norbold

I do have a number of complete year volumes of Speedway News. My earliest is 1934. As it happens one of the complete volumes I have is 1948, the year in question.

Wombwell 58. Beardsall 11, Welch 11, Hamley 10, Baxter 8, Oates 7, Mitchell 6, Pike 5, Bishop 0. Stoke 38. Blake 12, Harris 7, Bradbury 5, Jenkins 4, Adams 4, Anderson 3, Pitcher 2, Howard 1. ('"Red" Hamley found his form and Stan Beardsall delighted local fans with clever riding.')

The Speedway News of 2 September 1948 gives it as a win for Wombwell 58-38 in the Anniversary Cup. It also gives all the scorers. Would you like those as well?

The Speedway Researcher web site has some: http://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/main1.html Robert Bamford's "Speedway The Pre-War Years" has them all.

Talking of which, "Fred Monkford invents the original starting gate in 1932 for use at New Cross." That's a pretty good quote too, seeing as New Cross didn't open until 1934!

Everyone goes home.

We can all sincerely hope not.

No, Briggo wasn't in the Southampton team that night. Chum Taylor took his place. It was the only time I ever saw Southampton as I had missed their visits in both 1960 and 1961, the only National League team I hadn't seen, so it was very fortuitous that they paid a visit to Provincial League New Cross in 1963. The Saints won 46-30 with Bjorn Knutson top scorer with 11 points. He was however beaten by Colin Pratt in heat five. Pratty also scored 11, losing out to Taylor in heat 12.

This could call for a visit to the Newspaper Library to look up local papers of the time. Any volunteers?

Yes, you're quite right of course about which book Catford really fits into. However, when I wrote the London book, which was my second speedway book after East Anglia, I was still feeling my way a bit and decided to concentrate on league teams. By the time I got to the South East, I thought I should be more comprehensive, so I mopped up everything in and around London that I hadn't already mentioned.

Au contraire, Parsloes... Catford is on page 220 of "Speedway in the South East." This is what I said, "There are reports that speedway was tried out at Catford cricket ground in 1932 and that, on 1 September 1934, a 280-yard track was opened at the nearby Catford Greyhound Stadium. This speedway was promoted by Tom Bradbury-Pratt and several meetings were held, but, at the end of the season, the track closed. Further attempts to open it up were made in 1938 and 1949, but neither attempt was successful. The sound of speedway bikes was, however, heard again at the stadium at the beginning of 2000. A film called Honest, set in 1968 and directed by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame, called for a speedway scene. Catford Stadium was chosen as the location because it still looked like a stadium from the 1960s. Amongst the riders taking part were Barry Briggs, Jim McMillan, Nigel Harrhy, Mike Smart and Col Smith. The stunt co-ordinator was former Canterbury rider, Lex Milloy. The filming of speedway at the track started rumours that Catford might return to league racing but so far no more has been heard of this proposition."

Ah yes, 14 September, one meeting before the end. The Grand Challenge Cup. I didn't go to that one! The last meeting was on 21 September, the Champion of Champions Individual Cup won by Ronnie Moore.

Welcome, Split, good to have you here. We need all the Rangers' fans we can get. Do you know which NX v Wimbledon that was as they met several times during 1960? I'm only asking because that may have been the second meeting I ever saw. My first was NX v Norwich on 11 May 1960 and the second was against Wimbledon on 18 May. So I may have beaten you by a week!

Yes, Norman is alive and well and still living in Leicester. As cityrebel says, he often turns up to various "events".

Peter Craven. See here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Peter-Craven-Balance-Brian-Burford/dp/075242856X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291193755&sr=1-1 Could be a bit costly though! On the other hand you could buy a copy of Tom Farndon The Greatest Speedway Rider of Them All for just £14.99 post free direct from the author.

Thank you for those kind words, Paul. I was hoping no-one would ask that question as I have no idea! I thought I got away with it last night!!!

6/7 West Ham v Wembley: Dave Jessup finished ahead of Tony Clarke in Ht 3. Tony Clarke finished ahead of Dave Jessup in heat 7.

Incidentally, I first posted news of this meeting on 7 December 2009: Here

Sorry, kenny, I don't know what the Lewisham Local History Society's plans for publicising the event are. I have been asked along as a guest speaker, that's my only involvement in the event. The society meets every month with speakers on different subjects of local interest. If they are anything like my own local history society they will advertise their meetings in the local press and maybe local radio.

The stadium was down what is now Rigg Road just before the station on the left hand side of Lea Bridge Road coming from Clapton towards Leyton.

Thanks Jim.

I think you'll find his name is Jim, not Jack. I think you'll find the talk is about the history of New Cross Speedway not about a book. I think you'll find it's always easier to complain that other people are not doing it right rather than actually do something about it yourself. It seems to me the fact that a local history society wishes to have a talk on speedway is something we should welcome and encourage not moan that it's "not especially well thought out." And yes, davidba, everyone is welcome to come. The programme I have for the Lewisham Local History Society says at the bottom, "Visitors welcome - Donations invited at the meetings." I look forward to seeing you there.

Just thought I'd better come out of semi-retirment to put this thread straight... The Lewisham Local History Society are meeting at the Methodist Church Hall, Albion Way, SE13 at 7:45 on FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER to hear a splendid illustrated talk on the history of New Cross Speedway given by the author of "Out of the Frying Pan". Unless other people bring them, there will be no relics and there will be no walkabouts. I don't know what kennylane thinks is not well thought out, but maybe he ought to contact Paul Newing, the Chairman of the Lewisham Local History Society, with his suggestions for improvements to the evening.. He can be contacted through www.lewishamhistory.org.uk

Some sad news. I've just heard that former Norwich rider, Phil Clarke has died at the age of 88. He first rode for the Stars in 1947 and became captain in 1951. He qualified for the World Championship final in 1955 and remained with Norwich until his retirement in 1959, having spent the whole of his career with just the one club. How many riders can say that these days!? In all he rode 309 matches for the Stars, scoring 2162 points, both club records.

Yes, you're quite right, Tsunami.... Crickey, did I really say that? I'm going for a long lie down....