Lincolnshire Automobile Club

Annual Report of the Committee 1912

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The Committee have pleasure in reporting that the club has completed another year of successful work, and that the number of members continue to increase, being now 286, 36 new members having been elected during the year.

At the Annual General Meeting held on Feb. 2^nd, 1912 , Sir H.B.Bacon, Bart, was re-elected. The committee was re-appointed, with the substitution of Mr G.H. Martyn for Mr T.G. Tickler. Messrs. A.A.Padley, Godfry Lowe, E.R.Simpson and C.W. Page were re-elected Hon. Solicitor, Hon.Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Auditor respectively.

The Committee regret to report that Mr C.W. Page has recently died. They have elected Mr C.J. Streets as Auditor in his place. A most useful discussion took place on the condition of the roads in some parts of the county especially in the neighbourhood of Louth and Alford( See Chronicle Report 1912), and Sub Committee was appointed to go into the matter and report as to the best course to pursue. This Sub Committee forwarded several reports on the actual conditions observed at certain times and these were collated and forwarded to the authorities concerned and duly acknowledged. It is hoped that members will keep the committee informed of the condition of affairs in their districts during the present winter in order that due notice may be given of any unreasonable methods of road repair.

The relations of the club with the Royal A.C. have been of a close and harmonious nature. Several very important matters have been settled during the year. Perhaps the leading occurrence has been the institution of the system of “ R.A.C. Road Guides”. This scheme has been heartily supported by the Committee as it was felt that the Road Guides could be of the greatest assistance to members while touring. It is proposed to appoint further “Guides” in the County during the coming year in addition to those now posted at Skegness and Syston (near Grantham). One will be stationed at Stamford and one at Sleaford (to patrol the villages of Heckington, Ruskington, Anwick and Leasingham).

Another very useful addition to the benefits of membership has been the institution of the “Get-you-home-Badge”, the privileges of which are available free to all members who carry the Club Badge on their cars. In this connection it is well to report that the R.A.C. Associate and Lincolnshire A.C. Car Badge is now carried by about 200 members of the club.

A close correspondence with the various County Authorities has been maintained during the year and the Committee is pleased to report that the Holland and Lindsey County Councils have passed bye-laws dealing with rear lights on vehicles, the Advertisements Regulation Act and also with regard to Traction Engines. Efforts are being made to persuade the County Councils to have their sign boards painted in different colours in order to distinguish between main roads and bye-roads according to the system in Norfolk .

The Committee received with regret at a meeting on May 20^th a letter from Major J.A.Cole resigning the Chairmanship of the committee owing to his leaving the County to reside in Warwickshire. The Committee would like to take this opportunity of recording their appreciation of the long and useful service rendered by Major Cole not only to this club but to the cause of motoring generally. Fortunately the president (Sir H.B.Bacon, Bart), was prevailed upon to accept the Chairmanship.

A large number of members have availed themselves of the information to be obtained free of charge from the Touring Department of the R.A.C. on the subject of Home and Foreign Touring. The Legal Department of the R.A.C. has also been made use of in several cases where members have been the subjects of police Court proceedings.

The Kesteven County Council having applied for a 10 mile Speed limit through Syston, near Grantham, the committee has given notice of objection, believing that the public is amply protected under Section 1 of the Motor Car Act, 1903.

A special garage was provided free of charge for members at the Lincolnshire Agricultural Show at Skegness. This was much appreciated by members and it is hoped that similar arrangements may be made for the Show at Lincoln in1913.

No competitions have been held during the year, but enjoyable meets of the Club were held at Elkesley on May 4^th, when members inspected the Waterworks undertaking of the Lincoln Corporation and afterwards took tea at Normanton Inn, and on June 5th at Scawby Gull Ponds, when tea was taken at Brigg. Unfortunately on both occasions the weather was dull and cold. A meet was held at Brocklesby Park on August 15^th by kind permission of the earl of Yarborough and members were entertained by the Club, the local arrangements being in the hands of Messrs. E .J. Brockway and G. H. Martyn. Though the weather was unpropitious a large number of members attended and a very pleasant afternoon was spent.

The Club has sustained a loss during the year by the death of Mr W. B. Jevons of Market Rasen one of the founders of the Club and the first man to drive a motor in the County, and of Mr G.E.P. Bainbridge of Lincoln .

The Committee has granted subscriptions to the Roads Improvement Association, the international Association of Road Congress and the Prize Fund of the Motor Cycle Section. It has also subscribed three guineas towards a testimonial which is being raised by the National Cyclists' Union to Mr G.J. Wilkinson, who was one of the founders and was first Hon. Secretary of the Club.

The Motor Cycle Section has had a very successful season, the membership is now 101.

The Committee has arranged with Messrs. Burrow & Co of Cheltenham to produce an illustrated booklet which will give full particulars of the Club and also the advantages of associateship of the R.A.C. Copies of this will be sent to all members.

The Balance Sheet will be found over leaf. At the end of last year the balance in hand was £259 1s 10d, £200 of this is on deposit bearing interest.