TommyR

Hi guys sorry for not being in touch- Anyway I'm coming down to Sheffield 25 - 28 September and would love to meet up with you contact me on\\; [email protected]

Bushbaby - you need to empty your private mail box in order to receive more private mail from me

Hi everyone - Bushbaby I didn't think you would have the photo's done so quickly, not after the amount of drink we put away in the Cow and Calf, anyway it was a good turnout and really good to remember Pete and tell stories about him to his younger nieces. Never thought the negative was my sister Jean - I actually thought it was Terry Howell before he started shaving his head. Tigerman was right about "Tall man" - Tony Mitchell (Fir Vale) (sorry I didn't get to see u Tony - will make sure next time I'm down in Sheffield) SPOTTY SHIRT is Brian Saunby (Sheffield Tigers) and QUIFF is Eddie Fordham (Hackenthorpe) The missing name AT THE GATE is Brian Saunby. I had a long conversation with Ken on Sunday night when I got home - obviously he was upset about the loss of Pete - but we had a long talk about the old days and the times we had. We've agreed to meet up next time I'm in Sheffield - he has loads of photos of the cycle speedway days, so I'll get them to you Bushbaby.

Yo - I'm real sad to hear about Pete - got lots of memories about him. If anyone gets to know the funeral date I'll get down from Scotland to pay my respects. I’ve got some photos (cycle speedway and there’s a great one of Pete), which I’m going to publish on the site. Nice to hear from you TC and TH (I was only joking about you both racing on bikes). Bushbaby – the 60’s on the cross where the best time ever – we never locked our door – anyone remember going next door to borrow a drop of milk and then taking it back in the evening. I and my brother (Peter) still laugh about these times and the fun we had. I’m writing a longer narrative about the “Cycle Speedway” years and I’ll let you have a copy.

Ya youre right crookesey - it was not until the 1964 licenceing act that "nightclubs" took off. Before then the 1921 licencing act was quite draconian and pubs had to close at 10.30 - it was the time when Landlords kept a tight rein on what happened on their establishment. I remember my first "pub crawl" - I was refused service in 4 pubs and only got a drink in one because my mate managed to get served.

Re: history of cycle speedway in Sheffield circa 1960+ = round about 1961/62 a group of lads from the Cross would cycle over to Fir Vale to race round the track there at the back of the Cannon Hall. From this we decided to build a track on Wordsworth Ave. Benny Howe was a great driving force in getting the track built and organising contact with other teams. I remember when we were deciding what to call our team – Parson Cross Devils - it was soon realised that there were too many riders for one team and so it was decided that Pete Howe could have his own team and decide their own name – which became Parson Cross Eagles. Things moved quickly and a Sheffield league was started, which included, PCDevils, PCEagles, Sheffield Tigers, Parkwood, Fir Vale and Hackenthorpe. There were other teams who were struggling to get a team together and have their own track. In these early days Sheffield Tigers entered into other leagues and KO comps and would form teams from other Sheffield teams – hence the photograph of Sheffield Tigers with riders from PCDevils (Benny Howe, Terry Wilson, Johnny Fountain) PCEagles (Pete Howe, Malc Cooper) Fir Vale (Tony Mitchell) Sheffield Tigers (Alan Chalmers, Brian Saunby) –date 1965 – venue Shelton, Stoke on Trent. I was a founding member of the Sheffield Stars and helped build the track in Hillsborough park and then at Cookson Road – but the driving force for these projects belongs to Les Sheldon – Parkwood team. During this period Les worked tirelessly to establish cycle speedway in Sheffield. An interesting point about this is that the sport was organised by young people (14-17) without any adults. Perhaps there's a lesson here? Ps Cainy and Howly racing at their age - should social services be there?

would I be right- there was no alcohol on sale - you had to go up stairs into the pub?

joe cocker - singing blues at Club 60 - 1953 -a cellar under a pub in shalesmmor - anyone there?

has I said earlier, I spoke with Barbara, and yes I got the name wrong, it is Jones not Hepwoth. At the time she told me she was a friend of Mr Clayton (Headmaster) and that they had studied together or know each other from University. The murel was of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Barbara's take on this was something like this:- we the pupils were at the start of our lives, just as the mural depicted the beginning of life. Barbara attempted to explain about the paint she was using and how it was made, she also explained about brush strokes and colour. I also remember she had a miniture painting of the whole mural which she did before coming into the school and was working from this minuture, explaining that this is the way murals are done. Hope this helps Cathy

I know some people who live on Holgate Road - John Lee lived opposite the field and he was in my class at mansell. - John Naylor lived at 12? great friend of mine we went to mansell together, lost touch around 1962, not seen or heard from him since would like to know how he's doing, anyone know? At 2? Holgate road lived Alan Bennett who again I went to school with (mansell again). Know many others but can't remember their names. Anyone remember the Twinnies, number 4? Holgate

did your dad serve in the TA at the Manor top

Bushbaby you are right about PC Reddington and although I only know Paul when he was about 3/4 (I would be about 9) he did speak with a plum in his mouth, not that I've got anything against speaking correctly. Really enjoyed your posts about the cross and what’s happening to it now. I know lots of the people you mention, particularly the cycle speedway gang and of course your family. I use to live near your Brother John in Chapletown before I moved to Scotland and well remember is trick of walking on his hands. There’s one person I have not heard mentioned who was sort of on the fringe of the cycle speedway mob, but he was a friend of Pete Howe is name was John Johnson. I did hear he was a regular of the Wordsworth Tavern but that was about 15 years ago. Don’t know if you know him. By the way did you know my cousins who went to Tommy Moores they travelled from Darnell each day – David and Keith Russell? (Words are my sword, truth is my shield)

around about the early 60's the Ashtons would have left and the Reddington would be there about 1957 - 1960 and then the detective. However, I remember your dog Rip - so you must have lived at 47? Am I right?

The mural in the foyer at yew lane school was painted by Barbra Hepworth the partner of Henry Moore – if it’s still there it must be worth a fortune – I was at yew lane when Barbra painted it (1960) and I would speak to her at the end of the day when the school was empty and she would explain what she had done that day and explain the technique she was using and also the meaning being expressed in the picture. A privileged experience - must be the reason I have lots of artist as friends.

Just joined the site and have read all the threads - took me 4 hours. Lots of names brought back lots of good memories, anyway did you know that there was a Police House on Milnrow at number 49. I remember PC Aston and his wife they had one son Andrew, they lived there for about 5 years, Andrew would be about 8/9 when they moved away. Next in were PC Reddington and his wife they had a young son 3/4 called Paul. After them a detective move in - I spent all my time dodging him and shouting profanities at night outside their house (well I was at that funny age) (Words are my sword, truth is my shield)