SOME famous names from Kentish speedway will gather on Sunday, February 19, to commemorate the founding of the sport in Britain.

Former Crayford Kestrels rider and manager George Barclay, who also had a brief spell at Canterbury, is behind the meeting at King’s Oak Hotel, High Beech, near Loughton, Essex, where the Ilford Motor Cycle Club attracted a crowd estimated at about 30,000 for their first event in 1928.

Among others expected to attend the event organised by the Veteran Speedway Riders Association are former Canterbury Crusaders Ted Hubbard and Dave Piddock, championship winners with Canterbury in 1970 and 1978 respectively, and Les Rumsey, and former GB international and Eastbourne Eagle Bobby McNeill.

Badges, programmes and other memorabilia will be on sale, and proceeds are going toward a campaign being headed by George Barclay to build a national museum for the sport.

For more details of the High Beech event, which begins at 11am, or the museum appeal, contact him on 020 8592 3361.