Classic bikes and riders get revved up

Vintage films, games and memorabilia on show

Summerlee is gearing up for a speedway celebration this Saturday.

Dozens of riders and classic bikes will be descending on the Coatbridge attraction for the special event, organised by volunteers and museum staff.

Speedway enthusiast John Houston is helping arrange the event – after developing a productive partnership with Summerlee thanks to his nostalgic Facebook treasure trove.

A member of track staff at Cliftonhill in the 1970s, he has run his popular page for five years, sharing highlights from his collection of photos and memorabilia from the days of Coatbridge Monarchs and from Glasgow Tigers and Edinburgh Monarchs racing at the local venue.

John told the Advertiser: “I started out as a track starter, then a raker and later a pusher; speedway was very popular in the town at that time and it was fantastic to have the Coatbridge Monarchs.

“I had lots of speedway items and over the years, people used to give me more – I decided to start the Facebook page one day when I opened a cupboard and Coatbridge stuff fell out!

“Now it has photos and memorabilia items; it’s followed by former riders, some of whom are now all over the world.”

John continued: “David McDonald from Summerlee then contacted me, looking to set something up to help people with dementia.

“He goes round care home and talks to people there about speedway – I’ve given him things like jackets, programmes and DVDs, and it gets really good responses; we also do open days together.

“I really appreciate him having found me as I never thought something like this would happen, but it’s been a great thing, and Saturday’s event is going to be really good.”

John is organising the event alongside former rider Tom Blackwood, who will be in attendance alongside fellow speedway stars including Bobby Beaton and Brian Collins.

The event will include film of classic Cliftonhill races, memorabilia displays, and recreations of classic half-time games such as tug- o- war and children’s egg and spoon races; as well as visitors being able to get up close to the speedway bikes on show.

It runs from 11am to 4pm on Saturday at the industrial museum on Heritage Way, and admission is free of charge

Steeped in history The 1968 Coatbridge Monarchs on the starting line at Cliftonhill when they took on West Ham