Edinburgh Speedway (Marine Gardens)

Marine Gardens, Seafield Rd., Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland.  The track was a good size 440yds. The "Thistles" ran at this track off and on between 1928 and 1953.  I believe the site is now a bus depot?

Speedway Researcher Jim Henry says:  Hi John, The track ran 1928 - 1931 and then in 1938 and 1939. The team raced in the Northern league in 1930 without any name and the team were only The Thistles in 1938 and 1939. It was requisitioned by the MOD / War Office and wasn't released until well after the war. Had it been available the alternative venue of Old Meadowbank may not have been developed.

1938 Marine Gardens Badge

Dave Beecroft's Photographs

Portobello/Marine Gardens 1958

Courtesy of Andy Reid

Andy Reid says:  The above scan is of a photo from a recent edition of the Edinburgh Evening News. It shows the western end of Portobello in 1958. On the far right is the unmistakable remains of Edinburgh’s first speedway track at Marine Gardens (1928-31, 1938-39). I sent this scan to friends in Canada and Denmark and annotated the picture for their information.  Kind regards Andy

1930 George McKenzie

The following items (8 in total) were sent to me by Scott McKenzie and all feature his Grandad George McKenzie.

George's Grandson has been in touch, he is Scott McKenzie and he says:  Hi John,  Thanks for replying, I hope you had a good holiday! By the way I wouldn’t have been offended by any references to San Francisco etc. I've been hearing them for years!

As you can probably guess I'm Scottish, now living in England, approx. 10 miles from Chesterfield with my wife and two kids. My wife is from Sheffield hence how I came to live here, in case you’re wondering.

Let me start by giving you as much info as I can remember! Some info might need confirming when I have spoken to Dad and Uncle(S).

George was born in Edinburgh in 1905, son to a clock maker. I think he may have started racing when he was in his 20’s, I’m not entirely sure when he retired from racing but I'm sure family can supply some accurate-ish dates. He did a lot of racing at Marine Gardens, Edinburgh, and may have also raced either at or for Crystal Palace. I can definitely remember my Dad telling me that he had a big crash there and broke his back! Fortunately he made a full recovery and was able to walk again. I’m not sure if this brought an end to his career or not.

During the war, because of his age and/or injuries he could not be involved in combat. So he was given a role in Marine Engineering (Ship Engines). What he did after I don’t know. I do know he worked for a plant hire company for many years until he properly retired in his 70’s! Apparently he only left, well I think he was asked to leave because management where shocked to discover someone of his age still working!!

He married my Grandmother (Flo) at some point possibly in the late 20’s. They had 7 children and stayed together through thick and thin until the day he passed away. He was a very interesting, charismatic, hard working man. Who remained very physically active well into his 90’s, climbing up his ladder to the loft and driving! Probably due the fact he was a non smoker and "tee totaller" all his life! He did suffer from Angina and Shingles a bit in his twilight years, but could walk around without any aids right up until his passing. He had an astonishing photographic memory, able to recall things from very early childhood. He created quite an impression on nurses in the hospital he died in, chatting them up at and humoring them!

However I'm merely scratching the surface here , there is a load of info which I'll find out about and give you in due course. I’m quite in interested in history and feel it’s important to preserve this for present and future generations. I’m sure old George would have been very proud to have seen stuff like this. The video I mentioned is pre DVD, so I'll need to find out who has a copy and possibly digitally transfer it to disc. I’m not sure if there are many photos of him in his racing days as photography back wasn’t what it is today, but I will find as many as I can.

I will pass on any more information as soon as I can over the coming weeks/months. The photos I have i’ll need to scan then email to you as soon as get into the office at work again.

Regards Scott Mackenzie

John says: Still resisting making jokes about hippies etc., although I am tunelessly whistling "San Francisco" as I type this.  Please Scott send me all you can get on your Granda George Mackenzie.

Courtesy of Jim Henry

Letters like the one above are always of interest.  This letter is 82 years old (in 2013).  I wonder if George Mackenzie signed for the saints? If he was based in Scotland It would have been a heck of a long distance commute for him for a "home" match.

Courtesy of Dave Beecroft

Norrie Isbister & Drew McQueen

John says: Dave Beecroft's programme, shown above, features as it's cover photo the fine picture of Norrie Isbister and Drew McQueen at White City Glasgow (I have the great picture in my website collection), so I have shown the larger photo that Jim Henry sent me, above.

Jim Henry has been in touch and supplied the following info about these 2 Douglas mounted riders: -Drew McQueen on the inside closest to white line -  Norrie Isbister on the outside. The photo predates team racing, however, Drew rode for Edinburgh later in 1929, Edinburgh 1930, Glasgow 1931, Leeds 1931, West Ham 1932 and Edinburgh 1938.  Norrie Glasgow later in 1929  and 1930 & 1931. Preston 1931 and Edinburgh 1939. John says: Thanks Jim I love the photo.

Jim Henry (of The Speedway Researcher) has sent a scan of a letter, shown above, from the manager of Edinburgh. Norrie was injured in 1939 and this sympathetic letter would have been well received by the rider, recuperating at home

Courtesy of Jim Henry

Above: leg-trailing Norrie on a JAP Photo taken in 1939

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A painting of Norrie, so good it looks like a photograph

Norrie Isbister Fred Rogers Merv Hannam Ove Fundin Willie Templeton Bert Harkins.

1939 Scottish Speedway Championship

Harry Lauder was a guest at Marine Gardens for the Scottish Championship as can be seen above from the 1939 meeting programme.  Sir Henry Lauder (4 August 1870 – 26 February 1950), known professionally as Harry Lauder, was an international Scottish entertainer, described by Sir Winston Churchill as "Scotland's greatest ever ambassador!  Harry was a music hall comedian and singer.

The 1939 Scottish Championship Line Up

The championship was "open" with Canadian, American, Australian and UK competitors.  As a Newcastle fan I am pleased to see Newcastle riders George Pepper and  Leo Lungo in the line up

The End!

A very sad sight!

Not much yet on Edinburgh Marine Gardens, so If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email John

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