dantodan Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 I have just put a photo of Tyburn Gallows on the Brafield page of Defunct Tracks Why did he use that name? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 For publicity. Real name Ray Humphreys. I believe he was an assistant hangman and was stopped by the control board from calling himself "Tyburn Gallows" so he officially changed his name by deed poll and was thereafter always programmed as such and there was nothing the authorities could do about it. Probably best known for his time with Canterbury. Almost inevitable I suppose that such a character would at one time be riding for Johnnie Hoskins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 I recall him well anyone know what he is up to these days-think he may have second halfed at some tracks in early 60's also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 I recall him well anyone know what he is up to these days-think he may have second halfed at some tracks in early 60's also. I believe he died a couple of years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 For publicity. Real name Ray Humphreys. I believe he was an assistant hangman and was stopped by the control board from calling himself "Tyburn Gallows" so he officially changed his name by deed poll and was thereafter always programmed as such and there was nothing the authorities could do about it. Probably best known for his time with Canterbury. Almost inevitable I suppose that such a character would at one time be riding for Johnnie Hoskins. I bet Norbold comes back and corrects you on the above, he did me when I wrote it a few years ago, although I was led to believe he was the last apprentice hangman at Tyburn, hence the name Tyburn Gallows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 That will be interesting Shazzy. Always good to hear the facts behind a good story. I first heard it back in the 60's and have always more or less believed it although I am aware that much can be embroidered to make a situation more interesting and newsworthy. Must admit I have been guilty of that myself on occasion but the more coverage Speedway can get the better as far as I'm concerned. Bringing back the characters would be one way of attracting more people to the terraces. It is all too "correct" and "must be serious" these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genesis Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 Well you learn something new every day, I raced a Hot Rod at Brafield for several years during the 80's and I never once realised it used to be a speedway track. I assume it is the same site. I have not been for quite a few years now but it is still going strong with the Oval Racing cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted July 21, 2008 Report Share Posted July 21, 2008 I bet Norbold comes back and corrects you on the above, he did me when I wrote it a few years ago, although I was led to believe he was the last apprentice hangman at Tyburn, hence the name Tyburn Gallows. Of course, the only prolem with THAT story, is that Ray Humphries probably wasn't around when the Tyburn Gallows were being used. The last execution at the gallows took place in November 1783! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 I remember that execution-my dad took me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Of course, the only prolem with THAT story, is that Ray Humphries probably wasn't around when the Tyburn Gallows were being used. The last execution at the gallows took place in November 1783! Steve In that case will have to phone my Dad and re-check why the name as he helped mechanic for him at Canterbury and if that is right that makes him mega mega old and he really wont appreciate that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...=12621&st=0 http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...=tyburn+gallows Just found these threads on the forum from years gone by, maybe of some use but reading through don't think we ever did find out anything concrete about Tyburn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Letchy Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...=12621&st=0 http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...=tyburn+gallows Just found these threads on the forum from years gone by, maybe of some use but reading through don't think we ever did find out anything concrete about Tyburn. I used to ride against him in 1970. Jack Biggs introduced me to him, and as Biggsy had this hatred of nicknames we always just called him Ray. Away from the track I always found him to be polite and a nice guy but once at the speedway the "Tyburn" thing kicked in and he used to sort of hold court with dark humor! A real Jekyll and Hyde character. Sad to hear that he has passed on, he was definitely a character! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 There's quite a lot about Tyburn Gallows on one of the "History of Speedway" videos. reg Fearman talks about him on the Sixties edition, and, while not saying as such, it heavily hints at the whole "Hangman" thing being completely made up. There's also a tale of when Cradley visited (can't remember who they were visiting - Stoke perhaps?), they set a gallows up on the centre green and Mr Gallows hanged an effigy of a Cradley rider before the meeting, thus making the national press in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Hamilton Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Well you learn something new every day, I raced a Hot Rod at Brafield for several years during the 80's and I never once realised it used to be a speedway track. I assume it is the same site. I have not been for quite a few years now but it is still going strong with the Oval Racing cars. Yes it was used for quite a while, i think on Sunday afternoons. pete Seaton was 'king' there if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Brafield closed midway through the 1967 season due to small crowds. Not sure if it ever re-opened after that. I don't think they were ever a league team, but took part in a number of challenges against British League team's junior sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofdiamonds Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) The last season was 1967 when the splendidly named Badgers last rode. In 1966 the track reopened under the promotion of John La Trobe, and as stated, a short season was run with challenge matches against league "B" sides. "Homes of British Speedway" states Malcolm Shakespeare (1968) and Frank Smith (1971) used the track for training. Brafield also operated in 1954 when they came second in the Metropolitan League, and in 1955 when they were third in the Southern Area League both under the Brafield Flying Foxes banner. John has more info from ex riders and photos on the worth seeing defunct speedway site. Edited July 23, 2008 by jackofdiamonds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miro Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 I'm sure I read in a Speedway Argus from 1968 that Coventry objected to an application form Brafield to join Div II that year. Anyone else recall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 I bet Norbold comes back and corrects you on the above, he did me when I wrote it a few years ago, although I was led to believe he was the last apprentice hangman at Tyburn, hence the name Tyburn Gallows. I'm back. But what is it I should correct? I think Wessex Wanderer has it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryA Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Rays 1st brush with officialdom was when he had a Ban the Bomb sticker on his bike, the Control Board told him to remove it. After his mock hanging of Ivor Brown it was reported that the Home Office terminated his position as assistant to the executioner and as a result Ray asked to ride under the name of Tyburn Gallows which was refused. He then changed his name by Deed Poll and rode as such. His career was virtually finished with a horrific crash at Cleveland Park during a match between Middlesbrough and Canterbury. Ray came down the back straight very fast and failed to make the 3rd turn, he broadsided into the fence, his bike damaged a light support, the marks were still visible when the track held its final meeting in 1996, Ray flew through the air above my head, it was my habit to stand on the boards which protected the dog track, and ended in a recess between the dog track and the public safety fence. I was quite convinced he was dead, and as the First Aid team were on the centre green I was the first to him, he opened his eyes and said to me "That's me finished" mindful of the danger of broken bones causing further damage, I told him to lay still and not try to sit up, I then let the medics take over. I did meet up with him much later and chatted about the crash and how it had affected him. Recently I was in Leeds and in an attempt to keep the Wife and my wallet apart, I wandered into Borders where I found a book on executions which gave details of the Executioner and his assistants at each one. I spent some checking, but found that while the Executioner was always named, his assistants were sometimes not. So I couldn't be certain that Ray had or hadn't been involved. Regards to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom House Kid Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 A picture of Tyburn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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