"This stadium was used in the film 'Once a Jolly Swagman' starring Dirk Bogarte and Bill Owen !!"

My introduction to speedway was in 1948 when staying in London at a family friend's prefab (that was a thrill for a start!). My father had seen speedway pre-war, and took my brother and me to New Cross. The stadium was packed, and the match was against Bradford. I was convinced that the riders had overdone it as they hurtled into the first bend, and would all finish up on the ground! When I opened my eyes they were half way up the back straight! I loved the smell, the noise, the sight of those skeletal bikes with no mudguards, crash helmets (remember we never saw a motorcyclist on the road wearing one then), sparks flying from the steel shoes, and the plumes of black cinders from the back wheels. My brother and I demanded to be taken back the following week when Wimbledon were the opposition.

I've since realised that the film "Once a jolly swagman" was filmed at New Cross that very summer, and the first race shown on that film was shot from just about where we stood in the main stand, so it very much captures for me my first impressions. I must say though, that entry to the first bend looks much tamer now compared with modern day racers who throw the bikes in sideways with the throttle on. Returning home to Chelmsford we made a few visits to Rayleigh over the next two seasons, and in 1950 when Tippy and Arthur Atkinson took over at the Weir, we became regulars. My brother and I are still Rye House Rockets supporters and our children and grandchildren are also speedway fans."  

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