BOBBATH 466 Posted June 6, 2007 Anybody recall these two great characters-Charlie at Leicester and Al at Swindon-and again the usual question are they still with us?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 6, 2007 (edited) Ah! Memories of my teenage years when Charlie Barsby was one of my favourite riders. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1243465626047007148JrcJjB Charlie was certainly alive and kicking at a Leicester reunion in November 2004 when he was 75 years old. He looked very well so I'm sure he is still around. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1450617580047007148MjXmrK http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2302022320047007148dpBjyP Edited June 10, 2007 by Gemini Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Hamilton 1 Posted June 6, 2007 Ah! Memories of my teenage years when Charlie Barsby was one of my favourite riders. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1243465626047007148JrcJjB Charlie was certainly alive and kicking at a Leicester reunion in November 2004 when he was 75 years old. He looked very well so I'm sure he is still around. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1450617580047007148MjXmrK http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2933641380047007148vXYHoi <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Gemini (My Birth Sign) I remember Charlie Barsby, he was part of the Leicester team that included Ken McKinlay and Brian Elliott and possibly Harry Bastable in the early sixties. Very attractive side Brian Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 7, 2007 (edited) Hi Gemini (My Birth Sign) .... That's strange. It's mine too. I like this BOBBATH chappie. He keeps starting threads about old riders and bringing back so many memories. Bryan Elliott - he was another one of my favourites, along with Joe Bowkis, Johnnie Carpenter, Len Williams etc. Bryan Elliott does indeed reside in Australia but his sister was at the Leicester reunion in 2004. Edit..... BOBBATH....you aren't the person who bought my 1949 Leicester badge last year (on ebay) were you because it went to Canada? I was sad to let it go - and other items - but needed the money for the dog's vet bills. She's still going strong on daily glucosamine tablets. Edited June 7, 2007 by Gemini Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,109 Posted June 7, 2007 Al Sparrey features in a brilliant new book just published called, "70 Years of Rye House" as he rode for Rye House from 1954 to 1956 before moving on to Swindon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted June 7, 2007 Hi Gemini-no I'm not the guy who bought your Leicester badge on e-bay. I raise these threads when a name pops into my mind I'm interested that so many folks in forumland have similar memories.. I emigrated in 1968-altho have been to various speedways on visits back. My dream is to do a trip round all the trax that were operating when I left-I think only Poole, Swindon,Oxford, Coventry,Newcastle,Sheffield,Berwick, Eastbourne(may have missed some)-I don't count ones like Belle Vue that changed locations Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crash test dummy 0 Posted June 8, 2007 Good old days at Blackbird road but no one can remember the name of the marching tune the track staff and riders used to march out to. Disappointed to say the least as i'd like to download it and blast it out to reminisce. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 9, 2007 Oh yes they can! I thought we had decided it was Imperial Echos. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crash test dummy 0 Posted June 9, 2007 No Gemini, it wasn't imperial echoes, I have downloaded that and it's not the same tune Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 9, 2007 Oh. It's back to the drawing board then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 12, 2007 How about March of the Gladiators then? I don't know the tune myself but an ex-Leicester fan suggested it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted June 13, 2007 Are u thinking of "Entry of the Gladiators" don't think it was that tho-was it something to do with hunting etc?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted June 13, 2007 I guess that's what he was referring to. The one connected to hunting was The Post Horn Gallop. It used to be played at the start of the meeting but I don't know if the track staff marched out to it. Would have to be at a quick pace if they did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 466 Posted June 14, 2007 This is all great stuff BUT does anybody know where Al Sparrey is these days ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedyguy 20 Posted June 17, 2007 This is all great stuff BUT does anybody know where Al Sparrey is these days ??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I know that at one time Al Sparrey was working as a car salesman for fromer speedway and stock car driver Allen Briggs in the Walthamstow area of London. However, I also heard - and it is unconfirmed - that Al Sparrey died a couple of years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
