George Major's Poem

[johnw]

Hi All

Have just read George's poem in the "latest news" posted by Rob P. on the official Oxford Speedway site. How it brought back memories. I remember all the riders mentioned and can see them in my mind still going round the track. I think George and I must be similarly young. He mentioned the earliest announcer, Reg Brewer, who used to own Brewers garage in Nuneham Courtenay. The speedway connection with this garage still continues as it is now operated by Spencer Timmo!! Thank you George for sharing this with us.

How we need someone with George's vision and drive but 20 years younger to make the owners of the stadium see how much they are losing by not having speedway. If, as reported elsewhere, it is because a previous promotion owes them money it should not be difficult to set up a contract that states that unless the rent for that week's meeting is paid beforehand then no electricity etc will be available. I seem to remember that Waggy used to walk round to the stadium manager's office with the rent money before each meeting. People with more inside info that me may correct me on that though.

Here's to the future of Oxford Cheetahs.

Regards John White

[hartlepool]

Hi John,
I remember George Major makijng his Oxford debut at Cowley against New Cross and I think he scored 2 points. But do you remember the night Ronnie Genzr team rode him around to beat Peter Craven?

Best
Brian Hamilton

[johnw]

Hi Brian

I certainly do remember that race!! I saw George recently at The Plough when John Hack produced a long shiny steel rod from his pocket and asked if anyone recognized it. George immediately responded that he had a similar one but 2 inches longer. They were steel pins for repairing broken femurs!! Mad lot. Stick to golf Brian.

Regards John

[jasperwasp]

john white u are correct .that waggy did pay it before every meeting.

[hartlepool]

Hi John,

I used to collect all awy programmes and as lots of kids do we used to follow the riders to tehir cars or vans and ask for any away programmes and I was quite fortunate that riders like Genno and Jack Biggs(and his wife Sheila) used to save them for me. Anyway, George Major's dad used to go to many of his meetings and he saw me asking riders for programmes and said to me that he had loads of programmes where George had reidden like Aldershot, Californie etc and said I could have them. He gave me the address off of the Iffley Road and I went round one sunday afternoon and I couldn't believ what he gave me, they were brilliant and I still have them!

With regards to Waggy, I got to know him quite well and I really think he was misjudged as he had a great Speedway Promoting mind.

I have posted elsewhere on the Forum that for the past 2 years I have been trying to get Clive Feltham (GRA) to meet with me to discuss any possibility of some form of Speedway at Cowley and I have at least 7 or 8 replies from him saying that there is absolutely no point in discussions. I have tried with up front guarantees of rent and still he will not budge. I have even begged for a 15 minute talk with him and said I would come up to Hall Green at a moment's notice, still no movement.

I have assured him that hwatever has happened in the past will not happen again and said that I felt that in view of the GRA needing more revenue from Cowley which clearly it is not then it should be time to forget and move forward.

So there you have it
Best wishes
Brian