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Post by jennys1977 on Jul 23, 2015 9:18:29 GMT
Hi all, I'm currently researching a Children's Film Foundation film called Skid Kids (1953) as part of my PhD thesis on postwar London on film. The film features the fictional Burton Burtons who take on the real Ruskin Flyers and later the Bermondsey Greyhounds. For those of you who haven't seen the film, the first 7 minutes can be viewed on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJRd4ZTxD4k I'm trying to track some of the locations used in the film. Does anybody recognise the track in the opening sequence an then the Bermondsey Greyhound track (did the filmmakers use their actual track?) in the screenshots attached? It's clear the filmmakers were very familiar with Cycle Speedway and I guess they used real riders as extras in the film. This is a bit of a long shot -is anybody on these boards familiar with the film or know of anyone who was involved in the film's production? Looking forward to any feedback and hope you enjoy the footage -it's a charming little film. Thanks, Jenny Stewart (Postgrad researcher at University of Leicester)
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Post by bellevue on Jul 24, 2015 19:39:50 GMT
Hi Jenny, Super old film i have never seen it before.There were a lot of cycle speedway tracks around London during and after the war but i am not from that area so have no idea where the film was shot. You could try contacting Reg Fearman who i believe was a cycle speedway rider in London as well as a West Ham speedway rider and later a promoter.I am sure the World Speedway riders association if you email them would give you Reg,s email address and he is always very happy to help people if he can.Let me know how you get on.Regards Dave Hitchen.
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Post by mickhuggett on Jul 26, 2015 15:23:12 GMT
Hi
Family is from Bermondsey and we've had a good look at the film. Not 100% but looks like the area around Pages Walk/Bricklayers Arms. There is a shot in the film where in the background there is a religious statue in the wall, that looks like St. Saviours and St. Olaves School, which is at the corner of New Kent Road and Bartholomew Street.
Hope this helps.
Mick
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1978
New Member
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Post by 1978 on Jul 27, 2015 8:40:57 GMT
Hi you could try contacting George Hollobone at Hellingly Lions Cycle speedway club near Eastbourne in Sussex. The club was started around 1946 and George now in his 80's is still involved with the club on a daily basis. What he doesn't know about the sport is probably not worth knowing. I used to ride for this club in the late 70's and have had a bit of contact with them lately. They have a web site with a lot of info on the sport "down the years" and from this you should be able to contact George. Just do a Google search for HELLINGLY LIONS CYCLE SPEEDWAY and good luck with your research. Regards Peter.
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