norbold

Thanks for that Ian. I remember the occasion well. I saw it on the front page of the Evening Standard when I went out for a break from work at lunch time. I still have the paper. It was a very sad day of course.

Talking of Terry Stone, and digressing slightly, does anyone know how he is? I know he was unwell a little while ago and he wasn't at the Norwich 'do' at the weekend, something which he normally goes to. I hope he's ok.

Before the Wimbledon/Hackney rivalry there was the Wimbledon/New Cross rivalry. Ronnie Greene and Johnnie Hoskins were not noted for being polite in their opinions about the other team in their programme notes. Even that gentleman of the speedway, Ronnie Moore, joined it at times. I remember he slagged us Rangers' supporters off something rotten once. It's hard to believe now, but after that he became a bit of a hate figure down the Old Kent Road. Of course, being a young teenager in those days I believed it all, but my dad used to laugh at it and say it was just done to get the crowds in and that they were all the best of friends really. I didn't believe him at the time.....

There could be a clue in my posting above, iris!

After doing so well on weirdest too!

Sorry to hear about Don. He rode for West Ham. Started out well but faded after a few meetings. I think it was because his first love was trials.

Edgar for the past two years that I've been, has attended the VSRA in Coventry. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, and here's a picture of him (on the right) at this year's dinner helping Olle Nygren to read a jolly good book... Edgar

On the other hand there was Alec Slow who rode for Lea Bridge. Unlike Cyril Quick I believe Alec did live up to his name....And no, I don't mean he was smart!

Any chance of redeveloping the Sainsbury's next door in to a speedway track...? Just a thought.

Yes. Both at Bawbrugh Golf Club

I think Peter Collins and Michael Lee (at least) might have something to say about that! But I'm glad to see my campaign to bring back Freddie for the Cardiff G.P. has at least two supporters.....

Will you be going to the Norwich Social and Dinner on 23 and 24 October, Trees, or anyone else? See you there if you are. More information and tickets from Trevor and Pam Hedge.

He took a bit of getting used to when he came to West Ham as he had, of course, ridden for our hated rivals, Wimbledon. But with his all action style and his dashes round the fence, the "'eart throb" quickly won over the Custom House crowd. He could be relied on week in and week out to beat the best the opposition threw at us and that included the likes of Fundin, Briggs, Mauger and anyone else you care to mention. His crash in the 1968 European Final when he broke his leg and pelvis was an absolute tragedy. He was never quite the same again, although as Ian says, he did manage to fight his way back to become a heat leader with Wembley. Without a doubt he was the greatest of all the Norwegians and he came so close to winning the World title in 1966. In the all-important heat 9 he led Briggo for over a lap, but Barry managed to get past and go on to win. Briggs finished on 15 points that night and Sverre, 14. I have seen many riders since I first started going to speedway in 1960, but I don't think I have ever seen anyone as spectacularly good as Sverre. Christer Lofqvist was, of course, another real round-the-boards thrill merchant but he was not as consistently good as Sverre. A great rider who always brings back many happy memories of Custom House. Thanks for bringing up the topic, CHK.

Freddie Williams is still quite fit and active...Mind you he is in his 70s now.

Certainly am interested. Thank you. I'll be in touch.

Thanks for that cyclone. That's a great site. And...as you posted while I was writing, iris...It looks as though the Wembley book might be a bit nearer than I originally thought. Watch this space!

There is still a lot of support in Norwich for speedway, but I think they've all given up hope that's why the supporters' club folded. Supporters in the area do still get together fairly regularly at various events. I don't think it would be too difficult to get them organised in to a formal supporters' organistaion again apart from this feeling of pessimism. I think there have been something like 28 planning applications put in for the return of speedway in and around Norwich since 1965. All of them turned down. Is it any wonder they have given up hope!? If they can have some encouraging news, who knows?

That's better! But I was only joking. I'm sure there are a lot better books than mine on the market already....well, not a lot....

I haven't see it in writing yet, but that would be my understanding. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks Kevin.

When John Poshbloke explained it on Saturday he said that all the points scored in the meeting would count. But are you saying that those who get to the semis get the same as at present with their points in the meeting not counting, so the scores go 25, 20, 18, 16, 13, 11 and it is only the rest who just get whatever they scored in the meeting?

Sometimes it is hard because the person you want to speak to won't speak to you! I'm not saying this is the case with Reg, but I know from (bitter) experience that some former riders are more forthcoming than others. No names!

You've done it again, spiegel. I've been on tenterhooks all day waiting for the response....

Thank you David. If ever Portsmouth do return at least I have the basis for one of my Norman Chronicles articles in your programme!

A made up team.

One of them! Anyway, Portsmouth has had three tracks. The first was opened at Chalton in 1928 and ran for the grand total of two meetings. The second, the Wessex Stadium, opened in 1929 by Wessex Speedway co. in conjunction with Dirt Track Speedways Ltd., the company behind West Ham and Southampton. It was a 440 yard unbanked track. Some top names like Frank Arthur, Bluey Wilkinson, Sprouts Elder and Phil Bishop appeared in open meetings. The track was said to be very bumpy and over the winter a new 382 yard track was laid. Portsmouth formed its own team, which included Steve Langton and Phil 'Tiger' Hart (later to ride for Eastbourne, Birmingham and Hackney amongst others) and raced challenge matches. The track closed at the end of 1930. In 1935, Tom Bradbury-Pratt, the promoter at Harringay opened another track at the Greyhound Stadium. Harringay raced a league match against Hackney there and a week later a challenge match between Wembley and Wimbledon was due to be held but was rained off. There were no further meetings at the stadium until 1937 when the Albatross Motorcycle Club promoted two matches against Basingstoke and Reading. Two attempts were made to re-introduce speedway just after the War but came to nothing and then again in 1977, when locals collected a 1,300 signature petition and the GRA agreed, but the local council turned down planning permission (where have I heard that before?). As far as I know there has never been speedway in Colchester...and I think I would know! Now read the book!