In the late 1940’s and through the 1950’s cycling was one of the few affordable entertainments for most people. The economy was in a very poor state for many years following the 2nd World War.
In 1947, above a cycle shop in Port Street, a small group of young riders agreed Evesham and District Wheelers Cycling Club should be formed. The shop belonged to Bert Godwin who became the first President of the Club. Gordon Taylor, then his 15 year-old assistant, but later the manager of the shop, was one of the young founding members.
Bert Godwin is long gone, and Gordon passed away in 2014.
The members took to the roads on their steel road bikes and woollen clothes with enthusiasm. The all-day, 120 mile, Sunday run used to meet up with the shorter (70 mile) Sunday afternoon run at a tea stop: returning together at 7 or 8pm.
Soon Club time-trials were started and cycle touring forays by smaller groups were regular occurrences. With the help of generous Dads the Club acquired the tenancy of an old slaughterhouse in Cowl Street. This, after re-plastering and decorating, became the Clubhouse which led to a strong social element to all activities, something that was maintained for many years.
Time-trial races were very hotly contested from the outset. The competition for trophies was hard fought with the Best All Rounder cup going to the best time for 10, 15, 25 and 50 mile races. Gordon Taylor was winner for 7 years in a row on the shorter distances. Later the distances were upped to 25, 50 and 100 miles.
When the Club was only 3 years old John Percival joined. He too was a young lad at the time and although he has been out of action for most of the past couple of years we hope he will again soon be a regular Wednesday and Sunday rider.
The breadth of the Clubs activities was wide; regular Club runs, time-trials, track racing, grass-track racing, massed start racing, touring and an annual Easter riding trip to the Isle of Wight. The social side of the Club was also booming – which inevitably led to marriage and family responsibilities. In addition the attraction of motor bikes, scooters and cars led to a rapid decline of interest and the Club ceased to operate in 1960.