#I_AM_CLARION - Limited edition book produced by artist Alan J. Ward for Pendle Radicals

CLARION SUNDAY : SEPTEMBER

19TH 2021

AN ARTIST PROJECT

BY ALAN J WARD

CLARION HOUSE

Barnoldsw Black Blackpo Bolt Brighton & Ho Bu Crewe Clarion Clither Cyclists’ To East Br Leeds Cycling Lond Nation National Cl

#I_AM_CLARION

North Chesh North Lancashire Cla Nottingham Clarion + Tan Pendle Rough Stuff F Saddlewor Se Sou Stockpo Todm Yorkshire Coa Cotswold Clarion [in

title page

FELLOWSHIP IS LIFE All roads lead to...

A PENDLE RADICALS COMMISSION

BY MID PENNINE ARTS

CLARION SUNDAY : SEPTEMBER

19TH 2021

AN ARTIST PROJECT

BY ALAN J WARD

CLARION HOUSE

#I_AM_CLARION All roads lead to...

A PENDLE RADICALS COMMISSION

BY MID PENNINE ARTS

14.06.2020 CLARION SUNDAY A virtual ride from M21 > Clarion House digital video, 13m 23s, a fly-through created in mapmyride and google earth

CLARION SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH 2021: #I_AM_CLARION

As an artist I’m a collector of stuff.

I’m to be found buying things on eBay that will at some point in the future inform or appear in a project at an appropriate moment.

These invariably include old maps, photographs and in particular ‘lost negatives’. Amongst my collection, there are numerous cycling related items. When Mid Pennine Arts approached me to discuss working on something to celebrate Clarion Sunday 2020, I immediately began to think of my old cycling maps and the journeys that have been made to Clarion House over the many decades.

couldn’t happen. A ride from a city, through its industrial heartland, out to the wide open countryside.

Very much a journey referencing the liberation and mobility the bicycle gave the working classes in the formation of those first Clarion clubs. I launched the video online the morning of the 14th June 2020, the day we should all have been gathering at Clarion House.

Somehow a year was lost to limited riding and Clarion Sunday 2021 was again delayed. Almost a year to the day of my video, mainstream press began running stories that the National Clarion Club had voted to remove references to socialism from its constitution, ‘after a majority of members decided it was “divisive and non-inclusive” and could alienate new members.’

old camera. I created a limited edition printed musette with the message as a visible yet abstract statement of identity. It was about sharing a pride in the heritage.

I became a fully paid up Clarion cyclist, kit and all.

Others began using it in their social media, a club produced a bike frame sticker using the declaration.

I realised, despite not riding with Clarion groups on club runs, I felt part of something, I had a shared identity and commonality.

Making this book is a small reflection of what being part of Clarion means.

It appears the original foundations of the Clarion message may sadly not be universally acceptable, with some cyclists seeing the word ‘socialist’ as having negative connotations. But the basic belief and principle that society needs to be fairer and more just is increasingly prescient, and for that alone, its socialist roots and spirit should not be forgotten, indeed it should be widely celebrated.

At this point my engagement was loosely titled ‘Fellowship of the Wheel’ after William Morris’ reference. I began immersing myself in the Clarion culture and then suddenly we were engulfed by a As someone who believes strongly pandemic. I’d just bought a gravel we are informed by our geographies, bike before lockdown and took the whether these are physical or opportunity of my one hour daily metaphorical, it seemed particularly exercise routine to explore the sad that those formative links were tracks and paths around the Mersey being written away, it’s what makes Valley on my doorstep, as a way of It was a privilege to finally make Clarion Cycling so unique – its USP escaping the confines of the city. this piece of work through the in modern terms.

Pendle Radicals project funding, As Clarion Sunday drew nearer it to collaborate with Charles Jepson, The commission suddenly took on became clear that the event would who has been so supportive in a different energy. On two previous have to be cancelled. I wondered preparation, and to meet all the projects, I’ve adopted a character’s about the route I might have taken participants. I thank you for your persona in making a piece of work on my new bike if I’d been riding time and written contributions, (a journeyman footballer in one, there, and made a little video you have all made this what it is: and an engineer/photographer in exploring the journey from my another), and I began to do the same a collective piece of work. home to Jinny Lane. Partly inspired with this piece of work. I made a by the fly-throughs of Tour de I look forward to riding out to next simple declaration #I_Am_Clarion France stage previews, it was a year’s Clarion Sunday and just and began sharing it on social media. reminder of the varied landscapes being part of it, come rain or shine.

I combined old glass negatives of we inhabit on our bikes, and a cyclists with the statement and also Alan J Ward gentle nod to the celebration that made self portraits, using a 100 year

Bacon’s Cycling Road-Map of NW region, from personal collection of the artist All roads lead to...

Ride made on 18 April 2021 by Alan J Ward to Clarion House by road name and turn, [first Sunday Clarion House reopened after pandemic]

heat map of all roads

CLARION SUNDAY 2021 SOME VERY ROUGH DATA FROM PERMISSIONS FORMS

92 Portraits taken 110 Participants in photographs Barnoldswick Clarion Cycling clubs listed on forms Blackburn CTC [alphabetical order] Blackpool Clarion Bolton Clarion Brighton & Hove Clarion Bury Clarion Crewe Clarion Wheelers Clitheroe Clarion Cyclists’ Touring Club East Bradford CC Leeds Cycling Campaign London Clarion National Clarion National Clarion 1895 Nelson CC North Cheshire Clarion North Lancashire Clarion C+AC Nottingham Clarion + Tandem Club Pendle Forest CC Rough Stuff Fellowship Saddleworth Clarion Sedbergh CC Southport CC Stockport Clarion Todmorden CC Yorkshire Coast Clarion Cotswold Clarion [in absentia] 3500 Rough total mileage of #I_Am_Clarion participants 149.1 miles Longest ride by bike on the day the car park according to one form! Shortest travelled 37 Locations ridden from

Boots!

I joined the Clarion Cycling Club some 30 years ago because I was sympathetic with the aims of those early pioneers who, in 1894 founded a Cycling Club ‘to combine the pleasures of cycling with the propaganda of socialism’. I did not expect to be discussing Marx and Engels whilst out cycling the lanes.

What I did expect to find, and I was not disappointed, was the comradeship of progressive people who share the founders’ beliefs that a new and fairer form of society was possible.

A society where people would work harmoniously together for the common welfare; a socialist society with Justice as its Foundation and Love its Laws.

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

‘MEET A STRANGER, MAKE A NEW FRIEND’ IS WHAT THE CLARION COMRADESHIP MEANS TO ME Charles Jepson

Seán and Dawn Warren: Bolton Clarion Rode from Salford, joined up with with Ben Greenaway and Nigel Blandford, camped overnight at Clarion

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE If cultural heritage were measured in ‘cow shite’ then we have lots of it! [SW]

CLARION HOUSE

SALFORD

Ben Greenaway Rode from Old Trafford, Manchester

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE There’s lumps of it, but these days it’s hidden round the back – hidden away from view but in quiet resurgence

Nigel Blandford: Bury Clarion Rode from Bury

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Cycling plus bonuses

Neil Shand: North Cheshire Clarion Rode from Northwich with Tom Bannister and Jim Todd, overnight at Clitheroe, then to Clarion House and back

CLARION HOUSE

NORTHWICH

Tom Bannister: North Cheshire Clarion Rode from Warrington, overnight at Clitheroe, then to Clarion House and back

Jim Tod: North Cheshire Clarion Rode from Warrington, overnight at Clitheroe, then to Clarion House and back

John Verity: Nelson Rode from Mellor, Blackburn

CLARION HOUSE

MELLOR

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

CYCLING + SOCIALISM = HEAVEN

Rochdale Clarion Cycling Club © Local Studies Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

I’ve been a member of the Clarion since 1958, I was Club Captain of Burnley Clarion CC in the 1960s.

The Clarion was an important part of my ‘growing up’ my mother was weavers union and ILP. My father supported her. He was in the motor trade.

Yesterday, Saturday, I set a record for riding up Pendle Hill on an electric bike. In 1961 I rode the Nick o’ Pendle Hill Climb in 5 minutes 35 seconds, age 15, one of the fastest in the day, yesterday I did it in 5 minutes 40 seconds on an electric bike – you still have to pedal.

5 seconds after 60 years is good, I think.

My bike, in the photo, is a Hill Special, made at the Clarion Cycle Works in Padiham, Lancs by Adam Hill. It’s a 1951 track bike, sold in Paris, France, used at the Paris cycle track, Parc des Princes. Possibly ridden by Reg Harris for training for the Festival of Britain 1951. Although he was working for Raleigh it is known that he had Hill Specials.

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

IT WAS A MAJOR PART OF MY CHILDHOOD Andrew Livesey: London Clarion

Alan Kiddle: London Clarion Rode from Blackburn

Nick Butler: London Clarion Rode from Blackburn

Alison Miller: London Clarion

William Brownlow Rode from Bolton

Skülly: London Clarion Rode from Manchester and Heptonstall My cycling pal and I arrived at Manchester mid morning on Saturday, the day before Clarion Sunday. We rode interesting & picturesque miles up the Rochdale Canal, stopping for a certain fermented ‘performance’ drink at The Summit pub, then down into the lushly wooded cut to Todmorden and Hebden Bridge.

Leaving the canal, we pushed our tent-laden machines up the steepest cobbled path I have ever seen, then a steep road, to Heptonstall.

Made our dinner on bit of Common nearby: then tents up when it was a bit darker, a little more fermented liquid, and sleep.

CLARION HOUSE

MANCHESTER

Up late to let some rain (and headaches) subside, riding absolutely stunning country up and across the moors, down to Nelson and up once more to Clarion House.

Proud to say we spotted Red Plaques back in Manchester commemorating Chartists and the St Peter’s Fields battle.

How refreshing that civic pride extends to socialists up here.

Graham Wareing Rode from Downham

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Real value, especially at the moment!

Ian Appleby: Blackburn Cyclists Touring Club Rode from Haslingden

The Clarion is fellowship and history, it is my heritage and the radical fight the Clarion fought has provided my family and community with much to be proud of.

It is a shared vision of a future free of exploitation, a story that is not yet finished.

I am Clarion, a European, born of Yorkshire grit and Northern Passion, progressive and inclusive. I am proud to have added my story to that of the Clarion.

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

IT IS A SHARED VISION OF A FUTURE FREE OF EXPLOITATION, A STORY THAT IS NOT YET FINISHED Tim Mitchell and family: Saddleworth Clarion

Ross Glover: Bolton Clarion Rode from Bolton

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Meeting nice people

Gary Mellor: Rough Stuff Fellowship Rode from Whalley

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE Fundamental part of North West social and cycling history

Leon Iveson

Chris, Brian and Stephen Nightingale: Clitheroe Clarion

[ BRIAN ] I was president of National Clarion and served on the committee – 1966

Ann Wareing Rode from Downham

Andrew Bibby: Todmorden Harriers Rode from Todmorden

Paul Manchester: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Stalybridge

CLARION HOUSE

STALYBRIDGE

STOCKPORT

Paul Manchester

David Grimwood

John Rooney: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Hyde

David Grimwood: Saddleworth Clarion + CTC Rode from Stockport

Peter Neumann: Cyclists Touring Club Rode from Burnley

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Long history

Adam Neumann Rode from Burnley

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Fellowship is life

Robin Hatherell: North Lancashire Clarion Rode from close by

Kevin Nolan: Bury Clarion Rode from Bury with Phil Karran and Mikey Tattersall (Crumpsall)

CLARION HOUSE

BURY

CRUMPSALL

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

BEING PART OF AN ‘OWD’ MOVEMENT

Phil Karran: Bury Clarion Rode from Bury

Mikey Tattersall: Bury Clarion Rode from Crumpsall

Lesley and Nigel Hood: Bury Clarion Rode from Bury

Chris Maffei: Bury Clarion Rode from Bury

Paul Van Der Kamp Rode from Holcombe Brook

Alison Sugden: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

I ride to belong.

Belong to the land, taking my place on the road, knowing we’re all just out there on our own roads, travelling our own journeys. Other cyclists inspire me, challenge and collaborate in these miles and moments; we find others sharing a view, a mile of greasy tarmac, a hot drink in a warm cafe and a moment of ourselves.

Cycling keeps me sane: a place to think the unthinkable, speak the unspeakable and feel feelings that anywhere else might render us breathless and incapable. Riding out at bike pace vividly reveals the world to us; and we understand our temporary custodianship of this incredible planet.

In cycling, we pass more lightly across the land and leave less traces of our brief lives. Those who rode before us fought fascism, injustice, poverty, and prejudice; and we owe our freedom to ride to their sacrifice, conviction and courage.

Chapeau la Clarion!

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

THE PROMISE OF THE ROAD AHEAD Frances Kelly: Lincolnshire Rode from Padiham

Hannah Dobson and family Rode from Barley

Diane Hill Rode from Clitheroe

Bruce Bennett Rode from Lancaster with James Fox and Bill Dudman

LANCASTER

CLARION HOUSE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

HOPEFUL

James Fox Rode from Lancaster

The Lancashire Loombreakers’ Riot at Middle Mill, Helmshore in 1826 was the starting point for this cycle top.

Mary Hindle, a mill worker from Helmshore, was sentenced to transportation for life to Australia for shouting “now my lads, mash away” to the men entering Middle Mill that year and supposedly inciting a riot. Mary was held at Lancaster gaol for nine months before being deported to Australia where she committed suicide six years later, never to see her husband and child again.

I wore this top to cycle from Lancaster to the Clarion House on Clarion Sunday, closely following the route taken by Mary Hindle, in reverse, when transported to Lancaster Castle through the Ribble Valley and the Trough of Bowland.

“NOW MY LADS MASH AWAY” James Fox

Installation photograph of James Fox’s ‘Now my lads , mash away’ cycling shirt part of ‘Rights, Riots & Routes’ at Helmshore Mill, British Textile Biennial 2021

Bill Dudman Rode from Lancaster

Matthew Hargreaves: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barrowford

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE The sense of brotherhood, cycling with like minded people

George Bradbury: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Amazing heritage!

Albert Counsell: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Alistair Sherriffs and Judith Howard: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE It’s brilliant we live in a beautiful area for cycling and the company is great!

Brandon Edgeley and Ian Wilson: Crewe Clarion Wheelers Rode from Crewe

CLARION HOUSE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

GREAT SOCIALIST TRADITION NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER CREWE

Brandon Edgeley and Ian Wilson: Crewe Clarion Wheelers

through occasionally and warmed us up nicely. We rode a really rough lane that took us eventually to the I asked around the CCW randonneurs A680 for an absolutely superb to see who was interested in a descent into Rawtenstall. Next to 240km bike ride starting very early Burnley where again we jumped on with the aim of getting to Clarion a canal towpath to get away from House, Nelson for 10am/11am, the traffic, we were already behind spending a couple of hours there and schedule so what’s another 5 miles then heading home. Only Ian Wilson at 10mph? We passed a couple of came forward, inspired by our trip a riders on the path who were also couple of weeks earlier to The Dover heading to the Clarion House, a brief Cycle Fellowship where Charles chat and we pushed on to Nelson Jepson had given an excellent talk on where we went to the Morrisons to the Clarion’s history. get some dinner to eat at the Clarion Ian plotted a route out and I plotted House (as they only usually serve the route back. We met at 05:00 tea /coffee). With my provisions at Wells Green and set off, both of and some of Ian’s stowed in my us feeling overdressed., within an saddlebag it made the uphill out hour we were cold and wet. We rode of Nelson a slow affair, we passed through Crewe, Middlewich, Ashley through Roughlee where we stopped and Altrincham. In Altrincham we for a photo of the Alice Nutter picked up the canal network that monument. Alice was found guilty of would take us right though the being one of the Pendle Witches and heart of Manchester, safely away hung in Lancaster, the bulk of the from the traffic, the compromise testimony coming from a 12 year old! was the slower speed of the variable Onward to the Clarion House which surfaces which would make our was further up the hill, you could see overall day longer. Just South West it about 1/2 mile away as there were of Prestbury we picked our way flags and cyclists in colourful outfits through the excellent Drinkwater outside. We were greeted on entry Park, offroad trails through the

by Charles Jepson who said there was free sandwiches and cake laid woods again sacrificing speed for on as well as other things. scenery and the absence of traffic (apart from the early dog walkers).

I said a brief hello to Neil Shand from The trails took us to Radcliffe where North Cheshire Clarion who had we found a McDonalds serving cycled up the day before with two breakfast including great coffee and other members and camped nearby. a refuge from the cold, when I got We had sandwiches and cake and a in my clothes were cold and damp big mug of tea whilst we chatted to and my fingers had turned white. a chap from Todmorden and were We watched in disbelief as at least entertained by a delightful Clarion 10 Uber or Just Eat drivers collected Choir, all the time we were there food for delivery to people in the we basked in absolutely glorious vincinity who couldn’t be bothered sunshine. As we were getting ready getting it themselves in the half an to go we bumped into Michael hour or so we were there.

Prestwich, the chairman from the Dover Cycle Fellowship that we I was in a much better frame of mind as we left feeling a lot warmer, had visited two weeks earlier. No time to waste so we set off, 75 miles it wasn’t long before the sun poked CLARION SUNDAY 2021

done, 75 miles to do. Initially it was uphill then downhill to the outskirts of Padiham. Another traffic free bike path took us out of Accrington, albeit, slowly. On the far side of Accrington it got cold and wet again so it was back on with arm warmers and gilet. At Ramsbottom we purposely lost all our height to climb back up The Rake, #72 out of the top 100 uk climbs, over 1km at an average of 10% with a 25% max thrown in, again damp roads and a saddlebag did little to help my endeavours but I rode it in one without putting a foot down.

At Greenmount we passed a tea shed so got two take away teas and ate the dinner we had bought from Morrisons Nelson, which lightened my saddlebag for me. More slow progress, this time through Bolton as we used side and back streets away from the traffic. We passed a garage later on, it was now about 18:30. I used their toilet and got a bottle of Lucozade for the bidon.

It took forever to cross the Warburton Toll Bridge even though we were back on decent tarmac and making reasonable progress. High Leigh, Great Budworth, Northwich, Winsford and Church Minshull could not come quick enough especially as it was cold again and then dark, we got to the end of my drive at 20:30 and congratulated each other, Ian had a further 4 miles to get home, I had to have a bar of chocolate just to get me up the drive!

I got home, absolutely shattered but delighted by such a fantastic experience at the Clarion House, they’re doing it again next June, so it will be pencilled in the diary.

150 miles, cold and wet, slow miles along canals etc were all worth it on balance for such a memorable day!

Mike Jay: Blackburn CTC Rode from Blackburn

Derek Graham: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE Come here nearly every Sunday all year round

Juliet Horrocks: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE It’s just great being part of this cycling organisation

Alex Southern: London Clarion Rode from Blackburn

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Fellowship through cycling.

Socialism, the hope of the world

Iain Mentiply: London Clarion Rode from Blackburn

Dave Metcalfe: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Friendship, shared interests and values

Jeremy Rabjohns: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Companionship + support whilst cycling

As a local person and a socialist coming to the Clarion has been a big part of my life and my family’s.

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

KEEPING THE TRADITION GOING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS PROVIDES A GOOD LINK TO OUR CULTURAL PAST Georgina Ormrod: Rough Stuff Fellowship Rode from Burnley

Geoff Smith: Rough Stuff Fellowship Rode from Whalley

Allan Henson: Rough Stuff Fellowship Rode from Whalley

Chris Goode: Yorkshire Coast Clarion see following spread for details of rides

CLARION HOUSE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

CELEBRATING FELLOWSHIP AND CYCLING Saturday 18th September

Sunday 19th September

THIRSK

SCARBOROUGH

Chris Goode: Yorkshire Coast Clarion

CLARION SUNDAY 2021 # I AM CLARION

the way – the usual narrowing due to the central reservations and poorly designed roads.

recently a three day Wolds Way adventure, mainly in East Yorkshire, in May. Colin and Shaz3 are great supporters of Clarion House as volunteers, alongside Charles Jepson. All three do a massive amount of work to make Clarion Sunday such a success.

The first ten miles are fairly uneventful, though Graham goes past, as I fiddle with the back wheel, in Ayton. Our paths cross again on the back road towards Wilton. Another road is closed in There is not too much traffic on Thornton le Dale, but I manage leaving Ripon; the hills begin in to get through and enjoy a mostly earnest with a 1 in 5 near Risplith, traffic free stretch before a detour mudguard still rubbing, then onto through a farm yard. This helps the tops near Brimham Rocks, avoid the main Malton to Pickering before the swift descent into road; then, straight on to Kirby Pateley Bridge. Heading to the west Misperton (home of Flamingo is Greenhow Hill, a one and a half Land) and a different route to usual mile climb, starting steeply with around Malton via Great Habton temporary traffic lights two-thirds and Amotherby. There is a lovely of the way up, as an extra challenge.

The Team Raleigh from the 1980s gentle climb onto the Howardian The mudguard issue slowed the is ideal for such a journey over Hills, and then to Coneythorpe ascent and the lights were on red hilly terrain with a gear range (close to Castle Howard). I catch on one of the steeper sections. from 33” to 75”, double chain ring up with one cyclist and have a A bit further on I see Colin and a six speed block, Brooks chat before pedalling on. The two approaching and within a minute saddle, Schwalbe Durano tyres cafes in Terrington tempt me, but we ride together at a reasonable and Bluemels mudguards. It is a I keep going to the Durham Ox tempo. Another cyclist joins us, warm day and I am dressed for in Crayke, perched on a hill, with taking a tow but no shout of “boots” the predicted rain on Sunday so many interesting buildings. Fluid so not a Clarionette; perhaps he overheated at times. Shorts and levels were topped up with coffee, was short of oxygen! He turned a helmet are worn, with lights on tonic water, a glass of water plus off in Greenhow village, a desolate front and rear. Tyre pressures the water bottle re-filled. A friendly place even in fair weather, and he at the lower end of what is couple regale stories of cycling thanked us, as he headed in the recommended, on 25 mm tyres. in France and more recently in direction of Harrogate.

The headset, which had too much Lancashire. He takes an interest Once we turn off the Grassington play, is tightened before departure. in the bike and notices the 531 road, we find a wooden bench Just the one large bottle to fuel the Reynolds tubing, built to last. and share some jam sandwiches 2 journey... and some spare powder .

The terrain is flatter from this and watch some cyclists battle I stop a couple of times, in the first point so the pace picks up through the incline. A technical descent six miles, due to the mudguards Easingwold, Cundall, Asenby, follows, before passing a pub in rubbing on the tyres. All was well Dishforth and along the minor Appletreewick; by chance Ed and on the bike stand, but not when road to Ripon. Here I make a quick Michelle, from near Scarborough, going uphill; this causes a reduction phone call to Colin who is already notice us so we stop and catch in pace and some frustration! Due on his way; sixty miles covered up. I’d mentioned a video on to Forge Valley’s closure, the main so far. Colin, Shaz and myself Clarion House to Ed a week or route along Seamer Road is used to first met at the Southend Easter so ago and he had watched it leave town. It is generally downhill Meet, organised by the impressive learning more about the Clarion and not particularly bike friendly, London Clarion. We have enjoyed movement and its roots. Colin even with a cycle path for part of many adventures since then, most and I had about twenty miles to The journey from Scarborough to Clarion House begins shortly after 9am on Saturday, 18th September. As usual it takes a while to cut down the luggage in the small Carradice saddlebag 1, various pockets and a craftily positioned musette, inside the orange, Yorkshire Coast Clarion jersey. The plan is to ring Colin of Barnoldswick Clarion at 2pm, when near Ripon; he will then head eastwards and our paths cross on the road between Grassington and Pateley Bridge.

Chris Goode: Yorkshire Coast Clarion

of Clarion Sunday shows that go, taking a beautiful walled, side “Fellowship is Life” is more than a road to Thorpe and Cracoe. By this stage I was ready to throw the motto. David Bisset from Bolton kindly provided some sandwiches offending mudguard into a field; for all participants, the tea flowed as a temporary improvement, I and the many savoury and cake took off the mudguard bridge and donations were much appreciated. that helped considerably. Thence we pedal to Hetton, Gargrave and C. Goode along a short stretch of the A59 to our destination, arriving not long after 6pm. The reward a superb fish pie and vegetables, with a fruit PS I am sure that someone will desert created by the Michelin document the ride on Sunday starred Shaz. more accurately as some of the roads were unfamiliar to me. It was One hundred and one miles approximately 26 miles and over covered at an average of 13.1 mph, 3000 ft of climbing. My Sunday with 6,427 feet of climbing. It was ride on my Strava page continued a good day out and the prospect to Thirsk, an extra 56 miles+ good of meeting up with many familiar hills. friends the following day.

Clarion Sunday

Image credits: Nick Hider

Colin organised the Pop Harry Hill ride, starting from Clarion House and meeting a large contingent of over twenty members of Barnoldswick Clarion, in the centre of Barnoldswick. Matt led the ride and there were plenty of opportunities to chat to the riders from the different sections including Saddleworth, Blackpool and London Clarion. Photographs were taken at the bench. As you would expect from Colin, it was an undulating and ingenious ride, taking in some quiet lanes and spectacular views.

We caught up with a number of London Clarion members at the pub in Roughlee and it was particularly good to see Alan Kiddle, Alex Southern and Martin Perfect. As a result of the pandemic, we had not met for over a year. The spirit and comradeship

Footnotes: 1. Made in Nelson, Lancashire 2. All Sports summer training fuel, manufactured in Doncaster. I would also recommend the winter training fuel 3. Colin and Sharon Urmston

Note: This map shows both the rides of London Clarion from Burnley and the Pop Harry Hill ride to Clarion House in conjunction with Barnoldswick Clarion

BARNOLDSWICK

CLARION HOUSE BURNLEY SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

IT’S GREAT TO SEE SOCIALISM IN ACTION AND MEET UP WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDLY PEOPLE Colin and Sharon Urmston: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Dorothy Altham: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Pamela Prenton: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Tracy and Kevin Smith: Nottingham Clarion and Tandem Club Rode from Hebden Bridge

CLARION HOUSE

HEBDEN BRIDGE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

JOY OF THE GREAT OUTDOORS AND MEETING AMAZING PEOPLE

Jack Burrows: Nelson Clarion (Former)

Daniel Kramer and family: Saddleworth Clarion

Andrew Kay: Blackpool Clarion Rode from Blackpool

BLACKPOOL

CLARION HOUSE

Paul Whitefield: Blackpool Clarion Rode from Clitheroe

Stephen Garthwright: Bolton Clarion Rode from Downham

Graeme Walters: National Clarion Rode from Clitheroe

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

Everything

Nick Hider: Brighton & Hove Clarion Rode from Blackburn

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE Socialism and cycling is a unique combination which remains relevant today

Glyn and Paul Complin: Pendle Forest CC Rode from Thornton In Craven

THORNTON IN CRAVEN

CLARION HOUSE

Dennis Thornler: North Lancashire Clarion Club run for many years

David Sherwood: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barrowford

Malcolm Sutcliffe: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Mark Faulkner: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Anthony Tomlinson: Barnoldswick Clarion Rode from Earby

Paul Carr: East Bradford CC Rode from Keighley

KEIGHLEY

CLARION HOUSE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

NO WEAL SAVE COMMONWEAL

James Palmer: Sedbergh Rode from Giggleswick

GIGGLESWICK

CLARION HOUSE

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

WORKERS’ RIGHTS EGALITARIANISM A NORMAL WEEK HEALTH & FRIENDSHIP

John Baker: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Saddleworth

CLARION HOUSE

SADDLEWORTH

CHADDERTON

John Baker

Steven McKenna

Steven McKenna: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Chadderton

Neil Warner: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Saddleworth

John Malone: Saddleworth Clarion Rode from Barnoldswick

Ian Bailey: Southport CC, RSF, CTC Circular route from Clarion House

Bacon’s Cycling Road Map Sheet 3, from personal collection of the artist Clarion House sign and Pendle Radicals panel, the panel celebrates the Clarion House’s importance to the region’s radical thinkers www.pendleradicals.org.uk

David Archer: North Cheshire Clarion Rode from Longridge

Nick Mackey: North Cheshire Clarion Rode from Clitheroe

Bill Nickson, Erica Booth with Andrew Guy of Southport CC Rode from Chorley

CLARION HOUSE

CHORLEY

SUM UP THE VALUE OF CLARION’S CULTURAL HERITAGE:

LOVE THE HISTORY, VENUE, AND THE EVENT

Jon Farley: Leeds Cycling Campaign Rode from Leeds with Allan Luckton, Kathy White and Andy Gibson

CLARION HOUSE

LEEDS

Allan Luxton: Leeds Cycling Campaign Rode from Leeds

Kathy White: Leeds Cycling Campaign Rode from Leeds

Andy Gibson: Leeds Cycling Campaign Rode from Leeds

COTSWOLD CLARION & THE LEVELLERS

The Cotswolds probably doesn’t spring to mind when you think of political radicalism. The area was once known for the high quality of its sheep’s wool and honey coloured stone. More recently, it’s the influx of the super-rich, which attracts the public’s attention.

And yet, on 17th May 1649, outside of Burford Church in Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds witnessed the execution of three men on the orders of Cromwell. They were leaders of 400 troops, the ‘Banbury Mutineers’ all of whom adhered to the ideas of the Levellers. Defeated by Cromwell, and their base within the New Model Army destroyed, it marked the end of the Levellers movement.

Some of their aims were eventually realised, like the right to silence, but others, such as the abolition of corruption within the parliamentary and judicial process, can at best, be described as work in progress.

In 2018, some 369 long years later, a new band of rural rebels calling themselves the Cotswold Clarion was formed. Having proudly joined the family of sections making up the National Clarion, we are ever mindful of its political and social history. We regard our membership as an enduring act of solidarity and not one of coincidental convenience.

An important milestone in our short history was to have been our first attendance at a Clarion Sunday event. Sadly, Coronavirus and other factors conspired against us, and we had to content ourselves with being there in spirit. Undeterred, we’re already making plans for 2022.

Tim Wadsworth: Cotswold Clarion

Nazir Ifzal Writer, poet, artist

Craig Stubbs Artist

PENDLE RADICALS

Pendle Radicals has given our team all sorts of adventures, but not often more joy than this...

To set up camp in the Clarion meadow, dodge the rain, and greet 150 two-wheeled pilgrims, arriving in small clusters from across the North to this very special place.

We had been delayed for over a year for this chance to support Clarion Sunday, but it was worth the wait.

Mid Pennine Arts has been working around these parts for over 50 years. MPA develops original, one-off projects that tell stories about Lancashire people and places, projects that explore the DNA of some very special locations. But only lately have we come to appreciate what a priceless institution we have, here at the last Clarion House.

The chance to do this came with Pendle Radicals.

Pendle Radicals is a part of the Pendle Hill programme, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund to promote the landscape and heritage of our unmistakeable landmark. Radicals explores stories of some extraordinary people who have been drawn over centuries to this inspiring place – nonconformists, dissenters, troublemakers, change makers.

And many of them on two wheels...

Our stories spin off in many directions. But they keep on leading us back to this place, Clarion House. Clarion is without doubt the spiritual home of Pendle Radicals. A hundred plus years of

radical history, in banners, photos, posters, but captured too in the memories of Clarion stalwarts.

And not just history, but a living culture of fellowship, more vital by the day as politics now abandons integrity and empathy. And though Clarion House is now just one sole point on the map, once a year we are reminded that Clarion cycling is everywhere!

Alan Ward is a Radicals regular, designer of all our visuals for the project. But we knew his artist practice and his cycling passion made him a natural for Clarion Sunday. When he bought the 1895 jersey, we knew he was immersed!

I_Am_Clarion had been taking shape for many months, but when The Guardian broke the news from the CCC national AGM, it took on a new urgency. There are many other cycling clubs, but there’s only one Clarion. Why would you want to dismember it?

Alan and all of us have loved working on this project. Thank you for sharing Clarion Sunday with us, and for being part of this unique publication. We hope it will remind you, should you ever need it, of some of the reasons why you too are Clarion.

Nick Hunt Mid Pennine Arts

www.pendleradicals.org.uk

Imagining #I_Am_Clarion on a virtual London Clarion ride on James Fox Hill left: Oakenrod Cycling Club membership card extolling the virtues of winter tyre maintenance and gearing © Local Studies Centre, Touchstones Rochdale, Rochdale Arts & Heritage Service

# I AM CLARION Alan J Ward

Published by Mid Pennine Arts 1 Neptune St, Burnley BB11 1SF www.midpenninearts.org.uk © Mid Pennine Arts and the artist 2021 Portraits © Alan J Ward, incidental photographs © Nick Hunt unless otherwise stated.

Alan Ward is an artist and designer who responds to ideas of ‘place’, ‘loss’ and ‘heritage’ in our surroundings.

Many of his commissions are informed by research and engagement, whether historical or community led. Archives both personal and institutional have become a significant reference point for exploration and reflection on ideas around collective cultural heritage.

This publication is an edition 250, of which there are 111 numbered and initialled copies by the artist, plus 10 initialled Artist Proofs

www.alanjward.co.uk

Inner front cover: glass negative from personal collection of the artist

The right of the named authors to be identified as such in this work has Ward appreciates the reciprocity of been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. collaborative engagement and what it can reveal and is committed to giving All rights reserved. No part of this people a voice and the opportunity publication may be reproduced, stored to express themselves through this in a retrieval system, or transmitted, process. in any form or by any means without He has recently completed a major the prior written permission of the exhibition and publication after a publisher. long-term photographic research British Library Cataloguing-inproject. Titled ‘Photographs from Publication Data Another Place’, it is based around a A catalogue record for this book is collection of re-discovered 1920s glass available from the British Library negatives purchased from eBay. The exhibition tours to Norwich ISBN 978-0-9932606-1-2 softback Cathedral in 2022. ‘Cambridge First published December 2021 Rules: written in stone / interpreted Compiled and designed by Alan J Ward worldwide / brought back to Printed in UK Cambridge’, also just completed, is a large scale public art commission The publisher has taken every with fellow artist Neville Gabie effort to correctly spell the names for Cambridge City Council, to of all contributors. Please accept our commemorate the role of Parker’s apologies if there are any errors due to Piece as the birthplace of the 1848 interpretation of handwriting.

Cambridge Rules, which helped establish the modern game of football.

Alan Ward would like to thank Shonagh Ingram and Craig Stubbs for their assistance on the day.

alanjward_axisdesign @AXIS_DESIGN Alan Ward (#I_Am_Clarion)

Right: self portrait of the artist

ick Clarion kburn CTC ool Clarion ton Clarion ove Clarion ury Clarion n Wheelers roe Clarion ouring Club radford CC Campaign don Clarion nal Clarion larion 1895 Nelson CC hire Clarion rion C+AC ndem Club e Forest CC Fellowship rth Clarion dbergh CC uthport CC ort Clarion morden CC ast Clarion n absentia]

CYCLING + SOCIALISM = HEAVEN LACK OF FELLOWSHIP IS DEATH

ISBN 978-0-9932606-1-2

9 780993 260612