Holmes of Welling
Author Bryan Clarke
From
their lavish advertisement in a 1948 copy of 'Cycling' showing their
shop front, and small advert from 1949, we discover that Holmes were
established in 1922. They were situated just off the main thoroughfare
at Welling Corner at the junction of Wickham Lane. Welling is on what
was the old Roman Road of Watling Street between Shooters Hill and
Bexleyheath and until the late 1920s was the main road from London to
Rochester (A2). During the period up to WWII the area was to be
transformed from small village with a string of 19th century shops into
a modern suburb on the outskirts of South East London. Shooters Hill
was a formidable climb for both cyclists and motor traffic alike and a
dual carriageway bypass was built which anticipated the increase in
motor traffic. It was well established by 1936 and featured on contour
cycling maps at that date.It is clear that although Holmes were agents for large manufacturers such as BSA and Raleigh they started to cater for the lightweight fraternity by manufacturing road and track frames under their
own name, which were built on the premises. Early examples in an advertisement from a 1950 copy
of 'Cycling' (shown left) reveal three distinct models on offer.
The top model was the 'Feather Superbe', notable for having scroll pattern fancy lugs. Their lightweight credentials were reaffirmed in an advert in the first monthly addition of the 'Coureur- Sporting Cyclist' in May 1957, calling themselves 'manufacturers of high-class lightweight frames and cycles' and that there were 'no sidelines'.
It was quite common for cycle shops to branch out at that time to cover the slack periods. Frank Lipscombe in the same issue advertised 'no motors, no television, no toys'. The 1960 'Avanti' (pictured below-right) was possibly an 'off the peg' example but one of the last models to be offered. Even so it was well made and has very distinctive lugs.
It is believed that they closed their doors in mid-1963 after forty-one years when there was clearly a slump in the market and possibly retirement beckoned Mr Holmes. However, there was always an alternative bike shop not far away. A F Mills (Welling) Ltd at 108 High Street, a long time rival, also sold bicycles under their own name and advertised as agents for Claud Butler, Falcon and Viking in 1965. They were particularly renowned for their tandems.
In the other direction, along Bellegrove Road, Clive Stuart opened a lightweight shop that was run by the frame builder Alec Bird. With his brother Ken, they ran a small cycle team that sponsored local cycling ace, John Clarey, in 1968. This was to become Welling Cycles, a branch of Holdsworth and then bought by one of their employees Fred Elliott when that organisation went into liquidation in the early 1980s.
Although perhaps not one of the all time great marques, Holmes frames were carefully crafted and had their following locally in the 1950s and 60s, especially with members of the Mercury CC that had its HQ close by. One of their frame builders, Keith Hardwick, worked for Holdsworth after the shop closed.
To see Welling Corner in 1963 go to http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/bexley/welling/welling-corner-1963.htm
Holmes shop is not in view but was just out of shot in the street on the left.
Frame Numbering:
It is clear from conversations with a few Mercury CC members that Holmes frames were only made in small numbers. However, they have an easily identifiable numbering system. The six digits represent the year of build followed by the month followed by the total build that month. These can be found under the BB in line and close to the adjustable cup or on the lug section where the BB meets the down tube: i.e. 571007 = 1957 October number 7.
Left: A pair of typical Holmes frames showing headbadges and lugs
Acknowledgements:
Thanks go to Dave Collins, Tony James and Griff King-Spooner
Right: Holmes advert from Sporting Cyclist May 1957
Advert from Cycling 1948 showing
the shop - established 25 years