norbold

Like iris, I can't recall how many specific examples, but I remember seeing home and away Hackney/West Ham Bank Holiday clashes back in the 60s.

Mind you, I believe he also looked a proper nana in his great big hob nail boots.

I don't know about the Chsiwick Nomads. The Southern Rovers, as the name suggests, roved around. They didn't have a home track, though they were given a base at Rayleigh in 1956. I think you are thinking of John Hart, who rode for Birmingham in the 70s. Phil "Tiger" Hart was Eastbourne's captain in the 1938 Sunday Dirt Track League.

Yes, Birmingham 1960 were like New Cross 1959 - even to the extent of having Peter Craven in their teams! On further investigation I have discovered that they actually raced at Alexander Sports Stadium, Perry Barr not at Perry Barr Greyhound Stadium. They had run League speedway from 1946 - 1957 then closed but returned for that one-off season in 1960. Speedway did not return to that stadium. Perry Barr re-opened in 1971 (having run a couple of pre-war seasons). I don't think there were many other tracks that ran team meetings at the senior level if any. Of course the likes of Rye House and Eastbourne ran those sort of meetings at a junior level for many seasons.

Birmingham ran a series of open meetings and challenge matches in 1960 at Perry Barr with a "made-up" team consisting of Arne Pander, Nigel Boocock, Graham Warren, Ron Johnston, Derek Timms, Eric Eadon, Peter Kelly and Peter Craven. I guess that's where the photo is from, Jim. The promoter was Phil "Tiger" Hart.

They don't write songs like those any more, do they Bryn?

Yes, Nobby's daughter told me that too. But didn't John Chaplin interview him for the VSM a year or so back?

Sorry, and Terry Ripo?

Jack Tidbury is definitely still alive. I spoke to Nobby Stock's daughter this morning. She keeps in regular contact with him and spoke to him last week. He is 89 and still quite active apparently but she didn't think he would want to go to a Hackney reunion as he never goes to the VSRA dinner. However he would be worth asking. She thought the best thing would be if Archie asked him. She agreed there are only three pre-War Hackney riders still alive, Archie, Jack and Vic Duggan. By the way has Tony Hurren been invited?

I think cyclone may be referring to Alan Mogridge in 1986. Mogridge had signed for Canterbury at the beginning of 1986 but had asked for a transfer to Rye House. As a result of this Canterbury were given dispensation to use rider replacement. When Canterbury raced against Rye House, Mogridge was riding for Rye House while Canterbury were using r/r for him, so effectively he was riding for both teams. Not quite the question you asked, but an interesting anomaly all the same.

They were brothers I think. It might be Ken I'm thinking of as the one still alive - unless they both are.

He is on the list. As far as I know the only pre-war rider still alive Mr Nolbold, is this the case? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Vic Duggan's still alive, isn't he? And I think, though I am not sure, Jack Tidbury may be.

I hope Archie Windmill will be there. My uncles will definitely go then!

It was a joke, Paul!!!!!

You can't go wrong with Chewy Chewy or Goody Goody Gumdrops.

Yes, it was called bubblegum music. Buddha Records were West Ham's sponsors in 1969, so all the music played was from their Kasenetz Katz LPs (as we used to call albums in those days). The groups included 1910 Fruitgum Co., Ohio Express and the Rock 'N' Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Company of Philadelphia 1914 amongst others, who all joined together in one super group called Kasenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus. 1910 Fruitgum Company's big hit was Simon Says.

You had to be there at the time sandman

Hummmm humm humm hum humm hummm humm hum. That was the beginning of Chewy Chewy. Should I go on?

Yes, two of my uncles are looking forward to the reunion for those from the earlier era only. They went to Hackney from 1936 to 1939.

I don't think we can say on a Family Forum. I'll tell you when we meet up!

Wasn't that Derrick Neave? I got lots off of him as well.

So there I was minding my own business listening to BBC Essex this morning when they played "Chewy Chewy" and the memories came flooding back. Do you remember, CHK? Buddha Records, Kasenetz Katz and those unforgettable records such as Chewy Chewy, Goody Goody Gumdrops, Kasenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus, Yummy Yummy Yummy, Quick Joey Small, Simon Says....Those were the days. Having said all that, I hope you do remember, CHK, otherwise I'll look a right idiot!

What I liked best about Hackney was the fact I could walk there and walk home after the meeting. Oh yes, and the fact that somehow the racing always seemed to be closer there than anywhere else and it was a very friendly atmosphere and then there was Uncle Len of course....

You're very welcome, but you'd have a long way to go.

There's also a chapter on Romford in Speedway in the South East.