Annual Dinner and Prizegiving 2013

Thanks to Caroline for organising an excellent annual dinner last night (a number of people asked me to post this comment!). Pictures are in the gallery.

Club President, Dick Poole presented the following trophies:

Ron Taylor was awarded 'Clubman of the Year' by those that attended the dinner

Dick also made this short speech.

Before we start the presentation of the awards I would just like to say a few words, especially as this might be the last dinner we have in this format.
Looking back one could say that the club is in a better position than it has ever been in its long history. A membership approaching 200, and sound financially with no need for sponsorship.
Times have indeed changed – although most of our members, particularly the new ones, love riding their bikes, there seems to be no wish to compete whether in road races, time trials or on the track. This is a great pity as we have some wonderful trophies to be won.
The social side of the club also, is almost non-existent. Most of us here tonight, I am sure, remember the crowded clubroom evenings when members discussed races they had ridden and training plans, and what about those hundred strong dinners with cross-toasting, speeches and even “joined-up” dancing to a band or a disco?
Yes, as the song says “the times are a-changing”, but club cycling, and in particular time-trialling has many strong traditions which we should not let slip.
Us old’uns have to accept that those “good old days” are long gone, but never forgotten. We now have to embrace this new cycling world with its technology, which undoubtedly has assisted the club to gain members, we need to cater for the interests of this new “clientele” but also to encourage them to compete and rise to the challenges that racing provides. We also need to get some youngsters into the sport – something we are already working on with Rushmoor Council.
Finally in the old tradition I would ask you to raise your glasses and toast the Future of the Farnborough and Camberley Cycling Club.