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Ida Crow and London Ladies MCC

While researching for the feature about Marlene Parker, Beatrice Shilling and Theresa Wallach et al (TCM, July 2018, page 85) thoughts of other ladies involved in motorcycling came to mind, including the London Ladies MC. I first encountered this club two decades ago when Val Underwood (late wife of friend Alan Underwood), a lifelong enthusiastic motorcyclist, mentioned in conversation she had been a member of the London Ladies MC in the mid-1950s. Val recalled at the time the club was largely run by Ida Crow.

Also while researching for the Marlene Parker feature about six months ago, a family friend, Sally, noticed the work and asked what else I knew about women motorcyclists, and especially those who actively competed. Of course, we soon discussed the careers of Muriel Hind, Olga Kevalos, Marjorie Cottle and others, which led onto the London Ladies MC and further research.

After publishing the Marlene Parker feature, two readers asked about the above club and more recently Peter Maddox wrote a delightful piece which editor Julie Diplock published in the August-September 2018 issue of the Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club News. A variation of this feature has also been offered to the SMCC News.

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