30 January 2025
Throughout 2025 we will once again shine a spotlight on the brilliant effort volunteers make across all forms of cycling. We want to acknowledge the huge contribution volunteers make to cycling and recognise the wide variety of roles undertaken to activate, support, lead, and deliver at all levels.
Each month, we are taking nominations from across the regions and home nations. If you think someone deserves a mention, get in touch on social media, with your respective regional or national teams or via @BCLearningHub on X.
This month we have a team of commissaires and a Club Secretary and Ride Leader.
Name: Laura Baskeyfield
Region: Club Secretary, Ride Leader, Breeze Ride Leader
Role: Sout
Laura is one of North Cotswold CC’s most experienced female ride leaders, a true role model and ambassador both inside and outside of the club.
She joined North Cotswold CC back in 2017 and it was only a short matter of time before Laura took on the role of Club Secretary. A role that demands focus, discipline and organisation skills, all of which come naturally to Laura.
Laura’s ride leading started back in 2014 when she trained as a British Cycling Breeze Ride Leader whilst she was living in Hampshire. She then returned back to her roots near Moreton in Marsh and to date has led over 200 breeze rides!
Her volunteer work, natural passion, dedication and willingness to help everyone at all levels has driven and increased our overall female club riders significantly.
The Couch to 50K series in 2024 was led by Laura and supported by some other ride leaders in the club. The series also included basic bike checks and maintenance by Cotswold Cycles to give the riders skills to look after their bikes. It was an overwhelming success and as a result, North Cotswold CC have introduced a dedicated women only club ride which takes place on the first Saturday of every month at 10.00am. These rides started with two groups, but have increased to three to ensure the rides cater for all levels.
Here are some samples of the appreciation riders have expressed for Laura’s work. All of these quotes are from the women who took part in the 2024 Couch to 50k.
“I loved it! Thank you to Laura Baskeyfield and all the leaders for your time and patience. This definitely got me back in the saddle and I met some great people”
“ Such a big thank you, I thoroughly enjoyed every session. It's been brilliant. Special thanks for all the organising and to the leaders each week along with NCCC and of course The Revolution Café”
“Thank you for organising! It was a fantastic way to get some much-needed cycling experience and to meet new people.”
Finally, as a cycling club North Cotswold CC supports two chosen charities: the Midlands Air Ambulance and Cyclists Fighting Cancer. Throughout the year they host a variety of fundraising activities and Laura is always guaranteed to be involved in some capacity.
British Cycling Values: Passion, Integrity, Unity, Innovation
Names: Lee Shunburne, Ian Poole, Martin Eadon, Jon Goodge, Phil Jemmison, Chris Clague, Simon Cooper, Sarah Cook. Dan Bell and Alastair Mackinlay
Region: National
Role: Commissaire Panel from National Championships
All of the above individuals were integral to the successful running of the Lloyds National Cyclo Cross championships at Cyclopark in January. They had to deal with some challenging conditions and make decisions to ensure the event was safe.
Jon said about his time at the event: “It was an amazing experience working with a great team. We had some challenges to face with a venue that was either freezing or defrosting and having to make the course safe for the riders, but also keeping the level of course relevant for a National Champs.”
A big thank you to the team, for holding up the core British Cycling values and being great ambassadors for the sport
