In the absence of Mrs Sarah Phillips, we were welcomed by Mrs Brenda Jackson. She went through the forthcoming events in the WI Newsletter.

Mrs Jackson handed certificates in recognition of their longstanding contribution to Arbory WI to Mrs Elizabeth Sheen (40 years) and Mrs Pam Clucas (50 years).

Mrs Jackson said that our institute’s record of 65 years was quite remarkable in a small village.

She then introduced our speaker, Mrs Dot Tilbury, who was to talk to us about Cycling - My Story.

She began by telling us that, when young, she had never done any cycling.

She had gone to the UK for five years and had worked in Harrods toy department, dealing with queries and complaints by telephone.

She went on to other jobs in retail (although her vision was to be the Cadbury’s Flake girl) before returning to the Isle of Man.

She spent her first £30 pay packet on a bicycle and rode to Glen Vine.

Subsequently she sold that bicycle to her father and bought another with drop handlebars and cycled to Peel. She then took part in some 10 mile time trials against the clock.

She was then at club level and on the committee, later becoming chairman despite never having been chosen for any team while at school.

When the NSC was completed and had a tarmac track, children’s cycling was reintroduced 21 years ago and she volunteered to run children’s training.

On the first night there were 14 children aged from five to 15 years.

A year later, this had risen to 39 as she introduced more fun such as fancy dress.

Figures continued to rise and a nine-year-old Mark Cavendish joined and an Olympic Development Programme was launched.

At its peak the NSC had 398 children in one night. She took us through the many successes of the Isle of Man riders, both male and female, which were most impressive, particularly given the comparative population size of their competitors.

She told us that natural talent and a work ethic are essential but without dedication and a willingness to put up with various discomforts - sleeping on the floor of the night ferry being one mentioned - success is not possible.

Dot is most certainly dedicated to her young riders and is very proud f their success which is due in no small measure to her.

Her talk was both enjoyable and illuminating and enjoyed by all.

The vote of thanks was given by Mrs Val Greggor and the competition - an unusual stamp - was won by Mrs Anne Hartshorne with Mrs Christine Miller second.

Our next meeting will be held at Arbory Methodist Hall on May 11 at 7.15pm.

Sheena Gilbert