History
The Origins of the Clarion Cycling Club and cycling in the 1890s
10. The Clarion cycle: and the rules of the Potteries CCC
By September 1894 the Clarion was well on the way to establishing a very close connection with the cycling boom of the decade. One sign of this was the appearance – on 15 September – of an advert in which the word Clarion appeared exactly as in the trumpet badge. It read:-
STEVE MUIR MANUFACTURER OF THE CELEBRATED CLARION CYCLE. AT LOW PRICES, HURST STREET, BIRMINGHAM
SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO REPAIRS, CYCLES BOUGHT, SOLD AND EXCHANGED. Good SECOND HAND machines always ON HAND at LOW PRICESPrices No 1 £16, No 2 £13, No 3 £10
New bikes were not cheap then. Even the cheapest 'Clarion' would cost the equivalent of at least a month's wages.
Meanwhile, the week before 'Swiftsure' had passed on the following to the Clarion readership.
My readers will find below a copy of the rules of the Potteries Branch Clarion C. C. They seem good, and might form a basis on which other Clarion Cycling Clubs can be fixed
WHISTLE CALLS
One blow………. Single file
Two blow……… Steady
Three blows……. DismountRULES
That the club be called 'The Clarion Cycling Club (Potteries Branch)'
That the subscription be 2s 5d per season. Honary members 1s payable in advanceThat the club be managed by a committee, composed of the president, vice-president, captain, sub-captain and secretary.
Any vacancy on the committee shall be filled at the next meeting of the club.
Anyone wishing to join the club must be introduced by a member as his personal friend, but before being proposed as a member must accompany the club on at least two runs.
The captain, or in his absence, the sub-captain, shall have entire control of club runs, including choice of roads and catering for club requirements.
General meetings shall be held at call of secretary; also on receiving a requisition from six members the secretary shall call as special meeting of the clubThe annual general meeting shall be held early in February.
Officers to be bona-fide "Clarionettes'
I like the idea of the whistle – but what on earth did 'Steady' mean – and is there anyone in the Brighton Clarion capable of it?
Next time. 'Swiftsure's advice on 'training' and buying a bike - plus the Clarion CC continues to spread.