Longford Rockers

Hi Everyone I'm new to this site. Wondering if any knows the whereabouts of an old mate of mine from the mid 60's. His name was Graham Williams known to one and all as Wimp. I think he was given the name by a lad called Rick Brown who lived next door to him. He lived at 158 Avon St, his step brother was Malc Arch. I remember he gave me a ride on his Triumph Trophy once and scared me to death! Being a mod with a 150 Vespa anything over about 40mph was fast. I saw him in the bookies opposite the Devon a couple of years ago, wrote his details on a betting slip and lost it.

Hello to you and welcome.

Hi Ray, yes I remember you well, sorry to say the Arrow was succeeded by many Triumphs. Nice to hear from you. Regards, Doug

Hi, just found site, bit late but hey great memories from mid sixties to mid seventies, by which time a lot of guys had started using Walsgrave pub and other venues. Pete Hutt, what happened to little John Davies who worked the skate room with you for a lot of time.

Hi all been off the forum for a while. I still see John Davies a lot. Try to answer the questions. The Haywards were the first that I remember running or owning the skating rink. There was someone else before Les Allen who also owned the billiard hall. Dec, I believe you asked about when skating, it's open Tuesday nights from 6 to 9, it's not as big as Longford was, I'm there every Tuesday, be great to see you & catch up, love to see a few old Longford lads

Well, Pete, not too good with all this computer stuff but glad I got in touch. My grandkids are delighted at now roller skating twice a week at Wyken community centre. Good to see Mick Dodd there with his grandkids. Sure plenty of Longford old 'uns would be there if they knew about it.

Yes Dec I'm not too good with computer stuff it's great to see you & your grandkids your not doing bad at all on your roller skates considering its the first time in 40 years look forward to seeing you there soon be great if we get some more old mates there

Well, am bruised and battered but happy. 40 years ago we were the lads, now we're the granddads. Anyone browsing this site that used to skate at Longford, even if it's for a coffee, come along, bring your grandkids. Let them have a go.

Hi Alan, I hope u and Jackie are keeping well. Sorry to be the carrier of bad news but Ady Hartwell who came to visit u and Jackie passed away on 2nd July, funeral in Cape Town on 26th July.

Sad news indeed, Ady was so well when we saw him last, I'm sure those that are left will have their own memories of those good old days when we were all young (me included) and life was to be enjoyed without a care in the world. Commiserations to his wife.

Alan you're right about the memories they were great times. We have got a LR get together at the Dyers Arms on the 5th I'm sure we will have a few drinks on his behalf

Hi all, Dyers on Friday was a great night, big Alio came back from Leicester to read out a message to us all from Ady's wife, very moving, think we maybe don't realise the comradery we had all those years ago. Was a privilege to be part of it. Can't wait for next gathering, was good to see a few different heads there, Munsey, Johnny Davies, and Eccles looks better now than 50 years ago, haha.

Hi Alan, remember you & wife running the caff, me & a few other local riders would have (quite) a few brews @ the Dev. an M & B pub from memory & then go for a blast down town, round Broadgate, then back for a coffee & bragging rights. Closing time was 10.00pm in them days so you must have put the hours in! I rode a Velocette then - actually fell off right in front of the caff, more speed than controllability!! All the best, John

Hi. Sorry to be the carrier of bad news. Doug Noble, the most loved and respected Longford rocker, passed away on Saturday 6th August 2017. He will be sadly missed by anyone who knew him. My deepest thoughts to his wife Mary and the kids.

Hi John, I knew Doug from when he lived in Honiton Rd. I lost contact with him in early sixties except for seeing him in hospital when he had suffered a bad motorbike mishap.