THE HISTORY of the
MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
PART 3
4 of 32
FOREWARD
WE NEVER CLOSED
Having perused the Minutes and copies of the "Motor Club Journal" to obtain an overall
picture it was found that activities were concentrated on assisting whenever and where
ever possible efforts to aid the country in its dire peril - The SPITFIRE FUND, SAVINGS
GROUP, Entertaining SERVICE PERSONNEL, Collecting FUNDS for and sending
Comforts to our Members serving with the forces in spite of shortage of supplies which
created inevitable difficulties. The Club suffered a great loss when the President, W. (Bill)
Ryan died in 1942. He was undoubtedly the driving force in the Club between the wars.
His ideas which were adopted and successfully promoted included;- The HOSPITAL
INSURANCE SCHEME, the MOTOR CYCLE FOOTBALL TEAM, and the RYAN TRIAL.
During the extraction of the details of the Club's activities it occurred to me that in order to
better appreciate the efforts made, some reminder of what the War situation was, in each
particular year was needed. To this end I have given briefly an account of what the
Various Fortunes and Misfortunes suffered by us which no doubt influenced our actions
during this critical period in which we then lived.
April
Germans invade Norway.
May
Evacuation of Army from Dunkirk.
August, September, October
, Battle of Britain.
October
Greece invaded by Italy. Egypt and Japan made pact with the Axis.We attack
the Italians in Libya.
December
, Great Fire of London.
JANUARY.
The Committee met on the 29th., Bank Balance reported to be £16.8.8d Provision of an
Air Raid Shelter was considered. Complaints about the BEER were discussed and a trial
order of another brew was considered. The A.C.U's suggestion of a subscription of One
Guinea was agreed. The purchase of a Cash Register for £12-10-0 was authorised.
Quote from the Editorial of the January Journal - "Though we may have to face a tough
time in 1940, we shall not make it any better by moaning and the moral effect of trouble is
very much greater when we brood over it, so let us get on with the job of work, not
forgetting to take our wack of fun when opportunity exists". A NATIONAL SAVINGS
SCHEME was adopted for the Club members.
The PROGRAMME arranged was:
Afternoon Bridge Drives, and a Trials Rider Club Night. The Verdict on the Dance at the
end of 1939 was "One of the Happiest Club Nights for a long time and there were many
requests for a repeat. The WINTER TRIAL was run and the winners were;- 1st - R.
Markham, 2nd - E. G. Pipe, 3rd - E. W. Kendrew, 4th - J. T. Hodgson. Agreed to hold a
meeting in March to consider future Sporting Events.
An increase in the Horse Power Tax was announced to 25/- per H.P.
