Whilst living at home in the UK I was busy holding
down three jobs to save money for whatever
journey I would take next. During the day I worked
as a driver for a spare parts firm in Thornton Heath –
Tridon Spares owned by Don Dew. He was a lively
character, expert on all British Leyland cars and a
true motor enthusiast. Two or three nights a week I
worked in a local pub, The Royal Oak, on the London
to Brighton Road, and over the weekend I slaved
over an old Singer treadle sewing machine that my
father had taught me to use. On this I made suede
waistcoats (lined) which I sold mainly to my folkie
friends.
My one regular social event was performing at the
South Croydon Folk Club held in the Swan and
Sugarloaf pub on Friday nights. As a singer,
accompanied by my lagerphone (a percussion
instrument I had learnt to play in Australian bush
bands) I was soon accepted and dragged onto the
committee. We frequently booked guest artists and
invited such luminary names as Ewan McColl and
Peggy Seeger, Frankie Armstrong and Martin
Wyndham Reed. The craic was good and I even
learnt to play a guitar during this period.
An interesting incident which occurred at this time
involved one of my suede waistcoats. Although I
usually made these items for sale I indulged in
making a blue and light grey one for myself and
sewed a cloth BMW badge on the front. It looked
very smart. It so happened that BMW advertised an
open day at their showrooms in Park Lane, London.
They had released a new 900cc model and were
offering test rides. A special guest was Mike
Hailwood, the famous motorcycle World Champion.
As I had myself raced while in Australia and
followed the sport both there and in the UK, I was
keen to meet him and also ride one of the new
model bikes. So I arrived at the very flashy
showrooms where a great deal of well- dressed,
important-looking people were circulating among
the tea and biccies and took my turn for a ride on
the new model. It was impressive and a mark-up
from the 600cc R60/5 I had owned in Australia (but
I still preferred the old basic Earls forks models pre
1970s. )Looking smart in my new waistcoat with its
BMW emblem, I thoroughly enjoyed a chat with
Mike Hailwood. In his early thirties he was of
medium build with a trim, fit body, high forehead
with a slightly prominent nose and a very open,
friendly smile. Mike was a legend in his own time.
Fondly called ‘Mike the Bike’ he had an impressive
record. Fortunately born into a wealthy family who
already owned a motorcycle dealership he was not
lacking in good machinery to race but he soon
proved to be an exceptional rider.
Click images to enlarge
Pop up Window