Just Like To Say "hello"

[staxton]

In searching for information about my friends, Ron Mountford, Rick France and Cyril Page, I found this forum and would like to say "Hello".

I was very sad to read that Ron passed away in 1993.

My signature is a phrase Rick used to say and I never understood.

My nickname was "Lightning" when I worked at a Garage in Tettenhall with them, not because of my speed, rather, the lack of it!

They were good times and I hope to add a few anecdotes in due course.

[BOBBATH]

Nice to hear from someone with a long memory-try the "Defunct Tracks website" the guy who runs this- John Skinner- is very helpful, also Reg Fearman contributes to this website and is often willing and able to answer"where are they now" type questions-Rick France is certainly still with us. I remember both Ron and Rick well-but Cyril was before even my time!!

[yesterdaysman]

I remember the garage they had at Tettenhall, or was it Tettenhall Wood? I did go there to help them out once or twice. Another young rider working there at that time was Chris Harrison. I found Cyril to be a remarkable man and a bit of a 'one off'. I think his military time had a marked effect on him, with his upright posture and 'handlebar' moustache. Also he was very disciplined when at work or speedway, but when that was done he transformed into the ultimate 'party animal'. I don't think I have ever met a man so different when at work and play. One of his party pieces was to place a pint of beer on the bottom stair, then go up the stairs a way and start banging on the stairs and shouting painful cries while decsending to near the bottom. Then he would roll head first into the hallway, gathering the pint pot, and lay on the floor, just as everyone had turned to see what was happening, he would shout, "never spilled a drop look, never spilled a drop". The ladies would be horrified as they assumed he had fallen from top to bottom on the stairs!

With the other three all riding for the same team at the time and his riding days gone, it put quite a burden on him at the garage and I think, contributed to the split, with Ron and Rick going to Bloxwich. In later years Cyril spent some time running the workshops at Chris's garage at Willenhall. I still see Chris and Rick from time to time and of Cyril and Ron I have great memories.

[staxton]

Nice to hear from someone with a long memory-try the "Defunct Tracks website" the guy who runs this- John Skinner- is very helpful, also Reg Fearman contributes to this website and is often willing and able to answer"where are they now" type questions-Rick France is certainly still with us. I remember both Ron and Rick well-but Cyril was before even my time!!

 

Thanks for your advice Bobbath. Before reading your much appreciated reply, I did a bit a "Spade Work" and via a very tortuous route, managed to make contact with Rick France.

Unfortunately, the email address he supplied is not working for me, but there may be reasons for this. I gave him a second call to check the details were correct, but there is still something "crook".

 

I visited the Tettenhall Garage in the '80s but did not have a camera with me. The new owners let me look round. Thinking of new technology, I gave Google Street Map a whirl . . . . . and wished I hadn't. The place is boarded up but the view from the side road brings back memories of 1963 - 64 when Ron was lapping the valves of his JAP on the bench that ran along the south facing back wall, with the two high windows.

 

It was a priviledge to work with Ron, Rick and Cyril and I have very fond memories of them. I knew from the forum that Ron had passed away in the 1990's but I did not know until today, that Cyril had left us the same week as Ron.

 

I remember two trips with Cyril The first was to collect a steering rack from a breaker's yard to help a TVR owner get his car ready for a race-day. It was a very early model and felt like the seat was dragging on the ground. The other ride was in a 3.8 Jaguar, which was quite a different experience.

 

Perhaps I may post some more anecdotes if I am spared.

 

M.

[staxton]

I remember the garage they had at Tettenhall, or was it Tettenhall Wood? I did go there to help them out once or twice. Another young rider working there at that time was Chris Harrison. I found Cyril to be a remarkable man and a bit of a 'one off'. I think his military time had a marked effect on him, with his upright posture and 'handlebar' moustache. Also he was very disciplined when at work or speedway, but when that was done he transformed into the ultimate 'party animal'. I don't think I have ever met a man so different when at work and play. One of his party pieces was to place a pint of beer on the bottom stair, then go up the stairs a way and start banging on the stairs and shouting painful cries while decsending to near the bottom. Then he would roll head first into the hallway, gathering the pint pot, and lay on the floor, just as everyone had turned to see what was happening, he would shout, "never spilled a drop look, never spilled a drop". The ladies would be horrified as they assumed he had fallen from top to bottom on the stairs!

With the other three all riding for the same team at the time and his riding days gone, it put quite a burden on him at the garage and I think, contributed to the split, with Ron and Rick going to Bloxwich. In later years Cyril spent some time running the workshops at Chris's garage at Willenhall. I still see Chris and Rick from time to time and of Cyril and Ron I have great memories.

 

Hello Yesterdaysman,

I am so pleased to meet up with someone else that has spent some time at the same Garage and knew the same people. You are spot on with saying Tettenhall Wood, because Tettenhall and the College is quite a good step away to the east. If you want to see the place as it is now, dial "School Road Tettenhall UK in Google Street Map and refine the view by clicking the camera position at the junction of School Road and Tanfield Close.

 

It is possible to see the side view of the workshops from the south from a side road. I can still remember Ron working on his JAP engine on the bench below the two big upper widows.

 

I liked Cyril very much. He reminded me a bit of the "Laughing Cavalier" picture, but with ginger hair and beard of course. He always seemed to be on a mission and would present a difficult target to hit. Because I was unable to sustain his relentless motion, Rick christened me "Lightning" and this was to become my nickname from then on. I learned from Rick today, that Cyril and Ron passed away in the same week. I did not have the opportunity to socialise with either Ron or Cyril and I very much appreciate your anecdote of Cyril and his party-piece.

If there is such a thing as another life, I hope they will meet up again.

 

One of the many incidents that readily come to mind, concerns Ron testing his JAP engine without warning me first. The unsilenced bark at close range, is bad enough when there is some indication of it going to happen. Once the engine stopped, the clouds of Castrol R smoke cleared slightly and some degree of composure had been gained. Through the gloom I noticed a young man standing in the garage doorway. He had a moped outside and asked Ron, "Do you know anything about motorbikes mate?". Because of his eye injury, Ron's stare was always "Piratical" and could be very intimidating. Standing next to his smoking speedway bike and with both fists knuckled into his hips Ron replied, "No".

There was no further discussion and the prospective moped rider departed in complete silence.

 

M.

[Deano]

 

One of the many incidents that readily come to mind, concerns Ron testing his JAP engine without warning me first. The unsilenced bark at close range, is bad enough when there is some indication of it going to happen. Once the engine stopped, the clouds of Castrol R smoke cleared slightly and some degree of composure had been gained. Through the gloom I noticed a young man standing in the garage doorway. He had a moped outside and asked Ron, "Do you know anything about motorbikes mate?". Because of his eye injury, Ron's stare was always "Piratical" and could be very intimidating. Standing next to his smoking speedway bike and with both fists knuckled into his hips Ron replied, "No".

There was no further discussion and the prospective moped rider departed in complete silence.

 

M.

 

A man with my sense of humour..

[BOBBATH]

Hi Lightning-do you know how old Cyril and Ron were when they passed away-I tend to associate Cyril with Leicester-is that correct.Also I recall in the sixties Ron used to wear contact lenses-one of the first I guess -as you probably know both Rick and Ron made the World Final(67 and 62 respectively I think)

[Gemini]

I remember both Ron and Rick well-but Cyril was before even my time!!

 

But unfortunately not before mine.

Cyril did indeed ride for the Leicester Hunters, Bobbath, from 1949 until 1953, although he did have a season away on loan in 1951 with Birmingham because of his growing business interests. He returned for a brief period in 1952 before going back to Birmingham and this time it was a permanent move, with Roy Browning coming in the other direction. Whilst at Birmingham Cyril retired but was briefly enticed back in 1953 for two matches to help the injury hit Leicester team. He then retired again bringing to a close a career that spanned 154 appearances and 979 total points scored for the Hunters.

 

These facts all from memory.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Gemini

[Tsunami]

But unfortunately not before mine.

Cyril did indeed ride for the Leicester Hunters, Bobbath, from 1949 until 1953, although he did have a season away on loan in 1951 with Birmingham because of his growing business interests. He returned for a brief period in 1952 before going back to Birmingham and this time it was a permanent move, with Roy Browning coming in the other direction. Whilst at Birmingham Cyril retired but was briefly enticed back in 1953 for two matches to help the injury hit Leicester team. He then retired again bringing to a close a career that spanned 154 appearances and 979 total points scored for the Hunters.

 

These facts all from memory.

 

Now where did I put my specs.

[Midland Red]

Hi Lightning-do you know how old Cyril and Ron were when they passed away-I tend to associate Cyril with Leicester-is that correct.Also I recall in the sixties Ron used to wear contact lenses-one of the first I guess -as you probably know both Rick and Ron made the World Final(67 and 62 respectively I think)

 

I believe Cyril was 75 and The Man Mountford was 65

[TeamBouchard]

I saw Rick at Birmingham Speedway a few weeks back. He was going round at the interval assisting with the 'Briggo's Ride' collection. I said "Hello" to him and told him that a few months previously, I'd interviewed Roger Mills (for my Trackin' Down books about Long Eaton riders). I told him that Roger had brought into the conversation how he had been over to see Rick and had purchased an engine (tuned to First Division standards) from him. Roger lived in Willenhall (and still does) so Rick was quite local to him. Rick remembered the sale!

With that, he moved on amongst the crowd to continue his collecting and I guess there wouldn't be too many who recognised him after all these years.

[staxton]

Hi Lightning-do you know how old Cyril and Ron were when they passed away-I tend to associate Cyril with Leicester-is that correct.Also I recall in the sixties Ron used to wear contact lenses-one of the first I guess -as you probably know both Rick and Ron made the World Final(67 and 62 respectively I think)

Hello Bobbath,

I lost touch with Cyril, Ron and Rick after my brief stay with them in '63 and '64.

 

There are other forum members who are in a much better position to answer your question and I am so very grateful for their input.

 

To gather anecdotal and historical information at this stage is vitally important and if I have been a small part of this process, I will be very pleased.

[staxton]

Now where did I put my specs.

 

Thanks Tsunami. I had no idea Cyril was a former rider. He gave me no indication at all, but after all, that seemed to be in his character.

 

I would like to give an example of his style of approach to others. I was still at College and worked part-time at the Tettenhall Wood Garage. One day, a quantity of bank notes went missing from the forecourt till and I seemed to be the only suspect. The whole staff surrounded me and it was very unpleasant. Instant dismissal appeared to be very imminent.

 

The only thing I could suggest was to mark the remaining notes in a way they could be recognised again and pray someone would take the bait. The till was kept under close surveillance. Soon, a local paper delivery boy was seen to enter the front office and on his departure, it was discovered that some notes were missing. Cyril followed the boy to his home close by and asked the boy's Father to turn out his son's pockets. The marked notes could be identified as could extra notes that the Father could not account for.

 

Many attributes have been associated with speedway riders. Toughness, courage, fearlessness, agression and so on. What I did not anticipate upon Cyril's return, following his brief private discussion with his staff, was a collective recognition that a wrong assumption had been avoided.

 

I saw a different side to these so called tough guys on that day. They could not have been more considerate and set an example I have tried to follow.

[BOBBATH]

Hi teambouchard-bet I would have recognised Rick!!As regards Ron I recall him being an extremely tough rider-great names from the past-to lightning did you ever see either of these guys ride speedway.

[BL65]

One of Ron Mountford's neighbours ran the grocer's shop in our village on the Staffordshire-Worcestershire border when I was a speedway mad schoolboy. She took my scrapbook home and asked him to autograph his photo's, of which there were several. I didn't get the scrapbook back for nearly a month - Ron had taken it to meetings and obtained autographs of riders from all over the country. A very kind act by a fine rider.

[yesterdaysman]

I'm pretty sure Cyril was at Tamworth for a time as well, but would have to look through some old records. Have a vague recollection of conversations about it though, in days gone by. With Tamworth being a feeder track to Birmingham there was a fair bit of two way traffic in rider changes.

[BL65]

Cyril Page rode for Stoke in 1947 and scored a maximum 12 points in their first home meeting v Cradley Heath Cubs on 8th May. After 3 rides for 0 points at Southampton on 22nd July and 1 from 4 rides at home to Cradley Heath on 24th July, he rode for Tamworth at Wombwell on 25th July 1947. Cyril then stayed at Tamworth until the end of 1948 - he was Tamworth top scorer that season.

[staxton]

Hi teambouchard-bet I would have recognised Rick!!As regards Ron I recall him being an extremely tough rider-great names from the past-to lightning did you ever see either of these guys ride speedway.

 

Unfortunately I did not see any of these riders in action. My memories are restricted to working with them.

[staxton]

One of Ron Mountford's neighbours ran the grocer's shop in our village on the Staffordshire-Worcestershire border when I was a speedway mad schoolboy. She took my scrapbook home and asked him to autograph his photo's, of which there were several. I didn't get the scrapbook back for nearly a month - Ron had taken it to meetings and obtained autographs of riders from all over the country. A very kind act by a fine rider.

 

This consideration is typical of the "Tough Guy" I was privileged to work with.

[staxton]

Cyril Page rode for Stoke in 1947 and scored a maximum 12 points in their first home meeting v Cradley Heath Cubs on 8th May. After 3 rides for 0 points at Southampton on 22nd July and 1 from 4 rides at home to Cradley Heath on 24th July, he rode for Tamworth at Wombwell on 25th July 1947. Cyril then stayed at Tamworth until the end of 1948 - he was Tamworth top scorer that season.

 

Thanks for this information Guernsey. I knew very little of Cyril's riding achievements because he would have changed the subject if I had asked him for details.

 

People I respect do that sort of thing.