WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

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!

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? - posted 4 February 2010























































I would like to congratulate Vic Duffy on his award. Coincidently, I was browsing through some of my collection of 'old magazines' and came across a photo of Vic in the 1965 edition of the Cycle Speedway Annual. Also, in the 1966 Annual there happened to be a picture of the Norwich Junior Champion...anyone we know?

As I was looking through the mags I wondered 'Where are they now?' and thought it might be an idea for a heading on the Spokesman website.  A few that came to mind were:- Keith Lyons (Exeter), Pete Neale (Plymouth), Jim Carthew (Dawlish), Lawrence Telling (Cleverton),  Bob Merrett (Cleverton), Reg Squires (Tolworth).

Gerry Escott

Editor's Note - Great idea Gerry.  We'll open a Where Are They Now Page - so if you know the whereabouts of any of the aforementioend riders or the Stars of Yesteryear, let us know and we'll publish the story. Sadly some of those featured in the press cutting are no longer with us but it's good to remember old friends like much missed Mike Cockroft and dear old Blinner.  Wonder what ever happened to Roy Tuthill?  Anyone know?