Category: News

This year’s Beacon AGM will take place at 18:30 on Thursday 7 December 2023, via Zoom.

Please see the AGM notice sent out to all members by email for the Zoom link. Please check your spam folder if you haven’t received the AGM notice. If you can’t find it there, it’s likely we don’t have your email address on record, so please drop a line to membership@beaconrcc.org.uk so we can add it.

The agenda and committee members’ reports will be posted on the message board in due course.

Please give thought to how you can help the club continue to serve its members, and the sport of cycling in general.

On Sunday 26 November, we’re again going to be co-organising a round of the West Midlands Cyclo-Cross League at Walsall Arboretum. Volunteers are required to help make the event a success, both on the day and the day before to help build the course. If you’re able to volunteer, please put you name down here. A volunteer briefing is available here, a rota here and a map here.

For those keen to race, online entries are now closed, but entry on the day will be possible. The rider briefing can be downloaded here.

The 2024 edition of the Beacon RCC’s flagship time trial event, the Little Mountain Time Trial, which forms part of the CTT Merlin Cycles Classic Series, will take place on 21 April on the K22/39 course, with the event headquarters at Great Witley Village Hall.

As in recent years, there will be categories for men, women, juniors, paracyclists, veterans and those riding standard road bikes. Further details will be provided once the event is open for entries.

In the closing weeks of each year, we get together to recognise the achievements of our members during the season just ended. This year’s Annual Dinner and Prize Presentation will be held on Saturday 18 November, starting at 18:00.

In line with feedback from the survey we did earlier in the year, this year’s event is going to be a little different. Here’s what we’ve got lined up:

A great venue

To make sure the event stays affordable and accessible, we’re using Kings Norton Golf Club again this year. There’s a spacious function room and a cosy bar, both with wheelchair access, in a leafy setting on the edge of town.

Reception

You’ll be served with Prosecco or a non-alcoholic alternative on arrival.

Buffet meal

We’ll still have tables where you can sit and eat sociably with your friends. But instead of a three-course meal brought to you, you’ll select from a delicious buffet that caters for a range of preferences and dietary needs.

Guest speaker

We’re delighted to have Bristol University’s Dr Fiona Spotswood as our guest speaker this year. Fiona is an avid mountain-biker whose specialist field is fostering inclusive action sports. She’ll be giving a lively and an inspiring half-hour talk on bringing more young people and women into the sport we all love. Don’t miss it!

Award presentation

Medals and trophies will be presented to club members who have excelled in a wide variety of competitive and non-competitive fields. Come along to hear what your club-mates have been doing, and show your appreciation.

Music and dancing, led by our very own cycling DJ Vince!

There’ll be quiet areas where you can chat and drink, if you prefer.

Ample opportunity for mingling

One of the main things to come out of the survey was that people wanted the formalities kept short, leaving more time for catching up with friends. We’ve therefore opted for a buffet format, without any cross-toasting, enabling us to move on to the guest speaker and awards earlier in the evening. The duration of those slots will also be limited, so that the whole of the second half of the evening is free for mingling and chatting.

All-in price of £35

Catering costs and venue hire prices have shot up in the last couple of years. Continuing with the traditional event format would have meant either an eye-watering ticket price, or a whopping subsidy from the club’s reserves. However, by making the changes described and securing a modest subsidy from central funds, we’ve been able to reduce the ticket price this year to £35.

We really hope you can make it on 18 November for a great evening celebrating the Beacon, and everything our members do. Current, former and prospective Beacon members and friends of the club are all welcome, as are their partners, family and guests.

Get your ticket(s) now using the link below.

Subscription renewals are due on 1 January each year. If you are an existing member of the club and need to renew your membership, please transfer the relevant amount to the club’s bank account (including your name as the reference) or set up a standing order via Internet Banking. Contact the Treasurer or Membership Secretary for details.

Full membership £15
Family membership £25
Junior membership £5

If you wish to renew via secure card payment please proceed to our renewal page and select the appropriate membership type. A small additional charge applies to cover card processing costs.

If you are a British Cycling member or are considering joining British Cycling you may wish to renew via the British Cycling site. To do so, please continue to your personal dashboard on the British Cycling web site. Please note that British Cycling charge £1 per transaction to cover card processing charges.

The last date for paying subs without a break in membership is 31 March; any memberships unpaid by this date will lapse. Please note that if you joined on or after 1 October 2022, your membership is valid until the end of 2023 and you won’t need to renew until the start of 2024.

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