Speedway History On Women's Hour!

[Ian]

I enjoy Radio 4's Women's Hour when I'm driving to the office.You never know what little gem they're going to come up with next, and today was no exception.

 

They were interviewing an old lady of, I think, 96, who was the world's first wall of death rider working for Billy Butlin from 1929-1940. Her name was Alma Skinner and she performed with her husband, Skid Skinner. Skid was, by all accounts, an extremely handsome guy who modelled for Burtons.

 

It was explained to us that many of the wall of death riders of that time came "from the dirt tracks - speedway". This is the only mention I've ever heard of speedway on Women's Hour, and quite possibly on Radio 4.

 

It's unclear whether Skid was a dirt-track rider. Does anyone know? Has Norbold written "Skid Skinner - The Clacton Years" yet? If not, when is it coming out? Alternatively, has Jim Blanchard painted him?

[norbold]

Skid Skinner was certainly a speedway rider.

 

I shall have to look in to the Butlin's connection....

[TwoMinuteWarning]

Hector "Skid" Skinner was a big star of the dirt-track at White City Manchester, Sheffield, and indeed most of the northern tracks in the late 1920's and early 1930's.

 

He also toured Europe with his wall of death show (including his wife), called "Skid Skinner's Death Circus". In 1929, he ran the Rotherham speedway for a while. Also a motorcycle stunt rider. Arrested in France for shooting at bottles. Had a pet monkey. Died 1944 in a shooting accident at the age of 39.

 

Don't make 'em like that anymore!