In March 1911 the following notice appeared in The MotorCycle magazine: “Many local suggestions have been made for the formation of a motor cycle club in Chesterfield and District, and any who may be interested are invited to attend a provisional meeting to be held at the Hotel Portland, Chesterfield, at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 15th. Those wishing to attend are asked to send their names to Lawrence Smith, Rosemount, 23, Clarence Road, Chesterfield.” As a result of this notice the Chesterfield and District Motor Cycle Club was formed. The club organised hill climbs, speed trials, reliability runs and social events. According to the 1911 census for Chesterfield, Lawrence was a chauffeur, motor cycle and car mechanic and a dealer. Forming a motor cycle club would have put Lauri in contact with motor cycle owners, a good business move on his part!

An Early Event of Chesterfield and District Motor Cycle Club

Chesterfield and District Motor Cycle Club hill climb at Amber Hill, Kelstedge, 1912.

The first annual dinner and presentation of prizes of the club was held at the Hotel Portland on the 14th February 1912. It is not known how long the club lasted; it may well not have survived much later than the First World War.