Wimbledon Memories

[bruno]

Fourthed

[Guest]

From the early 1950s: Ronnie Moore, Norman Parker, Cyril Brine, Ernie Roccio.

[Guest]

Stu Towner is much respected as a 'back room' boy at Wimbledon. Hopefully this FACEBOOK link will give an interesting insight into into his activities over the years:

https://www.facebook.com/stu.towner?__tn__=%2CdC-RH-R-R&eid=ARB0k75l1UlvnoMt20vzylm3oGnX79DQll1mS_KXNelEHfTdV-TGD00IKL_9a6AZbbXxKMKcZIB4btCB&hc_ref=ARTsEIHoHdtx_cXBB-8tO0YPcWsERnEK5IdoY0vIb3PfLnoRbGWlMjTlwcqe_qUAkgE&fref=nf

Edited June 3, 2020 by Guest

[iris123]

2 hours ago, gustix said:

Stu Towner is much respected as a 'back room' boy at Wimbledon. Hopefully this FACEBOOK link will give an interesting insight into into his activities over the years:

https://www.facebook.com/stu.towner?__tn__=%2CdC-RH-R-R&eid=ARB0k75l1UlvnoMt20vzylm3oGnX79DQll1mS_KXNelEHfTdV-TGD00IKL_9a6AZbbXxKMKcZIB4btCB&hc_ref=ARTsEIHoHdtx_cXBB-8tO0YPcWsERnEK5IdoY0vIb3PfLnoRbGWlMjTlwcqe_qUAkgE&fref=nf

Doesn't really. All I get is a photo of I guess him and his wife in a sidecar (liked by terry Mussett, I see), another photo of a rider in a Dons body colour and then the date he was born. Not really that interesting, but thought I would post, as either you have done something wrong or there isn't much there, or it is just for friends to look at, and as such, they will have looked, I guess

Edited June 3, 2020 by iris123

[stutowner]

Then go to Photos, that's me in the Dons body colour. Stu

[Guest]

26 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Doesn't really. All I get is a photo of I guess him and his wife in a sidecar (liked by terry Mussett, I see), another photo of a rider in a Dons body colour and then the date he was born. Not really that interesting, but thought I would post, as either you have done something wrong or there isn't much there, or it is just for friends to look at, and as such, they will have looked, I guess

An interesting point. There is some glitch on the forum and this just might be what it is.

 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, gustix said:

Stu Towner is much respected as a 'back room' boy at Wimbledon. Hopefully this FACEBOOK link will give an interesting insight into into his activities over the years:

https://www.facebook.com/stu.towner?__tn__=%2CdC-RH-R-R&eid=ARB0k75l1UlvnoMt20vzylm3oGnX79DQll1mS_KXNelEHfTdV-TGD00IKL_9a6AZbbXxKMKcZIB4btCB&hc_ref=ARTsEIHoHdtx_cXBB-8tO0YPcWsERnEK5IdoY0vIb3PfLnoRbGWlMjTlwcqe_qUAkgE&fref=nf

 

6 hours ago, iris123 said:

Doesn't really. All I get is a photo of I guess him and his wife in a sidecar (liked by terry Mussett, I see), another photo of a rider in a Dons body colour and then the date he was born. Not really that interesting, but thought I would post, as either you have done something wrong or there isn't much there, or it is just for friends to look at, and as such, they will have looked, I guess

 

5 hours ago, stutowner said:

Then go to Photos, that's me in the Dons body colour. Stu

The FB forum now appears in order but you may need to join it. But have a try at this revised Link: 

https://www.facebook.com/stu.towner

Edited June 3, 2020 by Guest

[iris123]

25 minutes ago, gustix said:

 

 

The FB forum now appears in order but you may need to join it. But have a try at this revised Link: 

https://www.facebook.com/stu.towner

Yes that works. Great. I’ll have a gander

[Guest]

Does anyone have any memories of the legendary Ronnie Greene who was Promoter between 1937 - 1970?

I’ve read that he was respected (and feared!) by many other riders and Promoters, but he certainly had the Midas touch leading the Dons to 7 National League titles and umpteen cup successes.

[iris123]

Well I guess he had some power in the sport, they way he threatened (I imagine he was backed by other promoters) to ban Briggo from defending his world title if he didn't race for the Dons

[PHILIPRISING]

AS a young journalist, mainy covering soccer but helping out on the speedway scene at Wimbledon, had lots of dealings with 'Mr' Greene, as he always insisted upon being called on Plough Lane race nights. He was a stickler for formalities ... not least the manner in which the track graders marched out before meeting. Always immaculately dressed, including his trilby hat. Set the bar high as a promoter and his word was his bond.

But away from the stadium, where I often encountered him at West Ham (he was a co-promoter) he was entirely different. Bought me many a drink. It was almost Jekyll and Hyde. Enjoyed his company, old school and a true gentleman which meant something in those days.

Feared? No, but certainly respected and with good reason.

 

 

[chunky]

1 minute ago, PHILIPRISING said:

AS a young journalist, mainy covering soccer but helping out on the speedway scene at Wimbledon, had lots of dealings with 'Mr' Greene, as he always insisted upon being called on Plough Lane race nights. He was a stickler for formalities ... not least the manner in which the track graders marched out before meeting. Always immaculately dressed, including his trilby hat. Set the bar high as a promoter and his word was his bond.

But away from the stadium, where I often encountered him at West Ham (he was a co-promoter) he was entirely different. Bought me many a drink. It was almost Jekyll and Hyde. Enjoyed his company, old school and a true gentleman which meant something in those days.

 

My mum said the same. She was the secretary of the Wimbledon SSC, and was heavily involved in their functions, and she said that Ronnie was a fabulous dancer. She also said he was a real gentleman.

[Guest]

There are recollections over the years of Wimbledon and other London tracks. It also carries a few historic-type photos:

https://londonspeedways.proboards.com

[iris123]

Wondering about the number of foreign riders who came over and got married in the UK and/ or married a local woman ? Vic Huxley brought this to mind as I think he married a local ‘dancer’ . Cordy Milne did. marry a famous burlesque ‘dancer’ but she was American. But think brother Jack at least got married in London though not sure if it was to a local lady 

Edited June 10, 2020 by iris123

[BWitcher]

2 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Wondering about the number of foreign riders who came over and got married in the UK and/ or married a local woman ? Vic Huxley brought this to mind as I think he married a local ‘dancer’ . Cordy Milne did. marry a famous burlesque ‘dancer’ but she was American. But think brother Jack at least got married in London though not sure if it was to a local lady 

Could you define the term 'dancer' and why you have enclosed it so.

[steve roberts]

1 minute ago, iris123 said:

Wondering about the number of foreign riders who came over and got married in the UK and/ or married a local woman ? Vic Huxley brought this to mind as I think he married a local ‘dancer’ . Cordy Milne did. marry a famous burlesque ‘dancer’ but she was American. But think brother Jack at least got married in London though not sure if it was to a local lady 

Jens Rasmussen married a local girl which, of course, added some strength to his case when he was signed by Rye House in 1988. Olle Nygren and Soren Sjosten married local girls which enable them to compete in Britain during 1974 when commuting Swedes were banned from the British League as they were both domiciled in the UK at the time.

[BWitcher]

4 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

Jens Rasmussen married a local girl which, of course, added some strength to his case when he was signed by Rye House in 1988. Olle Nygren and Soren Sjosten married local girls which enable them to compete in Britain during 1974 when commuting Swedes were banned from the British League as they were both domiciled in the UK at the time.

Do you mean local to Jens Rasmussen and his place of abode or local to yourself. Is this local place a common haunt for speedway riders given the other two examples?

Here is a list of English towns and I don't see one called local.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_towns_in_England

Here is a link to the website of Jens Rasmussen:

http://www.jensrasmussen.org/

Edited June 10, 2020 by BWitcher

[steve roberts]

22 minutes ago, BWitcher said:

Do you mean local to Jens Rasmussen and his place of abode or local to yourself. Is this local place a common haunt for speedway riders given the other two examples?

Here is a list of English towns and I don't see one called local.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_towns_in_England

Here is a link to the website of Jens Rasmussen:

http://www.jensrasmussen.org/

Jens resided in the Canvey Island area when he married (?) and later moved to Peterborough but well observed anyway but I'll resist the temptation!

Edited June 10, 2020 by steve roberts

[Guest]

On 6/8/2020 at 7:47 PM, chunky said:

My mum said the same. She was the secretary of the Wimbledon SSC, and was heavily involved in their functions, and she said that Ronnie was a fabulous dancer. She also said he was a real gentleman.

 

On 6/8/2020 at 7:47 PM, chunky said:

 

That's interesting about your mother's links with the Wimbledon SSC. I knew another lady who was also involved with the Wimbledon SSC - Mrs Dorothy Charles Batson. I recall a sad happening in regard to Mrs Batson's scrapbook. She loaned it to my old friend the late John Chaplin. In his turn he loaned it on to me. I am positive that I later posted the scrapbook to Mrs Batson. Sadly I think it became lost in the Postal system.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Guest

[iris123]

24 minutes ago, gustix said:

 

That's interesting about your mother's links with the Wimbledon SSC. I knew another lady who was also involved with the Wimbledon SSC - Mrs Dorothy Charles Batson. I recall a sad happening in regard to Mrs Batson's scrapbook. She loaned it to my old friend the late John Chaplin. In his turn he loaned it on to me. I am positive that I later posted the scrapbook to Mrs Batson. Sadly I think it became lost in the Postal system.

What may I ask were the contents of said scrapbook ? You fail to expand on this. I am intrigued as to whether it was paper clippings of Adam Faith. Marty Wilde and Cliff Richards