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We were excited and proud to have resurrected "Swan Wheelers" in 2015. The club which was in existence back in the 1920s and 1960s according to our trusted sources. There was also a Buckingham Cycling Club back in the 1800s so we have plenty of history to live up to! Records suggest riders were expected to wear a brown uniform and polo cap, so you'll be pleased to see our rather more modern club kit!
If ever there was fantastic archive material available, then this photo is certainly that. This is Swan Club's first trip to Brill! |
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The club (or to give it it's fully name: Swan Wheelers Cycling Club Community Amateur Sports Club) was constituted in March 2015. We are affiliated to British Cycling. Our club's aim is to promote the amateur sport of cycling in Buckingham and the surrounding area. You can find out about how the club is run via our club constitution.
The Club has a committee who meet bi-monthly. If you have a issue you want raised at one of the meetings then please let any member of the committee know or drop a post into our forum.
The Club has a committee who meet bi-monthly. If you have a issue you want raised at one of the meetings then please let any member of the committee know or drop a post into our forum.
A Brief history of the club
Published in Focus - Buckingham MK18, September 2018
Thanks to Ed Grimsdale for the original copy
When 'boneshakers' and penny farthings first invaded north Bucks, they caused consternation: in one village a boy shouted to his mother to 'come and see a cartwheel running away with a man on it.' Soon local wheelwrights were manufacturing Buckingham bicycles and attention turned to whether ladies could both ride and remain decent. One man suggested that just as ships were plated with iron, ladies were best cased in crinolines.
The London correspondent of the Buckingham Advertiser noted in 1869 that we 'have adopted the velocipede from the French', but added 'there is one thing it is to be hoped we shall not copy from them and that is women, I will not say ladies, bestride the new locomotive machines.' Oh la la!
The Swan Wheelers Cycling Club, based in Buckingham, has a long if chequered history. It developed out of the ashes of the Buckingham Cycling Club which formed in 1891 at the suggestion of Mayor Marshall who approved of the inclusion of ladies. That club had its headquarters at the White Hart in Buckingham and its jaunts started from the Bull Ring. In 1892 the group had fifty members but started to fall apart the following year because of debts and lack of officers. The club attracted just a few ladies but that changed in 1896 when Mrs Fitzgerald gave members an invitation to a soiree at Shalstone House: with each free ticket was an extra one for a 'lady friend'. The club arrived much enlarged and included many couples, some of whom later married. Sadly that club folded in May 1900.
Early in 1934 and with publicity from the Buckingham Advertiser, a meeting was held at Chackmore that led to the formation of the Swan Wheelers. Unusually, its first trek ended with an AGM, outside the windmill on Brill Hill! FrankJones was elected as the first and sole secretary.
The Swan Wheelers closed for the duration of WWII but was revived thereafter. Although the club has had its ups and downs in the past decades, readers will be pleased to know that it was successfully resuscitated three years ago, with a ride to ... Brill and now meets twice weekly. All you need to try it out and become a tad fitter are a well fettled bike and a helmet. As they probably say at club meetings, it's Brill!
Thanks to Ed Grimsdale for the original copy
When 'boneshakers' and penny farthings first invaded north Bucks, they caused consternation: in one village a boy shouted to his mother to 'come and see a cartwheel running away with a man on it.' Soon local wheelwrights were manufacturing Buckingham bicycles and attention turned to whether ladies could both ride and remain decent. One man suggested that just as ships were plated with iron, ladies were best cased in crinolines.
The London correspondent of the Buckingham Advertiser noted in 1869 that we 'have adopted the velocipede from the French', but added 'there is one thing it is to be hoped we shall not copy from them and that is women, I will not say ladies, bestride the new locomotive machines.' Oh la la!
The Swan Wheelers Cycling Club, based in Buckingham, has a long if chequered history. It developed out of the ashes of the Buckingham Cycling Club which formed in 1891 at the suggestion of Mayor Marshall who approved of the inclusion of ladies. That club had its headquarters at the White Hart in Buckingham and its jaunts started from the Bull Ring. In 1892 the group had fifty members but started to fall apart the following year because of debts and lack of officers. The club attracted just a few ladies but that changed in 1896 when Mrs Fitzgerald gave members an invitation to a soiree at Shalstone House: with each free ticket was an extra one for a 'lady friend'. The club arrived much enlarged and included many couples, some of whom later married. Sadly that club folded in May 1900.
Early in 1934 and with publicity from the Buckingham Advertiser, a meeting was held at Chackmore that led to the formation of the Swan Wheelers. Unusually, its first trek ended with an AGM, outside the windmill on Brill Hill! FrankJones was elected as the first and sole secretary.
The Swan Wheelers closed for the duration of WWII but was revived thereafter. Although the club has had its ups and downs in the past decades, readers will be pleased to know that it was successfully resuscitated three years ago, with a ride to ... Brill and now meets twice weekly. All you need to try it out and become a tad fitter are a well fettled bike and a helmet. As they probably say at club meetings, it's Brill!
ODE FROM OUR DEPARTING CHAIRMAN
It's that time again for us to appear, to show up willingly, and cheer...
club members this year, ...while enjoying a beer.
The recipients of prizes, should pose no surprises
for their excellent progress, or photo-graphic prowess
artistic poses, and glamorous selfie, now...'I wonder who that could be'
It's just a bit of fun,
to make you glad you belong,
while you grow strong, peddling along,
even singing a song, feeling like Armstrong,
...what could go wrong,
New committee to vote in, fresh ideas to begin,
to keep the club relevent and thriving,
for the membership to keep arriving...
turning up for a ride in the morning,
even when the forecast is warning...
of a cold start, or possible shower,
hardy soles these riders of ours
New VENUE to accommodate the growing club,
past Members once met in this pub,
room to accommodate more participation,
maybe we could arrange a celebration,
an evening when we could get together,
just to socialise... without wearing lycra.
This is my time to stand down and make way,
for my replacement who will start today...
to chair the committee, in their meetings,
and welcome new members with a cheerful greeting,
BUT...more than anything else, bring a fresh set of ideas...
which is enough in itself!
M.Manning 7 Apr 2020.
club members this year, ...while enjoying a beer.
The recipients of prizes, should pose no surprises
for their excellent progress, or photo-graphic prowess
artistic poses, and glamorous selfie, now...'I wonder who that could be'
It's just a bit of fun,
to make you glad you belong,
while you grow strong, peddling along,
even singing a song, feeling like Armstrong,
...what could go wrong,
New committee to vote in, fresh ideas to begin,
to keep the club relevent and thriving,
for the membership to keep arriving...
turning up for a ride in the morning,
even when the forecast is warning...
of a cold start, or possible shower,
hardy soles these riders of ours
New VENUE to accommodate the growing club,
past Members once met in this pub,
room to accommodate more participation,
maybe we could arrange a celebration,
an evening when we could get together,
just to socialise... without wearing lycra.
This is my time to stand down and make way,
for my replacement who will start today...
to chair the committee, in their meetings,
and welcome new members with a cheerful greeting,
BUT...more than anything else, bring a fresh set of ideas...
which is enough in itself!
M.Manning 7 Apr 2020.
Meet the committee
TIM SELBYChairperson |
STEWART BATCHELORTreasurer |
PAUL WOODHAMCLUB SECRETARY |
JAMES TEBBOTHVICE CHAIR & COMMITTEE MEMBER |
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GLYNNIS EASTWOOD
BREEZE Champion |
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ELAINE EVANS
SOCIAL MEDIA |
ADAM POOL
COMMITTEE MEMBER |
Our club kitOur club kit is manufactured by Champion System. We have two order dates per year: one in spring for warmer weather clothing and one in autumn for colder weather clothing. We also hold a limited stock of club kit available to buy on a first come, first served basis throughout the year. Please contact the Club Secretary for more details.
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ALL CONTENT © 2018. SWAN WHEELERS CYCLING CLUB UNLESS OTHERWISE MARKED
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