Mad scramble at Friars Wash

Members of Dunstable Motorcycle Club are pictured taking part in one of the slippery, mud-strewn, cross-country races known as scrambles.

The photo was published by the Gazette in May 1955, but a hunt through old copies of the paper has revealed disappointingly little information.

The caption to the photo simply says that the scramble took place at Friars Wash, but gives no details of who took part.

Veteran photographer Bruce Turvey well remembers covering races at the venue, which was on land just south of the present MI junction near Markyate and Redbourn.

Point-to-point horse racing was also held on another venue at Friars Wash and readers’ memories of either of these sporting events would be welcome.

Horse racing was also held at another venue close to Dunstable – at Sewell.

We know this because we have been given a published postcard showing spectators near one of the Sewell steeplechase jumps.

But so far we have been unable to trace any further information. Once again, any details from readers would be appreciated.

> Yesteryear is compiled by John Buckledee, chairman of Dunstable and District Local History Society