THE North Lancashire Time Trials Association (NLTTA), of which most of our local cycling clubs are members, has enjoyed a glorious history ever since it was founded way back in 1928.

However in the more recent years of it’s 85 year life the support for the association has reduced on several fronts as cycling sport has changed.

Two weeks ago at it’s Annual General Meeting the committee announced that they were standing down and the association was likely to cease. Another meeting was planned to be held to decide on the allocation of the associations assets unless some form of continuation could be agreed.

Fortunately at this second meeting sufficient hands were raised to form a new committee so that the association can continue. They immediately got to work to hopefully save at least some of the established promotions and competitions for 2014 onwards.

Aidan Holgate of Burnley was best placed East Lancashire rider in the National Hill Climb Championship in the North East on Sunday taking a very creditable 31st place in the field of 180 with our other two entrants Peter Greenwood finishing 92nd and Bill Belcher finishing 122nd.

Overall champion was Tejvan Pettinger the winner on the Nick o’Pendle climb in 2012.

Meanwhile on the same day Pendle’s Paul Oldham won the Rapha Super Cross Series cyclo-cross event at Alexandra Palace to lead his Hope Factory Racing squad to the series team honours.

In his own words ‘It was the end of an era’ for Clitheroe’s Brian Nightingale who, at the age of 84, finally ended a time keeping role that started 35 years ago.

Nightingale, who has been a very active life long member of what is now the North Lancashire Clarion, held a watch for the last time in the recent North Lancashire Road Club Nick o’ Pendle hill climb.

After the event he was presented with complimentary tickets for the club’s upcoming annual dinner by event organiser Mike Addis and president Dave Brown.