 seconds in 1968.
In 1965 Peter S married Barbara and in 1966 Peter H married Margaret. The two wives were very supportive of cycling and St. Christopher’s. Soon the two families and their children were meeting together on a regular basis for meals and exercise. Judy was more than capable of holding her own competing with five boys, cycling or walking along the Shropshire Union Canal at Brewood and skateboarding in Longton Park. Sadly Barbara died after a courageous fight against cancer in 1988.
Peter changed his job and before long many of his workmates were inspired by his enthusiasm for walking and cycling. They were joined by a second generation, in the Birmingham Section, Philip Swinden, Andrew Withers, Paul Willig and in North Staffs, James and Philip Hambley. They continued to ride socially and competed in a 10 mile inter section time trial which Birmingham won.
The Birmingham riders organised successful tours of France and Spain but in 1990 John died in Normandy. The tandem partnership was ended.
Margaret died in 1997. The two Peters planned to cycle in Northern Spain following the pilgrimage way to Santiago de Compostella. Unfortunately because of an accident they missed the boat and ended up touring the Isle of White. The followig year they completed the traditional route from Bilbao and returned via the Northern route, 943 miles in 19 days.
Every Thursday they would ride around the Staffordshire lanes having lunch in a cafe or pub. Soon the word got around and as the riders retired from work they joined in In December there would be as many as twelve enjoying a Christmas dinner. In addition Peter was a keen walker enjoying the Fells of the Lake District, Munroe’s in Scotland and the mountains of Wales during the year, he would then organise the popular “ Swindy Christmas Walk” in Derbyshire.
Brian Horstwell a friend of Michael Evans now living in South Wales collected Irish Butter coupons and he now had two spare tickets for a return boat trip to Ireland, Michael offered them to the two Petes, Birmingham , North Staffs. And South Wales were now linked and the foundation of the Mayfest had been laid.
For 49 years in the middle of the night the two Petes would turn out, one at Gailey, the other at Trent Vale to support a Lands End to John a Groats record attempt. Celebrity hard man James Cracknell with Rebecca Romero had failed to break the record even though the route was 12 miles shorter following the building of the first Forth road bridge. Finally in 2015 Irvine and Mitchell claimed the record
When discussing their family histories the two Petes found that they shared an immigrant Italian Great Great Grandfather Joseph Baldaro from Sicily. No wonder there was an attraction.
Peter Hambley
Saint Christopher's Catholic Cycling Club Blog:
Law of Cycling
Published: August 29, 2020
Sent in by Bob Beaman