Ron Butler

Go here for Joe's view on the 2006 World Individual Championship as expressed in the Manchester Evening News on Friday: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/spo...rule_world.html I'm inclined to agree with Mr Screen. Ron.

The greatest Under-15 rider in Sweden, apparently! Could it be that we haven't heard of him in England on account of his tender years? Highly likely I feel!

Harry Verderci? No he's an Italian travel agent. His cousin is Alf Wedersein, the top German travel guy.

Could you post a link, please, for those of us out of earshot of the transmitter. Thanks.

The emphasis seems to have shifted from the 'birth' of speedway, as we know it, to the question of whether it actually evolved from another genre of motorcycle sport. Is it a hybrid?

Colin, The basic subject of the thread being nostalgia, I don't feel you've wandered off-topic. Indeed broadening the horizon can often make the discussion considerably more interesting. Ron.

Norman, Let me, as a veteran of that era, congratulate on your concise and accurate portrayal of the situation. Ron.

Greetings Norman, Being less than one year old at the time I can't comment on the prices at Hyde Road in September 1933. However, when I first discovered the mighty all-conquering Aces in 1946 the prices were 1/- [5p] and 2/6 [15p]. The programme cost 6d [2.5p]. Halcyon days! Ron.

'rumbling from the Victoria Line' Linda! As a young soldier in 1952 I was posted to Egypt. The journey started from Chester and then via Crookham [Hants] to London and, the next day, to Blackbushe Airport for a latterday flight unto Egypt aboard an old Avro York aircraft with wooden seats. Our overnight stay in the capital was in a former air-raid shelter below Goodge Street tube station. Late into the night we could hear the trains rumbling into and out of the station. It seemed to us young lads that we had plumbed the very depths of hell, but next day we soared up into the heights of the heavens. An adventure for a lad if eighteen but not one that a man of seventy-three would like to repeat!

I fail to understand either the need or the desirability of putting that onto this forum. It smacks of an item from one of the more lurid of the British tabloid newspapers or the gutter press Sunday papers. It sadddens me that this otherwise excellent forum has started the descent to such a level!

Hey Chivs, Do what I did - retire from gainful employment! You'll have all the time in the world then for watching historic speedway - once you've completed the list of jobs given to you by Mrs Chivs. This will be thrust into your hand each morning before you're fully concious. Items will casually be added to it vocally as the day progresses and the list shortens. On the other hand - got any vacancies for a willing and vastly experienced youth of 73 in your firm? Enjoy you bed of sickness, mate. Ron.

On those occasions when Mr Nielsen bit the Belle Vue dust certain younger members were known to sing 'Hans Nielsen bumps-a-daisy!"

Do normal people still talk about, or to, Liontamer?

Happy New Year, Bryn. Take a look at the BSPA website later today. 'Tis rumoured they are about to issue a nationwide laughter licence. Come to Manchester, my friend, and drip dry! Ron.