BOBBATH

Speaking of standards of literacy-Paul Parish's report of the U.K. Final of 1964 in the Speedway Star(4 Sept 1964) was very good -I just dug it out-I had remembered after all these years him starting off his article"The Beatles record of 'Things we said today'................." and how he was able to recreate the atmosphere for your imagination. I think you had to use your imagination more in those days-only black and white photos etc.

I recall Howard Jacobi, Frank McLean,Philip Dalling(he became the communiucations guy for Nottingham Univ. I think) and James Oldfield. Hi to Ron, Frank McLean the speedway writer was not killed in the Man Utd. air crash-must have been someone else.

I've often wondered what happened to the writers in the Star of that era-I realise Eric Linden wrote under a number of names e.g. Angus Kix, Danny Carter etc. But the guys I am thinking of here are Paul Parish, Philip Rising and the Newport meeting reporter Robin (or Ross -never sure which) Martakies. They were a real and important part of 60's speedway and does anybody know where they are now, do they still follow our great sport and are they still with us.Can anyone in forumland enlighten us on this?? And by the way with all due respect to the current Star writer I would have to say the standard of English of these guys was much higher than the writers today(perhaps a reflection of a more rigorous education system in UK in those days). What do others think??.

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear this. R.I.P. Ross.

I always recall Peter having a punch up with Bill Andrew of Poole at Somerton Park in 1965-I think Pete won on points!!

Sorry for any confusion arnieg have removed my post on this thread, no offence intended-perhaps yours which quotes mine could also be deleted.Again apologies.

I refuse to accept that you are an old codger any more than Reg is(he's about the same age)-76 is the new 56 Ron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree -Reg Fearman is doing a great job by posting this stuff for posterity-thanx Reg. BTW Ron Butler what does LGC stand for??

George Hunter??

Bryn-great site -just been there-thanx for telling us about it-only quibble-on page 3 it says Jim Airey is the one standing-that's not right he is the one sat on the bike in white!!!

Henry rode for Edinburgh in mid sixties-is he still alive and what's he doing??

Steve, best of luck mate-things are bad here in Canada too

Hi Wessex Wanderer-I was at the first one also-hitch-hiked up from Cardiff without a ticket-when it was rained off I bummed a ride on a Newport supporters coach back home -very nice of them. I planned to go back the following week and Ian Terrar(later briefly rode at Newport) who was on the coach gave me his ticket for the re-run as he couldn't get time off work.So I went up the next week to W.H. again and this time saw the meeting!!I still think Charlie Monk was robbed!!

Anyone remember Peter? When did he pass away?? I recall him as one of the original Newport Wasps in 1964 and one of the three heat leaders along with Alby Golden and Dick Bradley. A piece of trivia-I think Peter was the first person to defeat Charlie Monk in the 1965 World Championships. Charlie was undefeated leading up to the British Final at West Ham-amazingly Peter beat him and won the heat in which they met. Sadly, that was the only 3 pts. Pete scored all night, Charlie was also defeated by others in later rides in that meeting and never did make the World Final. Anyone attend that meeting??-it had been rained off at the first attempt a week earlier and then the riders threatened to strike before the start of the re-run..

Starghost thanx for that-I listened to Old Comrades on youtube just now-so at least though I never gt to The Firs I can imagine the parade.

Brits (1) I am sure the guy with Ron Mountford is Bert Edwards rather than Eric French.

Re yesterdaysman comment on Leicester pub-John O'Gaunt-don't know about it being Ken Mac's pub-I went there only in 68 -long after Ken's time there.Glad the post brought back hopefully some memories tho.

What is the significance of Oliver's Mount in Scarborough-was it a track-if not why were riders killed there??

Why was the little figure looking over the wall called a "chad"??????

Thanx folks-glad the "Jims "are still ok

Norbold I may indeed be mixing up Jim Heard and Jim Gleed-what is Jim Heard up to

Gemini-not me re the badge but why would you be going by the stadium last Sunday-I thought it had been knocked down-assume you mean the stadium site-have a beer for me sometime at the Blackbird.!!!!!!!!!!!

Very funny RTG-however-The John O'Gaunt is it I reckon-ta much Midland Red-is it still there or did it get knocked down when the area was redeveloped?? Also can anyone recall the pub near CH I mentioned-went there twice-in 64 after Newport won the PL Cup in a super 2nd leg at CH which we lost by about 18 pts(but had won the first leg by about 20)-it was a great and raucous evening-again the CH fans were wonderful even tho' they lost the Cup.

Saw Jim's name on another thread -I recall(I think) Jim riding for Hackney-mid sixties-was also at California Poppies I think-how is he anyone know??

I always recall Bob as a second string with Swindon in 1965-along with Mike Keen-Mike sometimes looked a better prospect than Bob to me. I am sure that Mike, great trier though he was and a credit to the sport in every way, wouldn't object to me saying that Bob really ended up becoming the star of that group of juniors.Anyone know by the way the closest Bob got to making a World Final appearance. I think he came close a couple of times.