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| Pocklington was one of the pioneering towns in the area for the new pastime of Cycling in the late 19th Century. Read about how a Cycling Record was set between Market Weighton and Pocklington of 18 minutes!. Can anyone beat this today? Article and research by Phil Gilbank. |
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In the late 19th century and early decades of the 20th century cycling was one of Pocklington's most popular pastimes, and Pocklington Cycling Club one of the town's leading organizations.
Numerous Pocklingtonians first took to the roads around the town on their penny farthing machine (first invented in 1870), but cycling really took off after the first 'safety cycle' (with two equal sized wheels and remarkably similar to today's machines) was produced in 1885.
The cycling craze saw many townsfolk quickly acquire bicycles of variable condition, and the more serious cyclists formed Pocklington Cycling Club in 1891** and was disbanded in 1930**. The Cycling Club was soon organizing weekly pleasure rides (both on evenings around local villages and at weekends to places as far away as Bridlington) and competitions and time trials. The time trial between Market Weighton railway bridge and the West Green crossing gates at Pocklington was the most prized record, while the more popular competitions included high climbs up Kilnwick and Garrowby Hills, and then free-wheeling competitions back down again. The club also ran notable socials events such as annual balls and summer galas. Cycle races (usually over one and two miles) were also as popular as running races at the turn of the century at local village feasts and major Pocklington shows and sports.
Pocklington also had its own champion cyclist. George Herbert Stancer was born in Pocklington in 1878 and grew up in the town where his father owned and edited the local newspaper 'The Pocklington Weekly News' in Waterloo Buildings. He became a proficient cyclist at an early age and at 14 was contributing cycling articles to his father's newspaper. He became a British record holder tricyclist in the 1890s, and also later broke the London to Brighton tandem record. He went on to be one of the country's top cycling journalists and administrators and was made an OBE for services to the sport.
Cycling also caused significant traffic problems in and around Pocklington and the newspaper often carried latters and reports of irresponsible and dangerous cyclists and the accidents they caused. Nevertheless its popularity never waned and in the early 1900s there were no fewer than six Pocklington businesses selling and/or manufacturing bicycles
. The cycling club held a Comic Cricket match in September 1905. |
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| An old photograph taken in the 1880's of John Gillah of Wilberfoss with a Penny Farthing and who attended Pocklington School. |
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Pocklington Cycling Club around 1895 |
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A Pocklington Lady Cyclist in Railway Street |
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Advertisments in the 'Pocklington Weekly News' for Jan 1895 |
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Pocklington Weekly News May 1895 |
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Pocklington Weekly News August 1895
More about G A Reid can be found here
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George Herbert Stancer was, according to Wikipedia one of the 10 most important Pocklington people ever. He is acknowledged as one of the founders of Cycling in this country. Above is a letter he wrote to the Pocklington Weekly news in 1895, and above that is his obituary in the Times newspaper for 1962. |
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Howdenshire Chronicle & Pocklington Weekly News
CHATS WITH POCKLINGTON TRADESMEN.
The cycle season of 1902 may be said to have commenced, although the weather of late has been bitterly cold and boisterous. Pocklington is well represented in this, as in many other trades, and there agencies in the town where any of the leading mounts may be purchased. Taking the three firms in order in which they appeared before the public we first of all approach that genial and shrewd business man,
Mr. JOHN ROBSON, who took over the coach building business from Mr. Richard Sellar in the year 1884. Mr. Robson has therefore, been before the public for about 18 years, during which time he has so extended the business as to cause several structural alterations. Not only in all parts of Yorkshire are the traps and waggonettes built in Union-Street, Pocklington, to be found; but many have found their way outside th e county, some even as far south as London. Returning to our subject, we find that Mr. Robson (the oldest of our present cycle firms), commenced this branch of his trade about ten years ago. About this time the ordinary bicycle had just about disappeared, and the solid safeties were most in demand; and then came the Dunlop pneumatic solutioned on the rim, which have long ago taken a back seat. Single tubes were afterwards tried, but they soon gave way to the detachable tyre. About 1895-96 were the best seasons, since which times the sales have been very consistent. Mr. Robson’s leading lines are the Beacon Humber, Rudge-Whitworth, Swift, Quadrant, Sunbeam, Raglan and The Star. In his opinion the best value on the market are the Raglan or The Star at eight guineas. Our representative was informed that the ten, twelve, and fifteen guinea line met with the most ready sale. Mr. Robson denounces amateur cycle building. And relies more upon the work turned out by to most skilled artisans. He is a genial easy going business man, and has made a host of friends through the district.
The Manager of the Pocklington New Cycle Co..
was next approached, and from Information received to use the terms heard in " His Majesty's Guests" last week—we find that Mr. Todd, the founder of this flourishing business, is now entering on his third season. As many of our readers well know, this establishment Is situate in Regent Street, and as the business developed it was found necessary in 1901 to extend. Trade continued to Increase, and ere the present season had entered. It was found necessary to make several Interior alterations. They hold several Important agencies, amongst which are the Centaur, Triumph, Gloria, &C, and claim to be the only cycle, builders In Pockllngton, Mr. Todd has had about 11 seasons’ experience at the trade, and the Pockllngton New Cycles are to be found running In Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Durham, Essex, and in many parts of the broad acres. They find the biggest demand for their 12 guinea New Cycle, built to order, from any fittings the customer may desire. This, was closely followed by the 12-guinea Centaur, and although the cold season had not been In favour of the trade, yet the sales compared favourably with the early months of previous years. The interviewer, through the kindness of Mr. Todd, had a 20 mile spin on the very latest Centaur featherweight, and was highly pleased with its fine running qualities. A stove enamelling plant had been laid down on the premises, and all work came under Mr. Todd's personal supervision. He is a smart little chap in his way, knows his way about, and can sell a machine with most folks.
Last, but by no means t he least, we approach
who commenced business in Market Street, some three seasons ago, as a tobacconist and cycle agent. He soon occupied the distinction of being the leading tobacconist in the town, and having coupled the cycling trade to his business, it was not long before he found it necessary to remove to larger and more central premises in the Market Square. Amongst the high-class cycles, for which he is the local agent, we find the Royal Enfield (made like a gun), the Raleigh, the Premier, &c. Of the former he has sold no less than 150 machines, and about 20 New Hudsons. This, in a small town like Pocklington, must be considered good business, whilst the total of 150 machines have been disposed of. In the repairing department, he has made rapid strides and a competent staff of assistants have been kept fully employed throughout the busy seasons. Mr. Lee candidly thinks that the Royal Enfield at 10 guineas and the New Hudson at £8 10s cannot be equalled for value. He has also had laid down a stove enamelling plant, and has received patronage in this branch from Bridlington, Market Weighton, Driffield, Loeds, Beverley, Hull, &c. The hydro-carbon enamel is used, and each frame is dipped four times into a tank containing 40 gallons of the best enamel. As previously stated, Mr. Lee also carries on a flourishing tobacconist's business. His stock is large and varied, and includes over 50 brands of tobacco, 40 kinds of cigarettes, and some 600 or 700 pipes ranging in price from 2d to 10s, Mr. Lee is a smart pushing business man, full of go (to use a sporting phrase), of whom you will hear more as time goes on.
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