cyclone

I assume that was a tongue in cheek comment I would imagine that there could be instances where a rider who overcooks a bend would be able to rectify the situation with the aid of rear brakes. If rear brakes were not going to be used, why have them fitted in the first place ? My personal criteria is anti-clockwise, loose surface (material is immaterial ) , oval/round shape, less than 601 yards per lap, motorcycles with no brakes, under 500cc. As thing stand, I still favour High Beech on 7/4/1928 as the first Speedway meeting in the U.K.

A friend has kindly provided me with a copy of the programme for the High Beech meeting held on 9th April at 3pm. The notes/information printed for both 7/4 & 9/4 programmes are identical, save for the “next meeting” dates. The list of officials are also identical. Mr W. P. B. Pugh(Digger ??) was designated as Machine Inspector, and I wonder if it would have been feasible to combine this duty with a riding role during meetings. The event format is also the same, except that whereas for 7/4, 5 laps were specified, there is no indication in 9/4 as to the number of laps per race. For 9/4 events, the additional annotation “and Championships” has been printed for each class. Regarding the list of competitors, neither Digger Pugh nor Alf Medcalf are listed for the 3pm meeting, nor have they been included in the pencilled results entered.The only notable addition to the 9/4 card appears to be P.L.B. Wills (Lionel ?) in the up to 500cc Championships. Do not know if this clarifies or confuses matters further, but it does provide further documentary evidence.

Personally whilst I can go along with your view regarding surface and anti-clockwise direction, I would not classify it as Speedway if the machines are fitted with brakes, which you ignore to mention, as was the case at Droylsden. Oh and btw, 4 valve machines did appear in the early days in the UK and I think Ian Paterson, the proprietor of the finest Speedway Museum (Cinder to Shale), might have one

Colin Watson was amongst the competitors on 7/4 and in fact won the 500cc final. Whether he refrained from broadsiding in that meeting but decided to change his style two days later can neither be proved or disproved, but what do you think ? Likewise is it not possible that the Motor Cycle journalist who posted the report for 9/4, was not present at 7/4 ? FYI the programme of 7/4 states that "Kings Oak Speedway have secured the services of Mr W. P. B. Pugh of Australia as Trainer, Instructor and Technical Advisor on the track; he is also retained as rider. " Perhaps one could surmise that the likes of some of those who appeared on 7/4 (Colin Watson, Gus Khun, Bill Bragg, Fred Ralph, Jimmy Stevens) had already received guidance/training prior to this meeting on how to broadside from Pugh ? The event format for the meeting of 7/4 was the template used in subsequent meetings, namely:- 5 lap races, up to 250 c.c. Class, Up to 350 c.c. Class (heats, semi finals & final), Up to 500 c.c. Class (heats, semi finals & final), Sidecar Classes. There was a S. T. Glandfield listed for the 500 c. c. events. I was wondering if this was actually Stanley Glanfield (despite different spelling) who is referred to by yourself as being present at a meeting held at Davies Park on 17/12/1927. If so, one would have expected him to attempt broadsiding based on his Australian experience. I understand why you are basing your assumption on the Motor Cycle report. However based on the documentary evidence of the actual programme of 7/4, I cannot see any validation of your presumption that this was a practice. From my knowledge of Speedway practices, they do not have the panoply of officials required for an actual officially sanctioned meeting, nor do they issue an official programme in the same format as used for normal public meetings and charge for it.

Afraid I am not convinced by the article that the Easter meeting at High Beech was the first real speedway meeting held in Britain. Why am I sceptical ? Well Mr Jacobs acknowledges that the first meeting held on the newly redesigned track took place on Saturday 7th April (at 3pm btw). Furthermore an Official Programme was issued for this event, which as far as I am aware does not refer to it as being a practice !!. A full list of officials are listed (timekeeper, judges, machine inspector, track stewards, marshalls, clerk of the course, etc.), together with comprehensive details of competitors and events which were printed. It also carries the following :- "Next Meetings :-Monday April 9th at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m" I also believe there was a brief reference in "Motor Cycling" of 11th April to the meeting of 7th April, 1928. Even if this meeting was less publicised than the Easter Monday events, I am puzzled as to why Mr Jacobs concludes that this was probably a practice event. IMO the existence of a Programme for 7/4/1928 which is of the same design/layout as subsequent issues at High Beech in 1928, and was also sold for twopence, would indicate that the first real speedway meeting in Britain was held at High Beech on April 7, not April 9 as referred to in the article in the Speedway Star.

Was the article in the FIM publication attributed to a named fiction writer ? Perhaps the FIM should be made aware of the error of their ways by a well respected historian on here

Was there not a different Andy Buck who rode for Teesside, mainly at reserve ? Just wondered as he was based in the North East if it could be him instead. Think the was a guy called Trevor Buswell who rode for non league Brafield, circa 1966, who was a serving PC at the time.

Think Mann rode for Glasgow 1929/30 edit: confirmed Arthur Mann rode for Glasgow 1929 & 30, and probably 1931 also

Probably one the most "unfortunate" names for a speedway rider would be Ken Last who rode for Norwich in the 60's

I was also at that meeting. tbh he was so far off the pace that I was not surprised that he never appeared again.

Obviously Ward was passed fit this evening as he was ready to race and declared in the Torun team. Therefore the alleged back injury must have improved sufficiently to no longer prevent him riding. As he will be scheduled to return to the UK tomorrow he can no doubt be referred to a medic here ,should he suffer an unexpected relapse.

Thanks - look forward to seeing him riding for King's Lynn at Armadale tomorrow.

Was Darcy Ward listed in the Torun team for this evening before the match was postponed ?

Well done to the phenomenon that is Darcy Ward. Who cares a toss about his personality - it's what he does on track that counts, and it's an amazing feat to win it on an unfamiliar track at his first attempt.

Am I correct that shared events normally take longer to run than usual domestic fixtures and tracks where curfews prevail, such as Berwick, would not be feasible unless special dispensation was obtained from the local authority. Was it not the case also that neutral venues were discarded because they were not providing sustainable attendances to ensure that such events at least broke even financially. Personally cannot get excited about these shared events, and if the likes of Workington & Somerset prove to be money earners, albeit that home track advantage will play a major part, then so be it.

Were High Beech not also involved ?

Correct and in the twilight of his career, he briefly turned out for Ashfield (51 or 52) and second halved at Edinburgh in 1960 and made a single team appearance. Like Dick Fisher, Peter Craven also appeared for Fleetwood in 1951.

Dick Fisher started at Fleetwood 1951, Ron Johnston rode for Sheffield in 1950.

Personally I prefer to have a representative from the Tigers invited as I feel the other Scottish club should always be iincluded to Scotland's premier individual meeting. The Lavybrush is going through a purple patch at the moment and might put on a good show.

Certainly that's all that those miserable, torn face Weegies, provide in the way of condiments, in their Chippies, unlike their generous counterparts in the Capital city who offer the choice of sauce or vinegar to their patrons. Anyway the Capital's establishments offer superior suppers

Sure there was another one from Channel Islands called Terry Le Main(e?). around the 60's/70's.

Started his career at Motherwell in 1958 and I believe did 2nd halves @ B.V. (not sure if he got any team rides) before becoming a Monarch in 1960.

Did no one tell them he was a Manxman

Rode for Edinburgh 1948 - 54, then Belle Vue briefly. Nickname was "The Candy Kid" because he was a confectioner.

Remember seeing Kerry Gray ride against Monarchs at Rye House and was impressed by his performance. However was even more impressed by his after race wheelie when he clapped his hands together at the apex and still stayed in control. !