Knowle

The first race I saw was on August 19th 1949 Bristol v New Cross in the National Trophy Chris Boss and Eric Salmon v Bert Roger and Bill Longley. The most recent survivor of that meeting I think was Dick Bradley who died 2 years ago. The second meeting I saw was Bristol v Cradley Heath on September 16th 1949 and I can still picture in my mind the fall of Alan Hunt in the first heat on the first bend. I note that at second reserve for the away team was Les Tolley. Was he related to the current Birmingham promoter? I still have both programmes.

In Taylor Wimpey's country wide list of house names they also have the "Byford" . They wouldn't would they?

Suprised that no one else has commented on the 3 week gap in Eurosport Premiership coverage. There are 3 meetings next Monday for example. No doubt someone will come up with an explanation.

Ignore previous misplaced entry what I was trying to say was that in the King's Speech today and I quote "legislation will be brought forward to safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans" A very narrow approach.

Slightly different but how about one I thought I heard at a Somerset v Rye house fixture about 15 years ago. "Tai a yellow helmet colour around the old Oak Tree Arena".

That is a brilliant book. I had some correspondence with Peter in 1985 regarding a photo caption error. If anyone is interested Page 106 Weymouth 1955 for Gerald Pugh read George Hutchinson who was a second halfer only at Weymouth

Suprised that no one else has commented on the 3 week gap in Eurosport Premiership coverage. There are 3 meetings next Monday for example. No doubt someone will come up with an explanation.

Among the items coming up at a Graham Budd timed auction on August 27 (lot 2278) is a un-redeemed (!) Grand Stand ticket for the World Final which was to be held on Thursday September 7th 1939 which of course never took place because of WW2. I wonder if they got their money back? The printed price was 2/6 but overstamped at 2 shillings for some reason.. One assumes the programme for the meeting was trashed unless someone knows otherwise.

Shock! Speedway mentioned in the Sunday Telegraph on the 26th complete with picture of the rider . Text stated as follows. ""Nigel Limb, a former Speedway racer who was left 90 per cent blind after a crash, on the track in Scunthorpe, Lincs, testing an electric powered speedway bike he constructed himself over the past year"

Sad news indeed. Dick was the sole survivor of the Bristol team that I saw at the first meeting I attended on August 19 1949 when he scored 6 points from 4 rides at reserve when Bristol rode against New Cross in front of a 22000 crowd at Knowle Stadium in the second leg of the National Trophy , I still have the programme. Dick was one of the finest riders ever to represent Bristol and was loyal right up to the closure in mid 1955. Only then did he move to another club Southampton. I imagine that during his spell at Bristol he would have drawn interest from the bigger clubs as he top-scored all over the country. He also scored 16 points for England in the Test Match at Harringay in 1952 in a very late call due to injuries.

The point I was trying to make was that the Eaurosport programme guide is incorrect, misleading and is still shown today 24 hours before the event. This is unprofessional.

Yet according to Eurosport's programme guide on my sky box on Sunday at 3pm they are showing a repeat of a league match.

Missed only chance of seeing Ken Le Breton at Bristol in 1950 when he turned up late for what he thought was a second half booking only to find that he was in the main meeting as a "Star Of Tomorrow and had been replaced by Tom Oakley who happened to be there with his brother Bob. The other Stars were Fred Brand, Tommy Miller, Alan Hunt, Derek Close, Ken Middleditch and Jack Summers.

Does anyone else remember Arthur (Bonny) Good who rode second halves at Swindon in 1949 including the very first meeting and also rode for Swindon in a few challenge matches before they took over Hull's fixtures. He also won the Best Pairs meeting on 1st August 1949 with Reg Lambourne. He was principally a grass track rider. Some of his stuff is coming up for auction on 26 th June at Aldriges Auctions in Devizes (lot 385)

Had the pleasure of meeting Chum about 20 years ago at Oxford. I was a young fan of his in 53 and 54. His book " A Dangerous Life " is good reading and sometimes crops up on Ebay.

Ian managed Glasgow White City when they came to Bristol in 1949, very young.

Billy, Johnny and Graham Hole of Bristol 1948 1949.

West Ham, Wembley, Harringay Hyde Road and Wombwell. The last one so I could have bought a load of their programmes to sell years later for a big profit! Had a dream once that I went to a jumble sale and there was a big box of Wombwell programmes for sale for peanuts.

I was there and can't believe it was 20 years ago. Bjarne was brilliant in that meeting.

The Mendip Raceway is very basic, very remote, on top of the Mendips down narrow lanes and in my opinion a non-starter. Does anyone know if the site at Avonmouth still exists in an undeveloped form?

I believe the location previously under consideration is where those giant windmills are now.

It is reported by a contributor to the Speedway Plus Site that Ernie passed away on 17 April. Fond memories of Bristol 1960

Irrespective of age I think that there are dangers caused by ridiculously bright headlights now being permitted especially in new tall SUV type vehicles bearing down on us mere mortals in our Polos etc.

Is that Bob Duckworth and Tony Lewis? (One for the old gits like me)

Bristol v New Cross National Trophy 19/8/49. Bristol Chris Boss, Eric Salmon, Mike Beddoe, Roger Wise, Billy Hole, Jack Mountford, Dick Bradley , Johnny Hole. Dick Bradley is the sole survivor. New Cross Bert Roger, Bill Longley Frank Lawrence , Jeff Lloyd, Ray Moore, Cyril Roger, Ray Ellis , Don Gray. The only possible survivors from New Cross woul be Ellis and Gray but they would be 93 and 99 respectively. perhaps norbold could help.