The Way We Were

 

 

 

This page is a collection of photographs of Club Members in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Also included are two of the landowners who allow us the use of their land for trials. They are John Addyman seen on his C.15 BSA and Bill Wilkinson on the Greeves. Johns land is Hagg Farm, Bill lets the Club use Litton/Halton Gill. One photograph of Terry Wright shows him on the TWS, (Terry Wright Special). Terry built the bike using a Greeves frame, C15 engine, Norton forks, so even in those Days Specials were being built by club riders.

The photograph of Neil Anderton with a group also includes another Club Member, Bob Lee. Bobs on the bike with no riding number on it.

You will see a photo of Keith Butterfield on a 350cc Royal Enfield, its at a scramble at the rear of what was then Yeadon aerodrome, now Leeds/Bradford Airport, the year is 1953. The bike was Geoff Broadbents Works 350, Geoff had broken his leg in an earlier event, so he told Keith he could use the Enfield on the understanding they shared any prize money Keith made on the 350. (a true Yorkshire man, make money even when out of action). Keith says that was one of the fastest 350cc in the north in those days. In one of the other shots of Keith, you can see him at the bottom of Post Hill on his 500 Goldie. Keith is Number 66, the other rider is no other than Jeff Smith on the works Goldie, and the year is 1956.

Two photograph of our Club secretary George Cordingley in the late 1940s. G.C. tells me the bike was used for trials, grasstracks, hill climbs (road & off road). Scrambles, and transport to and from work, it’s a 350cc BSA.

Three photos of Mick Whitlow, one on a C15 1n 1964, one on a Sprite in 1966 and one scrambling on a Triumph Twin. Mick bought the Triumph road bike after it had been involved in a bad road accident. The front forks, wheel etc were beyond  repair, so forks and front hub  were taken off a scrap ES2 Norton, the bike was then kitted out to become a scrambler, as you can see in the photo the fuel tank was shared with his trials Sprite. After a few seasons scrambling the Triumph was put into retirement, Mick then concentrated on trials riding (Modern). Then in the 1990s the Triumph was dug out from the garage and converted into a trials machine. In the late 90s the Triumph frame was replaced with a Royal Enfield frame and this is the machine Mick rides these days in Pre 65 events. The Photo of Mick on the Triumph was taken at Otley Chevin, a famous Yorkshire Venue for both Scrambles and trials up to the 1970s.