|
Post by Administrator on Jun 21, 2010 20:43:14 GMT
John Chaplin writes::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I am planning to hold a commemorative event for Tom Farndon at his graveside on the 75th anniversary of his death at 3pm on Monday, August 30th. As you know, Tom was an icon at New Cross, and was the longest reigning British Champion when he died following a track crash at New Cross on the eve of the 1935 Star Final at Wembley, for which he was favourite to win for a second time. , His headstone in Foleshill cemetery, Coventry, where he was born, is a unique listed monument, a speeding motorcyclist in art deco black marble. I have permission to stage the event at the graveside. It will be conducted by the Rev Mike Whawell, official chaplain to the World Speedway Riders Association, and the only vicar to my knowledge who owns a speedway bike, with a steel shoe to go with it. I am hoping that at least one or two of the Coventry team will be there - those who are not riding in Poland the previous day. Other speedway personalities have been invited, principally double World Champion Fred Williams and past presidents of the WSRA, Bert Harkins and Terry Stone. In my book on the life and racing career of the hugely popular speedway star, Tom Farndon: The Greatest Speedway Rider Of Them All, he is likened to the David Beckham of his day. There is also a report that his ghost has been seen in the cemetery on the anniversary of his death - but we don't want that to put people off. For those who would like to be there on the day, direction details are as follows: St Pauls Cemetery Lodge Holbrook Lane Coventry West Midlands CV6 4BY www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=st+paul%27s+cemetery+coventry&meta=&aq=0sx&aqi=g-sx1g-s2g-sx3g-msx1&aql=&oq=st+Pauls+cem&gs_rfai=
|
|
|
Post by olddon on Jul 10, 2010 16:59:47 GMT
John Chaplin writes::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I am planning to hold a commemorative event for Tom Farndon at his graveside on the 75th anniversary of his death at 3pm on Monday, August 30th. As you know, Tom was an icon at New Cross, and was the longest reigning British Champion when he died following a track crash at New Cross on the eve of the 1935 Star Final at Wembley, for which he was favourite to win for a second time. , His headstone in Foleshill cemetery, Coventry, where he was born, is a unique listed monument, a speeding motorcyclist in art deco black marble. I have permission to stage the event at the graveside. It will be conducted by the Rev Mike Whawell, official chaplain to the World Speedway Riders Association, and the only vicar to my knowledge who owns a speedway bike, with a steel shoe to go with it. I am hoping that at least one or two of the Coventry team will be there - those who are not riding in Poland the previous day. Other speedway personalities have been invited, principally double World Champion Fred Williams and past presidents of the WSRA, Bert Harkins and Terry Stone. In my book on the life and racing career of the hugely popular speedway star, Tom Farndon: The Greatest Speedway Rider Of Them All, he is likened to the David Beckham of his day. There is also a report that his ghost has been seen in the cemetery on the anniversary of his death - but we don't want that to put people off. For those who would like to be there on the day, direction details are as follows: St Pauls Cemetery Lodge Holbrook Lane Coventry West Midlands CV6 4BY www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=st+paul%27s+cemetery+coventry&meta=&aq=0sx&aqi=g-sx1g-s2g-sx3g-msx1&aql=&oq=st+Pauls+cem&gs_rfai=Is there any further news on this Tom Farndon tribute event? JACK KEEN, ERITH, KENT
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 10, 2010 16:47:25 GMT
JOHN CHAPLIN WRITES::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
> The Tom Farndon memorial event is certainly still going ahead. In fact I was with he Rev Mike Whawell only yesterday working out a brief running order. I have also sent out lots of invitations to many former Coventry riders and am awaiting their response before being able to commit to numbers. I will be at Coventry speedway on the 20th to do publicity on the track mic and there will be details in the programme nearer the time thanks to the help of David Rowe. I have alerted the local media who are taking an interest so I am keeping my fingers crossed. But no matter how many and how few decide to turn up (it is a Bank Holiday after all) I will be there with some members of the Farndon family. I am hoping Colin Pratt can persuade some of the team to be there, but in any event we will have a JAP bike there to make a bit of noise. Also Miss Lorraine Tedds, the young lady who claims to have seen Tom's ghost in the cemetery on the anniversary of his death - the day we are holding the event - will be there. > So roll up. See you all there. > John Chaplin >
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 31, 2010 17:44:39 GMT
FROM oldtimespeedway::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
--- In oldtimespeedway@yahoogroups.com, "John" <diabloxrojo@...> wrote: > > The Tom Farndon memorial event took place yesterday (Monday August 30 2010), the 75th anniverary of his death. Almost 100 people were at the cemetery in Foleshill, Coventry to mark the occasion. Five generations - 20 relatives - of the Farndon family were there including the youngest, four=week-old Beth. > Former rider Col Smith brought along a JAP replica of the famous Ove Fundin Norich Track Spare No.2 which was started after the ceremony. Mike Lawrence brought along a 1940s Exelsior and a 1928 Dirt-Track Douglas. the weather was kind and the ceremony was conducted by WSRA Honorary Chaplain the Rev Mike Whawell.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2010 7:55:37 GMT
A SPECIAL ceremony to remember former British Champion Tom Farndon attracted almost 100 fans and family to his Coventry graveside on August Bank Holiday Monday, the 75th anniversary of his death.
Five generations of the family included the youngest, four-weeks-old Beth, and among the Farndon fans was 92-years-old Winifred Simpson who said: 'He was my hero when I was 17.'
Ex-riders Col Smith and Mike Lawrence provided bikes - a replica of Ove Fundin's World Championshop winning JAP, Norwich Track Spare No.2, a Langton Excelsior and a 1928 Dirt-Track Douglas. Former Coventry star Brian Meredith was also there.
The event was conducted by the Rev Mike Whawell, honorary chaplain to the World Speedway Riders Association and organised by the authors of the new book on Tom Farndon's life, John Chaplin and Norman Jacobs.
Chaplin said: 'The turnout exceeded all our expectations. It was magnificent considering it is three quarters of a century after the tragedy that cut short Tom's outstanding career. He was a huge star - historically one of England's best - in his day, and the occasion was highly emotional, especially for the family.'
Farndon, 24, at the time the undefeated British Champion, was fatally injured in a crash at New Cross on the eve of the 1935 Star Championship Final - then the equivalent of a world final - for which he was favourite.
ends
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2010 7:56:25 GMT
Tom-Winifred.jpgEmotional moment: Winifred Simpson, 92, touches the headstone of her girlhood hero. Photo: JOHN CHAPLIN Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2010 7:57:15 GMT
Tombikes.jpg Across the years: Bikes from three eras displaying nostalgic race jackets from Coventry and New Cross Photo: JOHN CHAPLIN Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2010 7:58:08 GMT
Tomcrowd.jpg Remembering Tom: Part of the crowd who attended the ceremony Photo: JOHN CHAPLIN Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 4, 2010 7:59:03 GMT
Tomfamily.jpgFamily gathering: Five generations of Farndons at Tom's graveside Photo: JOHN CHAPLIN Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by mrsgustix on Sept 5, 2010 9:29:04 GMT
I am sure that other members will join me in thanking John Chaplin for the excellent report and the four photos from the Tom Farndon Memorial Event. Excellent.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 5, 2010 11:27:08 GMT
TOM FARNDON::: ::::::::::::::::::::: Tom Farndon (born 11 September 1910 Coventry, England died 30 August 1935) was a Speedway rider who won the Star Riders' Championship in 1933. He set out on the road to speedway stardom in 1928 and within five years had reached celebrity status. His good looks and sheer charisma brought him a huge fan following, particularly among young women, and his incredible talent took him to the pinnacle of the speedway world. Tom was the British Individual Match Race Champion and was undefeated from 1934 until his death in 1935. Farndon was killed after a crash on 28 August 1935 whilst racing at New Cross Rangers Stadium in a second half scratch race final. He was involved in a collision with team-mate Ron Johnson which hurled him through the air and saw him land head first on the track. Tom died two days later in Miller General Hospital, Greenwich, without regaining consciousness. www.inter-bike.co.uk/reviews-motorcycling/motorcycle-book-reviews/2518-tom-farndon-the-greatest-speedway-rider-of-them-all-by-norman-jacobs-and-john-chaplin.html
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Sept 5, 2010 11:28:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Dec 10, 2016 9:02:20 GMT
By JOHN HYAM In its second season at New Cross, the rider who many claim is the greatest ever England rider, Tommy Farndon, died after a crash on Wednesday, August 28, 1935. It happened in the final of the second-half's New Cross scratch race. Farndon and his New Cross team-mates Johnson and Stan Greatrex were the starters along with West Ham's Bluey Wilkinson. On the third lap, Johnson hit the safety fence on the back straight. Farndon, who was close behind, hit his team-mate and was thrown over his bike's handlebars, landing heavily on his head. Both were rushed to the Miller Hospital at Greenwich. Johnson was discharged later, but Farndon was found to be in a critical condition. The hospital was besieged by hundreds of people waiting for news. Regular bulletins about his condition were posted on the hospital gates and bus and tram drivers stopped their vehicles so that passengers could read about Farndon. The rider died two days later without regaining consciousness. Many fans outside the hospital collapsed with grief and were given medical attention. At the time of his funeral, thousands lined the route.
|
|