Paul

I have a programme that quite clearly states Abridge Speedway on the front cover from 1948. This for the non-Essex people is near to London and High Beech. The event was held at Skinners Farm and can I assume there has never been a stadium of any description there on this site? Again I am assuming this was a grass track event, but do wonder why the programme states Abridge Speedway? I’m sure someone out there has the answer!

Brian Leonard was one of the many former Hackney riders who attended the Hackney Reunion in 2005. Brian works at the motor racing circuit at Thruxton. His job? If you bought one of the track days driving a Mercedes, Aston Martin etc at Thruxton Brian is one of the teachers there. I have to say that the little time I spend with Brian at the Hackney Reunion he relived his speedway memories as though they where yesterday and he has hardly changed at all. A really great guy to speak to.

Len has been working in conjunction with a well-known writer on his life story for quite some time. From his early days as a young boy in London’s East End write up to the present day. It should be a fascinating read, like many I can’t wait either! Hackney lost a certain element of course when BLD1 racing went 1983 when Len Silver left. Had Mr Russell not taken over the helm with Mr Pavitt would we have ever had speedway again at The Wick? I enjoyed the Kestrel days, thankful for speedway. Then like so many other fans, I had no track to go and support when Hackney closed in 1991. It was not until 2000 when Rye House returned I started to once again to follow speedway on a regular basis. Oh how I would love to be able to say "Hackney was running in whatever division by whatever promoter!"

One person who I’ve not mentioned is Tina Wiffen. Tina would be with her mates on the home straight at Hackney every Friday. Tina met Steve at Hackney and married soon after. Many will remember Tina running Martin Hagon’s fan club. Tina recently passed away at a very young age after a very long illness. It was people like Tina that make Hackney such a great place to be on a Friday night. RIP Tina

Memories of Waterden Road? Just been reading the previous pages and it does indeed bring the memories flooding back! Memories both on and off the track but I think everyone one remembers the many classic matches, but what of the many other characters? Well I guess we all remember dear old Snowy. He would be standing by the starting gate with Vi, Ian Cook, Linda, Jacqueline and others tearing the draw tickets up and putting them into the box. Len or special guest would pull out the winning ticket or tickets out on the centre green with Snowy in close proximity.Len would say, 'Whats the jackpot tonight?' Snowy's answer always the same after the amount, 'Fifty quid Len' Having a beer [which was strictly against the rules] in the pits at 1am and later, much later actually, after a meeting on a Friday and which riders would be the last one to leave? Usually either Thommo or Hughie Saunders. The twenty-four hour darts marathon run by the HSSC [Hackney Speedway Supporters Club] in the Vic Harding Lounge. The dinner dances especially the ones in Cherry’s disco later to become Sloopy’s. Those wonderful Saturday afternoon training school’s with Len missing out on the likes of Kelvin Tatum and Bruce Penhall. Who wanted them anyway! Yes I know Wimbledon and Cradley. Terry Heath and his crew on a Friday and Saturday either laying or picking up the sheets on the greyhound track. Stadium manager Peter Spratley checking all was running well in the various cafeteria’s and bars in the stadium. Security man Jimmy Mead who was better known as mustard walking about mostly unshaven and in a horrible mustard suite when not on duty. Not a pretty site. Tony Hurren, being presented with a special award at the dinner dance at Walthamstow Stadium. The award, a very plush toilets seat! For those unaware Tony was Hawkeye, later to become Birdbrain. What fantastic columns he penned. I think many used to read that column before Lens actually. A young guy who got a nickname of Bent Hadlebars. I recall he went to Ireland for a year or so and came back to England with the broadest ever-Irish accent you have ever heard. Steve Vangeldar, Brian Deadman and Billy Newlands. All working for Warner Sports and who remembers Warner Sports boss Danny Leno? A frequent visitor, no correction a supporter propping up the bar! Big Fred, who can forget him on the coach and those ‘away’, matches. A certain announcer who was so biased towards Hackney he was a legend for the that short spell he had at The Wick! That man was Gareth Rogers of course. After following the late, great Ted Sear, Gareth certainly bought a rather different announcing style to Waterden Road. Lesley Rowland who ran the ‘Special Sean Willmott Fan Club’ later of course to become me Mrs! Married twenty-five years this year, who said it wouldn’t work! Professor Barnard with his 3.258 passes per lap The list could just go on and on………. You know those days at Hackney where absolutely amazing. There where so many characters many I’ve not mentioned. In 2005 we had a Hackney Reunion and that was amazing, totally awe inspiring. Just a few of those people made it to the reunion and for those there, they know we all generated that Hackney Stadium atmosphere once again. If I’m honest I’d love to organise another Hackney Reunion. But as I’ve said before elsewhere, I don’t think we will ever be able to top the one we held in 2005. But, when the time is right, and that will be in the next few years I recon, Hackney Speedway will return for one night, when our announcer will say, ‘This is Hackney Speedway’ and the Magnificent Seven music will once again be heard and a lump will be in the back of all our thoats.

And Newport I seem to recall

Anyone know the line up yet?

I think someone’s got it in for you my dear Shazzy! Try to help out your fellow supporters about traffic and your a trouble maker! No doubt you want to read about 'Uncle Ted' in the 'been out, for ages book' about Rye House and no book to even look at let alone read! Well using my mystic powers I see nothing but good for you once you receive the Rye House book, or is that Norbolds book that is good, no it has to be for you! Remember if you want a cry I'm sure there will be no end of shoulders to cry on within our wonderful speedway community although perhaps John Cooks of your list?

I guess the difficulty here is keeping a happy medium. Perhaps Mr Berry should have kept his mouth shut, although that is impossible, we all know that. The publishers should perhaps have advertised this book without the usual 'tell all' tag.Trouble is the 'tell all' books usual tell very little in actual fact, but if the tags of 'tell all' was not advertised then the books they produce probably wouldn't sell, sod all!

Chris Harris, what a true racer this guy is. How can you not compare this guy to my all time 'speedway hero' Peter Collins. My throat from yesterday, like so many others at Cardiff and watching there tv's at home is, well rather bad to say the least. Will it be back in a hour or so when Rye House starts, I think not! Bomber thank-you for making Cardiff a wonderful meeting, we've been waiting a long time for a British winner of a GP and to do it at Cardiff, fantastic!

The Kestrelettes! I think we looked quite good in that picture actually Bryn. I do confess however that I had a false bust. Still got the flat cap and it does have occasional outings still. I recall that our group of Kestrellettes but apart from Don Barker and Ken Irvine I’ve not got any names on the others. I know Dave Pavitt was invited to join the busty girls but he declined at the last moment, can’t imagine why! This picture actually I have to thank Dick Jarvis for. Can you believe this picture was on sale at the Brighton indoor a few years ago and he, yes Dick Jarvis bought it! He did pass it on to me at no cost and I thank him for that. I decided to put it on the reunion website to stop anyone trying to blackmail me! Talking of the reunion website I’m in the middle of making a few changes to it. There’s a lovely tribute to Toni Kasper by his friend and former mechanic Chris Callaghan, really worth a read, www.hackneyreunion.com Hackney Speedway, gone into deep thought now about those wonderful Friday nights at Hackney, ah………………………………………………………………………….

DOB For Gary Richard Peterson 9.6.1946 New Plymouth, New Zealand Motor Cycle mechanic who was one of his country’s top scrambles stars before turning to speedway at Waiwaiko, New Plymouth, in B grade racing in 1966. Former New Zealand 500cc open scrambles champion; runner-up in the same title; three times North Island Champion. Also competed in road racing and drag racing, with successful results. New Zealand Speedway Champion 1973 and also past holder of Auckland and North Island Speedway Championships. Test Honours Full New Zealand v British Lions 1968 (2-6), v British Lions 1971 (3-22), v Sweden 1972 (3-45), v British Lions 1973 (2-14) v Poland 1975 (3-42), v Rest of The World 1975 (1-6) All above in New Zealand, In Britain: New Zealand v Norway/Denmark 1973 (1-4), v Poland 1973 (1-7), v Australia 1973 (1-10), v U.S.S.R. 1973 (1-4), v England 1973 (1-1), Rest of The World v Sweden 1975 (1-0). Second Division: Australasia v England 1970 (4 -59). Second Division Riders Championship 12 points (3rd place) Information I hope will be helpful. My outstanding memory of Gary Peterson was when he rode at Romford, I think it would have been for Bradford in 1971. He was outstanding, and I believe was unbeaten. A real quality rider around Brooklands.

Well……. “Didn’t he do well”. Well done Mr Norbold! A good ten minutes and I learnt something! Shock, horror! I did not realise that speedway [as with football] had an entertainment tax levied on it after the war, [i guess similar to VAT today] and unlike footy, which you say was able to get about 60 percent back and speedway got nought back, and to add salt to the wound they said speedway wasn’t a sport ! Just a shame it was not a bit longer interview, but hey, a bit of worth while publicity for Sunday and of course the museum. Look forward to catching up on all the pre-season gossip at High Beech on Sunday and I must have a look at the back of the pub. Mr Norbold say’s there are is still some evidence of the famous old track at the back of the pub in the Epping Forest Conservation area. Roll on Sunday!

The chap is Mr Two Minute-Warning-don't think thats his real name- and his web site is http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/intspeedway/

OK tmc when this book going to be out? I'll have a copy please. Just to jog your memory you could include some of the most popular characters that visited Romford. Dave Lanning the Eastbourne team manager, he always used to get booed almost as much as Tony Childs [Crayford] as did Len Silver when he came with his Rayleigh Rockets. Then of course there where those team from Ipswich who always came down on the first meeting of the season and win. They always had a secret weapon. In 1970 it was a certain John Louis and then the following year Tony Davey! Then of course there where the Bombers. Maurice Morley was doing the introductions at the start of the meeting. What a shame Charlie Benham could not be interviewed in this book. He was such a popular skipper and character, unbelievable really thinking about it now. Perhaps his wife Sandra may say a few words? Then there was Bruce Edgar, Frank Wendon, Phil Woodcock, Footie, Des Lukehurst, Dave Percy, dear old Ross Gilbertson, the late great Kevin Holden oh the list could just goes on and on ..... Perhaps we could find the guy who used to sell the programmes at a shilling each. His catch phrase ‘you can have two programmes for two shilling’ Better put my slippers back on, getting a wee bit to excited here now. We had the biggest supporters club in the country in 1969 with The Cox’s [Gordon and Ruth] running it. The late Pete Lansdale and Wally Mawdsley. Oh the Czech’s who can forget them literally riding the concrete fence. Oh, then there was a football match between a Romford Boro eleven v Speedway Riders eleven, the Recorder Trophy, Carnival Rosebowl and the Division Two London Riders Championship individual meeting's, oh my god the memories are flooding back. Will this book be out before the end of this season? If not perhaps you could do some exclusive extracts in the Backtrack mag please? Up the Bombers

Many fans will remember his father Antonin Kasper riding for East End rivals West Ham. When Toni rode for the Hawks he was a breath of fresh air. He was in many ways like the great Zenon Plech, a typical Eastern European. He was much underrated as a rider and in later years of course rode in the Speedway Grand Prix’s. Chris and I did try to contact Toni for last year’s reunion. We managed to get a contact number, but where unable to make any contact with Toni. Oh how I wish I had tried just that little bit harder. RIP Toni Kasper 1962 – 2006

Wal was involved at Hackney in the late 70's early 80's and I am sure Len Silver would be able to help when he returns from his stint in France in February.

Spoke to Richard a month or so before for the Hackney reunion and he like so many former riders disappear from the sport. He had planned to come to the reunion but had to pull out at the last minute.

Speaking to Trevor at the recent Hackney reunion, he told me of his affection for Wimbledon. He was a little upset [still may I add] that as such a loyal servant to the Don’s, he never had a testimonial. Trevor would make the journey from his Norwich home to Plough Lane every week. Remember there was no M11 or M25 in those days. He had ten seasons with the Don’s and he did serve them well, no doubt about that, and why no testimonial? Trevor’s answer was he was never offered one! How times change.

Just to add Mr Nicholls won the final from the back, and how good he looked in that final. With lights now in place at the Pardubice track, surely now it’s only a matter of time before the best track in the world get’s a GP!

Mike is now a man of leisure! He can be seen regularly at Ipswich, King’s Lynn and Mildenhall with his son who is really into speedway. Mike had hoped to come along to the Hackney reunion but was on holiday in Sweden when we held it!

Anyone who wants a ticket for the disco / cabaret [entry from 9.30pm] I still have some left for sale at £6.00 each. I need to know in advance if you'll be coming so please contact me on 07831 333904 anytime by 5pm on Friday 22nd July, the day of the reunion. There will be no admission without a ticket on the night, but I can reserve a ticket for you to pick up on the gate. Pete Sampson is building a pit’s area for the night at the Wildlife Park. Terry Stone is bringing a couple of his bikes to put in there. With former pits marshals Ken Archer and Don Barker, who will both in attendance for the reunion I wonder which one will take control! Keeping a watchful eye the proceedings will be the nights referee Mr Lew Stripp. He has come out of retirement to take charge of the reunion. Former Hackney fan and current day referee Mr Phil Griffin will ably assist him if required. Lew will be telling the riders the usual stuff, no rolling at the start and if you fall over you will be automatically excluded and sent back to the bar! Tony McDonald will be selling his excellent publication Backtrack. Former members of the Hackney B darts team will be meeting up for the first time in I don’t know in how many years. The former raffle ticket girls will be selling their strips once again, and of course Snowy Beattie will be in charge of this, organising the famous weekly fiddle. I must just add there are some excellent raffle prizes! For all the former Hackney fans this has to be the place to be this coming Friday! See you there!

Indeed it is!

Garry Middleton, got to find him first!