THE HISTORY of the
MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
PART 1
15 of 24
1913
Jan.30
th
- The Annual General Meeting was held in the Corporation Hotel. G.W.Liddle
occupied the Chair. General satisfaction was expressed with the Secretary's Report
which showed that the Club's finances were in a very favourable position. Officers
elected were: L.F,Gjers, President and Messrs L.F.Gjers Jnr, Stanley Sadler,
T.A.Baker, C.MacAdam and W.Appleyard, Vice-Presidents, J.Dale, Captain, J.Gilchrist
Vice-Capt., G.W.Liddle and J. Gillespie Joint Secretaries. Committee: M.Jefferson,
J.Nivens, J.Rudland, R.Sorrell, P.Williams and R.Bowers. Reference was made to the
excellent competition programme of the past season and also of the several
interesting tours undertaken by members in Scotland, Wales and as far distant as
Landsend. An invitation was extended to all motorcyclists in the district to join the
Club.
Feb.8
th
- A party of 30 journeyed by saloon to Newcastle/Tyne where they paid a visit
to a leading motor-garage where various 1913 motorcycles were shown.
Improvements promised a greater comfort for riders.
Feb.27
th
- The Annual Meeting of motorcyclists at Richmond took place on Good
Friday, The Hotel Proprietors undertook to cater for large numbers and a fee of 1/- per
head to be forwarded with the order. The Meet was spoilt by the weather. After days of
blizzards, snow and rain, the sun made a welcome reappearance for the first time in
the early morning but shortly after noon the clouds gathered and heavy rain fell. The
Clubs represented were Middlesbrough, Leeds, Bradford, Ripon, Hartlepool,
Sunderland, Stockton, Scarborough, Hull, Bishop Auckland, Darlington, Durham and
South Shields.
Suggestions were being canvassed for some form of competition. A trophy to be held
by the Club having the largest attendance. The number of members and distance
being taken into account. Prize medal to the owner of the smartest turnout, solo and
sidecar. Secy. Hickson of the Stockton Club had a black pussycat on his back (doesn't
state whether it was alive). J.Scriben of Bradford was seen with a new P.& M, whilst
Felix Scriben was sticking to his old love, the Rex. T.Bullus rode a P.& M.,
H.W.Forbes, Secretary of the Harrogate Club, recently married, drove a twin-cylinder
Brown.
March 14
th
- The Mayor, Ald.A.Mattison, presided at a meeting in the Corporation
Hotel when A.Lauriston's Paper entitled "The Law in relation to Motorcycles" was read
by M.Jefferson. The Paper revealed that it was an offence to warn a motorist of a
police trap, that if a machine skidded through no negligence on the driver's part and
any person was injured, the driver could not be proceeded against.
In passing tramcars there was no bye-law in Middlesbrough. Motorists must comply
with the ordinary rule of the road unless same would be dangerous. Where there was
danger it was the duty of the driver to pull up.
March 26
th
- A most successful function was promoted by the Club, the sixth Annual
Whist Drive & Dance held in St.Barnabas Hall. The Hall was prettily draped in pink &
white and on the platform motorcycles were effectively worked into the scheme of
decoration which was undertaken by J.R.Storry & Sons. Super was served by Mrs
Richardson. Dancing was to J.Burns Scarlet Orchestra and Miss Blacklock rendered
