ASTLEY and Tydlesley Cycle Speedway Club has undergone a name change.

The club will now be known as Astley and Tyldesley Cycling Club to incorporate road and off-road leisure rides in its programme of activities, as well as cycle speedway.

This follows on from the successful launch of a ladies road cycling section.

At their annual meeting, the existing club committee was re-elected with Lee Phillips filling the vacant post of track curator and Claire Knox becoming the club’s third welfare officer.

A ninth ladies ride will be held on Saturday, meeting at 8.30am at the Bull's Head on Manchester Road.

Message from A&T committee: "It with deep regret to announce that Alan Farrell passed away last Wednesday morning, at the age of 65, after a lengthy illness.

"Alan had a strong involvement with cycle speedway which lasted over 40 years, firstly as a member of the Gorton and Tameside clubs and more recently at Astley & Tyldesley.

"Alan was one of the three club members who built the Gin Pit circuit during the 1990/91 winter and had been the club’s Track Curator since 2010.

"Alan was also an experienced referee and had been the Northern League’s Treasurer for many years.

"Alan will be sadly missed and the club’s deepest sympathies and thoughts go to Alan’s family and friends at this difficult time."

The ninth ride of the new Astley & Tyldesley Ladies Cycling Club, led by Denise Bailey, will be on Saturday November 22, setting off from the car park at the Bull’s Head, 504 Manchester Road, Astley, M29 7BP at 8.30am.

A leisure ride on the roads around Croft and Winwick will be organized, with a coffee stop added. Any ladies wishing to participate are urged to do so. For further details, please see the attached flyer, or contact Denise at denbailey@hotmail.co.uk