Lancashire motor club still on the road after 109 years (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Lancashire motor club still on the road after 109 years
1:20pm Thursday 20th January 2011 in Looking Back
MYSTERY PHOTO: Do you recognise the venue for this 1904 photo of the automobileclub?
LANCASHIRE Automobile Club, founded in 1902, is the second oldest club of its kind in the country.
There were two dozen motorists in Blackburn at that time and, apparently, 20 of them got together to form a club, called then the North East Lancashire Automobile Club.
The motorists’ first run was in June, 1902 to Clitheroe and among those taking part were its first president Sir Harry Hornby, cotton magnate William Birtwistle, and solicitor G D Walmsley with his son, Allan, who later became Judge Walmsley.
Then there was motoring pioneer Tom Burton, who had a garage in Simmons Street, while police surgeon D M Bannister took part on his motorised scooter.
This photograph, of the automobile club in 1904, has been sent to us by member Nigel Bentley, who today edits the club magazine and is delving into the archives to find out more about its 109-year history.
Although he knows when it was taken, he has no idea why, or where, and is now asking Looking Back readers if they recognise the venue, or know the event for which the drivers, and their passengers, put on their best finery.
Over the years the club has attracted motoring enthusiasts from across East Lancashire, but Nigel is particularly keen to find more old history of the club from 1902 to the Second World War.
Research also reveals that a year after its formation the club held a reliability trial to Kendal, starting the 100-mile journey over poor roads from Billinge End Road.
Twelve cars made it out of the 18 that started and all arrived within 10 minutes of their target time, taking an average 2½ hours.
In 1905, the club held its first hill climb, on Buckhow Brow, the main road at Settle.
As drivers struggled to reach the top, they were enveloped in thick clouds of dust – and Nigel reports that it was significant that soon after the club was moved to donate three guineas to a dust suppression society.
Around the same time, another reliability trial took place to Carlisle and back, with competitors allowed two days to complete the event.
If you can help Nigel with any old photographs and literature, his contact number is 01254 823516.
