History of Longridge Golf Club & Preston Cycling Club

Part 1 - The Early Days

Fig 1 As with so many of the best things in life, it all started around a hotel bar. One evening in 1877, a group of keen cyclists met at the White Horse Hotel in Preston’s Friargate and the seed of forming a new cycling club was sown. The following week another meeting was held at the Mitre Tavern, in Fishergate, to form a committee, Charles Horridge undertaking the duties of honorary secretary, Dr Spencer accepting the presidency and Harcombe Cuff being installed as the first Captain of Preston Cycling Club.

Such were the brave beginnings, but the future success of the club was by no means assured. In those early days, cycling had not yet become the craze that was to develop in the 1890’s, and the penny-farthing riders were considered by many people to be irresponsible, and by the law- to be a danger to the public.

Nevertheless, the few early members were soon enjoying twice weekly runs and there is no doubt, many convivial evenings in their first headquarters- the Shelley Arms Hotel, in Fishergate, which remained home base until its closure.

As cycling became more “respectable”, so the membership slowly increased, and there is no doubt that the club was given a tremendous impetus by the presence of two outstanding riders, Laurie Clarke(Fig.1- Top) and Sandy Sellars.

Sellars became the club’s first honorary life member in June 1885, having won both the English Championship and the One Mile Championship of Great Britain. Clarke had his competitive cycling career cut short by an attack of typhoid fever, but he, too, was made an honorary member in 1887, became the treasurer, and was elected president of the club as late as 1924.

Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5