Gemini

Any news of the patter of tiny feet in the Startline Sid household or was he alone? I can't send an email because I don't have his address any more since having a new hard drive. Don't forget to let me know please S.S.

Don't panic. It's probably only in the wash.

I don't think any of the above are Speedway riders, Peter. They sound more like some of Sandman's motley crew on his boat, especially Happy Kirk.

I'm not sure if this is the same person that I remember because he was quite young and used to stand in different places, not in one spot. I used to dread it if I was on my own and he used to come and stand next to me. I'm sure he was harmless but he used to scare me to death and I always looked away hoping he wouldn't pick me to talk to.

Thanks Jim.

Did this little disagreement ever get resolved, whether Peter was handicapped or off the gate? At the time this discussion was going on I couldn't find the booklet called "Peter Craven. Tribute to a great little Champion" which cost me all of two shillings back in the 1960's. In here John Gibson says he spoke to Peter in the pits before his final fateful race. I asked if he would follow his normal practice in National League matches and start off a 20 yard handicap in his next race with Billy Powell and Monarchs George Hunter and Willie Templeton. Peter replied "The way these boys have been going tonight I honestly doubt if I could start 20 yards behind and have any chance of beating them, but if the fans want it that way it suits me..." The fans didn't want it that way, so the seemingly unbeatable Craven was off scratch with the other three riders. The race, which normally takes just under 70 seconds was cut short before it was half over and resulted in the first speedway fatality in Scotland since the war.

And here endeth the lesson. The meek shall inherit the earth. So to get back to Bruce Penhall, do any of his sons have his extreme good looks? Only there's still a bit of room left in my scrapbook for a few additions.

Just one Sandman, who has a really bad problem with her eyesight. Unfortunately I now resemble some of your mates. Blood shot eyes, thinning hair, teeth falling out, fat, ugly, fingers gradually dropping off. It's a shame but one just has to accept it and at least the dog doesn't notice.

What wise words and how glad I am not to have been born handsome. Of course it works both ways and those born quite plain looking often in later life turn from a frog to a prince. I mean take John Lydon for example ......somebody....please.

He should put them back on again. .. I've been reading all the posts again as well and it seems to me the ones who are doing the defending are mostly men (of a certain age?) whereas most of the women are perhaps hoping time would have stood still and he would at least resemble the photos taken twenty years ago when he was so handsome. It's no big deal though - just one more thing to discuss to pass the time away until the new season starts.

Mustn't forget the Fish and Chip shop just across the road from the stadium. They sold the nicest I've ever tasted. Watching Speedway at Station Road then calling in for some fish and chips before making the journey back to Leicester. Perfect.

I reckon Joanne is right and the photo was really of Simon Mayo. Strangely enough a lot of people look better as they get older. Haven't your children ever looked at old photos of you and burst out laughing? I know I looked a lot better in photos taken when I was 43 than when I was 23, but now at 63 I try to keep well away from cameras. Not always possible though when certain forum members have one masquerading as a mobile phone.

You're not so keen on Matt Ford and Nigel Wagstaff then? .. Sure have, but it's not such a shock because I always was ugly. Now I'm not only ugly, but fat as well, with teeth and hair rapidly dropping out.

Yes, just think in twenty years time we might be saying the same things about Jordan. I think the whole point about the comments was because Bruce was always so stunningly handsome and it's a bit of a shock to see the ravages of time and the change in his golden locks, whereas Bobby Schwartz for example doesn't look very much different. No disrespect to Bruce as he was a cracking rider and one of my all time heros. (Thanks for the email Frigbo.)

By me? If so please enlighten me as I don't like to upset anyone. You can send me an email if you like.

Lighten up Frigbo and put the old shovel away. It's only a few comments about the effect the passing of time has on the human face/figure. I'm sure Bruce's vibrant personality would have won me over if I'd been there and I wouldn't have noticed he'd become a minger. Anyway, perhaps it was just a bad photo. I will reserve judgement until I see this week's Speedway Star. By the way, I for one, have never criticized other posters comments on the ability of riders. I reserve the right to say they've had a rubbish night if they have and I'm not bothered if other people do either.

You might get a lot of hits, but you possibly wouldn't be successful. Some people book for the next GP weekend when leaving the hotel after the previous one. Don't bother with The Town House on Cathedral Road.

I know I must have seen lots of good meetings at Long Eaton, but unfortunately the two which have stuck in my mind are the 75-0 score against Middlesborough, when they walked out and Long Eaton riders just rode round for endless 5-0's. Also the lovely Summer evening when Ove Fundin and his wife were guests. The track was over-watered and the meeting had to be called off, after we had been waiting around for ages whilst the track-staff tried to sort it out. I wasn't very happy driving back to Leicester.

Oh. my god! Did you have to do that?!

It's the hard life he has lead since giving up Speedway that's taken it's toll on his good looks. I agree though as I was quite disappointed when I saw him on TV a few years ago. I know we unfortunately all have to grow older and can't keep our youthful good looks, but Bruce seems to have changed more than most. I guess I will just have to keep looking at those Superstar photos in my scrapbook when he was young and handsome. Thanks for the details by the way.

And Leicester. Think he had the nickname Streaky for obvious reasons.

Thanks Scunny Stag. It wasn't Simon then because both the other young men had dark hair. Ian is managing director of the Robert Thompson business and he is obviously skilled at carpentry as he was carving a little Mouse himself. Seems a much safer job than riding a 500cc Speedway bike.

Did anyone happen to watch Flog it this afternoon? As part of the programme they went to the cottage/workroom of Robert Thompson who was born in 1876 and made the famous furniture with Mouse carvings. His great-grandson, Ian Thompson-Cartwright was interviewed. I am presuming this is the Ian Cartwright, ex Halifax rider? I knew he was connected in some way to The Mouseman but didn't realise he was his great-grandson. Just wondering if Simon is involved in the business in any way? There were a couple of other young men in the workroom, but I don't really know what Simon looks like, which doesn't help!

I couldn't believe he was still riding in his own country last season and doing pretty well too.

You'd move out a bit if you had Crumpy on the inside.