Exeter Speedway (Alphington)

After a thousand years of independence, Alphington was incorporated into the City of Exeter in 1966. There were 2 circuits in Alphington:-

1.)  Marsh Barton Stadium, Alphin Brook Lane, Alphington, Exeter, Devon 2.)  Peamore Circuit, Alphington, Exeter, Devon

Marsh Barton ran speedway between 1945 and 1951 and the Peacocks operated between 1950-1951

Reg Fearman says: Hello John, Hope you had a good Christmas.  I found this photo in my 'archive' which I thought would go well with your piece on the Alphington Exeter track. The names listed attached to the photo are/were top men of the day.

Courtesy of Reg Fearman

This item (above) was sent to me by Steve Cummins.  It relates to the earlier track at Marsh Barton

Chris Wallett says: Subject: Exeter Alphington

Saw that you had some info sent in on some other tracks at Exeter so thought I would do some research. Was interested by the great article you have shown on the return of speedway to the area after the war. I hoped to find out some more info and clear up the history of the tracks you have listed so here we go. Firstly in your Exeter Alphington section you mention Marsh Barton greyhound stadium but I can confirm this was not the stadium mentioned in the article. Marsh Barton Stadium was there before WW2 as per the enclosed picture of a map dated 1938. This was a developed stadium as you can see from the picture of a map I have also enclosed from 1951 showing the stadium had a grandstand and other buildings. As far as I can find out Marsh Barton stadium was in Marsh Barton Lane and never held speedway. It did close in 1957 and is now and industrial estate. The temporary track talked about in the article I did find a picture of a programme for and have included that. This track was on land close to Alphin Brook but the mentioned Alphin Brook Lane was not built until the 1980's when the area was covered with an industrial estate. It must have been a very temporary track as I have included a pic of a map from 1950 showing the area around Alphin Brook but no sign of a track which must have been off Clapperbrook Lane. I have included a pic from the map of  2012 showing the modern Alphin Brook Lane area which is very different from the post war era when the County Ground was unavailable as it was occupied by American GI's. Also have found a picture of a map from 1950 of the Peamore Circuit which was on land behind the Peamore Garage. This was used for training purposes from 1949-1951. The track is now covered.

Chris's scans follow: -

The above programme scan was quite low resolution and is a little blurred following me increasing the size to make it "almost" readable.

Image 1: 1938.  This 1938 map shows the Marsh Barton Greyhound Stadium.  Did this stadium host any speedway? John

Image 2: 1950

Image 3: 1951

Image 4: 2012

Image 5: Peamore

Not much yet on Alphington's tracks, so If you can scan any pictures, programmes or badges send me an email  John

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