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Reg Fearman
Part 3 |
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Wembley
The Paine In Spain Peter Craven
Speedway Funerals
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Wembley |
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Guide Dogs For The Blind
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14th October 1996 |
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Anne Thair and guide dog Helena with Reg Fearman
and members of the VSRA |
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14th October 1996 was the date that
speedway machines roared inside the Wembley Stadium for the last time.
I joined forces with Allan Wilson of
Edinburgh - whose idea it was - to promote awareness for " The Guide
Dogs for the Blind Association". We contacted the Operations Manager
at Wembley who was most helpful and gave permission, subject to certain
conditions, for the speedway machines to be ridden around the sand
greyhound track.
From " The Guide Dogs for the Blind
Association " - a registered charity - came the Regional Fund Raising
Manager, Anne Thair, with her guide dog Helena
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Allan Wilson Reg Fearman Anne Thair
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Allan Wilson, Freddie Williams, Reg Fearman,
Archie Windmill, Vic White, Vic Gooden |
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There was a good turnout from the media
including BBC Radio. I contacted the speedway fraternity who turned out
in force including Freddie Williams Wembley, Bert Harkins Wembley, Brian
Brett Newcastle, Danny Dunton Harringay, Colin Pratt Hackney, Dingle
Brown Stoke, Vic Gooden Rayleigh and the VSRA President at the time,
Pete Saunders Peterborough, Vic White Leicester, Terry Stone Rayleigh,
Jim Gregory Oxford, Archie Windmill Wimbledon, Stan Stevens West Ham,
Roy Peacock Liverpool, Len Tuplin Sheffield, Chum Taylor Southampton and
Australia, Fred Rogers Norwich, Ross Gilbertson Poole and many more. |
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The whole day was a huge success. We all
had a great day and our objective was achieved by all joining in and
making aware the needs of "The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association".
The photographs tell the story.
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Chum Taylor Freddie Williams Danny Dunton Vic
Gooden Reg Fearman
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Colin Pratt Dingle Brown Brian Brett
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Freddie Williams, Bert Harkins and Terry Stone
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The last ever ride at Wembley |
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The
"Paine"
In Spain |
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So many of us ex riders have lived their
dreams and seen them fulfilled. Spare a thought for Russell
Paine and partner Claire Evans. Their dream started back in 2003
in that they would purchase some land and build their own speedway
track in Spain. They found the land south of Murcia, just off the
motorway not too far from Almeria and Mojacer at Huercal Overa.
They bought the land and through their agent applied for planning
permission. Their agent in time told them the permission was in
place and to go ahead. They brought in earth moving equipment
,shaped the track, built an outer fence and so much more. They
had already driven from England in an artic. with about 25
speedway machines, dozens of pairs of riding boots and leathers
and Kevlar's for the proposed training school. |
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An almost panoramic view of the entire track |
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The Training Track in use |
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Many months later - it was in fact the
weekend of 29/30 October 2005 when "The Amigos" (we in the south
of France are kindly included) which is a social gathering of ex
pats. formed by Alan Brett and John Chaplin, were invited to the
"pseudo" opening of the track for the benefit of the cameras for
the BBC TV programme "Living In The Sun" (what wonderful
publicity) a programme due to go out the following January. The
tape was cut for the "Opening" and a few races took place for the
cameras. Many of us attended as you will see by the photographs. |
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John Chaplin interviews co-owner, Claire Evans
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Russell Paine (co-owner) on the left and Bob Coles |
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| Russell and Claire had done a fantastic job
of turning a wilderness into a first class shaped speedway track with
banking on the outside for spectators. Their long term aim is to
encourage the motorcycle mad Spanish to take up speedway racing. In the
short term to offer training facilities to all speedway riders for
training and testing and to operate their own training school. What
could be better with over 300 days of Spanish sunshine a year. |
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Machines lined up for the BBC Camera |
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| Shortly after that wonderful
weekend that we had spent with so much hope for the future and
good wishes for Russell and Claire, they were served with a stop
notice which meant a cessation of all work. They were told that
they did not have certain permissions in order. They stopped the
physical work and ever since have been working on trying to get
the "right" permission, complete with rubber stamp.. Anyone who
knows anything about the Spanish hierarchy will know that can
be very difficult. I know both Russell and Clare are indebted
to their families and friends for their support through this
harrowing period of their lives. The financial cost has been
enormous and the strain of living under this cloud is
immeasurable. Hopefully their "Dream" will come true - sooner
rather than later. Let's wish them luck |
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One of Russell & Claire's training school machines
advertising the Academy and website
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A Major Task Of Logistics |
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The articulated lorry referred to in paragraph 1.
A major piece of logistics. |
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A shot of the starting gate, appears to be wider
that most UK tracks |
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Split Waterman posing with an Academy bike with
some of the contents of the artic. arranged around him. |
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Split Waterman and Bob Coles (Discussing where the
nearest bar is, maybe!) |
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The Group outside the Amigos Restaurant |
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Back row: Bobby Croombs, John Leggett,
John Bishop, Dan Forsberg, John Wilson, Bob Cole, Russell Payne , Reg Fearman. Kneeling : Young Swedish
rider friend of Billy Forsberg name unknown, Billy Forsberg, Alan
Brett
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The Spanish
Connection |
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The "Amigos" was formed in 2004 by Alan
Brett (Wimbledon early 1950s) and speedway historian John Chaplin.
There are as many ex riders living on the coast between Valencia and
Marbella as there are ex pats who used to go to speedway, or who did a
job at their local track. John Chaplin keeps them all informed by
his regular Speedway News Radio show which is transmitted from near
Benidorm. |
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The "Amigos" normally meet twice a year
for lunch in the Alicante area.
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The photos are of the early "Amigos"
lunches with some memorabilia on display. Bobby Croombs had the
biggest trophy on display won by his dad, Tommy, in the 1930s. |
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In the "Team"
photo call can be seen on the back row, Ove Fundin, John Chaplin, the
late Roy Farndon (son of Tom the Star Champion of the 1930's who was
killed in the same period at New Cross Speedway),
Reg Fearman - front row, Bob Coles, Phil
Mountford, Danny Forsberg, Jim Chalkley, Bobby Croombs and
Alan Brett.
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Reg Fearman
November 2008
All the pictures that follow, are courtesy
of Speedway Amigo Reg Fearman
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| Bobby Croombs with Tommy (his Dad's), Trophy. |
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Amigos" lunch Lliber 11 02 05 - looking
at the memorabilia are Ove Fundin, Roy Farndon, Betty Farndon,
Alan Brett and Danny Forsberg.
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Back row: "Fan", Phil Lock, Ove Fundin,
John Chaplin, "Fan", "Fan", John Leggett, "Fan", Roy Farndon, Reg
Fearman, Front row: Bob Cole, Phil Mountford, Rusell Payne's Dad,
Dan Forsberg, Jim Chalkley, Bobby Croombs, Alan Brett
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| Peter Craven |
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PC Remembered |
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It is 38 years this month, September
2001, that one of England's - perhaps England's best ever - post-war
speedway riders lost his life at Edinburgh Speedway. Peter Craven,
twice World Champion, is buried in West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool.
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Pictured here at Peter's headstone is
Brenda and Leon Leat. Leon was good friend, mechanic and driver to
Peter throughout his Belle Vue career and was at Edinburgh on that
fateful night. |
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Brenda and Peter were married in 1956 and
spent their honeymoon racing in South Africa. Brenda and Peter had
two children, Robert now aged 44 and Julie, aged 40. Julie lives
with her family in Brenda and Peter's old house in West Derby.
Liverpool is full of blue plaques on houses where famous
sons of Liverpool have lived. An application for a
blue plaque
has been applied for.
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Leon originates from North Devon and
actually met his future wife, Sheila, when she was on holiday. He
followed her back to her home near Liverpool and never returned to
North Devon. When Leon and his wife, Sheila, married they spent their
honeymoon travelling with Peter and Brenda, racing in Vienna and other
Austrian cities and from thereon were life-long friends.
Leon and
Sheila had two daughters. Sheila died of a heart attack in 1987. |
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After so many years of close friendship,
Brenda and Leon were married in 1992 and now live in
Ashton-in-Makerfield, some 15 miles from Liverpool centre.
Leon will
retire shortly after which he and Brenda hope to do some travelling
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The ashes of Peter's brother, Brian, who
died of a heart attack, are scattered on Peter's grave. Brian raced
for Liverpool, Belle Vue, Stoke and Newcastle.
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Reg Fearman
4th September 2001
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| PC The Wizard Of Balance |
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Peter Craven Memorial Plaque |
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Meadowbank Stadium |
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Saturday,
7th March 1998 |
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| It was Allan Wilson's
idea in 1997 that it would be nice if a plaque to the memory of
Peter could be affixed to the Hall at Meadowbank Stadium. To this
end, Allan worked extremely hard to obtain the permission from all
the Authorities, including the Edinburgh City Council. My part was
to arrange for Peter's family and as many former riders as possible
to attend and also to act as M.C. The old Meadowbank Stadium was
bulldozed to make way for the new Stadium for the Commonwealth Games
built on the site of the old Speedway track. |
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| My Introduction was as
follows :- Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to open this
afternoon's proceedings. We are gathered here today at Meadowbank
from all parts of the world to honour Peter Craven, a family man,
friend, colleague and fellow racer and to witness Brenda unveil the
Commemorative Plaque in Peter's memory. |
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father and twice World Speedway Champion and an inspiration to many,
lost his life aged 29 here in Edinburgh thirty four and a half years
ago. May we have a few moments silence in Peter's memory and for
all other speedway riders - more than 170 world wide - who have paid
the ultimate price. Thank you. |
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with us Brenda Craven - Leat, Brenda and Peter's daughter Julie,
Peter's sisters Sheila, Sylvia, and Pat also sister in law Joan
Craven. Unfortunately son Robert is unable to be with us. May I please ask Brenda
to step forward and unveil the Plaque. |
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attendance of former riders including :- Willie Templeton, Jimmy
Tannock, Brian Collins, Freddie Williams, Bert Harkins, Peter
Collins, Merv Hannam, Harry Maclean, Roni Ferguson, Norrie
Isbister, Fred Rogers, Ove Fundin, Gordon Mitchell and many more. |
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Reg Fearman (M.C.)
Making His Speech |
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| Brenda Unveiling The
Plaque |
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Edinburgh 7th March 1998
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| Brenda Making Her Speech |
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Brenda Receiving
A Bouquet From Organiser
Allan Wilson |
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Fred Rogers Merv Hannam Ove Fundin Ian Hoskins
Jimmy Tannock ? ? Brian Collins Freddie Williams
Kneeling Bert Harkins Gordon Mitchell
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Norrie Isbister Fred Rogers Merv Hannam
Ove Fundin Willie Templeton Bert Harkins |
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Brenda & Reg With Ian Hoskins
Ex Edinburgh & Newcastle Promoter |
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Brenda With The Bouquet |
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Joan Craven, Pat Williams, Joan Fearman, Joanna
Fundin, Sheila Hannam, Sheila and Julie |
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Sylvia and husband, Brenda and husband Leon, Pat,
Joan Craven |
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Sylvia sister, Julie daughter, Reg, Brenda,
Pat sister, Joan Brian Craven's widow. |
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| The "New" Meadowbank Stadium |
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Meadowbank 7th March 1998
no place for speedway now at this location. |
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| Pictures Of Peter |
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Speedway Funerals
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Many years ago, I
was told, (writes Reg Fearman), that there were only two things certain
in this life and those were that the Inland Revenue will always be on
your back and that we would all pass over to the other side when our
time was up. (The Inland Revenue will also be there then). I have
been asked many times the sort of attendance there is at funerals of
past favourites in the speedway fraternity. I can say that they are
usually well-attended. I have attended many. I have taken my
camera along and what follows records some of those events and some of
the well known names who have attended |
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Howdy Byford |
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Howdy Byford :- A prisoner
of war at the hands of the Japanese, he worked on the infamous Burmese
Railway. In 1947 he joined West Ham Speedway. He was Baptised, sang
in the choir, married and his funeral service all took place in the
little village Church at Rainham Essex. |
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| Brian Crutcher, Colin Pratt, Freddie Williams and Trevor Redmond. |
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Reg Fearman and Colin Pratt |
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| A magnificent turn out at Howdy's funeral. |
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| Wally Mawdlsey, Lionel Hoskins, Alf Weedon and Tom O'Connor. |
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Johnnie Hoskins |
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| Johnnie S. Hoskins :- A New
Zealander, recognised as the Father of Speedway Racing, he
brought the sport from Australia to England in 1928 |
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| Johnnie Hoskins Headstone 1892-1987 |
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Johnnie Hoskins Funeral 1987 Les Hewitt, Freddie Williams and the
Canterbury Crusaders wreath. |
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Johnnie Hoskins Funeral Howdy Byford 1987 VSRA President Les Hewitt. |
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Audrey Hoskins
Wife Of Johnnie &
Mother Of Ian, Lionel
& Jack. |
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| Audrey Hoskins Funeral aged 97, Howdy Byford Wally Mawdsley. |
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| Audrey Hoskins' Funeral Jan 1992 Jeff Lloyd, Lionel Hoskins, Alf Weedon,
Bill Kitchen, Trevor Redmond and Audrey's son Ian Hoskins. |
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| Audrey Hoskins' funeral Jeff Lloyd Howdy Byford Trevor Redmond Ian
Hoskins Bill Kitchen Reg Fearman Wally Mawdsley Lionel Hoskins. |
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Charles Ochiltree |
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Charles became the C.O. of Coventry after the war of 1939-1945
having served in the forces. His promoting skills were second to none. |
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Rick France, Johnnie Reason and Mick Blackburn Peter Brough. |
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| Eric Boocock Tony Mole. Paying their respects to the C.O. |
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| Eric Boothroyd, Howard Jacobi (Writer) Peter Morrish (Announcer). |
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| Peter Oakes Promoter and Journalist With His Daughter Sarah. |
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| Jim Lightfoot, Derek Tailby, Rick France Talks to Johnny Reason. |
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Jack Parker
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Jack Parker born 1907 died
1990. A true legend he earned almost 100 International Caps for England
during a period of 25 years racing. Jack made his track debut at High
Beech in 1928 and at one time had no equal. He dominated British
speedway in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He considered the The
British Match Race Championship Golden Helmet as his own. He defended
it no less than 19 times and it became known as "Parkers Pension".
Jack appeared in numerous World Finals at Wembley, the best result he
had was in 1949 when he was second to Tommy Price dropping his only
point to Tommy. He was probably best known as the Captain of the
famous Belle Vue Aces, but also raced for Southampton, Clapton, Coventry
and Harringay. Jack Parker was feared on the Australian Tours and won no
less than four Major Titles in that country. |
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Jack Parker's Funeral. Jack's brother Norman Parker with the Vicar.
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| Jack Parker's Funeral Squib Burton Charles & Linda Ochiltree. |
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| Jack Parker's Funeral Peter York, Bill Kitchen Tiger Hart & Trevor
Redmond. |
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| Jack Parker's Funeral Norman Parker Trevor Redmond & Freddie Williams. |
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| Jack Parker's Funeral Freddie Williams, Dennis & Peggy Parker and son. |
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Jeff Lloyd centre - ex Newcastle -
Bob Lovell his back to us and on the right is Tiger Hart, I can't place
the chap with the beard !! |
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Ron Mountford
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| Ron Mountford Died in 1993. He started
his speedway career at Birmingham in 1950 and had his first first of
many racing engagements in Australia in the1951/52 season and later also
toured New Zealand. Ron was a part of the Birmingham team that toured
South Africa in the 1954 close season and who were subsequently banned
for racing on unlicenced tracks. Birmingham closed their doors and Ron
moved over to Coventry where he scored almost 3000 points for the "Bees"
in a long career. His spectacular style of racing was seriously
affected when he lost the sight of an eye in a workshop accident. Ron
formed a close bond with Rick France at Coventry and they opened a
garage together in Walsall. They famously missed a meeting for Coventry
at Long Eaton believing the race date was Wednesday and not Tuesday.
They were notoriously late arrivals for matches. When Coventry promoter
Charles Ochiltree telephoned their workshop when they had not arrived at
7.30pm, he was surprised to hear Ron answer the telephone and to say
they were working on their machines ready for Long Eaton the next
night. I was the Long Eaton promoter at the time and I thought the CO
would explode. Long Eaton won the match, which I believe was the only
time in their history against Coventry. |
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Some of the many former Coventry riders
pictured include Tony Lomas Derek Tailby Les Owen Peter Brough Jim
Lightfoot Colin Smith Mick Blackburn also Colin Pratt mechanic Roy Adams
and others. |
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Huck Fynn and his wife, Eve Hunt widow of
Alan Hunt and Jim Lightfoot
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Ken McKinlay |
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Ken McKinlay Born in
Scotland 1928 died in Leicester 2003. writes Reg Fearman.
Ken started his racing career with Glasgow Tigers at the White City
Stadium in 1949, he quickly became a prolific point scorer.
Nicknamed Hurri-Ken by promoter Johnnie Hoskins, Ken had five
seasons with the Tigers until their closure. He moved to Leicester
in 1954 and had eight seasons with the Hunters. When they closed he
moved just the short distance to Coventry for three seasons and then
moved to West Ham for five seasons. Ken had a short spell with
Oxford and again with Coventry before moving to Scunthorpe as Rider
Coach. He retired from racing at the age of 47 having qualified for
12 Individual World Finals, which shows what a prolific scorer he
was in a career spanning some 27 years. He was a regular performer
in Australia and captained the British Lions on numerous occasions. |
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John Hart, Colin Pratt, Vic White & Jim McMillan.
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Jack Geran, Bob Coles & Rick France.
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Dingle Brown, Norman Hunter, Bob Coles & Ray Wilson
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Colin Pratt, Vic White, John Harrhy, and Reg Fearman
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Colin Pratt Vic White.
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Ron Johnson
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Ron Johnson was born in Scotland in 1907 and was
taken to Perth. West Australia as a child by his parents. He died in
Perth in 1983 aged 75. He came to race in England with the first
batch of riders from Australia in 1928. Johnno spent most of his
racing career with New Cross whom he joined in 1934. He proved to be
one of Australia's top riders winning many individual titles and
representing Australia in many test matches. He was involved in some
serious track crashes including the one at New Cross when England's
top man of the day, Tom Farndon, was killed. In his career, Ron
Johnson suffered serious arm injuries, he lost a toe and the top of
two fingers but the most serious crash was in 1949 when he suffered a
fractured skull when Cyril Brine ran into him. Johnno had an easy,
immaculate style that I enjoyed watching but he never recovered the
form that he had before that crash. His fare back to Australia was
paid for by friends. Unbelievably he made two unsuccessful comebacks,
one in 1959 and the other in 1963 but he was a shadow of his former
self. In 1968 he was involved in a road accident which left him in a
wheelchair until his death. His grave stone in the colours of New
Cross was erected just a few years ago by public subscription. Until
then only a marker marked where he lay in Karakata cemetery. It is
said that the film "Once A Jolly Swagman" was based on his life. In
2006 Ron Johnson was voted "West Australia's Greatest Ever Motor Sport
Star". Con Migro received the award and I was asked to place the
plaque in commemoration on his grave which I was honoured to do.
Reg Fearman
March 2009 |
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Ron Johnson
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Reg placing the commemorative plaque on Ron's grave
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Aub Lawson
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Reg says: Whenever I am in
West Australia I visit the grave of my mentor Aub Lawson at Karakata
Cemetery. He was born in New South Wales in April 1914. Aub raced at
Sydney in the late 1930s. He came to England for the 1939 season,
he raced for Middlesbrough and Wembley and qualified for his first
of 10 World Finals at Wembley. His best place was 3rd in 1958 behind
the winner Barry Briggs and second placed Ove Fundin. After the
hostilities he joined West Ham in 1947 and raced for them until
1951. He later joined Norwich and raced for them from 1953
to1960. He retired from racing to concentrate on his farm in W.A. and
as promoter of Claremont Speedway. Aub died in January 1977 aged
62.
Reg Fearman
March 2009 |
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| Reg Fearman Con Migro and Colin McKee.
Con was Aub Lawson's successor as promoter at Claremont Speedway Perth
W.A., Colin raced in the U.K. for several seasons for speedway
tracks including Hackney and Halifax. |
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Aub Lawson at the Sydney Sportsground 1946. |
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Reg Fearman page 4 |
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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. |
