A History of Cycling in Stockton

Stockton Bicycle Club (Founded 1877), Address Royal Hotel, High Street and Queen’s Hotel; became Stockton Cycle Club in 1890.

In 1882 there were 25 members; the Captain was Herbert C. Smith; the uniform was brown with polo cap: badge gold monogram. The

entry fee was 2s 6d, subscription 10s 6d. Hon. Secretary was John E Stockdale, 1 Langdale Terrace, Stockton-on-Tees.

In 1890 the Hon. Secretary was J. H. Atkinson, 24 Balaclava Street, Stockton. From at least 1910, until the 1940s, the Secretary was Mr. M. W. Worth.

Stockton Amateur Bicycle Club (Founded 1878) Address Y.M.C.A., Dovecot Street, Stockton. On February 8th 1878 the first meeting of the Bicycle Club took place and the club was christened the YMCA Bicycle Club. (At the next meeting the name was changed to the Stockton Amateur Bicycling Club.)

A photocopy of the minutes of the first meeting states: -Y.M.C.A. Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, Feb.8th 1878. Present Messrs Whitwell (Chair) Brayshay, Hudson, Wright, Barker, Homer, Wilson and other two Gentlemen. Mr. Wright proposed that a bicycle club be formed, each member to find his own bicycle, those members being able to ride to teach those that cannot and that it be called the Y.M.C.A. Bicycle Club. Seconded by Mr. Whitwell and carried. Mr. Headlam was proposed Secretary Pro Tem. Agreed that the members present constitute a committee Pro Tem to draw up rules and bring forward recommendations for next meeting.

The next meeting of the club took place a week later when the rules were formed. The club colours were designated as cardinal and navy blue in the form of a plain blue suit and a turban or straw hat with a navy blue and cardinal band. The club badge was designated as the Stockton Emblem, the castle and anchor, surrounded by a belt with the initial letters of the club, now called Stockton Amateur Bicycling Club underneath it. The joining fee was fixed at a shilling and the subscription was one shilling and sixpence. (This was cheaper than other bicycle clubs of this period and was no doubt meant to encourage young men who would not otherwise be able to join a club.) However, the cost of a bicycle at this time was beyond the means of working men.

Stockton Cycling Club’s first President: Thomas Whitwell of Thornaby Iron Works

(Thomas Whitwell, who died in an unfortunate accident at Thornaby Iron Works in 1878, took a great interest in, and was the founder of the Y.M.C.A. in Stockton). After Thomas died his brother William took over much of his charitable and educational work. The Whitwells were Quakers and founders of Thornaby Iron Works.

The Stockton Amateur Bicycling Club owned some bicycles and, in February 1878, charges were made for bicycles taken out for practice. (It was not easy to ride a Penny Farthing; someone had to hold the bicycle steady until you took off). There is a reference in the club minutes of a vote of thanks to Mr. H Newburn for his kindness in presenting the club with a bicycle for practice. (The cost of an 'Ordinary' was about £4 at this time). There must have been a certain amount of enthusiasm at these practices, as it was decided to acquire a ‘wooden machine, use of the same to be free to members' and that 'none but those who have already learnt to ride the wooden machine shall be allowed to mount a high machine”. Could this be a safety clause in the interests of life and limb?

On Good Friday 1878 a trial run to High Leven was ordered to see that all who intended to ride on Easter Monday were capable. There was a drill to Sadberge on the Saturday and their first official run, on Monday April 4th 1878 went to Mount Grace Priory, Stokesley and Great Ayton.

There is a hand-written annual report, for the Stockton Amateur Bicycle Club, dated 1881, probably written by the secretary, but there is no name on it. It shows the uncertain progress of the club, the writer’s enthusiasm for the sport and his optimism for the future:

In submitting to you this Annual Report ... I have no balance sheet of the Receipts and Expenditure to present but under this head it is sufficient to state that the Club is entirely free of debt and a small balance in hand to carry forward for next year, which I think is something to be congratulated upon.

The progress of the Club since its formation in 1878 has been extremely uncertain at times, for I believe once the number of members had dwindled down to 2 or 3, the cause of which can at once be set down for improper management. Last year the, numbers numbered 8, which has now been increased to 17 riders, and three Honorary members, say 20 in all. Next year we hope to have half as many again....

Those who are strangers to bicycling will know nearly as well as I do of the pleasure and sanitary benefits to be deduced therefrom and in my opinion, which of course is not everybody‘s, it stands first on the list of English sports and pastimes and I am not the only one that takes this view. - My own short experience -which I trust will be a long, long one- is that I have obtained more fresh country air in a day by the aid of my machine, than I could otherwise obtain in a whole year, and as a consequence, the benefit received has been considerable. For instance on last Bank holiday when four of us represented the Club at Harrogate Meet — that tour which lasted 3 and a half days — was the happiest period in my life.....

I would not give a fig for bicycle riding and not be attached to a good club, as three fourths of the enjoyment is taken away when journeying solitary and alone. Besides the assistance of a fellow clubman in cases of accident is invaluable.

(The writer continues with a quote from a case reported by the Rochdale Zingari Bicycle Club.) ‘A friend of mine was learning to ride, and on his second mount he went to Darlington, but had to get off at one of the banks, but get on again he could not. So he called for the aid of a passing labourer who held the machine while he mounted and at getting into the saddle my friend asked the navvy to push him off (meaning the machine) but instead of doing this he lifted the backbone (bicycle frame) clean off the ground and sent my friend over the handle.’ So much for riding alone.

Referring to the present subscription of 1/- I can only say that it is totally inadequate to meet the requirements of a Bicycle Club proper. We have consequently been compelled to curtail our expenditure and things much needed in the shape of Officers’ badges (at present you cannot distinguish the Captain from an ordinary clubman when riding out) maps and Road Guides which nearly every Club in existence does possess we have had to deny ourselves all such. Look at Middlesbrough Club — what are they doing? We learn that they are spending £150 over a Bicycle track to be laid down for them next year but their subscription is 10/- per annum. I have therefore to suggest that we resort to the old subscription of 2/6d at the formation of the Club, which will enable us to come out of our shell a bit more ... - and with funds to back us out, we are determined to popularise bicycling in Stockton more than ever.

As to riding talent I think our Club can compare favourably with average clubs; though none of our members have yet become noted for wonderful riding in public. When Waller (the World Champion in 1879) and his Bicycle track visited this ancient borough the stormy weather nipped in the bud all aspiring hopes of our best riders by blowing his tent to smithereens over the Garden Wall, and marble timepieces, gold cruets etc. (prizes) were cruelly discovered to be only castles in the air. However we must wait patiently for next season. The Club has to acknowledge with thanks subscriptions from the following gentlemen. R.. Roger Esq. £O-1O-O, F. Robson Esq. 5s— And any other gentlemen who takes an interest in the Club.”

As the above report clearly shows, the low subscription had attracted some new members to the Stockton Amateur Bicycling Club, but it could not compete with clubs such as Middlesbrough. Club members had to pay not only for their bicycle, but their uniform, badges, subscriptions, race fees and entertainments. The uncertain future of the Stockton Amateur Bicycle Club was no doubt the reason why it joined with the Stockton Cycling Club.

The Programme for the Stockton ~Blossom & Costume Parade” (1893) lists both Stockton Cycling Club and Stockton Y.M.C.A. Cycle Club and 28 other Clubs from the surrounding district. The Stockton clubs are shown below: (Bicycle clubs changed to cycling clubs when tricycle riders joined.)

A Stockton Cycling Club Membership Card for the 1914 season, lists the former presidents of the Club:

The Bicycle Union, later the National Cyclist’s Union (NCU), was set up to support cyclists’ rights and administer competitive cycling. Race meetings might be held on cricket grounds or sports grounds. Grass tracks or cinder tracks would be laid out round the edge, and sometimes running races would take place as well as cycle races. Some clubs could afford purpose built cycling tracks. There was a cycle track at Thornaby where race meetings organised by the Stockton Cycling Club took place and the Victoria football ground in Stockton was used by cycling and sports clubs.

On June 17th 1893 the North York and South Durham Centre of the N.C.U. held a Cycle Race Meeting. The income and expenditure account has been preserved, as shown below. It does not say where the races took place. 17 June 1893, N.York & S.Durham Centre, Cycle Race Meeting

Income

To Stockton Cycling Club £5

N. Ormesby & M’bro C.C. £5

Stockton Old Castle C.C. £5

Tees Side Cyclers £5

Cash taken at gate £41.18s 3d

Tickets sold £26.1s

Programmes £7.13s 9d

Entry Fees £7.14s 6d

Refreshment Tender £1

1/2 profit meeting June 7th 9s 6d

Less 1/2 handicapping fee 5s 3d

Total £105

Expenditure

Printing Posters, Entry Forms £10.11s 3d

Printing Tickets 10s

Printing Cards for prizes 6s

Lithos and Small bills. £3.14s 4d

Bill posting £9.2s 2d

Hire of tents etc £1.9s.10d

Advertising £4.4s

Badges 10s 8d

Band £3.5s

Gatemen £1.7s.6d

Rent of track etc. £6 lOs

NCU Team Race & Championship £15

Prizes £21.1s.6d

Police 16s

Starter 15s

Handicapper £ 1.1s

Sashes 3s

Labour C. Spence Men & Lads 12s.6d

Teas for Team, Refreshments £3.18s.6d

Postage, Telegrams, Tel etc. £2.14s.4d

Balance, being cash in hand £17.4s.2d

Total £105

There is a Race Meeting booklet produced by Stockton Cycling Club, for the Seventh Annual Amateur Race Meeting to be held (weather permitting) on the Thornaby Track on Saturday July 3rd , 1897 (Under NCU. and A.A.A. Rules). The Programme cost 2d, Admission 6d, South Side 1 shilling; Messrs. Blair & Co.’s Band to play selections of music. The Prizes considering the races were for amateurs seem generous. First Prizes value £6.6s. Second Prizes £2.2s and Third £1.1s. However, the prizes were not money, but ornaments worth that amount.

There were 4 races at the 1897 event. First was the 120 Yards Flat Race (Handicap). There were 12 heats with four competitors in each heat, with a second round and a final later in the day. The second event was the Half-mile Bicycle Handicap (open), with 6 heats of 6 competitors each, and the final also later in the day. The third race was the One Mile Bicycle Handicap (open), also with 6 heats and the fourth race was the Quarter-mile Flat Race (Handicap) with seven heats. Competitors came from Cycle Clubs in Stockton, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Norton, Grangetown, West Hartlepool, Marske, Saltburn and Seaton Carew. There were also competitors from Northallerton, Ferryhill, Sunderland and Barnard Castle.

From 1890 the Stockton Cycle Club held its Annual Amateur Athletic Sports at the Victoria Ground, Mill Lane, Stockton, which included both cycling and running races. On Saturday, July 25th, 1925, the 33rd Annual Athletic Championship Sports took place at the Victoria ground. There was a half-mile and a one mile bicycle race and the ‘One Mile NCU. Bicycle Championship’ with gold, silver and bronze medals for the winners with equivalent races for the runners.

However, the social side of the Cycling Clubs, rather than competitive races, was always as important, if not more important, for most members. During the spring and summer months clubs would organises rides out into the country. The ride would end at an inn or tea room where refreshments were taken before the return journey. Club uniforms were worn. The captain rode at the front, followed by other members in order of seniority. The club bugler gave one blast for mount, two for dismount and so on. If you failed to obey an order, such as dismounting when passing horses, you could be fined. During the winter months ‘smokers’ were held in a local public house, where club members would provide the entertainment, with music, singing and recitals. The Annual Club Dinner was the highlight of the year with local dignitaries and figures prominent in cycling affairs invited.

The uniforms and military discipline of the clubs led to processions to show these off, and to show off their cycles as well. On Saturday afternoon, June 10th 1893, the Stockton Cyclists held their Third Annual Blossom and Costume Parade ‘under the special patronage of the Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry’ and attended by the mayors of Stockton and Thornaby, Aldermen and Councillors, and others. The entire proceeds were to be handed over to the Stockton Hospital, Children’s Cots, and District Nursing Association.

Thirty Cycling Clubs attended from the surrounding area. Also in the procession were the Stockton and Thornaby Fire Brigades, Military and Postal Cyclists and detachments of the Northumberland Hussars and Life Guards. The music was provided by Stockton 'Model' Brass Band, Thornaby Ironworks Brass Band, Blair & Co.’s Brass Band and the 1st D.L.I. Volunteer Military and Bugle Bands.

The procession set off from Mr. Tranter’s New Cycling Grounds, South Stockton, at 3.OOpm and proceeded through the principle streets of Thornaby and via Bridge Road and High Street to Norton and back again around Stockton and through the Hospital Grounds, ending at the Borough Hall. where the Cyclists’ Concert was held at 8.OOpm prompt. Admission was 3d each. The Chairman was Dr W J Beatty, President of Stockton Cycling Club.

“Valuable” prizes were awarded for the Neatest Costume, Best Decorated Machine, Most Grotesque Costume, to the club having the most members in costume in the parade, and the Collector whose Box contained the largest sum. The public were earnestly requested to assist the Marshals in keeping the road clear.

The Annual Reports for Stockton Cycle Club show that they had difficulties with club runs. There are copies of these reports for 1881 (described earlier), 1903, 1909, 1911 and 1919:

1903 “The Clubs runs during the past few seasons have been very much neglected; we hope that the members will endeavour to make a special effort during the coming season to turn out and support the worthy captain”. In contrast to this there was an attendance of 82 at the Annual Dinner which “proved a great success”.

1909 “The attendance at Club runs has been small; six turned out for the Opening Run to Richmond on Easter Monday and, despite wind and rain, duly arrived at their destination”.

However, the Closing Run on Sept. 25 was a great success with cars conveying the ladies to Stokesley where they were joined by the Cycling section and had an excellent tea at the Station Hotel.

1911 ‘The small attendance at Club runs during the past season is again to be regretted.”

We beg to submit the 40th Annual Report for the year ending February 1919. At our last annual meeting we were still under the distressing conditions of the greatest War that has been waged in the memory of all, but thanks to the Divine Will, and the bull-dog tenacity of our forces and those of our allies, this war is now at an end, and trust that such arrangements will be made by the Peace Conference as will prevent further outbreaks in the future. The Armistice with extensions being signed we hope to return to normal conditions and resume our sports and pastimes. At the last annual meeting the recommendation of the committee, “That subscriptions of all active members for the duration of the war be subject to a rebate of 50% (this is to apply to all arrears) was accepted and has proved satisfactory, 66 members having paid out of 75. It was also decided to invest the sum of £77.10s in War Savings Certificates and this has since been increased by your committee purchasing another 25 at a cost of £19.7s.6d during The War Weapons Week in July, with this purchase we won one of the prize certificates which makes our total investments 126 Certificates and valued at cost £97.13s in the balance sheet.

In connection with the War Weapons Week the Stockton Sportsmen’s Committee promoted a Carnival in the Park in aid of the War Heroes Fund and your committee took this opportunity of running off the School-boys Team Race for the North Eastern Daily Gazette Shield, the usual Medals were provided generously given by Mr. L Prinsky, the remainder by the Club. The Shield was won by the Richard Hind Council School and is now in their possession.

We are pleased to place on record the fact that Mr. E Thompson one of our Vice Presidents has been honoured by his Majesty King George awarding him the CBE which he received personally at Buckingham Palace. We still have ten members who are on active service, Mr. J Alexander who for a considerable time was a Prisoner of War in Germany has returned home. We have continued our affiliation to the Richmond Meet, NCAAA and NCU and have made application for a Sports date on or about July 5^th . Sports promoting this year will require careful consideration, the nature of the competitions, competitors, printing matter and Entertainment Tax will have to be taken into account.

In order to fittingly celebrate the Armistice your committee promoted a Complimentary Whist Drive & Dance in the Masonic Hall on January 3^rd which was very much appreciated by all present, many we regret were unable to accept owing to illness. The President kindly gave all the prizes and we tender to him our thanks. Also to Miss Borrow, Mr. D. D. Wheatley for their services at the piano and the Artistes.

In conclusion we wish to tender our thanks to the proprietors of the Royal Hotel for the accommodation provided for our meetings and to Miss Ellis the manageress for her courteous reception and entertainment of the committee and members.

In 1912 a list of Stockton Cycle Club Saturday Runs shows that out of 31 members 21 completed 5 or more rides, with 4 riders completing between 21 to 23 rides. Thursday Runs took place with one member completing 22 runs. For both Saturday and Thursday rides the average attendance was about 10.

In Edwardian times in order to boost their membership. Stockton Rovers and Stockton Cycle Club (and others), decided to add a ‘feature’ to each of their runs; one week a game of tennis, another week a picnic, another week boating. Women were allowed on club runs, and clubs started amateur dramatics groups. Summer outings were organised, travelling by train to places such as Richmond and Middleton-in-Teesdale. In the 1890’s cycling suddenly became respectable, encouraged by the sight of the Royal Family on bicycles. By the end of the 1890s bicycles were becoming a common feature in the streets.

At the turn of the nineteenth century well-heeled, middle class members gave up their cycles and turned to motoring instead. The Victorian Gentleman’s cycling club ended. However, cheaper mass produced machines led to a rise in the numbers of artisans, shop assistants, and clerks taking to the roads. By the 1920’s cycling had become a mass movement. In 1928 there were an estimated 10 million bicycle owners in the country and fewer than 2 million cars. Club membership thrived and women joined in large numbers. The war period, 1939-45, was the Golden Age for cycling. The number of cars on the road declined dramatically due to petrol rationing and the road surfaces were vastly better. It was an ideal time to be out in the clubs.

(In 1905 British bicycles were selling for £6 9s. By the First World War this had come down to £4 2s. In 1912 Stockton Co-op offered a ‘Gents Cycle' for £3 19s 6d.)

Susan McLaurin and her new second-hand bike for passing the scholarship to Richard Hind School (1957).

The Secretary of the Sunderland Cycling Club. T. H. Holding, is credited with organising the first North Eastern Cyclists’ Meet. The Meet had a different venue each year until 1886, when it was suggested they meet at Whitsun at Barnard Castle, where there was already a local sports meeting. The Barnard Castle Meet continued until the Second World War.

In 1892 the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cycling Clubs decided to have their own Meet at Richmond. also at Whitsun, Richmond continued to be a very popular venue up to the 1970s. Prizes were won for the largest muster of one club, the most aggregate miles cycled or the most ‘rational’ dress worn by a lady cyclist. Below is an abridged version of the account of the first Richmond Meet.

The First North Yorkshire and South Durham cyclists Meet at Richmond is now all over and will be remembered by all present as one of the most enjoyable and noteworthy events in the annals of local cycling. There was no shortage of critics who forecast that the venture would be a failure, but the success which attended the Meet t as quite beyond the expectations of the most sanguine.

A goodly number of cyclists went over on the Saturday and on Sunday morning these were augmented by further arrivals. A good company turned out at the Cricket field for a stroll via the Race Course to Willances Leap and St. David’s Point. In the afternoon a large number joined the Church Parade to Easbv Abbey; over 2,000 were present at the service in these grand old ruins. The collection was donated to the Richmond Cottage Hospital.

On Monday cyclists poured into the town in shoals and visitors arrived by train from all directions. I thought to myself what a power are cyclists becoming that they can by one action of theirs, transform the hitherto quiet old town of Richmond into one of the most busy and animated description. At 11.OO am the procession moved off from the Cricket field, with 26 Clubs and a total of over 700 cyclists. Fancy costumes were plentiful and Captain Lawler in the character of an Irishman with his pig deserved a special prize... Stockton Rovers in their red caps, Eldon Wild Rose in their chocolate and white blazers, and Stockton Victoria in their blue caps presented a neat and pleasing appearance. A halt was made at Easy Hall and all gathered on the hillside to be photographed.

The prize for the largest club muster given by Mr. A. de Lande Long was won by Middlesbrough Athletic Cycling Club with 69 on parade. Stockton Victoria Cycle Club took the prize for the largest aggregate mileage with 43 on parade and Richmond Cycle Club received the prize for the largest number in fancy costume.

The sports in the cricket field in the afternoon were a great success, the company was large and fashionable and the competitions of an exciting nature. There was a refreshment tent in the corner of the field. Columns could be written about the open air concert at night, how Captain Lawler won the Stump Oration prize with the tale of a puncture.... Long will the First Richmond Meet remain in the memory of those who look part in it as the most enjoyable outing that has ever been provided for the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cyclists.

North Yorks. and South Durham Cyclists Meet at Richmond June 10-13th, 14^th Annual Whitsuntide Meet

Tuesday: - Display and Sports / Tug of War, Mile Club Bicycle Race/ Mile Walking Race Final of Club Race

Club having largest muster in procession 1st prize £2 2.s, 2nd prize £1.1s

In 1905 the President was Alderman J F Wilson JP. The Vice Presidents included Mayors of Darlington, Middlesbrough, Richmond, Stockton, and Thornaby; also Dr Beatty JP Stockton, Matt. Dunn Esq. Stockton, H D Parsons Esq. Stockton, Major H C Smith, Stockton, J Temple Esq., Stockton, W Errington, Esq. Stockton.

Chief Marshal Mr. R T Smith, Stockton North End C.C. Other Marshals J Sigsworth, Stockton C.C., C. Dobbie, Stockton North End C.C.

Social events included visits to country houses where the ladies were invited, the latter going by charabanc. Opportunities to meet the opposite sex were always welcome and later dances, picnics, tennis games and boating were added to the entertainments. As time went by accommodation within the town could not cope with the demand and tented encampments began to appear in the surrounding fields. It became the norm for each Cycle Club attending the Meet to reserve one of the local hostelries as their base. Stockton Cycling Club always used the Golden Lion Hotel situated at the top of the Market Place as their headquarters throughout the Meet, and as the venue for their Smoking Concert.

In 1907 the first of the Castle Yard concerts was organised, each club making its contribution of acts to the programme. These entertainments became an important part of subsequent Meets up to the 1960s, when they ceased due to the lack of cyclists. From 1913 the Mayor of Richmond greeted the President and cyclists at the Boundary Stone on the Darlington Road; this ceased in 1965. At the 1914 Meet, with the storm clouds of war gathering, all previous records of the Meet were passed, “there was only breathing space to spare”. In 1915 volunteers by the thousand had flocked to the colours, within their ranks many members of the Cycling clubs who made up the Meet.

The £1,000 Meet in 1915 —In 1915 the aim of the members was to raise £1,000 or more to equip members of the local units of the Volunteer Training Corps for home defence. One such unit was the company raised by the engineering firm of Dorman Long at Middlesbrough. As usual cycle racing took place on the cricket ground and entertainments provided by the clubs were a huge success.

The next Meet in 1919 was tinged with sadness for those cyclists who had not returned from the war.

The Meet flourished until the next war caused it to be cancelled from 1940 to 1946. In the 1950s greater affluence brought the motor car within reach of many working men; the end of social cycling was in sight. Many Clubs went out of existence in the 1960s, but the challenge to keep the Meet going for many more years was met by Richmond Council.

(Most of the information on Richmond Cycle Meet was taken from, The Richmond Meet 1892-1992, by A. M. Wilcox)

It is possible to trace the popularity of cycling in Stockton through the numbers of shops/workshops listed in local directories, such as Wards. For example the 1908/9 edition of Wards (under Stockton, page 730) lists the following under Bicycle Manufacturers and Dealers:

From the 1924 guide for Stockton-on-Tees. The notice reads: ‘Bicycle built by Mr. Geo. Clough of Stockton-on-Tees AD 1858 Presented by his niece Miss E M Hill of Sleights, Yorks. to Stockton Cycling Club (Founded 1878)’

Jack Taylor’s little green shed, which stood in the garden of his Norton home, is now legendary in the cycling world. It’s where Jack started building racing cycles back in the 1930s. He was a keen and successful cyclist and just couldn’t afford the lightweight cycle he really wanted, so he started to build his own in the shed. Now, 50 years later, a Jack Taylor cycle is still a prized possession to thousands of dedicated cyclists all over the world.

The garden shed has long since gone but the Taylor brothers, - Norman and Ken were also keen cyclists and soon joined Jack — are still building their beautiful machines in the same building in Church Road, Stockton, where they started their workshop in the 1940s. In the heyday of the popularity of the bicycle, a total of nine people were employed at the workshop. Now it’s just the three brothers and it seems that they really prefer it that way. For no-one else can match their craftsmanship and attention to detail. Norman builds the frames, Ken puts the cycles together and Jack is the painting expert — each machine comes complete with fine line-work that is rarely seen today. Jack also does the bookwork, filling in his account book in beautiful copperplate with a dipping pen and inkpot.

They are all over 60 now and adamant that there’s no way they are going to retire. They are just going to keep on turning out the handful of machines they make every week, the same as for the last 50 years. What rankles with the normally amiable Jack is the £4,000 a year that has to be paid in rates on their premises.

These days Jack Taylor cycles are even better known abroad particularly in America, than they are in this country. They are used to finding foreigners waiting on the doorstep of the Church Road workshop, having made a pilgrimage to the place where Jack Taylor’s are built Tandems are especially popular abroad and it’s not uncommon for honeymooners to arrive and order their own bicycle- made-for-two.

Every machine really is Taylor-made to fit, and most customers arrive with detailed specifications of what they really want. All the components used are the very best. And if you want the best you have to pay for it. A basic model costs over £300 and a special tandem could be around £2,000. The price does not seem to deter the enthusiasts who’11 go to great lengths to get a Jack Taylor machine.

The remarkable brothers and their machines have not escaped a certain amount of media coverage, which they take in their stride. They have made headlines since the days when they rode the Brighton to Glasgow road race — the forerunner of the Milk Race — as a team in the 1940s.

They were recently quiet/y amused to have a BBC television camera crew following them around for days making their life story. The programme is due to be screened later this autumn. They are still enjoying cycling and the thrill of completing a new machine ready to be packed in a special box and sent to its owner. And each box bears the same handwritten message from the Taylor brothers — “Have a Nice Ride ".

Jack Taylor Cycles Church Road Stockton-on-Tees “Retail Price List January 1950”

SPORTS MODEL (steel access and Dunlop Endrick Wheels) £19-i9s Frame only £9-15s (with Cyclo or Sturmey gear) £2 l-18s (enamel)

CLUBMAN & CLUB GIRL MODELS (with Dunlop steel H.P.Wheels) £22-17-2 Frame only £10-lOs (with Cyclo or Sturmey gear) £25- 0- 5 (flamboyant)

SUPER CLUBMAN & TOURIST (H.P. Wheels Alloy Accessories) £26- 5-2 Frame only £i0-l5s (Cyclo Olympic or Sturmey gear) £28-14-7 (flamboyant)

LADIES & CURVED TUBE MODELS (Alloy H.P. Wheels and Best quality accessories) £27- 9-10 Frame only £12- 9s

INTERNATIONAL MODEL (Dunlop Steel H.P. Wheels and eight speed Simplex or Osgears) £38-12-3 Frame only £11-19s

TRACK MODEL (with Sprints and Tubulars and 1” pitch chain) £33- is Frame only £14.19s (all chrome)

MARATHON MODEL (with eight-Ten speed Simplex gears, sprints and Tubulars) £42-1 8- 9 Frame only £14-19s (flamboyant on Nickel)

Jack Taylor’s interest in cycling began with pennies donated by a grandfather, jealously hoarded in a money-box until there was enough to finance the purchase of a Raleigh sports model. Equipped with his first bicycle, Jack joined the Stockton Wheelers, and began to enter their time trials.

There was no immediate success. “Percy Howes used to win all the races. When I got the results sheet, I used to start at the bottom to look for my name. I found it more quickly than if I started at the top”, he modestly claims. More time was spent on club runs through the hilly Yorkshire Dales, where the roles were reversed. The big problem in those days was a lack of specialist equipment. Jack Taylor had plenty of ideas but no money, and this is where the bike-building really started — he started building his own wheels in a shed at the bottom of the garden.

It was in the war years that the Taylor brothers (Ken and Norman were also keen cyclists) began to establish themselves. They joined the BLRC British League of Racing Cyclists. (The NCU controlled cycle racing in Britain) The brothers were kicked out of Stockton Wheelers. One race stands out in Jack Taylor’s memory the Brighton to Glasgow, the forerunner of all British road racing. The Taylor brothers rode Brighton to Glasgow five times — they liked the longer races.

Brighton to Glasgow led to a Tour of Britain for Ken Taylor, but Norman and Jack were busy as full-time bike builders in the famous ‘green shed’ originally leased from Stockton Corporation in 1942, now their own property and considerably extended.

While the early races paved the way for the Milk Race other races were becoming established as one-day classics such as Wolverhampton-Llandudno and Dover-London in which Ken Taylor finished second. The Tour of the Peak was one of the finest events. The Cleveland Grand Prix, organised by Jack Taylor Cycles, flagged off by the Lord Mayor of Stockton and finishing outside the Taylor Works in Church Road.

By the mid-fifties the brothers employed nine full-time assistants, for this was the peak of the trade in cheap light-weights, but the size of the workforce was misleading. Jack Taylor was established as a builder of top quality machines, particularly tandems and fully equipped touring bicycles. They exported to America, France and throughout the Commonwealth; even to Russia. But the days of cheap building died, and the workforce decreased until there were only the three brothers left. Yet, ironically, this was when the business really started to pay. Today (1977), there are still only the three brothers turning out five bikes per week, but the order book is full and the orders are remunerative Eighty per cent of all orders are for the American market. with touring tandems the most popular models.

It is said that one shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Certainly the humble brick building in Church Road, Stockton gives no clue to the craftsmanship carried on inside.

This article has only skimmed the surface of cycling in Stockton; it relies heavily on Bob Hutchinson’s archive. A keen cyclist from his youth Bob has collected a large number of race booklets, programmes, badges etc. which he carefully preserves. In addition there is some information in Stockton Museum Service catalogued by Bob. If you log on to http://picture.sockton.gov.uk there is a picture of Bob riding a penny farthing.

Tyne & Wear County Council Museums, Cycle Clips A History of Cycling in the North East, (1985)

Robert Goodall. ‘Cycling Clubs in North Yorkshire and South Durham. 1876-1914’, in Cleveland History No 57, Autumn 1989. produced by the Cleveland & Teesside Local History Society.