KINGSTEIGNTON RAMS 1952-53

Sue Shaw kindly loaned a photograph of the cycle speedway known as the Kingsteignton Rams. Sue’s uncle Dave Widdicombe rode for the team and tells me that the cost of the photograph was 2s 9d, which I’m informed was the equivalent of 14p in modern money, but a chunk out of a youngsters wage in those days.

The Rams had their track at the Recreation Ground, more commonly known as Playfield, but now known as Clifford Park. Just as with their motorised counterparts the riders’ machines had no brakes.

The photo was taken in the bottom corner of the field and the British Road Services garage, later the workshop of Playline Designs Ltd, and now the housing development Venn Orchard can be seen in the background. Another society member Chris Herd can recall watching the Rams as a young boy and dragged the following lines from the depths of his grey matter which supporters chanted from the sidelines :-

One, two, three, four!

Who do you think we're shouting for?

R-A-M-S Rams!

Two, Four, Six, Eight

The Rams are at the starting gate.

Will they win, yes or no?

Come on Rams have a go!

The line up in the photograph reads left to right: Bill Widdicombe (David’s uncle), Gerald Palmer, David Widdicombe, George Weeks, John Lark, Lionel Selley, Percy Tothill, Monty Napper and Harold Coombe. Kneeling: Don Carnell.

In the 1980s there was a revival of cycle speedway in the town and another Rams team was formed which had a track at the former Key Transport Depot at Newcross.