Nominations to the SFACC Board, and for President and Vice President

John and Kate Bosley standing for President (Shared)

John

I have worked with people with disabilities for almost 40 years. I have an inclusive outlook based on equality of opportunity for all. I have engaged in some form of cycling all of my life but not joining a club until I joined The Fairies about 20 years ago. Prior to Kate’s accident I cycled weekly with the weekend club groups. I also time trialled regularly and made the Abellio team. When Kate had a serious cycling accident we moved across to riding a Tandem. We pretty much do everything on the tandem that we did solo and love it. We have been presidents of the club for the past year. We have joined in with centenary events, supported the club time trials and got to know many more club riders. Our role in acting as a sounding board for the Directors as well as providing alternative perspectives (if only as Devil’s Advocate) has been a privilege. The Directors, all volunteers, give so much of their time for the club.

Kate

I had a career in nursing adults and children but ultimately gaining leadership roles in the hospice movement. When I joined SFACC we enjoyed the club rides but also started Time Trialling for a laugh. A few years later I came 10th in Cycling Time Trials British Best Allrounders and started to train more seriously but had a cycling accident causing traumatic brain injury. Lucky to survive, it did result in visual impairments. This has given me an awareness of the challenges involved in accessing our sport with a disability.

Both John and Kate:

The club has given us a lot and this also provides an opportunity to continue to give something back.

We would like to stand to share the role of the President for a second year so that we can bring our broad perspectives to the benefit of the club

As we both have leadership experience this will allow us to provide the Directors with alternative experience and views, we have a long history with the club, and further perspectives of the cycling world beyond SFACC.

We would hope to support the Directors in identifying the best direction as a club, be positive and inclusive representatives for the club, and provide balance (including male and female) on perceptions whilst challenge/support the deliberations and decisions made by the Directors.

Club members who supported our nomination.

Natalie Ceeney

Lise Taylor-Vebel

John Longbottom

About me: I am 70 and recently retired from working in the construction industry, having started in 1968 as an apprentice and retiring in 2022 as a Senior Clerk of Works.

I am married to Helen (a club member) and have two adult children, Claire and Tom, and live in north Maidstone.

When did I join the club? I started riding with the club in 1963 when I was 12 years old and officially joined on 11 February 1964; the subs. then were 7/6d. At the 2004 AGM I was elected a Life member

What have I done for the club? I am a past President, Chairman, General Committee member and currently Time Trial Secretary. I have also promoted, at various times, the club open time trials at 10, 25 & 50 miles.

Over the years I have mainly been involved with Time Trialling either as a rider, organiser or administrator.

Other Cycling Involvement – I am currently the Chair and Secretary of the Southeast District Committee of Cycling Time Trials. I joined the committee in 1972 as a committee member and took on the treasurer’s job in 1993. In 2011 I was elected Chairman and in 2018 secretary.

How do I see the role? With my extensive background in the club at many different levels I can provide some historical context and guidance for the club and provide support to the President when needed.

Supported by: Helen Longbottom & Mark Vowells

Duncan Edwards

My interest in cycling has spanned most of my life. As a teenager I joined the club and took part in racing, club runs and touring. I maintained my cycle fitness by commuting to work. In later life I re-joined the club with my son who took part in the full range of racing and development opportunities offered by the club.

My current interest in cycling is as a fitness and leisure activity and as a low carbon transport alternative. I am active in cycle campaigning in Maidstone as the deputy chair of the Maidstone Cycle Campaign Forum.

SFA has a rich history and over the years has had some amazing cyclists and personalities among its members which gives it a gravitas few other clubs can aspire to. The club is also progressive and innovative in developing its offering and structure which shows through in the large membership and ability to attract new members every year.

The size of the club is a real opportunity for us to provide an excellent offering for our members but also put something back into the cycling community whether that is developing, encouraging and broadening the base of people who gain benefit from cycling or to contribute to the events structure for those who are already keen cyclists, the club can continue to build and develop its capability.

I also believe the club can take a positive stance on a variety of issues that affect it’s members such as cycling safety; as a pool of expert knowledge that can contribute to local and national initiatives to improve facilities for cyclists and as an advocate for sustainable forms of transport contributing to the environmental challenges we all need to face up to.

I have acted as director of events and supported the director for campaigns in 2021 and 2022 and am happy to take on the role of chair for 2023.

My nomination is supported by

Warren Martins and Russell Chidwick.

Caroline Anne Mortlock

Standing for Director – to manage the Milestone Magazine

I am 60 and I love cycling. I have lived in Kent for over 20 years and I am still discovering new roads and routes. Since I stopped working full-time I have been able to get out lots more on my bike and am very much enjoying taking a more active role in San Fairy Ann CC. I have a deep commitment to cycling and to living more sustainably. For me, cycling brings together many things that matter to me – not least the fellowship of fellow cyclists.

I am standing again for Director because I want to contribute to the continued success of our Club. We are having a really successful Centenary Year, with our events demonstrating the wonderful things that can happen when we work together. The Club continues to evolve and improve, which is great to see.

I am confident that I can continue to bring energy, professionalism, and positivity to my role. I have been able to use my administrative and organisational skills to good effect in the past year. I am especially keen to see our Club improve further in terms of diversity and inclusion. Our motto was born in the spirit of inclusivity back in 1922 and it is as relevant now as it was then. I am eager to take advantage of the opportunities that our Centenary year will bring to continue the Club’s growth and success. I am an English teacher by profession, and enjoy both writing and bringing others’ stories to life. I would be honoured to take over the production and editorial management of the Milestone when Lise steps down from the Board later this year.

Nominated by:

Crystal Riley & Emma Claydon

Ian Blackburn

Standing for Director –Technical Director

I’m a 57 yr old father of three, an enthusiastic cyclist and triathlete, and a lover of sports tech and gadgets.

About my cycling? I switch between my Gravel, Road and TT bike and love them all equally. Oh, mustn't forget my Brompton, just not used as much, now I rarely commute around London. I love a long club ride in the Kent countryside but also do a lot of solo training sessions on the turbo and the road as part of my plan to complete a third full-distance IronMan triathlon in 2023.

What will I bring to the club? All the computer tech work, including the website, managing email, a “tech corner” column in the milestone, but also an occasional club podcast recording with members and anything else I can help with (including cooking Pizza with my wife at the club centenary party!)

Nominated by:

John Bosley & Anthony Palmer

Philip Thorpe

Standing for Director – Club Rides

Who am I?

I have been involved with the cycling scene all my life as I was brought up in a cycling family. I have been riding club runs for 40 years; with a 3 year dabble at time trials. I wasn’t fast at TTs, so took up audax riding and achieved a Super Randonneur in 1993 (riding 200km, 300km, 400km & 600km audaxes is one season). I have been a member of the CTC (Cycling UK) for 40 years and a member of Audax UK for 30 years. I completed LEJOG in 2021 riding 1050 miles in 13 days on the hilly route up the middle of the country. I have been a SFA member for 22 years, when we had just one club run on a Saturday and Sunday. I formed the Intermediates in 2004 (between the A & B groups), spawning all the various faster Saturday Intermediate groups as we kept growing in numbers until we ran out of Intermediate labels and I formed the Inbetweeners in 2017, of which I am the Coordinator. I enjoy the camaraderie of club runs and, as my colleagues will know, the all-day breakfast at the café break. I enjoy steel bikes. Basically I just love riding my bike.

Why do I want to stand?

I have met so many great people in the SFA and many have become close friends. The club has always supported me when I wanted to create new club-run groups. I want to see the SFA continue to be a successful club and offer the opportunity to new cyclists to enjoy our club rides. I enjoy helping our new members select the club run most appropriate to their capabilities. When I meet cyclists on the road I am proud to tell them that the SFA has so many groups that we have a group at their speed whatever it is.

What skills do I bring?

I am retired now. I am a Chartered Engineer and worked in industry for my entire career. I managed the engineering design and development departments for companies in the telecommunication and radio communications field with the additional responsibilities for product safety and legislation compliance and included HR practices and department budgeting. I hope these skills and my love of club runs will be beneficial as a director of the SFA.

Nominated by:

Mark Bromwich & Julie Colver

Jonathan Engwell

Standing for Director – to be Finance Director

I am willing to stand for re-election as board member of this great club that I have been part of for the last 10 years. I took up cycling in my 40’s mainly to regain some fitness after my body told me to give up impact sports. Not only has it achieved the obvious health benefits but riding with the club (B+ and Midweekers) has also brought me a new circle of friends and I probably speak for most members when I enthuse over how it has that ability to bring together a group of people with a common passion for cycling, irrespective of age, gender or background.

My employment background is private banking, working for 31 years at Coutts Bank, giving financial advice to some of the UK's wealthiest and well known sports and entertainment personalities as well as landowners and their estates. So after leaving the Bank in 2018, with more time on my hands, and the the previous long-standing treasurer, Chris Daly, wishing to step down, I thought it would be a good time to get more involved. With a good understanding of finance and budgeting, at both a personal and corporate level, I saw the role of managing the finances of the club as ideal. I consider myself level headed and straightforward, get on well with others and, in my former work life, was used to meeting any deadlines set.

I’ve been in the role now for two years and I’m happy to continue for another year. My priorities are for the club to continue to invest in its members so they get the best experience for their annual subs, and to ensure the finances of the club remain healthy.

Nominated by:

Russell Chidwick & Tony Palmer

Chris Beighton (aka Mr Fix It)

Standing for Board Director

About me…

I'm 52 years old with a background in education and adult training. I've worked in several countries on a range of different projects. I've lived in Kent for 20+ years now and currently live in Rochester with my daughter and my wife.

My interest in/ passion for cycling …

My interest in cycling has changed over the years: initially a cheap and effective way of commuting, it has grown into my main hobby. I ride now not just as transport, but also for fun and, increasingly, socially. Strongly attached to SFA, I have been a strong advocate for the club in recent years and particularly enjoy welcoming new members and meeting new people.

What will I bring to the Board?

I have considerable experience in training and strong communication skills. this means that I feel able to listen well and synthesize points of view in a constructive way. As we have a diverse Board, an increasingly diverse membership, and a need to dialogue with an ever wider range of people both inside and outside the club I feel these skills would be very helpful.

I would add that I know many of the current Board and get on well with them.

Nominated by:

Russell Chidwick & Barbara Wiles

Clare Reynolds

Standing for Board Director

Nominated by:

Natalie Ceeney & Caroline Mortlock