Guest Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 PRESS RELEASE That time of the year is fast approaching for the Friends of Speedway organised Ninth California-in-England Speedway Reunion at an earlier date of 14th September 2014. The full address is: California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4HT. This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park and a pay and display car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway. If you have any memorabilia/memories please make yourself known to any of the Friends of Speedway members bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied. It is a never-ending search for items of interest of all the different activities that that went on in the park; not only speedway. On display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. Also, a small display of memorabilia from the days when it was a holiday camp with photos and postcards. Here you will be able to talk with riders from the 1950's California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges. Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway. Also we are hopeful of celebrity guests of international fame and are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be able to attend. Also attending will be the family of Poppies Captain, Ron Sharp. At the time of going to press the organisers can confirm that Bobby Andrews (from New Zealand) an old Poppies rider and Barry Duke have said they will attend. Also along with Eric Hockaday, Jim Gleed and others which rode there as away team members. Part of the presentation will be a guided walk where you can see the original children's paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. Not only will you will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes (the only surviving one that we know of); you will see the whole shape of the track which has been cleared with the councils permission. An original member of the track staff will give a short talk of his duties there. For those interested in walking to the track stout footwear recommended. The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. The display will be open between 11am 'till 4pm. For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 As the track is still visible, is it not possible to have a Grass Track event/demonstration race on it? Especially as the council appear 'onside'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 That was a long scroll down just to read your one liner! Are you going to the event Gustix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Barry Briggs and Bob Andrews were among visitors to the show at California-in-England today (Sunday, September 14, 2014). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) PRESS RELEASE by Stu Towner The Ninth California-in-England Speedway Reunion Report The sun shone down on the organisers, Friends of Speedway who were so pleased to have such a lovely day for their reunion on Sunday, September 14, 2014. They had organised a line-up of speedway machines to span the over 80 years that the sport has been in existence. The line of machines started with three machines from 1928, aDouglas, a Rudge and an interesting, never seen before such an early JAP engine machine. Then through the years with a variety of JAP's, Jawas, Weslakes and a lone Godden and GM. Also something different and now a regular feature was an Mk II rotary Norton engine grass track machine and two other Grass Track bikes to compliment the display. Various machines were started during the afternoon so that the assembled throng could savour the different sounds from one era to another and the intoxicating aroma of Methanol and Castrol R. The Friends of Speedway stall was busy with enthusiasts looking for a bargain amongst their goodies on display. All profits generated go to sponsoring the British Youth Speedway Championship series (formerly the Under 15’s Championship). They also had a 1970s Jawa speedway bike fitted with a reaction tester which was great fun especially for the children attending to be able to sit on a bike and do a dummy start as if at the tapes. As part of the attractions there was an organised trip up to the old track where Bryan Horsnell, who used to sweep the concrete starting grid (and it’s still there and the only known one in existence) and he told folk about the days of the Poppies as the team was nicknamed then. What was even better this year enthusiasts could walk an entire lap of the old track which had been cleared with the councils permission. Quite a few riders were in attendance from the 1950s era which included: Jim Gleed, Eric Hockaday, Pete Rogers, Eric Jolly and Bob Andrews all the way from New Zealand. Also in attendance were the family of Poppies Captain, Ron Sharp. A surprise visitor was four-time World Champion Barry Briggs who enjoyed chatting to friends and many enthusiasts in attendance. Many photos were taken, so many past good times were re-lived, the press reporters were there also soaking up the tales of do and dare. A great day out at a wonderful setting by the lake was had by all. The organisers wish to thank all those who displayed bikes, some coming considerable distances. Edited September 16, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny Cross Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Here is a photo of the Southern Rovers team. The nomadic team with no regular home base, but did use California, Rye House and Swindon. Only ever rode in 1956. Looks like the photo was taken at California. Apart from Eric Hockaday and Colin Gooddy, I have no idea whos who! https://www.flickr.com/photos/119751419@N03/?details=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Here is a photo of the Southern Rovers team. The nomadic team with no regular home base, but did use California, Rye House and Swindon. Only ever rode in 1956. Looks like the photo was taken at California. Apart from Eric Hockaday and Colin Gooddy, I have no idea whos who! https://www.flickr.com/photos/119751419@N03/?details=1 Is the guy in the jacket Gustix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 17, 2014 Report Share Posted September 17, 2014 Here is a photo of the Southern Rovers team. The nomadic team with no regular home base, but did use California, Rye House and Swindon. Only ever rode in 1956. Looks like the photo was taken at California. Apart from Eric Hockaday and Colin Gooddy, I have no idea whos who! https://www.flickr.com/photos/119751419@N03/?details=1 Is the guy in the jacket Gustix? Sorry to disappoint! The 'man in the jacket' is their manager Les King. The photo also shows a lot of riders who had junior links with Coventry at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) Southern Rovers team for 1956 was derived from the Brafield side of 1954 and 1955. They were an enthusiastic group and I knew all their riders quite well. It was good to have old memories rekindled by the Southern Rovers team photo. :::: The report and photos from the September 14, 2014, California Reunion can be found at http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/California%20in%20England%20Speedway.htm Edited September 18, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Red Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 As the track is still visible, is it not possible to have a Grass Track event/demonstration race on it? Especially as the council appear 'onside'? Is it? I know part of the concrete starting area is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 As the track is still visible, is it not possible to have a Grass Track event/demonstration race on it? Especially as the council appear 'onside'? Is it? I know part of the concrete starting area is! Take a look on here re the reunion held last Sunday, September 14, 2014, and one can see why speedway/grass track demonstration sadly are no longer possible. http://www.defunctsp...nd Speedway.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Take a look on here re the reunion held last Sunday, September 14, 2014, and one can see why speedway/grass track demonstration sadly are no longer possible. http://www.defunctsp...nd Speedway.htm I will take your word for it Gustix, not too obvious in the photos! Great photos though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor... Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 I will take your word for it Gustix, not too obvious in the photos! Great photos though. Wokingham is my home town and i can categorically say that there is diddly left of the track. As for those pictures, i agree, not exactly conclusive to an outsider, but those down by the lake were nowhere near the location of the track anyway.. but it's the best place for a little display, dont get me wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Isnt the track now pretty much taken over my woodland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Isnt the track now pretty much taken over my woodland? You own the woodland SCB? Boy, you must be rich! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Take a look on here re the reunion held last Sunday, September 14, 2014, and one can see why speedway/grass track demonstration sadly are no longer possible. http://www.defunctsp...nd Speedway.htm I would add that credit for the 2014 California Reunion photos go to the event's organiser Stu Towner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Doctor... Posted September 18, 2014 Report Share Posted September 18, 2014 Isnt the track now pretty much taken over my woodland? Yep...there's a small clear bit of grass of sorts but nothing much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 More about the event can be seen on http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 Southern Rovers team for 1956 was derived from the Brafield side of 1954 and 1955. They were an enthusiastic group and I knew all their riders quite well. It was good to have old memories rekindled by the Southern Rovers team photo. :::: The report and photos from the September 14, 2014, California Reunion can be found at http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/California%20in%20England%20Speedway.htm Did you know Peter Wrathall (Brafield) gustix? He was, and still is I believe the Brafield Track Record Holder. He rode for Sunderland in the Seventies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 24, 2014 Report Share Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) Did you know Peter Wrathall (Brafield) gustix? He was, and still is I believe the Brafield Track Record Holder. He rode for Sunderland in the Seventies. I do not recall Pete Wrathall riding for Brafield in 1954 or 1955, nor their successors the Southern Rovers in 1956. He was involved more with the Brafield revival era in the 1960s. http://www.national-speedway-museum.co.uk/peter%20wrathall.html Edited September 24, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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