The work of thousands of local volunteers that helped to promote cycling in 2005 has this week been recognised by CTC.

Council Chair Jill Kieran said “These awards are establishing themselves as a highlight of the CTC year. The contribution made by volunteers on behalf of their fellow cyclists is remarkable, without them so much of what we do would not be possible.”

The words below are extracted from the citations received in support of each winner and from the comments of the judges. The photos show the winners receiving their awards from TV cycling commentator, David Duffield.

National Winners for 2005:

Roy Spilsbury - Regional Winner for Wales and CTC National Volunteer of the Year 2005, winner of the Moss Medallion

Roy Spilsbury has for many years worked to promote CTC and cycling in Wales, but particularly in North Wales. He is a founder member of CTC Cymru, of which he is a previous Secretary and presently Vice Chair, and he is very active in the Right to Ride network. In 2005 he has been particularly active devoting much time to fighting local opposition to the proposed Glan Conwy cycle route. Roy campaigned actively for the route, working closely with both Sustrans and Conwy Council and he gave evidence at the resulting Public Enquiry. Not just a campaigner he also founded the CTC Colwyn Bay Mid -Week Section, which he particularly targeted at those returning to cycling, particularly on retirement. The result has been a thriving mid-week section where, even in winter, 20 riders meet to cycle along the North Wales coastal route. In partnership with his Right to Ride colleague Maurice Clarke, he also edits the much visited North Wales Cycling website, www.conwyctc.fsnet.co.uk

Roy would be a worthy winner of a CTC award on any occasion, but the beginning of 2006 saw this award take on special significance.

With the tragic death of four Rhyl Cycling Club members near Abergele in January 2006, Roy became the “voice of the CTC” both on the TV and radio, and also in the local newspapers, being contacted immediately after the tragedy by the media not only because he was so well known, but as someone who has been close to the Rhyl cyclists as a personal friend since he was involved in founding the cycling club in the town.

Despite being so personally close to the tragedy it was Roy who was able to give a local and national perspective to the problems facing cyclists on our roads, and shortly afterwards he began campaigning for a commemorative network of quiet lanes to be established near the town.

On winning his award, Roy Splisbury said: "In this, my fiftieth year of CTC membership, it is an immense privilege to have received this Merit Award, primarily for my work as a CTC Right to Ride Representative.  Never before have so many people wanted, and needed, to ride a bicycle.   But paradoxically, never has cycling been under such threat.  Any success I have achieved has only been possible through the superb and often unsung support of CTC professional staff.  I would urge fellow members, whatever their skill or experience, to consider joining our Right to Ride Network.   I promise they will never have a dull moment - or find a better way to serve their community!"

Clive Oxx - Regional Winner for London and runner up as CTC National Volunteer of the Year 2005

Clive has been a cyclist for upwards of sixty years, and a stalwart of CTC for most of that time.

He’s served as District Association Secretary and he’s a tireless organiser of events both large and small. He’s a cycle trainer, and a leader of rides. He edits the Sou’Wester news sheet for the District Association and still works with young riders at the Sutton Cycling group which has brought hundreds of young people into cycling.

He has been nominated this year for an award in particular for his work on behalf of CTC London where he has been the energising force since its formation, stepping down from a role on CTC Council to focus on the regional body.

This award recognises that without him CTC London would probably not exist.

 

 

Steve Carpenter - Regional Winner for the Southeast and third place as CTC National Volunteer of the Year 2005

Steve has been the voice of CTC in Jersey since June 2002, having been determined to see the network of quiet roads on the island supported by an infrastructure that meets all needs of current and potential cyclists.

His energy is tireless and he gets mountains of responses from local organisations and politicians and excellent coverage in the local media.

His most notable achievements include getting a cycle map published in the community pages of the telephone directory, the introduction of a cycle trailer shopping scheme at a local supermarket, an extension of a cycle track, and getting more Sheffield stands installed at the local hospital, three leisure centres and at locations on the St Helier waterfront.

The national award recognises that Steve’s is a particularly difficult situation as he is the only CTC representative on the island and the extraordinary self motivation he displays working almost entirely alone.

Ripon Loiterers – CTC Voluntary Group of the Year

Ripon Loiterers began in 2000 and now ranks as one of the strongest and most active sections within CTC in the north and has a strongly increasing membership.  At the latest count the group boasts 150 members.

The group each week puts on 5 separate types of run - hard, medium, easy, off road and family. One regular club run member is blind and has pool of pilots for his tandem drawn from the Loiterers. Bikes and equipment are often loaned until 'newbies' get started, and children are welcome.

Much work has been done by the Loiterers especially in the last 12 – 18  months in relation to safe routes to schools. The local primary school now has a significant increase in the number of children cycling  to school from home. 

Diss Section of Norfolk District Association – Runner up CTC Voluntary Group of the Year.

The Diss section of Norfolk District Association celebrates its third anniversary this year having rapidly become a thriving CTC group. In an area that has always had a number of racing clubs it has quickly established a reputation as a friendly group welcoming cyclists with the message, "we cater for everyone, and we never leave anyone behind."

The Waveney Valley which covers South Norfolk and North Suffolk is typical of a rural environment with a network of small towns and villages which make it difficult to attract enough people to make cycling groups work, but the work of these enthusiasts has quickly established an excellent programme.

 

Regional Winners

Rod King – North West England

Rod King is the driving force behind Warrington Cycle Campaign, one of the country’s most vibrant campaign groups, and the organisers of the Autumn 2005 CTC/CCN national conference.

Although too modest to take all the credit himself, he provides the inspiration for a large team of willing volunteers, always having "the bigger picture" in mind. He is inspired by the need to provide a cycling environment that will attract non cyclists, not just existing riders. And Rod is nothing less than practical; when he wanted to find out how Warrington's twin town in Germany organises its transport, he got on his bike and cycled there.

Heather Evans - North East England

Many in CTC will have come across Heather Evans, one of the hardest working people in the organisation. At a national level, Heather administers not only all the holiday bookings for CTC Holidays and Tours, but compiles “Cycle Away”, the amazing directory of published cycle routes on CTC’s website.

Less known about is the local and regional role she plays and for which she was nominated by members in North East England. As District Association Secretary, she is instrumental in organising the administration of the District Association and the liaison between the sections. Undoubtedly she has the best attendance of anyone on Tyneside Section Sunday rides, coupled with leading many of them herself.

Paul Hepworth - Yorkshire and the Humber

Paul has been a familiar face to cyclists attending events and activities in the Yorkshire region and nationally within CTC for many years, active with his local District Association, as a Right to Ride representative and on the York Cycle Show committee.

His particular strength has always been in publicity and marketing where he has made himself one of the voices of cycling in York.

His nomination for this award recognises that even by Paul’s high standards 2005 was a busy and successful year.

As a campaigner he has been working closely with rail company GNER which has seen them pick up awards in two successive years for services to cyclists – nominated for initiatives proposed by Paul.

But his most challenging role has been taking on the chairmanship of the York Cycle Show at a very demanding time because the event was disrupted by Royal Ascot coming to York. Under his leadership a new show co-ordinator has been appointed and the show is looking forward to a strong future.

Ray Clay - East Midlands

As well as his role as secretary of the Leicestershire and Rutland District Association, Ray is often the public face of the CTC in Leicestershire dealing with the press and liaising with local authorities. He coordinates a rural rides program in conjunction with several district councils and is the secretary of a road safety committee.  He is an active Right to Ride member and takes a close interest in issues relating to the East Midlands Airport. 

The successful Beaumanor Rally camping weekend in May, now in its fourth year, is an excellent opportunity for cyclists in the region to meet each other. Ray organises this event most effectively in his self-effacing and quiet way. 

Tina Walker - East of England

Tina Walker has lived in Stevenage since 1987 and is one of the reasons why the local group has become so popular in the last few years.

She is the website manager for North Herts and Stevenage CTC, starter ride co-ordinator; accredited leader, member of the committee; chief dispatcher of local programmes and in many ways "deputy" RTR" for Stevenage. She is the only CTC rep on a local strategic partnership. At the moment she is helping to update the Stevenage cycle route map. On top of all that she's a mum with two school age boys and runs her own business. 

John Bedford - West Midlands

The activities of the Northern Cycling Group of CTC Birmingham District Association have grown and expanded under the leadership and guidance of John Bedford. His list of past achievements is enormous, but he has won this award in particular for his commitment to the role of publicity officer for his District Association.

For a number of years John organised the distribution of recruitment leaflets into doctors' surgeries. Last year he negotiated with North Birmingham Primary Care Trust to place leaflets directly into the waiting rooms of its 27 surgeries.

John is currently trying to develop a Family Section and a faster midweek ride, to complement the 7 rides each week.

Cyril Slocombe - South West England

Cyril took over the running of the Bristol Thursday “Old Time Cyclists” at a time when there were between 15 & 20 participants. Under his excellent stewardship the numbers have risen to an average of 50-plus.

2005 has not been a particularly good one health wise for Cyril but he has continued unfailingly to produce the rides programme. He has seldom missed a ride and if he has felt unable to lead he has found a volunteer to take his place. He is instrumental in increasing the public awareness of cycling among a group of people who have never before considered the use of a cycle as a means of pleasure and transport.