Our next talk  

“Military Cyclists – A Century of Failure?”

Tuesday 14th July 2026 at 7.30pm

Cycling created a transport revolution in the late 19th century. Soldiers who were enthusiasts sought to apply the craze to the battlefield as part of a menu of new weapons and tactics.

Though there is some discussion of this trend among all Western powers, this talk focuses on how the British Army created a corps of military cyclists by raising specific battalions within the new Territorial Force.

But in 1914, such Edwardian optimism crumbled in the face of the reality of modern warfare on the Western Front. Nonetheless, military cycling proved resilient, and later conflicts saw creative ways of supporting it in successful military campaigns.

Our speaker is Nick Mansfield, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Lancashire.

No advance tickets are required.

All are welcome, and a lively discussion is guaranteed!

There is a small admission charge of £5 to cover venue rental cost (includes free tea & coffee).  Pay on the door.