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had very few entrants. This seems to be a lack of organisation
rather than anything long lasting, though, and it picked itself up
soon enough. If you’ve never got around to reading the Club’s book

‘A Century Awheel’ – I really recommend it. All the details of the
Great Grape-Throwing Scandal of 1903 are in there, as well as
two members who were expelled for swinging on the chandeliers of
the Duke of Edinburgh, Wimbledon. http://delaunecc.org/delaune-
a-century-awheel/.

Today’s membership issues look a bit less favourable though: Our
youngest members are in their 40s, and it isn’t entirely clear
whether even these are our most active riders. We have little in
the way of activities or club runs for people to join, which is largely
the problem by all accounts.

At this year’s AGM on March 11 th, I’m proposing a scheme which
might help. You may know I’m also involved with the Herne Hill
Youth CC. They have lots of young members, though I’m actually
not targeting these – I’m looking to recruit their parents.

The idea is that De Laune uses its funds, up to £1500 per year
initially for 3 years, to 50% fund a Bronze/Silver/Gold membership
for HHYCC’s young riders. HHYCC would make up the other 50%,
plus any surplus over £1500. The purpose of this membership
scheme is to encourage the young riders to do a bit of racing –

the membership scheme would reward those who participate at
various levels of competition, and inspire those who aren’t doing
it currently.

The parents of these young riders are often drawn into cycling by

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