Group 2 WSCC Holiday: May 16-19 2023

Exploring The Garden of England: Tenterden and Surrounds

The G2s have just returned from a very pleasant few days exploring the Villages of the High Weald in Kent and Rye in East Sussex. A larger than usual group( 16), we broke up into smaller sections in order to enjoy our own pace and route.  Three partners also accompanied us on the trip, exploring National Trust properties and the surrounding villages on foot or by steam train.

On arrival, the first afternoon adventure was a short ride through the closest environs of Tenterden and a chance to sample the delights of the famous Biddenden Vineyard. Fortunately, there were only a few miles to cycle back to base after the wine tasting.

The following day, the majority of the group explored the chocolate box villages of the High Weald while others preferred the lure of the sea.  Although the terrain was undulating, windmills and Oast Houses bedecked the rolling green and each village had its own special charm. The history of times past, particularly the smugglers’ tales were fascinating . We passed through a pine forest after lunch and had a brief stop at a motor museum.

On Thursday, the entire group ventured to Rye. We were blessed with beautiful blue skies and reasonably traffic-free roads. Rye had plenty of coffee stops to offer and despite being a rather busy bustling place, we were soon experiencing the calm of the nature reserve and the views of Rye Harbour. We climbed to Winchelsea for lunch, now inland, it was an interesting town. In the centre is the Church of St Thomas the Martyr. We were invited to take a look at the flower festival during our visit. Spike Milligan is buried in the churchyard.

The final morning, a smaller group visited Bodiam castle, a local National Trust Property also served by a narrow gauge railway.
We were fortunate enough to have no rain, few punctures, beautiful scenery, delicious food and convivial company.

Russ Mantle’s funeral

Russ’s funeral will be at 1.30 p.m. on Friday June 9th at Aldershot Crematorium, followed by a wake at ‘The Princess Royal’ in Runfold.
If you wish to attend please let me know, so that I can pass that information along to Roger, Russ’s brother, via Jim Parker, Farnham RC.

Russell Mantle

cover of Cycle magazine showing Russ Mantle leading a club ride

Russ leading a club run

Russ Mantle died aged 86 on 1st May after several years of deteriorating health. He will perhaps be longest remembered for his achievement of a long held ambition, to cycle one million miles during his lifetime. As a teenager he took up cycling with Farnham Road Club, turning in some outstanding time trial performances. He also discovered the joys of cycle touring, exploring the lanes and building up an encyclopedic knowledge of wherever his wheels took him. He became a mainstay of West Surrey CTC, serving as Runs Secretary for 21 years and principal ride leader of the fast section (variously named General Section, Hardriders etc). He was a very good ride leader, planning a wide variety of routes, which he was able to modify on the fly to maintain the schedule of stops as closely as possible. He also organised and led Youth Hostel tours, a couple a year maybe. He was a good photographer too, winning prizes in our photographic competitions and presenting excellent slide shows of his tours, both club and solo. The latter were often to the mountains he loved, the Lake District, the Alps and even the Rockies. He won our all-rounder trophy, the Benstead Cup, an exceptional eight times, winning or being highly placed in the many component competitions. He was awarded the Bernard Howell Memorial Trophy having been voted the member who had contributed most to the club during 1980-81, and more recently the Golden Crank for his million miles, and he was elected a Vice-President for 2021-22. The late Paul Gillingham wrote a long article about him in the very last club magazine (starting on p.17).

Kidical event – would you like to help?

Kidical Mass Needs You

Monday 8th  May at 10.30 am,  2hr children’s ride with a purpose – see poster.

1 – Loan your WSCC top for the Marshals.  WSCC high vis tops will make marshals standout, and Pat will get them back to you, clean.

2 – Marshal at the event, extra side marshals would help children do the 2.5-mile circuit safely.

3 – Tell or bring children and grandchildren so that they can participate in the fun morning out.

4 – Meet potential new WSCC Wednesday ride members as some of our rides fit between the school runs.

Kidical Guildford is organised by local mum Chloe who wants better safe cycling for all.

Pat.Daffarn@Gmail.Com  and  Kidicalmassguildford@gmail.com