Reg Fearman..part three
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Reg Fearman..part three |
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Wembley The Paine In Spain Speedway Amigos Peter Craven Speedway Funerals
Wembley
: 14th October 1996
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more detailed information covering May
2005 to the current situation, click
www.motospeedwayespana.com
Back row: Bobby Croombs, John Leggett,
John Bishop, Dan Forsberg, John Wilson, Bob Cole, Russell Payne , RF
Kneeling : Young Swedish
rider friend of Billy Forsberg name unknown, Billy Forsberg, Alan
Brett
Reg Fearman
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.
The "Amigos" normally meet twice a year
for lunch in the Alicante area.
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.
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.
"Amigos" lunch Lliber 11 02 05 - looking
at the memorabilia are Ove Fundin, Roy Farndon, Betty Farndon,
Alan Brett and Danny Forsberg.
Reg Fearman
November 2008
All the picture that follow are courtesy of Speedway Amigo Reg Fearman
Amigos" lunch Lliber 11 02 05 - looking
at the memorabilia are Ove Fundin, Roy Farndon, Betty Farndon,
Alan Brett and Danny Forsberg.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
and take in some of the Veteran Riders' functions.
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.
Reg Fearman
4th September 2001
Peter Craven
 
PETER CRAVEN MEMORIAL PLAQUE, MEADOWBANK
STADIUM, EDINBURGH
SATURDAY, 7TH MARCH
1998
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. 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. Peter, a husband, 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. We are honoured to have 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. There was a good 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.
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 Howdy Byford
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.
Brian Crutcher, Colin Pratt, Freddie Williams and Trevor Redmond.
Reg Fearman and Colin Pratt
A magnificent turn out at Howdy's funeral.
Wally Mawdlsey, Lionel Hoskins, Alf Weedon and Tom O'Connor. Johnnie Hoskins Johnnie S. Hoskins :- A New Zealander, recognised as the Father of Speedway Racing, he brought the sport from Australia to England in 1928
Johnnie Hoskins Headstone 1892-1987
Johnnie Hoskins Funeral 1987 Les Hewitt, Freddie Williams and the Canterbury Crusaders wreath.
Johnnie Hoskins Funeral Howdy Byford 1987 VSRA President Les Hewitt.
Audrey Hoskins
Audrey Hoskins Funeral aged 97, Howdy Byford Wally Mawdsley.
Audrey Hoskins' Funeral Jan 1992 Jeff Lloyd, Lionel Hoskins, Alf Weedon, Bill Kitchen, Trevor Redmond and Ian Hoskins.
Audrey Hoskins' funeral Jeff Lloyd Howdy Byford Trevor Redmond Ian Hoskins Bill Kitchen Reg Fearman Wally Mawdsley Lionel Hoskins. Charles Ochiltree Started his speedway career at Hackney in the late 1930s. 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.
Rick France, Johnnie Reason and Mick Blackburn Peter Brough.
Eric Boocock Tony Mole. Paying their respects to the C.O.
Eric Boothroyd, Howard Jacobi (Writer) Peter Morrish (Announcer).
Peter Oakes Promoter and Journalist With His Daughter Sarah.
Jim Lightfoot, Derek Tailby, Rick France Talks to Johnny Reason. Jack Parker 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.
Jack Parker's Funeral Norman Parker with the Vicar.
Jack Parker's Funeral Squib Burton Charles & Linda Ochiltree.
Jack Parker's Funeral Peter York, Bill Kitchen Tiger Hart & Trevor Redmond.
Jack Parker's Funeral Norman Parker Trevor Redmond & Freddie Williams.
Jack Parker's Funeral Freddie Williams, Dennis & Peggy Parker and son.
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 !! Ron Mountford 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.
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.
Huck Fynn and his wife, Eve Hunt widow of Alan Hunt and Jim Lightfoot Ken McKinlay Ken McKinlay Born in
Scotland 1928 died in Leicester 2003. writes Reg Fearman.
John Hart, Colin Pratt, Vic White & Jim McMillan.
Jack Geran, Bob Coles & Rick France.
Dingle Brown, Norman Hunter, Bob Coles & Ray Wilson
Colin Pratt, Vic White, John Harrhy, and Reg Fearman
Colin Pratt Vic White. Ron Johnson 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.
Ron Johnson
Reg placing the commemorative plaque on Ron's grave
Aub Lawson 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 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.
Aub Lawson at the Sydney Sportsground 1946. |
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