Defunct Speedway Tracks
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Defunct Speedway Tracks |
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California Speedway
Longmoor Speedway, Little California in England, Nine Mile Ride, Near
Wokingham Berkshire 2011 California Reunion The Sixth California-in-England Speedway Reunion Report The morning of 9th October 2011 dawned very damp and the organisers – Friends of Speedway were worried it may put people off from coming along. As the morning progressed the sky cleared and it turned out great for the event. They had organised a line-up of speedway machines to span the over 80 years that the sport has been in existence. The line of machines started with a 1928 Douglas, next a 1929 BSA, a 1930 Rudge and then through the years with a variety of JAPs, Jawas, Weslakes up to a modern laydown machine. Also something different was a rotary engined grass track machine to compliment the display. Various machines were started during the afternoon so that the assembled throng could savour the different sounds from one era to another and the intoxicating aroma of Methanol and Castrol R. By 11am folk had started to drift in and the place began to buzz with people chatting and meeting up with friends both old and new. The Friends of Speedway stall was busy with enthusiasts looking for a bargain amongst their goodies on display. All profits generated go to sponsoring the British Youth Speedway Championship series (formerly the Under 15’s Championship). They also had a 1970s Jawa speedway bike fitted with a reaction tester which was great fun especially for the children attending to be able to sit on a bike and do a dummy start as if at the tapes. As part of the attractions there was an organised trip up to the old track where Bryan Horsnell, who used to sweep the concrete starting grid (and it’s still there) told folk about the days of the Poppies as the team was nicknamed then. Quite a few riders were in attendance from the 1950s era which included: Jim Gleed, Eric Hockaday, Pete Rogers, Ron Webb, Dave Collett, Ernie Baker and Martin Ashby. The first four of the above riders actually all rode in the very last meeting there on 5th August, 1957 so a group photo was taken to commemorate the occasion. Also in attendance were the family of Poppies Captain, Ron Sharp and the son of Neil Roberts who also rode there. The organisers were very excited when the Daughter of Dick Newman arrived with two of her Father’s trophies from California with many photos too. To put the seal on the day four times World Champion Barry Briggs arrived to chat with everyone there. He very generously donated two copies of his latest book to the organisers to boost funds to support the youngsters – thank you Barry! The organisers wish to thank all those who displayed bikes, some coming considerable distances.
2011 California Reunion
PRESS RELEASE
That time of the year is fast approaching for the Friends of Speedway organised Sixth California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 9th October 2011. The full address is: California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4HT. This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park andn a pay and display car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway. If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the Friends of Speedway members bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied. It is a never-ending search for items of interest of all the different activities that that went on in the park; not only speedway. Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one. Here you will be able to talk with riders from the 1950's California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges. Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway. We are hopeful of a celebrity guest of international fame and are keeping our fingers crossed that he will be able to attend. Also attending will be the family of Poppies Captain, Ron Sharp and Neil Roberts junior. Part of the presentation will be a guided walk where you can see the original children's paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes (the only surviving one that we know of); where a member of the original track staff will give a short talk of his duties there. For those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended) as it is very overgrown. The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled. The display will be open between 11am 'till 4pm. For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk
2010 California Reunion
PRESS RELEASE
Friends of Speedway are pleased to announce the fifth California-in-England Speedway Reunion on 17th October 2010.
The full address is: California Country Park , Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham , RG40 4HT . This is situated on the B3430 coming from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the entrance to the park and car park; then there is a short walk to the display area which will include a selection of machines covering over 80 years of speedway.
If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to any of the Friends of Speedway members bearing their name badges. We are still searching for any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in general that could be loaned to be copied.
Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours including a reproduction California Poppies one.
Here you will be able to talk with riders from the 1950’s California Poppies team. You are invited to ask questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name badges.
Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back memories of those earlier un-silenced days of speedway.
Part of the presentation will be a guided walk around the park where you can see the original children’s paddling pool from the holiday camp days which has been cleared by Friends of Speedway personnel and part of the railway track that took clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear recommended) as it is very overgrown.
The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled.
The display will be open between 11am ‘till 4pm.
For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599 or stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk Fifth
California-in-England Speedway Reunion Report of 17th October
2010 Stories were being swapped, tales were told and many ‘old lies’ were being re-lived. The local press was in attendance with reporters from two newspapers plus the scribe from Friends of Speedway taking useful contact addresses from folk who remembered the venue from those halcyon days of speedway at the park to be used in a forthcoming book. With the event getting going a bit late it was well after 4pm when the last people left and the organisers could clear up and pack away their displays. Thanks go to everybody
who came to make it an enjoyable day, but especially to Tim Templeton
who gave his time coming up from Poole with his display of bikes and
body colours, to John and Pauline Kerrison from deepest Kent with their
display and to Neil Roberts who combined his trip from Ireland to attend
as his Father, Neil used to practice there all those years ago. Reg Fearman poses with the Reading book having just had it presented to him.
The opposite end of the machine display.
All smiles from the left; Jim Gleed, Reg Fearman, Eric Hockaday, Terry Stone, Dia Davies, Pete Rogers and Eric Jolly. More from California 2010 The following photos x four were sent to me by Reg Fearman: -
Jim Gleed, Reg Fearman, Eric Hockaday, Terry Stone, Dia Davies, Pete Rogers and Eric Jolly.
1956
Bill Newall leading Bill Simms around the California track. Can anyone say what year this is John
Gil Goldfinch, Split Waterman, Peter Mould 1954
I know this riders first name is Eric, please help me with his second name
and can you put a year on it
John Ron Wilkins
Paul Wilkins says: Please find the
photo of my dad and California rider, Ron Wilkins. The guy on the Rudge
is Doug Turner. Ron is standing on the right. Photo was taken at a grass
track meeting near Oxford. A mate of dads, used to go
as mechanic, he is still alive living in Long Hanbourgh. His name
is Doug Turner. Dads used to ride at most of the meetings at
California from 1936to 1940.He also rode at the opening meeting of
the Oxford speedway and was the first person to be admitted to
hospital on opening night. Dad liked California better than
Oxford because it was more laid back In the early1950s Ron used take all the family here in South Australia to Rowley Park speedway to watch the solo racing, the home of Jack Young. Jacks son lives only 1/2 mile away from me here Adelaide. My brother John and I have had a go at speedway, thanks to our father. Ron went into the airforce during the war ending up as a flight sergeant on Lancaster bombers. Regards. Paul Wilkins
Little California 1954. The starting area appears to be concrete 2008 Reunion
All photos were taken by Stuart Towner
Here's the latest Press Release regarding the Third California
Reunion on Sunday October 12 2008:
The Third California Reunion Report by Stuart Towner
The morning of 12th October dawned very misty and the organisers were
worried it may put people off of coming along. But by the time they had
just about finished setting up you could see across the lake so it was
obviously clearing.
They had organised a line-up of speedway machines to span the 80 years
that the sport had been in existence which started with a 1928 Douglas
and ended with Jason Crump’s machine of last year. This year an ice
speedway racing bike was included, alas minus its engine, but sporting a
full set of spikes in the tyres. Also something different was a rotary
engined grass track machine to compliment the display. Various machines
were started during the afternoon so that the assembled throng could
savour the different sounds from one era to another.
By 10am folk had started to drift in and the place began to buzz with
people chatting and meeting up with friends both old and new. A steady
stream of fans seemed to continue for most of the afternoon.
As always the reunion was organised by Friends of Speedway and very soon
their stall was busy with enthusiasts looking for a bargain amongst
their goodies on display. They also had a 1970s Jawa speedway bike
fitted with a reaction tester which was great fun especially for the
children attending to be able to sit on a bike and do a dummy start as
if at the tapes.
As part of the attractions there were two organised tours of the
California Country Park by Lynn and Emma, the park wardens. As there
used to be a holiday camp there in the past it was called a Hi-Di-Hi
Tour. Much too every ones’ surprise at the start of the tour, Emma did a
Ruth Maddock impersonation to get people in the mood. As part of these
tours, Bryan Horsnell, who used to sweep the concrete starting grid (and
it’s still there) told folk about the days of the Poppies as the team
was nicknamed then.
Quite a few of the original riders were in attendance from the 1950s era
which included: Jim Gleed, Eric Hockaday, Eric Jolly, Al Holliday, Bill
Booth, Pete Rogers, Bill Pittingale, Bill Holden, Ron Walton and Dave
Collett. Ron Sharp and Peter Mould who sadly had passed on were
represented by son Terry and mum Vi and daughter Carol respectively.
Neil Robert’s son, Neil arrived having ridden his Dad’s old JAP at
Scunthorpe the previous evening and won the final against must more
modern machinery. Well done Neil.
During the day the Battle of Britain Cup was presented to co-organiser,
Stuart Towner by Mr. Beckford of the RAF Association. This was an award
that was raced for at Reading speedway in thanks of allowing a
collection to be made there each year. The first recipient was
ex-California rider Ross Gilbertson in 1969 and the last in 2005 was
Matej Zagar. This will then be displayed in the Speedway Museum at
Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
The organisers wish to thank all those who displayed bikes, some coming
considerable distances, like the Kerison’s from deepest Kent and Tim
Templeton from Poole.
The feedback from the wardens was that they were very pleased with the
day; so it’s roll on next year.
If you enjoy looking at the Bikes Pictures on this page I would suggest you also visit the miscellaneous Bikes Pages Bikes
Gil Goldfinch became a very popular Newcastle Diamond in the early 1960's. Where I watched him every week.
California Dreaming The following 3 pictures were taken in 1950's California in England after a cloudburst
I wonder if the meeting was called off
California Re-union
PRESS RELEASE
The day for the third California-in-England Speedway Reunion on
Sunday 12th October 2008 is fast approaching and the list of
personnel is growing by the minute. The latest recruit is Neil Roberts
whose Father rode there for the Southern Rovers. He still has his Dads
bike and gives it a blast round when he can and he is bringing it along
for the display.
The full address is: California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride,
Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4HT. This is situated on the B3430 coming
from the A322 junction 3 off the M3. There is a large sign at the
entrance to the park and car park; then there is a short walk to the
display area which will include a selection of machines covering 80
years of speedway.
If you have any memorabilia/memories please make your self known to
any of the three researchers bearing their name badges. We are also
interested in any cine film not only of the racing, but of the park in
general that could be loaned to be copied.
Also on display will be speedway photographs and team body colours
including a reproduction California Poppies one.
Here you will be able to talk with riders (please see their name
badges) from the 1950s California Poppies team. You are invited to ask
questions at any time and all officials will be sporting their name
badges.
Machines will be started at various times during the day; you will
smell the intoxicating aroma of Castrol R and Methanol to bring back
memories of those earlier days.
Part of the presentation will be a guided walk around the park where
you can see the recently unearthed part of the railway track that took
clay up to the brickworks which is how the lake was formed. You will be
able to stand on the concrete start/finish line with marked out starting
boxes; for those interested you can walk the racing line (stout footwear
recommended) as it is very overgrown.
The park offers a wealth of historic interest in itself, plus a
cafeteria with toilets including one for the disabled.
The display will be open between 11am ‘till 4pm.
For further information please call Stuart Towner on 0208-397 6599
or HYPERLINK "mailto:
stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk"
stuart.towner@blueyonder.co.uk
Have you any pictures of California in England, programmes or badges if so please email me John
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