It is with sadness that Clin has reported the passing of two longstanding members of the club.
Nobby Holdstock, 92 who only recently lost his wife and club member Beryl Holdstock.
Nobby had a fall and went to hospital but sadly never recovered. His funeral is at 11am on Tuesday 9th December at Bobbing Crematorium. No flowers but donations can be made to Cancer Research.
Also, Rodney Moppet, 85 has also passed on. Currently there are no details of his funeral.
If anyone has memories or photos of Nobby or Rodney they’d like to share, please get in touch.
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The Wigmore Zwift League is well under way. Why not join us – every Wednesday at 6.30pm.
We race one time trial and three crit races per month so it’s a great way to stay fit now the weather has turned and the days are short.
In the Zwift Companion app, go to the “Clubs” tab and search for “Wigmore CC” and then “Join”. Once approved you’ll see the events within our club section and a notification of each new event – simply join the event and turn up on time.
What an achievement! 50 continuous years of the Wigmore CC Open Hill Climb
We even escaped the COVID pause!
Matthew Brown, flying up that hill!
We were excited to be able to commemorate the 50th running of our annual Hill Climb with you all this year.
Back in 1976 Doug Laidlow set the ball rolling with our inaugural ascent being on Cold Blow Lane. By 1993 traffic on the narrow lane was becoming an issue, hence it was moved to its established and now beloved location of Hollingbourne Hill. Even after moving to Lincolnshire in 2001 Doug continued to organise and make the trip down ensuring our event ran as smoothly as ever. Doug organised and ran a total of 35 hill climbs before handing the reins over to Martin Trice.
Martin continued to run the event with as much enthusiasm as Doug, continuing the tradition of making the awards presentation soon after the event had finished a particular highlight. In 2018 the event was organised by committee, divvying the tasks up, it was not until 2024 before Martin finally relinquished all involvement in the event.
To every rider, past and present, who has tackled the challenging slopes, thank you, to all the past organisers and helpers, another big thank you.
Congratulations to Matthew Brown and Hannah Clough on their winning rides on the golden anniversary of the Wigmore CC open hill climb.
Hannah Clough, powering up that hill!
The riders were greeted with another dry day, with a gentle Southerly breeze that felt as if it should result in quicker times than the previous year. In his first year of competing in the Wigmore Hill Climb local Matthew Brown, riding for the University of Nottingham CC, took the victory. Joint second was Charles Langford (Lee Valley Youth CC), winning the junior competition for the second year running, improving from his 7th place of last year and James Hayward, also improving his placing from last year. James not only placed joint 2nd but took the over 40’s prize and, with this event doubling as their club’s hill climb championship, also became their champion.
Also riding the event for her first time Hannah Clough took the women’s victory with a time that has only been beaten by 2 other women. It was an impressive clean sweep for the University of Nottingham CC, as they also took the team win with Barnabas Pickford finishing 7th overall, congratulations.
Riley Wastall, first timer and first Junior!
And congratulations also go to Riley Wastall(4T+ Cyclopark), in his first year of being old enough to ride the event, for taking the youth rider award.
The over 50s category was won by Glenn Hutchison (Rue Morgue CC) on his first attempt at our event, while having taken the over 50s award last year, in his first year in the over 60s category, Keith Walker of the promoting club, took the award for the over 60s.
Our event also doubles as the club hill climb championship for Medway VC, San Fairy Ann CC and West Kent RC, congratulations to Connor Clare, Reuban Davey and 70+ winner Trevor Benton who are their clubs’ respective champions.
Keith Walker, Medway Towns best climber!
As always Wigmore CC extend their thanks to the Boyd family for the use of the farm buildings at the top of Hollingbourne Hill. Perfectly located at the top of the hill the area makes a great HQ for both parking and presenting the rewards, the positive comments received by Wigmore CC will be passed on.
Once again photography was courtesy Mike Savage, please check out his great images, why not purchase a photo as a reminder of the enjoyable pain of climbing Hollingbourne Hill at max effort or a perhaps it’s time to update your Strava profile image? See here:
For our anniversary we tried something different for the catering, provided by Mobilebar Catering of Sittingbourne, many thanks, a wonderful addition to the outdoor results area and feedback was positive.
Finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers who ensured that the event was safe and issue-free.
Role
Name
Start timekeeper
Paul Buckley
Finish timekeeper
David Abbotts
Recorders, runners & results board
Julien Barton
Antony Bee
Phil Appleby
Flyer
Mike Finch
Results board preparation
Mike Finch
Awarder of prizes
Robert Philbrook
Pusher off
Robert Philbrook
Signing in/out
Antony Bee
Start area
Kelly Webb
Marshals (hill & parking)
Dave Wastall
David Smith
Overall coordinator
Robert Philbrook
Start and results sheets
Keith Walker
Apologies to anyone missed.
And, of course, thanks you to all the riders for making the 50th Wigmore CC Hill Climb another success, we look forward to seeing you plus your club mates next year for our 51st open hill climb!
Many thanks to all the riders for helping to make the 2025 Bill Philbrook Memorial 25 Mile TT another great success despite the small field.
Due to the roadworks that frequently afflict the Chilham course, the organisers at Wigmore CC chose to relocate the competition to the sporting A20 course, a rolling, wide and, for Kent, relatively quiet road.
On the day a cold northerly morning breeze was a bit of a shock to the system for many riders, especially following a few days of glorious warm weather. The breeze did make the first eight mile undulating outward descent to Ashford fast; however the tough Ashford to Charing legs ensured that only 6 riders beat the hour, making it feel more like a day of survival than setting records.
Winner Nick Fennell
Congratulations to all the prize winners, Nicholas Fennell (Thanet RC) was, as per his 2023 victory, over three minutes clear of all other riders and in the process broke the existing course record.
Andrew Meilak, 2nd and fastest vet home.
Andrew Meilak (VeloRefined Rule5 Aerosmiths) finished second with a strong ride that won him the top vets OAS prize.
INEOS Britannia cyclor James Skulczuk (Gravesend CC), hugely impressive on a road bike.
James Skulczuk was not far behind on a road bike, riding at 380 watts for an hour is hugely impressive.
Charles Langford, Junior rider finished 4th overall
No less impressive was 16 year old Charles Langford’s (Lee Valley Youth CC) superb ride to finish fourth and win the junior category.
Hillary Briggs impressed with a great time.
Finishing first in the female category was Hilary Briggs (Serpentine Running and Triathlon Club).
The promoting club’s trio of riders, Keith Walker, Julien Barton and Phil Appleby won the team prize led by Keith Walker who also won the Bill Philbrook Cup.
A big thank you go to the Philbrook family who always support the Bill Philbrook Memorial 25 with great enthusiasm, Robert for managing the event organisation and his sisters and nieces not only for the supply of cakes but also covering other roles.
During his career Bill Philbrook made a noteworthy contribution to the British cycling heritage of building bespoke lightweight bicycle frames from his shop in Gillingham.
And of course, thanks also to the timekeepers, marshals and supporters who helped to ensure the event went ahead safely and smoothly.
Thanks also to Mike Savage for providing event photography. Mike was the official event photographer:
Please check out his excellent images and you are strongly encouraged to buy a photograph or two in order to show your appreciation!
Don’t forget the Wigmore CC 50th Annual Hill Climb on Sunday 28th September 2025. Course: QHC/11 Hollingbourne Hill
Enter at www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk
ROGER TRAVERS, RIP – 6th December 1940 to 25th November 2024
Roger was a life-long cyclist who was a very good time trialist and he was particularly strong at the longer distances – 50 and 100 miles and 12 hours. No doubt Roger’s ride of 15 miles each way from his home for many years on the Isle of Sheppey to Chatham Dockyard and back and very long rides with his close friend Doug Laidlow helped him to gain his high level of fitness and stamina.
Roger first cycled with the Canning Town Cycling Club, based on Sheppey, before joining the Wigmore CC in 1966. A few years later, from 1970 onwards, the Wigmore began a remarkable period of success in Kent cycling and further afield around the south east, winning many individual and team awards, with Roger often the leader of the winning team.
Roger also enjoyed many individual successes, particularly over the longer distances. He was the winner of the San Fairy Ann ’50’ in 1970 (2-04-37), and the Classic Brentwood Road Club ’50’ in Essex in 1975, with a time of well under two hours (1-58-37).
In 1976 Roger won the Kent Cycling Association 100 miles time trial in 1976 with a time of four hours and seventeen minutes (4-17-10). Roger also completed the Kent Cycling Association 12 Hours time trial on seven occasions and his best distance in this event was 244 miles for fourth place in 1973 (244.645m).
Roger won many Wigmore club trophies over the years. He was club best-all-rounder four times, 25 miles champion four times, 50 miles champion seven times, 100 miles champion nine times and 12 hours champion five times.
He was also the winner of the annual club events series three times. He may have been trying to win this series one evening in the 1970s when he was riding an evening club event on Sheppey Way. Events on this course always carried the risk of having to be abandoned if the Kingsferry lifting bridge went up to allow a ship to pass. On this occasion Roger approached the bridge at speed and its lights were flashing indicating he had to stop as the bridge was about to go up. But he carried on anyway and although he was able to ride onto the bridge, by the time he reached the other side he was quite a few feet up in the air!
Roger did some great rides in time trials but he didn’t ever take it too seriously or forget the fun of it all.
After Roger retired from racing in the 1980s he and his partner Jean carried on cycling regularly, but at a more leisurely pace. They also joined the weekly Wednesday Wobblers Group that meets for lunch at a different pub each week. The Wigmore CC, the Kent Cycling Association and the Kent Veterans Time Trials Association all owe Roger and Jean a huge debt of gratitude for the very many times each season they marshalled in time trials in Kent, over a period of many years.
We offer our deepest condolences to Jean, and to all family and friends.
John was a life-long cyclist who was a member of the Wigmore CC throughout, most recently as Club Chairman. Over the years he also covered many other official roles with the Club, including promoting the open ’25’, as well as being a member of the South East District Committee, working for the Kent VTTA for 10 years, and competing at a high level, especially over the longer distances.
John began racing in the 1950s. He rode time trials at all distances and was particularly strong at ‘100s’, although he also did well in shorter events and in road and grass track racing. John’s racing career was mainly in three phases, the first being in the ’50s and ’60s. In the late ’50s he won a Kent ‘100’ with a time of 4.18, an outstanding ride for that period. We believe the event finished at Chilham and John spent the rest of the day on a club run to Deal! At that time he always enjoyed doing long rides and on the first Sunday morning of the year he would always ride from his home in Medway to Margate and back, before venturing out again in the afternoon to meet the club run. That same year John recorded a ’58’ for a ’25’, at a time when very few riders had beaten the hour.
After a break of a few years from racing in the late ’60s John decided to make a racing come-back. This started in the autumn of 1970 with long non-stop rides every Sunday morning with Morris Jury and Doug Laidlow. This proved to be an effective path back to fitness for John and he was back in competition early in the 1971 season, winning the Kent Road Club Middlemarkers ’25’ in May on the Southend Road course with a time of 59.30. The Club won the team award, with John supported by Brian Vaughan and Des Hedgecock. This was a period in which the Wigmore were team winners in open time trials almost weekly. John followed this up with a win in the first Kent CA ‘100’ that season, once again at Chilham, with a time of 4.22.50. He completed all distances in Kent and the Club won the KCA BAR team competition that season with John as first team counter. Evening racing was also part of his programme at this time, with Kent Grass Track League events at Faversham on Tuesdays, and club ’10s’ on Sheppey Way the following night.
John’s best season was possibly 1972. In May he won the Wigmore ’25’ at Chilham with 1.01.05, before completing the Kent Division Road Race just down the road at Godmersham later the same day! A few weeks after this, John won the Medway Velo’s Roy Enfield Memorial ’50’, again at Chilham, with a time of 2.11.18, on an extremely hard day, conditions that would have been to his liking. John completed several notable ‘100s’ in 1972, including the National Championship in Essex, when he recorded a personal best 4.10.40 for 15th place. Future Milk Race winner Bill Nickson was one place ahead of John with 4.09.41! The Club also entered a team in an East Sussex CA ‘100’ that season. Having arrived at the event without all his racing items, John rode in ordinary shoes to a winning time of 4.24.46! This was yet another Wigmore team win. John also represented the South East DC in the national 100km team time trial championship on the Bath Road course. Riding with Dave Bedford, Morris Jury and Rod Kennison, the team came 4th with a time of 2.21.17.
The KCA ’12’ was the biggest event in the South East calendar at this time and John won the 1972 event with 247.51 miles. This was on 82″ fixed, and John was possibly the last rider to win the event on fixed wheel. He was eventually second in the KCA BAR that season to his friend and clubmate Dave Bedford and the Club also repeated their win in the KCA BAR team competition with Roger Travers as third counter.
John’s racing became less serious after the early ’70s, but he made a serious return to competition after retiring from work. He once again rode at all distances, and he was Kent VTTA BAR in 2004, and he then finished second the following season. John completed the KCA ’12’ on no less than five occasions during this period, (2002, and 2004-07) and his best distance of 224.445 miles in 2004 was a Kent VTTA age record for age 66. The Wigmore team of John, John Bishop and Clin Maisey were team winners of the event and team winners of the KCA BAR, repeating John’s team wins in this competition of 32 and 33 years earlier.
John won many Wigmore club trophies over the years, and was ‘25’ and ‘50’ champion on three occasions each, he won the ‘100’ championship four times, the 12 hours championship seven times and was Club Best All-Rounder six times.
After retiring from racing for a final time John continued to cycle, and he was a regular at Wednesday Wobblers for many years. He and Eunice also regularly helped the club, the Kent VTTA and the KCA in any way they could, often marshalling and John often had the job of pusher-off in local events.
We offer our deepest condolences to John’s wife Eunice and to all members of the family and all friends.
Clin Maisey
With thanks to John’s family for the amazing photographs.
Roy joined the Wigmore CC in the mid-50s and was a willing helper at all club events. He often contributed to the prize list for the open 25 TT and Hill Climb. For many years he was Chairman and President of the club.
I had known Roy for 84 years. He was born in Grove Road, Chatham, where I also lived. As kids, we often played football and cycled together in the local neighbourhood. One of our favourite rides was to go to Maidstone Zoo, situated at the bottom of Bluebell Hill, which is now Cobtree Manor park. The zoo closed in 1959.
As a teenager, Roy enjoyed collecting Whitbread Inn signs and if he couldn’t find anybody to swap to make up the set, he would cycle to the pub whose sign he needed and ask the landlord for it to complete the set.
Roy was married to Shirley for 57 years. Tragically, they lost their only son Clive at the age of 18, when he sadly lost his life in a motoring accident whilst on holiday.
Our thoughts are with Shirley at this very sad time. A private funeral will be held.
A dry day with a cold wind resulted in times that were generally slightly slower than those in the warmth of last year. Joshua took his third victory in open hill climb, having won all three in which he has competed. By finishing second Ewan added yet another top three placing in the event, whilst James, the course record holder, was less than a second behind in third and took the over 40s victory in the process. Joshua also led Elevate RT to their first team victory on Hollingbourne Hill.
Riding the event for her 20th time multiple winner of the Wigmore CC hill climb event Debbie added yet another victory to take her haul to nine and was just two seconds away from taking the vets 60 prize.
Junior prize was taken by Charles Langford. Having won the juvenile category last year Charles was one of the few riders to be quicker this year and placed 7th overall.
Arguably the ride of the event belonged to 14 year old Finley Andrews with a time comfortably under 4 minutes to finish 20th overall.
In his final year in the over 50s category Keith Walker once again took the award for the over 50s while Steve Penney also repeated last year’s achievement by taking the over 60s prize.
The event doubles as the club hill climb championship for both Medway VC and Maidstone based club San Fairy Ann, Mike Stanley now being this year’s Medway VC champion whilst the SFA result was notably close with Martin Kober taking the crown by 0.5s from John Cockrill.
Wigmore CC once again extend their thanks to the Boyd family for the use of the farm buildings at the top of Hollingbourne Hill. The area makes a great HQ for both parking and presenting the rewards, the positive comments received by Wigmore CC will be passed on.
Finally, a big thank you to all the volunteers who ensured that not only was the event safe and issue-free. There was a very impressive display of cakes!
Start timekeeper: Paul Buckley
Finish timekeeper: David Abbotts
Recorders, runners & results board on the day: Julien Barton, Kate Savage, Jamie Harris
Results board preparation: Martin Trice
Awarder of prizes: Anthony Bee
Pusher off: Phil Appleby
Signing in/out: Anthony Bee
Start area: Kevin Ford
Marshals (hill & parking): Richard Masters, David Smith
Tea and cakes: Philbrook family
Overall coordinator: Robert Philbrook
Start and results sheets: Keith Walker
Apologies to anyone missed
And of course thanks you to all the riders for making the 49th Wigmore CC Hill Climb another success, we look forward to seeing you plus your club mates next year for our 50th open hill climb!
Beryl Holdstock, 1934-2025
ROGER TRAVERS, RIP – 6th December 1940 to 25th November 2024
