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Holbeach Speedway
(Bell End Speedway) |
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| Bell End Speedway, Whaploade St Catherine, Holbeach
Lincs. |
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| Holbeach is approximately 8 or 9 miles
from Spalding. Track action took place here
first between 1936 - 1939.
late 1939 We were more interested in saving the country from Nazi
Germany than running speedway so the track was dormant until
Hitler was defeated, he wasn't a speedway fan so good riddance
to him! Holbeach reopened in 1945 and ran until
closing for good in 1948. I believe the name "Bell End" curiously
refers to the farest away place where you could still hear the
Bells of Holbeach Church. |
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It was a grass, come dirt and
cinders circuit, near Spalding in Lincolnshire. They
were named the Tulips in reference to Lincolnshire's bulb
growing industry another candidate for the oddest nickname in
UK Speedway: Holbeach Tulips, California Poppies, Yarmouth
Bloaters, Barrow Smiley Faces and Liverpool Chads, there are quite a few odd names! |
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Ted English
Carter's Park Speedway 1937
1938 Programme Scans Stefan
Squires 1945 Programme
1946 Programme Scans Bell
End Speedway
Graham Molesworth's Programmes |
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Bell End Team |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Scott English says: Hello John, I hope this email finds you
well?
I am wondering if you would be as
kind to help me as I am trying to find out some information
regarding my grandfather Ted English who was a speedway racer
pre and post World War II.
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I know that in 1938, Ted was a team
member of the Nottingham speedway team competing against other
teams such as Newcastle, West Ham and Belle Vue. In 1939 and 1946
he raced with the Holbeach Bell End (Holbeach & Spalding Tulips?)
speedway team. I am aware racing ceased due to the outbreak of
WWII where he served with the RAF as an engineer. |
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Tragically Ted was killed in a car
crash in 1969, me being born in 1984 sadly I never got the chance
to meet him or listen to his experiences in Speedway. I
remember some stories from my father, sadly he passed away a few
years ago. |
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Currently I am compiling a family
archive and any information you could provide I would be most
grateful.Please find an image attached showing Ted with his team
members of Bell End Speedway. Thank you for taking the time
to read my email. Kindest regards, Mr Scott English. |
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John says: Can anyone help Scott
with his quest to find out about his grandfather, send me an email
John |
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Scott has been in touch again with images from Holbeach Bell End
1939. I am pleased to add Scott's photos below: - |
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Ted English |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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This photo and the following ones we believe were taken at Bell
End Speedway Holbeach. Ted English is on the left. If
you can name any of the subjects or provide any info then please
send me an email John |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Pip Mills 2nd from right and Ted English on right. If
you can name the others then send me an email
John |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Well plenty of grass but no sign of a dirt track, perhaps this
event was run on a grass track. If you can name the riders
then send me an email
John |
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Roy Duke &
Bill Kitchen 1939 |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Courtesy of Scott English |
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Scott English says: Here's another photo I found of my
Grandad and the Holbeach Bell End Speedway Team.
L to R: Buster Yeomans, Middle (Rider Unknown) and Ted
English.
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If you can name any of the riders in the above photos then please
send me an email
John |
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Scott English's Programmes #1 |
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1938 |
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Programme courtesy of Scott English |
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Scott's grandad Ted English handed down the above programme to his
family. His grandson Scott inherited the programme and sent
the photo images to me. |
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Stefan Squires'
1945
Programme |
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John says: My thanks go to Stefan Squires for sending the
above pictures of his programme |
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Scott English's Programmes #
2 |
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Bell End Speedway |
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Holbeach near Spalding |
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Post World War 2 |
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1946 |
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Programme scans courtesy of Scott English. |
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Scott English's Programmes
#3 |
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Carter's Park Speedway |
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1937 |
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This Grass Track meeting was held in Carter's Park in Holbeach in
1937 |
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The competitors back in 1937 were using a wide range of machines
and engine sizes 500cc or less. I am intrigued by entry
number 1 JF Watson from Fleet the only rider listed using a 250cc.
Surely the 500cc JAPs would leave his little Rudge as if it was
standing still! |
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Programme scans courtesy of Scott English |
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Stuart Molesworth's Programmes |
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1946 Season |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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John says: -Stuart has been going through his dad's programme collection and
has selected a few to send me for adding to the Bell End page.
Strangely on some programmes the club was sometimes called Wisbech
Speedway and sometimes Holbeach Speedway but was better know as
Bell End Speedway. The two towns are 15 miles apart. |
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Stuart says: Hi John , sorry it has took so long to get back to
you ,the Wisbech programme is actually from Wisbech and the track,
I think, was latterly a dog track and stock car stadium , it has
now been demolished and a Tesco built on the land.
Hopefully these scans will be O.K.
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John says:Wisbech and Holbeach both tried speedway-come-grass
track racing. Speedway riders turned out in force at both
tracks. |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Graham Molesworth's
Programmes |
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Holbeach |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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19th May 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Holbeach |
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9th June 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Holbeach
20th July 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Holbeach
25th August 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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JAP 500cc |
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Courtesy of John Spoor |
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Holbeach
21st September 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Bell End |
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22nd September 1946 |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Stuart Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Stuart Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Stuart Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Stuart Molesworth |
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Courtesy of Graham Molesworth |
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| Bell End
Speedway Programme |
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These photos of a very collectable
item were sent to me by Marcus. The programme is from the
1947 season. |
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If Holbeach can not be classed as a "proper speedway
track" the riders taking part in this 1947 meeting were most
definitely well known speedway riders. |
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If you can scan any pictures or badges send
me an email John
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| The contents of the site are © and should not be
reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site
gave the pictures and information on that understanding. If anyone has
any issue or objections to any items on the site please
e-mail
and I will amend or remove the item. Where possible credit
has been given to the owner of each item. |
