Club News April 2008

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Bill Philbrook 25 mile TT

Who was Bill Philbrook some of you are wondering.

Bill Philbrook was a name known to many but not to some of our new members. He was very proud and honoured to have been president of the Wigmore Cycling Club for more than 20 years.

Bill started frame building in 1930 when apprenticed to Charles Buckley at Forest Hill. Apart from 5 years army service in W.W. 2, he remained a frame builder until he died in 1987. After returning to Charlie Buckley for a few years after the war he was then employed by other frame maker companies, including Claude Butler, Gillots, Bill Gray, Fred Dean, Youngs and Pete Benedict to name a few. He became an exceptional frame builder and well known for his ideas and the supreme quality of his work as a frame builder.

In 1959 Bill acquired a shop in Gillingham and the badge of his own frames came into being-PAG, Philbrook Arden ST Gillingham. Over the years he made 400 + special frames all listed in a book with names, measurements and individual specifications. Some well known in the cycling world others just club members, but all built with the same great care and skill.

Bill also made frames to order for companies in America and on the continent. Bill died in 1987 a master of his trade as a lightweight frame builder. His frames are still around and treasured by those who own them. Bill’s widow Mary sends her grateful thanks to Doug Laidlow for keeping Bill’s memory alive by organising the Bill Philbrook Memorial Trophy 25 mile T.T. for the past 19 years, and is sure Bill is remembered by all who new him.

Bill Philbrook at classicrendezvous.com