Do any readers know where George Russell is now? The ex Offerton rider stayed with me for some time and even worked for me to raise money for his art projects.
Vic Haines
Editor's Note - Do you know George's whereabouts. If so, please drop us a line and we'll pass it on to Vic.
CALLING NEWHAM HAMMERS - posted 6 May 2010
Exactly forty years ago, I was a member of Newham Hammers CSC that quite unexpectedly won the Home Counties League Division One in 1970. We lost the first match of the season away to Uxbridge, then went 15 matches unbeaten. The other strong teams of that season were Raynes Park with Tony Johnson, Mick Hosier and Reggie Squires, Uxbridge had Graham Fletcher, John Grant, Bill Punter, Ray Clark and Hackney with Vic Haines (remember him!). There was also Whipps Cross Comets and The Monarchs who included a very young Alan Cox and Dave Hughes and their manager, one Dave Flemming.
Our regular team in riding order was Mickey Fenn, Stuart Jago, Steve Brownsell, Dave Bond, Dave Heales, Les Mitchell, Terry Wisbey and Ray James. The other squad members that year were Martin Freeborn, Steve Window and Martin Shaw.
We were very much a team as throughout the season. Every member managed to top score in a match as we had great strength in depth. Our home track was at Little Ilford Park made famous by the 'Faces' 'Itchycoo Park', now sadly gone and under the North Circular road development in the early Eighties. All of the teams in East London used to get excellent coverage in the local paper 'The Newham Recorder'.
So on this Fortieth anniversary where are they all now?
Having spent my working life in the furniture industry, I am now retired and living in Herefordshire with my wife Sue. I am still in touch with my riding partner Dave Heales and Steve Window who both reside in Romford but sadly lost touch with the rest of our team. I am pleased to report Dave Heales is recovering well from his 'double' transplant and making good progress and looking forward to getting back on his bike in the near future. I did bump into Tony Johnson at the East London Old Masters at the end of last year.
It would be great to hear from any of my old colleagues 'the 1970 Hammers' or anyone else who rode that season. So please do get in touch on mitchell990@btinternet.com
Les Mitchell
DOWN THE PUB - posted 3 April 2010
In reply to the question on Brian Tungate from the old Mulbarton Eagles by Roy Tuthill, Brian is still a resident of Mulbarton village, and can be found at lunch-time in the Mulbarton Worlds End having his lunch.
Tim Grimes Hethersett Hawks CSC
FRENCH LETTER - posted 1 April 2010
Good to see some of my old comrades names mentioned here and there, John Whiting for one. Thanks for taking me to matches John. I used to ride for Denton, under Dave Blinston, then Gorton under "Winnie". If any of my old friends are still around, Jim Brett, Dave Cawley, Gary Miller, Brian Eaton, etc, please don't hesitate to get in touch at paulheaton@free.fr. I live down in France now, near to Montpellier.
Concerning some of the old tracks around Manchester, I can always remember the old Droylsden track, on the old bowling green, off Fairfield Road. In general with the Manchester weather, the track, which was on a very slippery black soil, was in general waterlogged or totally dry and cracking under the sun but always heavilly rutted. The welcome was in general quite robust, seemed to be a lot of 'legging' going on!!! Blinner was in general giving it some with Tommy!!!
Then there was Openshaw's 'Red Wreck', probably one of the true post war sites, now a housing estate. Gorton's old track at Mellands fields was another, replaced by the track off Abbey Hey Lane, where I rode for one season. If anybody has any photos of the 'époque' please let me know would love to have a few.
I went on holiday with Carrswood, probably around 1972/3 to the South East, just as a 'supporter' no doubt out 'Assent of Everest Street', in Farringdon, taken from a Monty Python sketch. Has been talked about ever since. It was filmed, I think by Brian Moston. Has anybody had thattransfered onto digital?
Thanks for the site and keep the sport going,
Paul Heaton
MIKE PARKINS BUSIER THAN EVER - posted 1 March 2010
Just been reading the writings of Roy Tuthill. He wants to know how I am. Not too bad thanks Roy. Glad to know you are alive and kicking, not quite so youthful looking as when I last saw you but then it was around 1968-70 I suppose.
I've looked through my albums but you dont appear in the ones I have to hand. However I have some more back in Norfolk (currently living in Lincolnshire), so I'll look for you next time I am there. Like you I am still at work. Our business is car and van rental. Although I'm three years late for retirement, most of our rivals have gone bust so I am busier than ever. This 'where are they now' feature is very interesting. When I have consulted my albums I'll be contributing to it again.
Best wishes to everyone I used to know.
Mike Parkins
GERRY WAS AN ABSOLUTE GENT - posted 17 February 2010
Martin Jarvis got that information from me. As some will know Gerry was a very respected all round cyclist and (I believe) a member of the Kenton Road Club. I recalled reading an obituary in Cycling Weekly some years ago for a Gerry Wallis of Kenton Road Club who was a very good time-trialist and also raced cyclo cross and cycle speedway, the photo certainly looked like Gerry. I have e-mailed Kenton RC to attempt to verify that Gerry has passed but as yet I have had no response.
Funnily enough like Martin I always held Gerry in the highest esteem. Initially this was undoubtedly due to the respect he was shown by my betters and elders at Estuary. Later I understood why. Having raced against Gerry many times, he was a good rider, raced hard but fair and off the track. An absolute gent!
I have attached two pictures of me racing Gerry; one at Estuary and one at Edmonton. The Edmonton photo is the only racing photo that I keep on display and I do so because he was such a bloody nuisance to get past - as can be seen by the Estuary photo!
Nigel Hoggart REMEMBERING GERRY WALLIS - posted 16 February 2010
I was sad to read that Gerry Wallis had passed away. I remember riding against Gerry when he rode for Tolworth Tudors in the Home Counties League, and later as a team mate for Hendon Aces.
This photo shows Hendon taken about 1964 or 1965. Back l to r , unknown, Mick Honour, Bonny Edwards, Vaughn Jones? - front Sid Russell, Gerry Wallis, unknown, Terry Blest.
Can anyone put names to the nameless riders? I lost contact with them all and cycle speedway when I married and moved out of London. Found cycle speedway again but sorry to say no contact with any riders.
Glad to know that Roy Tuthill is still going strong.
Sid Russell Tadley, Hants
PASSING TIME - posted 12 February 2010
We understand from our reader Martin Jarvis that Gerry Wallis, the ex Hendon mentioned by Sid Russell has passed away.
"I don't have any more details" said Martin "other than to say that Gerry was a nice man and a good rider, very fair."
STILL GOING STRONG - posted 11 February 2010
Hi Editor - By chance I saw your message 'Where are they now'
I am still going strong (at least that's how I feel). I live near Bicester in Oxfordshire and still in touch with a couple of ex racers, namely Bob Saunders and Ron Watters who if you know me you must also know them.
Also just seen your call for me and Wembley Lions to get in touch. I also still have all the 'leathers for the Wembley Lions together with my Philips track bike with the bent crossbar. Looking down your home page it was nice to see a pic of Mike Parkins. How are you Mike?
I run my own business called R3 Technology. We have a section operating under the name of R3 Racing and we manufacture Laser alignment tools for (go)Karts. Also we have another business called Kelgate and we make brakes for Karts.
Racing must be in my blood. Also my son Ian races Karts (currently a 125cc Gearbox kart) at Kimbolton (near Bedford) last year and previously at Forest Edge (Andover), Clay pigeon (Yeoville) and Whilton Mill (Daventry). In a way it's much like Cycle Speedway was. Lots of great guys (and gals) all helping each other to go out and have a good time racing and travelling around the country at the same time.
Getting back to the Wembley Lions where is Chris Hunt? (heard he might be in Warwick), Ken Harris (I know he went to Aussie - did he return?) 'Bonny'Edwards, and Sid Russell? And then from Norfolk, where I first raced where is 'Scotty' Dixon, Clive Hurrell, Barry Woodcock? I am sure Mike will know.
And if you also remember Alan Smith he is still around and lives in Swanton Morley. What about Brian Tungate who used to run Mulbarton Eagles? I guess I could go on...
The magazine pictures that you reprinted were good to see. I remember Vic Duffy and Ross Gargrave (I remember staying with Ross on a trip to Edinburgh with Ken Harris). What a trip that was!
Would love to hear from or even meet some of these people.
Roy Tuthill
Editor's Note - What a wonderful surprise Roy. So good to hear from you. Sadly one of the riders you mentioned, Barry Woodcock, has died but Clive Hurrell is certainly still around and regularly visits Eaton Park to watch Norwich's Premier League matches. Now I wonder if we can trace Chris Hunt? Can any of our readers help?
CODGERS' CORNER - posted 9 February 2010
Former Hellingly Lions riders Barry Weaver, Dave Cox and Mick Corby together with Pete Barnes pictured spectating at the recent Findon Classic
CALLING ROY TUTHILL AND THE WEMBLEY LIONS - posted 7 February 2010
Reading spokesman-online, a name from the past came up, Roy Tuthill. I dont know his whereabouts but I remember riding with him as a member of Wembley Lions in the Home Counties League back in 1964/65 seasons.
If I'm not mistaken Roy came from Norwich. It would be nice to know if he was still around, as indeed it would if any of my team mates, Bonny Edwards,Chris Hunt, Bob Saunders and Gerry Wallis.
I still enjoy watching cycle speedway when I can get to a meeting, the nearest being about 40 miles from where I live in Tadley, Hampshire.
Long may the Spokesman keep going. It's great reading.
Sid Russell
MIKE PARKINS STILL A CLASS ACT - posted 16 February 2010
Nearly half a century after winning the World cycle speedway championship, Mike Parkins is still a class act. This afternoon, Mike turned in an inspiring performance to finish second in the National Veterans (Over-65s) cyclo-cross championship at Sutton Coldfield. Still sporting that cheeky grin, Mike is a wonderful example to youth (and a few oldies too!). Well done Mike - impressive from start to finish!
Exactly forty years ago, I was a member of Newham Hammers CSC that quite unexpectedly won the Home Counties League Division One in 1970. We lost the first match of the season away to Uxbridge, then went 15 matches unbeaten. The other strong teams of that season were Raynes Park with Tony Johnson, Mick Hosier and Reggie Squires, Uxbridge had Graham Fletcher, John Grant, Bill Punter, Ray Clark and Hackney with Vic Haines (remember him!). There was also Whipps Cross Comets and The Monarchs who included a very young Alan Cox and Dave Hughes and their manager, one Dave Flemming.
