The Circle of Silver Knights
The Circle of Silver Knights was an extremely successful road safety campaign introduced by Raleigh in the late 1940s. Application to be a Silver Knight was via the purchase of a Raleigh, Rudge or Humber tricycle, specifically the ‘Twinkie’, ‘Winkie’ and ‘Chunkie’ models, (the form was to be found in the saddlebag). The main objective of the club was to teach the Highway Code to children, particularly promoting courtesy, health and road safety.
When a child first joined, they would receive an illuminated Scroll and would be known as a Shield Bearer. After twelve months, they would then be promoted to ‘Full Knighthood’ and would receive a handsome antique finish silver badge, featuring Sir Walter Raleigh and the name, Circle of Silver Knights.
In subsequent years, birthday and Christmas greetings would be sent to the child and on occasions an extra gift. By 1955 there were over 50,000 members, from all corners of the globe. Dealers were provided with copies of all the promotional literature in order to promote the scheme effectively. This would include copies of the shield bearer scroll, birthday cards, and a guide to safe cycling, the Silver Knights way.
The company received many thank you letters from grateful members, either on joining the club or for their birthday being remembered, and would often recount tales of their safe cycling and looking after their tricycle properly. Proud parents would also send photographs of their child on their tricycle which were added to the file for posterity.
The Circle of Silver Knights was hugely successful which ultimately led to its downfall; it was discontinued due to the rising cost of maintaining the scheme.
