Sponsored Bike Ride

Manuel Moreno of Moreno Wines, joined the National Clarion Cycle Club 1895 on a bike ride around Britain to raise money for Goodbye Barcelona at the Arcola Theatre in November/December 2011

Here is what Manuel has to say about his experiences:

Dear All

I together with 6 others from the National Clarion Cycle Club 1895, Pippa, Charles, Stuart, Martin, Terry and Paul completed our 700 mile (or 1,000 Km)Tour of the UK and Ireland, in 12 days.

The purpose was to visit the International Brigade Memorial Trust memorial sites to those who went to Spain and died during the Civil War, 1936-1939 to fight against fascism and to defend the Spanish Republic. Three members of the Clarion Club died on Spanish soil.

We were greeted by local IBMT members, Republican flags, Red choirs, mayors and Tv and the press.

We spoke and sang.

We started from Edinburgh, Glasgow, then boat to Lairn, Belfast, Dublin, then boat to Fishguard, Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol, Reading and London, Cable Street.

It was incredible, quite amazing; rain? It only rained once coming into Wexford;

Sun? it sped us on from Wales;

Punctures? First I had 4 to Glasgow and then we together had 6 on one round about outside Dublin, due to hedgecutting;

Crashes? none;

Scrapes? I fell into a canal ditch at 17 mph; why? Lack of concentration; a few cuts and bruises and shock; Nobody saw it happen and wondered where I was.

Bum sores? Certainly.

We had great rapport cycling for up to 6/7 hours each day but always waited for each other, goodies would come out on the journey, the pub called twice during the ride and then again in the evening. I don’t know how they do it.

It has been a very memorable experience for me.

The highs and lows were very often highs and very lows but with the support from all and tempered pacing all became possible.

In London we were met at Olympia, site of Mosleys meetings in the 30’s, and went through to Cable Street for a meeting at the mural with the mayor of Tower Hamlets and Max Levitas, who was at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936 and stopped the fascists from entering.

This was followed on Saturday by the AGM of the IBMT, a gala in the evening with Philosophy Football and on Sunday a march to Cable Street, flags flying including the bright Clarion Tom Mann banner, speeches, and much talking and listening in the sun.

A truly wonderful and inspiring time for all.

The fascism of the 30s and 40s had to be fought one battle after another; Governments cooperated or ignored their danger then. As a result millions died. We the people of Britain and Ireland and the world must not allow this to happen again. Fascism is on the rise again with racism, sexism, anti immigration and cuts to our jobs, education and our health and other public services.

We the people must crush it or risk further horrors!

“NO PASARAN”

Manuel