Ushaw Moor Memories

I see that you list cycling as one of your
interests so i thought you may be interested in this
snippet,
In the late 1940s a cycling club was formed in
Esh Winning but after a few months our club was transferred to Ushaw Moor and we held our meetings in the
Miners Welfare Hall, at one of these mid-week meetings
it was agreed that our club outing the following Sunday
would be to Alston.
One of the members Jos,Stokoe [i think
i have the surname right]decided that he would go on his
tandem and Tommy Potts, from New Brancepeth would ride
the rear seat, however, Tommy did not turn-up at the
appointed time so Jos, took the tandem himself which was
no mean feat considering the amount of hills between
Ushaw Moor and Alston.
On the return journey we reached the top
of Killhope bank and Jos, stated that he would go on
ahead himself which he did and he was soon out of sight.
When we arrived at the Flass corner Jos,
had already been home. had bathed shaved and dressed
and was walking down to the Top Club for his first pint
of the evening, he was certainly some cyclist.
It was said
in cycling circles that Jos, had once beaten the famous
Reg, Harris in a sprint race at a grass-track meeting
however i have been unable to verify this from official
records, having witnessed for myself his amazing strength
i believe such a feat would be possible.
Other members
of the club from Ushaw Moor included Norman Hope,Ray
Jolly and Malcolm Gibbons.

Regards to all,

Geoff,Turner.