Alfred Poplett was a true Sunbury man. Born in Sutherland Avenue he then moved to Montford Road in 1949 into a newly built house. He worked for British Thermostat, cycling to work, as most did in those days. He also did what many others did and met and married his British Thermostat sweetheart. Kathleen took Alfred’s hand in St Mary’s church, Sunbury and they had their wedding reception in the Flower Pot. This story just couldn’t be any more local!
In the 1950’s Alfred and his brother George, started joining in cycle speedway. It was a big thing back then. The sport appears to have taken off in the wreckage of post-war cities in Britain. With tracks cleared through the rubble, on bikes not otherwise roadworthy, and under the influence of motorcycle speedway, cycle speedway grew haphazardly as a way for young people to enjoy themselves in cities. London, with most bomb sites, led in organising races, in 1945 there were more than 200 clubs in East London by 1950, with more than 20 in Walthamstow alone. The sport spread across the country. The Birmingham league had 22 teams in its first season. Coventry, Leicester and Wolverhampton and Cradley Heath followed. Inter-city matches began in 1946.
At the time, the Poplett brothers were members of the Halliford Hornets, but Alfred then got involved in setting up a rival team. The Beverley Bees were quite a team! Races used to happen on the terrain at the end of Evelyn Crescent on what is now Sunbury Manor land. In the background of these photos of the speedway from the 1950’s you can see the top of the old orphanage. Do you see any familiar faces? Do you remember taking part too?
By Monica Chard