Cyclists mark 75th anniversary
A group of cyclists will set off from Edinburgh next Monday (19 September) for a tour of Britain and Ireland to remember the volunteers from the British Isles who joined the International Brigades.
Organised by the National Clarion Cycling Club 1895 (NCCC), the IBMT-supported ride will mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades in October 1936 to fight General Franco’s fascist-backed revolt against the Spanish Republic.
Seven cyclists will complete the entire 645-mile itinerary, with others joining them for shorter parts of the route. They will call at International Brigade memorials along the way, where wreaths will be laid and homage paid to the 527 men and women from Britain and Ireland who were killed in the war in Spain.
The cyclists will arrive in London in time for the IBMT’s annual general meeting on 1 October and the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street on the following day.
IBMT members are invited to support the riders, by joining them for parts of their route or by attending the ceremonies of remembrance at International Brigade memorials.
ITINERARY
19 September: Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh; to Glasgow via Blantyre and Rutherglen IB memorials; 60 miles.
20 September: Assemble 9.30am at “Pasionaria” IB memorial, Custom Quay, Glasgow; to Cairnryan; 85 miles.
21 September: Cairnryan by ferry to Larne; onwards to Belfast; 25 miles.
22 September: Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Saint Anne’s Square, Belfast; to Dundalk; 55 miles.
23 September: Dundalk to Dublin; 55 miles.
24 September: Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Liberty Hall, Dublin; to Arklow; 62 miles.
25 September: Arklow to Rosslare; 58 miles.
26 September: Rosslare by ferry to Fishguard; onwards to St Clears; 33 miles.
27 September: St Clears to Cardiff via IB memorial in Swansea; 62 miles.
28 September: Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Cathays Park, Cardiff; to Bristol; 55 miles.
29 September: Assemble 9.30am at IB memorial, Castle Park, Bristol; to Streatley; 35 miles.
30 September: Streatley to London via Reading IB memorial (at 9.30am); join more cyclists at Olympia at approximately 3pm; arrival at IB memorial and mural in Cable Street at approximately 5pm; 60 miles.
MORE INFORMATION
NCCC (Charles Jepson): 01254-51302 / clarioncc@yahoo.co.ukIBMT (Jim Jump): 020-7228 6504 / secretary@international-brigades.org.uk
