The Defiance Cycle Company was formed in 1880 to produce bicycles in Wales.[1] It was founded by two brothers of the Williams family, Arthur and William Williams who established the factory at the top of the Amman Valley.[2]
They started making ordinary bicycles in 1878,[1] and made their first chain-driven bicycle in late 1884 or 1885.[1]
On Easter Monday, 9 April 1885, a chain-driven Defiance Cycle was ridden from the factory at Glanamman to Swansea and back, a distance of some 35 miles.[1] Many people turned out to see this event, which is commemorated by riders tracing the ride route to Swansea.[3]
The company thrived through the 1880s and in 1895 opened a retail premises in Eloff Street, Johannesburg, South Africa. to sell bicycles exported from Wales.[4] Their manufacturer’s trademark changed to 'The Defiance Cycle Company of Glanaman & Johannesburg' to reflect this development.
They produced a motorcycle in 1901, but only for a short time.[1] Arthur Williams & Co. continued to sell bicycles until Arthur's death in 1948.[1]
Just three of these bicycles are known to be still in existence, one is in private ownership while the other two are in the museums of Birmingham and Carmarthen.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Lynn Hughes (Winter 2002). "Royal Defiance Cycle Co" (PDF). The Boneshaker. Vol. 17, no. 160. pp. 24–27. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
Masterminded by the talented William Williams, in 1885, they produced a chain-driven bicycle, which on Easter Monday, Arthur rode all the way to Swansea.
- ^ Amman Valley Chronicle & East Carmarthen News, 23 February 1933 p6.
- ^ "The Defiance Cycle Ride". Swansea and West Wales CTC (Cyclists’ Touring Club). 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
On Easter Monday in 1885, a momentous event took place in south west Wales. For the very first time, a modern, chain-driven bicycle was ridden all the way from Glanaman in the Amman Valley to Swansea and back.
- ^ Steve Dube (2002). "First and only cycle company in Wales remembered; HERITAGE: Farming family caused sensation with `bone-shaker' bicycle they built in 1880s". The Free Library. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
External links
edit- Carmarthenshire County Museum
- The Defiance Cycle Ride
- Defiance cycle Ride Photos, including some of a Defiance Bike
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