Letchy

I used to race against Cyril in second halves at Cradey Heath in 1970, along with guys like Arne Pander. I learned so much just riding with those guys. To a strugling second halfer they were genuine legends. Glad to hear Cyril is stil doing well.

Ipswich vs Exeter Unknown - That's Peter Moore and Les McGillivary for Ipswich and the Exeter rider is in fact a Swindon Robin.Coventry 2 on P 1 is I think, Jack Young. Open to discussion on that one!

I used to ride against him in 1970. Jack Biggs introduced me to him, and as Biggsy had this hatred of nicknames we always just called him Ray. Away from the track I always found him to be polite and a nice guy but once at the speedway the "Tyburn" thing kicked in and he used to sort of hold court with dark humor! A real Jekyll and Hyde character. Sad to hear that he has passed on, he was definitely a character!

I used to do second halves at Romford in 1970- Thursday night was always Romford night as I was just living in North London. Used to get lost every time looking for Brooklands Stadium. The pit area was horrible, covered in a sort of sooty gravel! If you dropped anything it was lost forever! I used to have to beg Pete Lansdale for a ride every week! It was a funny shape around the footbal pitch and that concrete wall always got my full attention as it was about thigh height! The surface was always great though, a little slick which suited my JAP just fine. The bloke I used to love watching around there was Ian Gills- Jeeeez he used to ride it well! The fans were always great down there and I couldn't believe that I signed so many autographs being just a second halfer! I remember I always used to hook up with Snowey Beatie who used to ride his Cezeta Scoota down there every week. One of my regular socond half mates was Ronnie Edwards who used to go there with his wife(Chris?) I remember one night at Romford after the meeting when I caught up with the Japanese rider Jimmy Ogisu whom I had known from Australia. He was over for the Wimbledon Internationale. A great guy. Charlie Benham was a great guy and used to come up and see me regularly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital after I had a bit of an off at Rye House that year. So many good memories of that place and the terrific people who made it. I think I even won a race there one night! A real shame it didn't last any longer than it did.

Out in front is my dear mate and mentor Jackie Biggs. I think I was at this meeting. Brought a tear to my eyes. Wonderful stuff. Can't workout who the opposition is. It would be 1970 so possibly Laurie Ethridge for Hackney at number 7? Opposition maybe Wolves?

Let me dig it out scarletrider and I'll get a copy sorted out for you. It's only black and white, taken from the old pits at Rye House, just before the third bend.

I have a photo of myself riding with him at Rye House in 1970 in the Rye House Red Devils / Ipswich match.

Best shaped speedway track I ever raced on. Just loved it!

Sad to report that Millsy was killed in an ultralight aircraft accident out here in Australia a few years ago. He arrived in Melbourne for the 68/69 season where he was instantly a star when the likes of Neil Street, Peter Moore and John Dehurst were the main men, and instantly settled into the Aussie lifestyle. He used to ride a self made JAP with a swinging arm rear suspension that he said used to handle like and ESO. He ramained one of our top riders for a few seasons before seeking other sursuits.He was well liked by everyone and was just a great guy. He is sadly missed.