History of the Peterborough Vintage Cycle Club

As the sun rose slowly into the morning sky on a damp summers' morning in 1951, four vintage cycle enthusiasts from Peterborough, made their way slowly over hill and dale towards the Birmingham Festival of Cycling.

During the long and exhausting journey they formed the idea of starting a vintage cycling club in Peterborough. Upon their return they discussed the idea at Cyril Mundy's Taverner's Road Cycle Shop.

Like most ideas it took a little while to bear fruit and at a meeting on October 20th 1953 the Peterborough Vintage Cycle Club was formed. The design for the club badge was based on the city insignia of the Cross Keys of St. Peter.

Founder Members who attended the inaugural meeting were :- N. F. Bird, I. Codd,  Mr. Cole, M. Coxhead, I. Henson, D. Leatherland, A. Letts, A. C. Mundy, E. Orton, C. Slater, H. Taylor, C. C. Thompson. R. Smith sent his apologies and three members were in H. M. Forces on their National Service (J. Broughton, R. Heeley, B. Page).

During the early years the members rode cycles from Cyril Mundy's collection and were responsible for their maintenance. Gradually members became more independent and acquired their own cycles and the club grew in strength.

Our varied events frequently involve displays for charitable groups and our riders have been involved in Charity Rides. The longest of these being the 1,000 mile tandem ride completed by Arthur Wright and Tom Young for Help the Aged.

Another memorable ride was the 1979 Penny Farthing Ride from London to Glamis Castle by Arthur Wright, Harry Merz and Ray Fixter. This ride was in aid of the Cancer Relief Fund.

The Club is affiliated to the International Veteran Cycle Association (IVCA), and in 1994 we organised the IVCA Rally, in and around Peterborough. 266 riders attended this event, from thirteen countries.

We also support the National Association of Veteran Cycle Clubs (NAVCC), and in 2004 the PVCC hosted the NAVCC 48th Annual Rally, based at the Wood Green Animal Centre at Godmanchester, near Huntingdon.

History - Officers of the PVCC

We have taken this opportunity to list previous holders of the posts of President, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Without the very valuable help and support of the Committee Members and Club Members we could not undertake many of the events we attend over the year. Like every other organisation we are only as strong as our active membership.

President         Chairman       Secretary   Treasurer

Mr C Slater Mr T Young Mr A C D Wright Mr T Young Mr A C D Wright Mr T A Wright Mr A C Mundy Mr J Hollowell Mr A C Mundy Mr T Young Mr A C D Wright Mr C H Denton Mr A C D Wright Mr C H Denton Mr R Smith Mr R J Heeley Miss J Mundy Mrs Leatherland Mr T A Wright Miss S M Young Mrs J Denton Mr R Smith Mr R J Heeley Miss J Mundy Mr R J Heeley Mr A Wyatt Mr N F Bird Mr T A Wright Mr J H Rouse Mr I Bateman Mr B Lee Mrs S Ives Mr T A Wright Miss V P Pears

1953-1968 1969-1972 1973 1974-1994 1995-2007 2008- 1953 1954-1956 1957-1959 1960-1968 1969-1972 1973 1974-1993 1994- 1953-1954 1955-1959 1960-1961 1962 1963-1968 1969-1976 1977- 1953-1954 1955-1959 1960-1961 1962 1963 1964-1970 1971-1974 1975-1981 1982-1984 1985-1987 1988-1992 1993-2002 2003-