norbold

He is currently a member of the WSRA and lives in Taunton.

I do think that Sverre could have gone further, although already reaching no. 2 in the world is not bad!!! Another who had already reached no. 3 but whose career was badly affected by injury was/is Chris Louis.

I know who he is. The usual packet full of fivers stuffed behind the hot water pipes in Victoria Station will ensure my continued silence, Parsloes...

I think you are right.

Yes, I agree in general with what you say, although Southern Rovers were an official team who competed in the 1956 Southern Area League.

And what about those riders who rode for non-league teams like Rye House in the 60s, Birmingham in the early 60s, New Cross in 1959, etc. etc.? They were all contracted to other teams but turned out on an occasional (or even regular) basis for these teams.... Hmmm...talking of which, what about Stan Stevens? He rode for Rye House, Rayleigh, Cradley, New Cross, Southampton, West Ham, Oxford, King's Lynn, Wembley, Exeter, Romford, Barrow, Chesterton and Mildenhall at least - making 14 in all.

If it's any comfort, Brian, Garry Middleton's entry in Wikipedia comes under the "Living Persons" category.

Have you seen CHK's site: Here?

Thanks, Arnie. That's great. I've just found the relevant Speedway Star. Ron Johnson beat Phil Bishop 2-1!

The money for building and setting up the Museum was a gift. The Museum is independent in the sense it sets its own policy for acquisition, disposal, display, sales, etc. etc. and is run by independent Trustees and a working committee. The land has been given on a 20 or 25 year lease - I can't quite remember which off hand. It has to have this (and also independence of action) to be able to qualify for accreditation as a Government recognised museum. Peter and Wild Life Park are fully behind seeking accreditation. The Memorial Garden is part of the Wildlife Park and not part of the Museum and always has been - it was there years before the Museum was even thought of.

Talking of Johnno's "comeback" in 1963, there is a statement in the 7 May 1963 programme to the effect that Johnno would be riding in the second half of next week's meeting. Does anyone know if he did or does anyone have a copy of the programme for the following week, 14 May, Southern League match against Rayleigh, as, sadly, I don't?

That's difficult to say, because Paradise Wildlife Park have been maintaining the Museum at their expense anyway. There were a lot of problems originally over sorting out the accounts - mainly due to everyone's local bank taking almost a year to actually set up the account! Now that has at last been sorted out, there will be proper accounting and cross-charging. I'll probably be able to answer your question better in a month or so.

The money collected went towards part of the building costs and the fitting out and formed the original budget for the running costs - insurance, purchase of books, promotional material, some objects, etc., but, on its own, would not have been enough to provide the museum we have. £70,000 was raised from donations; the building costs exceeded £120,000. The land was given free of charge.

I think one other thing has to be remembered in this debate and that is that without Peter Sampson and Paradise Park we wouldn't have a Speedway Museum. They gave the land free and paid for much of the construction costs. They also currently pay for the maintenance and utilities and allow members of staff to work in the Museum, carrying out maintenance and other work, without any cross charging. As well as this direct support, it also means that the Museum does not have to have its own security staff or any special emergency procedures and so on. Without this sort of support it is highly probable that the Museum would be unable to cover its running costs without a substantial entrance fee anyway.

When I was researching my New Cross book, I came across a reference in 1960, when Johnson was making his last comeback, that he had ridden for West Ham in 1955, but it didn't give any details, so thanks, star ghost. What amazed me even more about Johnno's comebacks was that he asked Lansdale and Mawdsley about making a comeback for the Provincial League New Cross team in 1963. Lansdale and Mawdsley even bought him a flat near the track in readiness, but the Control Board wouldn't give him a license. Very wise, I'd say. He was not given a team place. He rode in second halfs and captained the Colts team in one match against Edinburgh, where he scored three points from one win.

Another question for all New Cross fans out there... Was our war cry: 1-2-3-4 Let's Hear the Rangers Roar R-A-N-G-E-R-S Rangers? I'm sure I should remember...but I'm not quite sure.

Policeman norbold here to say it was 1950. He scored five points and came 12th.

Ron Johnson rode six times for Edinburgh in 1960, scoring one point plus one bonus point.

Actually I did see the original post with its mistake...

What mistake was that then?

Change of manager. It was Debbie from Iwade; it's now Elaine from Broxbourne!

We had a committee meeting today and I brought up the concerns about separate ticketing. As I suggested the Park would find it difficult to deal with this for the reasons stated, i.e. that once you are in the Park you can go anywhere. However, there are three initiatives which might help... 1. In a few weeks time, the Speedway Star will be publishing a half price voucher for Park entry. This will be half price to the Park, but as it is being published in the Speedway Star, the Park hope that it is mainly going to be used by speedway enthusiasts wishing to see the Speedway Museum and not by members of the general public generally just to get in to the Park half price (if you see what I mean). 2. The Speedway Museum is holding an "80th Anniversary Barbecue" on April 26th in the Park Grounds which will include a visit to the Museum of course. Anyone can come to this and it will cost £7 or £8 (not sure which), so that will be another way to get to see the Museum for less than the cost of a Park entry ticket (and get a barbecue as well!) 3. Members of the WSRA can get in the Park for nothing by showing their membership card. Incidentally, I would like to add that the Museum is now looking better than ever. The manager, Elaine, has done a tremendous job on reshaping the exhibition and if you haven't been for some time it is well worth another visit as the display has improved beyond all recognition.

Alf also rode for West Ham in the 60s. He is still alive and well and living in Waltham Abbey (well, not actually in the Abbey if you see what I mean... )

I believe Leeds were yet another Lions in 1938 when they were in the second division. I'm not sure if they were the Lions when they were in the English Dirt Track League and the Northern League. Nelson were the Admirals. Can't help with the others...at the moment.

Yes, they were known as the Saints. In 1938 when they entered the second division they were known as the Cubs.