norbold

This is just to let everyone know that I shall be giving an interview on BBC Essex on Wednesday 14 February at 1:45 p.m. to talk about High Beech and the Speedway Museum.

Yes, sadly I was there. Heat 12 West Ham v. Swindon. It didn't seem too bad at first. He was reported to be mildly concussed and shocked, but when he was taken to hospital he was discovered to have a fractured skull.

There were also Cavalcade of Speed meetings at Harringay in 1958 and 1959 which included speedway, stock cars, midget cars, greyhounds and trotting...as well as the Dagenham Girl Pipers.

I've pm'd you with Barry Stephenson's email address.

And Eastbourne...er...

I went to all the Wembley finals between 1963 and 1981 and also the 1971 final in Gothenburg. The one I remember most was the 1967 final. I had taken a group of college friends to see it. Most of them had never seen speedway before and, as I was a big fan of Ove Fundin, and as our college was in Norwich, I got them all to support the great man. As Grachan has said on another thread, he wasn't expected to win as it was felt that he was a bit past it by then and Briggo was the hot favourite. But, of course, Ove did win, making five titles altogether, the most wins at that time, and cement his place as a permanent candidate for the "greatest ever". It was a great feeling when he did win, especially as my non-speedway friends got very excited. I don't know how many of them went on to watch speedway later on, but at least for one night they were fully absorbed in the atmosphere that only speedway can give. Oh yes, and, as I have said elsewhere, I agree with Gem about the 1981 final.

Latest news: The building is now more or less finished - the doors were fitted yesterday - and work has started on the interior, decorating, fitting the electrics, building the display stands etc. It is hoped that the Museum will be open at the end of April.

After some extensive research by Australian speedway historian, Ross Garrigan, I think we can say that Billy Galloway was not born in Fiji but Australia.

Yes, thanks for the link. Great to see who's number one and to know it's not just me!

Rye House ran 10 meetings in 1940 13 meetings (plus one rained off) in 1941 6 meetings in 1942 4 meetings in 1943 The only year it didn't operate was 1944. They were back on 5 August 1945

Yes, very sad news indeed. I got to know Wally quite well over the last few years. He was a great bloke and we had some good chats about his riding days. Sincere condolences to all his family.

The first track was round the outside of the greyhound track. The second track was moved to the back of the stadium to where the go-kart track later was. The third and present track is back at the greyhound track but inside.

Absolutely, Derek. We do owe a big debt to Robert Bamford and John Jarvis for their Homes of British Speedway book. It was a big undertaking and is invaluable as a reference work...but there are some errors in it. The worst is their history of Rye House, which completely misses out the building of the third and present track. And yes they do mix up Lea Bridge Stadium with Clapton Greyhound Stadium at one point in their entry and there are also minor errors in a number of other entries. This is not meant as an out and out criticism of the book. As I have said it is such a valuable reference tool in most instances, but just because something is said in Homes doesn't mean it is automatically right, though I'm sure well over 95% is correct. As I know myself only too well, it is almost impossible to get everything right in a book!

Thanks arnie.

Does anyone have the date for the re-arranged Crewe v Rye House British League fixture in 1974 please? It was due to be run on 10 June but was postponed. Thank you.

Ivan Mauger rode in the Provincial League in 1963 and 1964. I believe he rode in 14 finals and won a fair few!

Broady rode throughout his career as Broadbanks. I asked him once why this was. He said that that was how it was printed in the first meeting he rode in at Rye House and he didn't bother to correct it and it just carried on from there. Just think, Malcom Simmonds might have been a World Championship runner up!

Nothing to do with apostrophes, iris!

They may be right about Crystal Palace but I wouldn't necessarily go along with that statement. There are a number of mistakes in the book.

You can read all about the 1915 Final at Old Trafford in an excellent book called Vivian Woodward Football's Gentleman. Woodward came from Clacton so you might be able to guess who the author is!

Jimmy Gooch is alive and well and living in Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex.

Thank you for grabbing my attention, Nevs (have we ever met by the way?). I look forward eagerly to your pm.

I have a suggestion that might help resolve this problem....It was always my understanding that the old football stadium was converted into the speedway track and it is that site that is now the site of the athletics track not the original sports ground. The present stands occupy the same position as the two original wooden stands.

Peter Morrish's book, British Speedway Leagues, 1946 - 1964, has the riders' total scores for each season but not averages nor bonus points. The Provincial League only ran for five seasons, 1960 - 1964, so it wouldn't be too difficult to find out who scored the most points. Finding out the averages though would be more difficult. Incidentally just a quick look at who was the highest scorer each year shows: 1960 - Reg Reeves (Rayleigh) 190 1961 - Ivor Brown (Cradley Heath) 213 1962 - Ivor Brown (Cradley Heath) 260 1963 - Ivor Brown (Cradley Heath) 270 1964 - Charlie Monk (Glasgow) 256 My money would be on Ivor Brown being all time top scorer in the Provincial League!

I believe iris is right, though I have to say I am not 100% sure. And yes, I was born near to the old Lea Bridge track...but many years after it closed!!!