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High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn 1911
High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn 1911 Ref: 63887
Memories of High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn
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Year: 1930s
Cinder Track Racing At High Beech
My home was in Buckhurst Hill but on saturdays in the summertime my Dad would sometimes take my Mum and I to the cinder racing track at High Beech. My memories of those saturday aftrenoons come back as clear and a photograph. Each one enhanced by the smell of Castrol Oil, the lubricant of choice for the motorcycle Dare Devils. The grandstands would be full, the men selling choc-ices would wander the stands trying to earn a few shillings while getting to watch varoius racing heats. The 'gate' would fly upward and as many as ten young men , and sometimes a young woman, on brakless motorcycles would dive for the first turn. In unison they would lay their bikes down, almost touching the ground. The rider's left knee had a steel plate strapped on it, and their left shoe had a steel toe protector. Races of five, ten or more laps would detrmine who would be in the final. The din from these finely tuned machines was as deafening as the race was thrilling. Names like Vic and his brother Ray Duggan were top riders of the day. Their brightly coloured leather suits and helmets were all the fans could see amid the blue smoke, which made that unique smell and clouds of flying cinders. Many bikes were powered by the small but powerful JAP engines. This very noisy and smelly saturday activity amid the quiet green countryside of High Beech was a vast contradcition to the normal way we appreciated the countryside. However it was a fun passtime and only happened once a week for a few hours. It drew supporters from London and many of the suburbs. Dirt Track Cinder Racing would all but dissapear when war was declared, I don't remember if it ever came back to High Beech after the war, but I seem to recall the race track stadium being torn down. in the years after WW2. Does anyone else remember those days? M. Denman Lalonde Last edited: 05/02/2008 19:24 by Denman Lalonde |
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High Beech & local memories
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 High Beech, near Robin Hood Inn 1911 (ref: 63887) |
Year: 1930s
Cinder Track Racing At High Beech
My home was in Buckhurst Hill but on saturdays in the summertime my Dad would sometimes take my Mum and I to the cinder racing track at High Beech. My memories of those saturday aftrenoons come back as clear and a photograph. Each one enhanced by the smell of Castrol Oil, the lubricant of choice for the motorcycle Dare Devils. The grandstands would be full, the men selling choc-ices would wander the stands trying to earn a few shillings while getting to watch varoius racing heats. The 'gate' would fly upward and as many as ten young men , and sometimes a young woman, on brakless motorcycles would dive for the first turn. In unison they would lay their bikes down, almost touching the ground. The rider's left knee had a steel plate strapped on it, and their left shoe had a steel toe protector. Races of five, ten or more laps would detrmine who would be in the final. The din from these finely tuned machines was as deafening as the race was thrilling. Names like Vic and his brother Ray Duggan were top riders of the day. Their brightly coloured leather suits and helmets were all the fans could see amid the blue smoke, which made that unique smell and clouds of flying cinders. Many bikes were powered by the small but powerful JAP engines. This very noisy and smelly saturday activity amid the quiet green countryside of High Beech was a vast contradcition to the normal way we appreciated the countryside. However it was a fun passtime and only happened once a week for a few hours. It drew supporters from London and many of the suburbs. Dirt Track Cinder Racing would all but dissapear when war was declared, I don't remember if it ever came back to High Beech after the war, but I seem to recall the race track stadium being torn down. in the years after WW2. Does anyone else remember those days? M. Denman Lalonde Last edited: 05/02/2008 19:24 by Denman Lalonde |
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 Loughton, the High Road c1960 (ref: L106038) |
Year: 1967
Co-Op And Toy Shop A memory of Loughton, Essex We moved to Wanstead in 1968 but I still remember going in to the toy shop and my mum and dad buying me a matchbox mini car toy with a black roof, red front, yellow doors with spots on and diamonds for its lights. I also remember going in to the big Co-op store which would have been one of these shops in the picture. It was cold in there, lots of freezers and it makes me think of Ski yoghurts, because Nana Bennett used to buy them for us. If you looked up at the ceiling it was black and there were pipes. (I think!) Posted: 20/12/2008 22:58 by Sue Tilbey |
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 Loughton, Lopping Hall c1955 (ref: L106032) |
Year: 1947
Dancing At Lopping Hall A memory of Loughton, Essex Does anybody remember Julie Warren's dancing classes in the Lopping Hall? I was her cousin, Barbara Warren, and used to go to tap and ballet lessons every week. We used to have many concerts. Julie lived in Smarts Lane, and her dad Len was my dad's (Herbert) brother, and we lived further up in Smarts Lane, and my nan and grandad used to live at 80 Smarts Lane. I would love to hear from anyone who remembers, I now live in Norfolk, but will never forget the happy times in Loughton, during the war when I went to Staples Road School, and in 1945 to Loughton High School. I left Loughton in 1969. My e'mail address is bullock976@aol.com, if you remember anything please get in touch. Last edited: 27/11/2008 11:09 by Barbara Bullock |
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 Loughton, St Mary's Church 1923 (ref: 73926) |
Year: 1964
My Wedding A memory of Loughton, Essex When we arrived in Loughton in 1956, we were visited by the then vicar and decided to join this church, which stands on the High Road, in the centre of Loughton. In 1964 my wedding was held there, and the vicar was the Rev. Vine. Posted: 22/04/2008 00:55 by Diana Dioszeghy |
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Loughton, the High Road c1960 (ref: L106038) |
Year: 1956
Shopping In Loughton A memory of Loughton, Essex This picture was taken further down the High Road from the Century Cinema and the Post Office, going towards the war memorial, and in these modern blocks there were several shops I regularly visited, including a hairdresser's. Posted: 22/04/2008 00:50 by Diana Dioszeghy |
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