Nostalgia: Leeds lad attempts 200-mile ride on Penny Farthing in 1953

This picture from 1953 shows Leeds-born aircraftman Alfred Nuttall, embarking on a 200-mile cycle ride.
PENNY FARTHING BIKE 1953. JUNCTION OF DURHAM ROAD/PROSPECT LIGHTS OLD NEG NUMBER 22-2385

cyclist Alfred Nuttall - he was on a 200 mile cycle journey from Harrogate to Edinburgh for the  75th anniversary of Cycling Touring Club of Great Britain
picture caption:  Alfred Nuttall, a 23 year old Leeds born aircraftman, leaves Sunderland today for Durham on another stage of his 200 mile penny farthing journey from Edinburgh to Harrogate.  His trip is part of the 75th aniversary celebrations of the Cyclists Touring Club  Sunderland Echo Tuesday  August 4 1953PENNY FARTHING BIKE 1953. JUNCTION OF DURHAM ROAD/PROSPECT LIGHTS OLD NEG NUMBER 22-2385

cyclist Alfred Nuttall - he was on a 200 mile cycle journey from Harrogate to Edinburgh for the  75th anniversary of Cycling Touring Club of Great Britain
picture caption:  Alfred Nuttall, a 23 year old Leeds born aircraftman, leaves Sunderland today for Durham on another stage of his 200 mile penny farthing journey from Edinburgh to Harrogate.  His trip is part of the 75th aniversary celebrations of the Cyclists Touring Club  Sunderland Echo Tuesday  August 4 1953
PENNY FARTHING BIKE 1953. JUNCTION OF DURHAM ROAD/PROSPECT LIGHTS OLD NEG NUMBER 22-2385 cyclist Alfred Nuttall - he was on a 200 mile cycle journey from Harrogate to Edinburgh for the 75th anniversary of Cycling Touring Club of Great Britain picture caption: Alfred Nuttall, a 23 year old Leeds born aircraftman, leaves Sunderland today for Durham on another stage of his 200 mile penny farthing journey from Edinburgh to Harrogate. His trip is part of the 75th aniversary celebrations of the Cyclists Touring Club Sunderland Echo Tuesday August 4 1953

While that may not sound unusual today, or even that difficult back then, spare a thought for the 23-year-old, because he was doing it all on a Penny Farthing.

He is pictured at the junction of Durham Road and Prospect Lights.

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He was attempting a 200 mile cycle journey from Harrogate to Edinburgh for the 75th anniversary of Cycling Touring Club of Great Britain.

Steam Organ  November 1966 old ref number 35-4455
picture caption:  A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today.  Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town.  A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks.  A collector point out the features  of the organ to a group of children in Union Street.  Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966
Wearside Round Table
WEARSIDE ROUND TABLESteam Organ  November 1966 old ref number 35-4455
picture caption:  A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today.  Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town.  A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks.  A collector point out the features  of the organ to a group of children in Union Street.  Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966
Wearside Round Table
WEARSIDE ROUND TABLE
Steam Organ November 1966 old ref number 35-4455 picture caption: A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today. Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town. A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks. A collector point out the features of the organ to a group of children in Union Street. Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966 Wearside Round Table WEARSIDE ROUND TABLE

The picture caption from the time read: “Alfred Nuttall, a 23 year old Leeds born aircraftman, leaves Sunderland today for Durham on another stage of his 200 mile penny farthing journey from Edinburgh to Harrogate.

“His trip is part of the 75th aniversary celebrations of the Cyclists Touring Club.”

The picture was published in the Sunderland Echo on Tuesday August 4 ,1953.

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The smaller picture shows a steam organ from Leeds, which was taken to Sunderland in 1966.

Steam Organ  November 1966 old ref number 35-4455
picture caption:  A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today.  Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town.  A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks.  A collector point out the features  of the organ to a group of children in Union Street.  Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966
Wearside Round Table
WEARSIDE ROUND TABLESteam Organ  November 1966 old ref number 35-4455
picture caption:  A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today.  Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town.  A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks.  A collector point out the features  of the organ to a group of children in Union Street.  Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966
Wearside Round Table
WEARSIDE ROUND TABLE
Steam Organ November 1966 old ref number 35-4455 picture caption: A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table's appeal day held in Sunderland today. Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town. A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other oorganised functions take plae during the next few weeks. A collector point out the features of the organ to a group of children in Union Street. Sunderland Echo Saturday November 26 1966 Wearside Round Table WEARSIDE ROUND TABLE

The picture caption reads: “A steam organ from Leeds was one of the attractions of Wearside Round Table’s appeal day held in Sunderland today.”

“Officials were raising money for Christmas parcels to be distribed to old and needy people of the town. A target of 1,000 pounds has been set, which should be reached after other organised functions take place during the next few weeks.

“A collector points out the features of the organ to a group of children in Union Street.

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The picture was published in the Sunderland Echo on Saturday November 26, 1966.

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