1939 continued
THE HISTORY of the
MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
PART 2
95 of 97
Cars - N.E.Gazette Cup - R.Harkness.
Tribute was paid to the Yorkshire Evening Post who presented two trophies to the
winners of the two Handicap races.
A letter from the Saltburn U.D.C. regarding the transfer of the course from Saltburn
to Redcar was considered and the Hon.Sec's proposed reply was approved,
F.M.Rist was a member of the ARMY TEAM in the INTERNATIONAL 6 DAYS being
held in Germany in August. They made a hasty return home.
WATSON CUP. E.L.Watson of Castleton offered a Cup for annual competition
providing the Club would not include the road which passed his house in any
competition. This was accepted.
INSURANCE OF CLUB OFFICIALS. Messrs Muir Beddall & Co. were asked to
quote for same but it was considered that the premiums they asked were too high
and it was decided to ask the A.C.U. to consider making insurance of officials
compulsory and thereby reducing the premium.
At the same tine it was agreed to insure the Saltburn event for the sum of £50.
OUTBREAK OF WAR
As stated at the commencement of the Record for 1939, War with Germany was
declared on the 3rd September. Following the return of Neville Chamberlain from
Munich in 1938 active preparations were made throughout the year for what it was
still hoped would be unnecessary.
Many male members took part in A.R.P. training and joined the Special Constables,
of which the Hon.Sec. A.V.Buttress, was appointed Sergeant. Prior to the
announcement he organised an exercise with the dimmed, masked headlights as
designed by the Government department concerned but with street lighting still in
existence and other vehicles on the road with regular side lamps and head lamps,
everyone found it most difficult to negotiate the roads on the set route. Immediately
on the Declaration of War the Special Constables were called up. This caused
confusion to many who had to get leave-of-absence from work or alternatively
(where self-employed) neglect their businesses. It could be anticipated that a certain
amount of what was subsequently found to be unnecessary took place and the writer
remembers on the Sunday morning after the Declaration, the Air Raid Sirens
sounded whilst he was on his way from Redcar. As instructed he immediately
stopped his car, donned his Tin Helmet with Gas Mask at the ready. When nothing
happened he felt very conspicuous and somewhat of a fool as local inhabitants who
had not received any training stared at him in amazement.
The Club bad already been blacked out which meant that the roof lights in the Billiard
Room had to be masked, black curtains fitted, outside lights extinguished in
preparation for what was anticipated, a massive air attack from Germany.
At the first meeting of the Committee future activities were considered and the matter
of the Club Journal, Club Challenge Gups, Labour in the Clubhouse, Executive
Powers for Officials, Awards for the year's competitions, War Risk Insurance,
