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West Berkshire Museum exhibition tells story of a century of Newbury Road Club cycling




Newbury Road Club’s 100th anniversary is being marked by a series of events and celebrations.

One highlight is an exhibition currently running at Newbury’s West Berkshire Museum.

‘100 Years (and more) of Newbury Cycling’ is currently stationed on the museum’s first floor, and runs until Sunday 18th May.

The exhibition takes visitors on a grand tour of Newbury’s cycling story, complete with bikes from then and now and a range of club memorabilia.

Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum

Putting the club’s history together has been a mammoth undertaking for Dave Portwood.

“A few years ago we all started talking about the centenary,” he recalled.

“It occurred to us that many of our new members had no idea about what had gone on before.

“I was intrigued to try and learn more myself, but that was the catalyst.

“There has been another man involved named Brian Tate.

“He has an amazing archive of our results going back to 1925.

“He also acquired a lot of photographs, and many of the photos here are from his collection.”

Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum
Newbury Road Club's exhibit at the West Berkshire Museum

Portwood has spent countless hours poring over old copies of the Newbury Weekly News on microfiche at Newbury Library, picking out the highlights from a century of cycling.

“I’ve been going there one afternoon every week for the last two and a half years,” he revealed.

“We’ve been going through every page… it takes a long time.

“You see the evolution of the rivalries and the stories.

“It's been a painstaking act of love really, and I’m extremely grateful to those who have contributed.”

The exhibit plays host to a number of remarkable stories, demonstrating how the cycling community has evolved over the years.

“One thing which I think is crazy is the weather which these chaps would go out in,” Portwood explained.

“There’s a story of them riding to Avebury in the middle of winter.

“There was thick snow, and they got to Marlborough where the police said ‘you need to go home, the road is blocked’.

Road Club Members Walking in the Snow - Dave Jones, left and Arthur Frost, centre.
Road Club Members Walking in the Snow - Dave Jones, left and Arthur Frost, centre.

“But they just carried on, everybody for themselves!

“They got to their coffee shop and battled back too.

“Today, I’m glad to say, we’re a bit more risk averse!

“But those individuals were really pushing the boundaries.”

Perhaps most intriguing are the stories of two of the club’s greatest members, Dave Jones and Arthur Frost, whose contributions are duly acknowledged in the museum.

“Dave joined in 1949 and Arthur joined a year later,” Portwood explained.

“Dave was a phenomenal rider, and recorded some of his fastest times as he got older.

“Arthur was treasurer for over forty years and got slower as he aged like most of us.

“They were both really instrumental people, and Dave did a lot to encourage the younger riders.

Dave Jones
Dave Jones
Arthur Frost
Arthur Frost

“Some people have written to say that they joined after meeting those two, they were phenomenal ambassadors

“In 1955 they recorded exactly the same time in a time trial and won the trophy together.”

There’s still time to explore Newbury’s deep cycling heritage, with entry to the museum completely free for all.

The exhibit will also be on show at the Newbury Cycle Festival on 14th June.

After a huge parade of bikes through Northbrook Street, festivities will continue in Victoria Park.

Entry is free and there are activities for all ages to enjoy.

For more information visit newburycyclefestival.co.uk



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