Leicester Super

[gbr7037 1]

Take a look at the Britain from Above website. An Aerofilms flight in 1931 took a series of photos of the then new Sutton Avenue estate under construction a little to the South of the stadium. Frustratingly only one picture includes the Super, and then only in the distance and right in the top corner, but with so little info available its worth a look.

 

Previous post sent due to finger trouble before ready. Just ignore it !

[Midland Red 2,383]

Take a look at the Britain from Above website. An Aerofilms flight in 1931 took a series of photos of the then new Sutton Avenue estate under construction a little to the South of the stadium. Frustratingly only one picture includes the Super, and then only in the distance and right in the top corner, but with so little info available its worth a look.

 

Previous post sent due to finger trouble before ready. Just ignore it !

 

Thanks for that! The link is http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw035972?search=leicester%20sutton&ref=2

 

Also top left at http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw035968?search=leicester%20sutton&ref=7

Edited August 17, 2014 by Midland Red

[cityrebel 2,960]

I've got an original Leicester super badge in my collection. It was found in a jam jar during a house clearance in the Leicester area. It's amazing how these rare items still turn up after all these years!

[gbr7037 1]

Thanks MR, the different angle fooled me. Another look at the Britain from Above site turned up a couple of 1939 views looking up the Melton Road which show semi-detached housing being built at the western end of the site, but at an odd angle to the main road. My sister lived in another part of town for years but I can't say I know the city myself. The odd angle and a glance at the map suggests to me Glencoe Avenue, which makes me wonder about the allotment reference you see in connection with Super's afterlife. Comparison with the pic I first noticed allow a direct comparison as field boundaries are identifiable in both views. There is also just a hint of the eastern curve of the track on closer examination. I'd be interested to know what someone who knows the area thinks.

 

Incidentally, the 1931 view appears to show a grandstand on the outside of what I assume was Turn 4, but hardly the 5,000 seater I've read about. Did it fall/burn down - it was built quickly, and of wood - or was that a misprint for 500 ?

[Leicester Lion 274]

Thanks MR, the different angle fooled me. Another look at the Britain from Above site turned up a couple of 1939 views looking up the Melton Road which show semi-detached housing being built at the western end of the site, but at an odd angle to the main road. My sister lived in another part of town for years but I can't say I know the city myself. The odd angle and a glance at the map suggests to me Glencoe Avenue, which makes me wonder about the allotment reference you see in connection with Super's afterlife. Comparison with the pic I first noticed allow a direct comparison as field boundaries are identifiable in both views. There is also just a hint of the eastern curve of the track on closer examination. I'd be interested to know what someone who knows the area thinks.

 

Incidentally, the 1931 view appears to show a grandstand on the outside of what I assume was Turn 4, but hardly the 5,000 seater I've read about. Did it fall/burn down - it was built quickly, and of wood - or was that a misprint for 500 ?

I live fairly close by. I think the track area was around what are now Braemar Drive, Braemar Close, Strathaven Road etc (I drove along part of Braemar Drive earlier today). This would place the western end of the track opposite what was the Speedway Hotel, now Indigo restaurant. There are allotments alongside and behind Indigo.

[gbr7037 1]

Sorry, Lion, only just come back to site so rather a delay but as I explained in previous posts the site has to be under Glencoe/Lockerbie/Saltcoats Avenues. There seems to have been some confusion about the use of an existing Lodge as a clubhouse, but I have no doubt that was Belgrave Lodge, not Thurmaston Lodge as some have suggested. I spent a lot of time looking at old maps and the old aerial photos of the area and the field boundaries on both are distinct and unmistakable. A 1953 photo on Britain from Above (Ref EAW 051797) shows Glencoe Avenue more or less complete with Lockerbie Ave under construction. To the right of the houses on the land not yet developed if you zoom in you can make out a curved feature in the field. If I'm right hat is the remains of the banking around turns 1 & 2 of the old track. The July 1931 aerial shot (EPW035972) shows the track in its last weeks as a speedway, in the top right corner, well worth a look if you zoom in. The buildings of Belgrave Lodge are visible in both shots.