SHALEWAY69

Peter was from South Australia. my notes state he passed away in 1985. i will try for further details Tony Brisbane

Eddie Reeves is a regular at the Chequers pub, especially the nights when speedway is on foxtel, in the village of Felsted ESSEX. where he now lives. Tony

Andrew I think steve is in Central Queensland, could be Bundaberg or Rockhampton Tony

Andrew, I confim that John has lost his hair, wears glasses and is not as lean, however put him on a bike and he still looks the same with a classic polished riding style. In fact I had great problems recognising a lot of riders as I had the 1970 image in my memory, as my mate said we cannot recognise them nor they us. Good case for the fashion of name tags. Anyway Andrew I thought tou were going to come and join us in the Sunshine state where some of the ex Canterbury boys are living.. Tony

Andrew It was great to see a former Hawk, John Titman take to the track in Brisbane today, you should have been there Andrew. Tony ex Hackney spares man

Thanks for the update Norbald. congratulations to you and the committee for coming up with some resolutions that address the on going admission problem. Question, when I visited in June there was a young lady there as manager with connections with Iwade, I put her name in my notes as Debbie, has there been a change of manager or did I just get the name wrong? If any Australian input is needed please contact mr. Tony

Great photo, as you say a good looking bloke, still is at 78, plays golf and likes walking. reall name Eric, Bluey because of his red hair or was red an australian term for red heads do not know the origins.!Not sure what the story is with Cowdenbeath i think they only ran open meetings.

Bluey rode for Motherwell 1951-54, Southampton 1955 Ipswich from july 1955. then returned to Australia 1955. came back to uk in 1963 rode for Long Eaton but did live in Leicester for a year. then rode Middlesboro 1964. Glasgow 1965-66. returned to Australia 1966 and was rider promoter at Rockhampton QLD to 1969. Tony

Interesting that you mention that . I was speaking to Bluey last week and he happened to say that he and George had a great understanding, but Bluey find it difficult to ride with Charlie Monk who had a different style and was more an individual rider.George was capped for Scotland 36 times, bBuey 8 times which is not bad for an Aussie. as a southerner I never saw any of those matches but they must have been classic speedway especially the Poles and Russians. tony

Bluey is in good health and living in Queensland. Still watches speedway at Labrador and takes a keen interest in speedway.

I am searching for details of Blueys records when he rode for Southampton and Ipswich in 1955. Looking for meetings, Heat details and points but any small detail will help. Regards Tony

Sadly Gerry passed away in 1997 after a long illness. he was renowned for his tuning skills with a preference for the Jap. Tony

Brass monkey weather that day, I can not remember feeling so bitterly cold at any speedway meeting. the joy was seeing the great Jack Parker ride against simmo.

Memories. memories ........when Gary Middleton appeared in the pits one wearing a german ss uniform overcoat and jack boots..........Berts workshop, we thought it was full of rubbish bikes then, today they would be worth a fortune..........Finn Thomsen guiding Billy Sanders for a closer inspection of the fence in the run down of a torrid race....Saturday training schools...Mark Terry and his sister both riding..Mike Fitz sponsored by Flashman king of the touts...Buster Chapman we all knew he was going places... fathers and sons...George Bowen and his boy Kevin...the King brothers and Gerry...what characters!!

Eric Williams was living in Mackay Queensland. He was a guest at Reg Fearmans surprise party for Ex St.Austell rider Jackie Gate's 80th Birthday on the Gold Coast in December 2006 Tony

yes I remember Tony Featherstone, a very polite and well spoken young man, from Boston area I think. a dedicated rider always well prepared. where are you now flintstone??

For those that may not know just key in Hackney Speedway on YouTube Long eaton v Hackney 1984 2005 Reunion 1981 Last heat from the thames sport meeting bobby g, simmo penhall Only a few minutes but what memories tony

hi andrew tony from brisbane .i would like to have tommos email. my address binbooks@iinet.net.au will be in perth next month will try and contact you. tony

Hi 0riginally from Essex via Perth 1982-2004 to Brisbane...Sunnybank Hills. former speedway spares dealer 1969-1981 ...shaleway69! Do not get to Australian speedway much, save me bickies and make an annual pilgrimage to Cardiff. knew Erik G and Kristin Paestbro when they first came to uk what was it... Hommer them Cradley? Tony

Great memories, that is the best recollection of friday night at the Wick that i have read.I can picture the scenario, even down to the mud some of which I carried back to Braintree after a wet meeting. I used to pick up Andrew Silver from school on my way in from Essex. Arrived about 5.30 and set my sales van up on the pits bend, not always in the same position depended on the mood of Uncle Len at the time! Then it was time to pick up the mag from Arthur, books from Eddie by the front entrance then set up the dope and oil. There were divided loyalties when Berrys meerry men were in town as the previous night I would have been doing the same routine in the Witches pits. Saturday mornings were not a lay in for me as it was back down the M11 again for the training school. Ryehouse sunday day off monday take the missus shopping. Crayford tuesday, Mildenhall wednesdays sometimes Ipswich thursday and back at Hackney friday wot a life. Tony in Brisbane

Sorry about the blank posting...pressed the wrong button Great to know there is a Cradley supporter alive and well in this neck of the woods. Your mention of the journeys back from Hackney and weaving theough the overspill from the pubs, revives memories, I remember when there was some sort of race riots on and the shops were boarded up. I never stopped the van for the usual fish and saveloy during that time. I have fond memories of Bo I helped in a very small way and also built his workshop for him when he first came over. It is a pity that he never got higher placed in the World championships. Thommo was a legend even if his preparation was at the other end of the scale to Bo, who can forget the night Thommo took Mauger and Autrey from the back in a swoop round the fence on the last bend. cannot recall the date, I wonder if anyone has that on video . Tony in Brisbane

shazzybird Thanks for reply. The last info I had on Snowy was that he is at Acorn Lodge 15 Atherden Road Clapton. I am told that he would love to see any old friends. I do have the room number and phone number but do not want to post it on the net if anyone emails me on binbooks@iinet.net.au I will forward it. Tony

HI Hawks what a great topic. I did the spares and oil at Hackney 1973-1981. My van was always on the dog track by the pits bend. left UK in 1982 but still have fond memories of dear old Bert Busch, Tom the gateman, Jack the track, Bob, Rose the tea lady, Kathy Pope Eddie Toogood, Dave Tarrant, and of course Snowy. Snowy is in a nursing home I will get the details and post them re the tale about Christer's 2 mins, folklore is he was not having a leak but he was engaged!!!! would love to catch up with anyone. are the any hawkes in QUEENSLAND???Tony Webb Brisbane