Poole Park Track

Poole Park Track

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I grew up in the 70s, we lived right beside Poole Park so much of my childhood was spent playing there. We just took it for granted, but now looking back and learning about its creation I realise how lucky I was to have free range over this Victorian creation. Many long summer evenings were spent watching the the cycling  at Poole Track. My elder brother, Tom, raced for Bournemouth Arrow (Marguerite's Club) and cut his competitive teeth here. Riders would travel  quite a distance to compete, and local clubs included Poole Wheelers, Bournemouth Arrow, Bournemouth Jubilee, Crabwood and The Wessex Road Club. I remember the atmosphere building as riders and their supporters  met up, standing amongst a sea of  bikes laid on the ground in front of the Cricket Pavilion; the 'pssssst' hiss as the track pumps were released from tyre valves; the very tall commentator Mr Moss calling for the crowd to stand back from the track. The star riders from the time I remember as a ten year old boy were Steve Moss who would always be the scratch rider in the handicap sprint, easily overhauling the field. George Dixon was the  class act in the group races. I particularly remember him riding a low-pro track bike - something very new at the time. Our family building company J.H.Wilson & Sons even sponsored a meeting in about 1978.

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1887- 1892 

The Cricket ground and Bicycle track were completed in 1892. The Today the Pavilion with its veranda supported by cast-iron columns and balustrades is a grade one listed building and remains the Club House for the Poole Wheelers and a meeting point for their club-runs.

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Rail Causeway, the train approaches the keyhole bridge in a time before Whitecliff land reclamation.

Aerial photograph during WW2. The circular cricket pitch surrounded by the cycle track on the right.

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THE CREATION OF POOLE PARK. The Railway came to Poole via Parkstone in 1872. A rail causeway cut across Parkstone Bay from Whitecliff  to just north of Bator. This resulted in a  landlocked brackish water lake with marsh and reed beds. In 1885 the landowner, Lord Wimborne, donated the land to the Borough for the creation of a Peoples Park and Recreation ground. A competition was held for the design of the Park and was won by Elford. A cricket pitch enclosed by a circular bicycle track formed the principle feature of Elford's scheme for the park (plan 1887). The Park was officially opened 1890 but the cricket ground and cycle track were not completed until 1892. 

The Parkstone coast. Look carefully and you can see the Pavilion completed in 1890.

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The Pavilion had been completed in 1890, it can be seen in the photograph of the shoreline in Parkstone Bay. And yes, the harbour came all the way to the edge of sandbanks road. Apparently the nearby Sloop public house was named after an ancient Sloop boat that was rotting away in the nearby reed beds. I presume that this area was finally drained when it was cut of from the rest of the seawater lake by a road built across the southern tip of the lake. Elford's design for the Park was a masterpiece making full use if the relatively small acreage of land that boardered the large saltwater lake.

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1890s

I wondered whether the cycle track was designed specifically for racing or whether it was for recreational cycling and then adopted for racing. After a little research I learned that Victorian racing tracks were a 'thing' and were typically circular or oval. Poole's track is circular and measures three laps to a mile. Further research revealed a thriving racing scene, the earliest report I found was from 1893 within the first year of the tracks opening.  Poole had two main clubs in the 1890s, the Poole Wesley Guild CC founded 1890 and Poole Cycling Club. From 1895 Poole CC adopted and new name, the Poole Wheeling Club or Poole Wheelers although many stuck with the original name Poole CC . In the race report (below) from 1893, the Bantten (or Banten) family feature strongly. The family owned a Bicycle shop. Leon was their star rider, featuring in reports throughout the decade riding for the Poole Wesley Guild CC. I was interested to learn that the Poole Wesley Guild, part of the Methodist Church is still  in existence.

Bantten brothers, Lionel, Leon, Louis, Lindell & Leonard. Rode for the Poole Wesley Guild C.C. This photo is a pre 1913 photo as one of the brothers emigrated to Quebec in 1912. (source - Michael Coslett).

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Bournemouth Guardian. 23 September 1893 
THE POOLE PARK SPORTS
There was a large attendance at the Poole Park Sports and Fire Brigade competitions on Wednesday afternoon, and the proceedings were of very successful and enjoyable character.
ONE MILE HANDICAP BICYCLE RACE, ​for boys under 17. - The prizes were a medal, given by Mr C Banten; 7s6d (Poole C.C ); and 4s. The starters in this race were: A C Rogers (Wesley C.C.), scratch; C Habgood (Wesley C.C.), 10yds; M E J Pearce (Wesley C.C.), 15yds; L Banten (Wesley C.C.),15yds; A Osman (Wesley C.C.),25yds;    O E Sydenhan (Poole C.C.),30yds; and M E Rogers (Wesley C.C.),60yds. Habgood got to the front early in the race, and was allowed by the others to get a good lead. Banten made his effort on the last lap, but could only make up part of the distance , and the result was: Habgood, 1 ; Banten, 2; Sydenham, 3. Time, 2 min 53 2-5th secs.
THREE MILE HANDICAP. First three in each heat to compete in the final. The following were the prizes: -£1 1s, given by the Poole C.C.; 12s 6d, and 7s6d. First heat: Ten entered for this, G H Guy being on the scratch mark, and conceding starts up to 300 yards. He caught his man on the first lap, and when the bell rang came away and won with ease in 8 min 45 2-5th secs. Lawson Banten gained second place, with Baker third. The second heat produced eight starts. F W Horn was on the scratch mark, and conceded starts as Guy to the other competitors. Daniels, Habgood, and Piper came to grief early in the race, and the issue was fought out between Leon Banten, Plumley, and Horn. Banten went away when the bell rang, and won by 40 yards, in 8 min 57 3-5th secs, Horn beating Plumley by half a wheel for second place. The final in this event was a very disappointing race. The two scratch men, Guy and Horn soon caught the others, and a waiting race took place till the last lap, when the competitors went off at a tremendous pace. The following was the result: Guy, 1; Leon Banten, 2; Horn, 3. Time, 9min. 9 1-5th secs.

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1906

Poole Park Sports were held on Wednesday afternoons, this was the day for half day closing in Poole. I remember this from my childhood, do any shops observe this tradition today? I wonder. Large crowds were draw to attractions such as model boat racing in the lake, running races, Fire Brigade Drill Competitions and Military Bands. Proceeds often went to the towns Cornelia Hospital.  

Poole Shop Assistants Sports, 6th June 1906.

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​Bournemouth Guardian 9th June 1906.
Under circumstances probably the most favourable that have attended any sports in Poole Park, and the presence of one of the largest crowds seen in the Park, the annual meet of the Poole Shop Assistants, organised on behalf of the Poole Cornelia Hospital, came off on Wednesday afternoon. The weather was perfect and the heat was tempered by a cool breeze, refreshing both to spectators and competitors.
The various races were well entered for, and some exciting sport resulted, particularly in the shop assistants' events. The recent resuscitation of the Poole Wheeling Club had the effect of bringing a larger number of local cyclists into the field than has been seen for several years, and this aided to the interest of the sports. C.B. kingsbury, of Portsmouth, attended to defend several several cycling championships held by him, but in only one case, the one mile, had he to exert himself, Richardson, of Bournemouth, running him so close that the race was the cycle event of the meeting.

Follow the link below to see rare footage of a similar Athletics meeting in 1902.

Leeds Athletic and Cycling Club Carnival at Headingley (1902)

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1930

There seems  to have  been a lull in racing and disappearance of formal Cycling Clubs in Poole from the time of the Great War (1914), until a revival in the 1920s. Poole Wheelers and Athletic Club was formed from informal group known variously at the Mentone Wheelers or the 'Parkstone Suicide Club' in 1926. The format of meetings remained unchanged from the 1890s. The program started with the heats of the Handicap Sprints and finished with the 20 miles scratch race, this schedule persisted into the 1970s. Below is an account of the 1930 20 mile Championship 1930 published in first edition of Poole Wheelers & AC club Magazine.  

Poole Park 1930 (source - Aubrey Jenkins Poole Wheelers C & AC).

 

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Poole Wheelers' Cycling & Athletics Club. Club Magazine May 1930
‘Encouraged by the frantic shouts of 12,000 spectators, Billy Harvell won the 20 Miles Championship on May 7th in record time by half a length. Although all the weather had been dull, as evening drew near the Clerk of the Weather suddenly remembering our Big Event, shifted the threatening clouds and poured forth some welcome sunshine. Doe and Dominey were absentee from the starting card, but Gillard, a recently elected member, made the number twelve.    ​

Bill Harvell, Poole Wheelers Cycling & Athletics Club.

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The Race - The start was tame and at first no one wanted to take the leadership, but after two miles things livened up. Giving the 12,000 full value for money, Harvell after hanging back till almost half a lap from the leaders, suddenly became energetic  and taking a deep breath was past them all and leading by a wheel. It was not long before the terrific speed began to tell, and soon Gillard, Frampton and Whittaker decided they did not like racing and came off.  Monty Butler followed followed with a busted tubular, and although a spare machine was rushed to him, it was too small. Monty cursed and strolled round the rest of the evening with a collection box. When the bell went Harvell was slightly behind, but at half way leading by a couple of lengths. before the last corner, Hollywood and Barnes came up, but Harvell pushed ahead and gave the judges no difficulty in placing him first. Hollywood and Barnes scrapped hard for second place and the former just got it by half a wheel. Ron Silk , with a score of 25 easily claimed the lap prize and the Blandford Boy was as pleased as a dog with two tails. The official time for the race was 49 mins. 48 secs.

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Prize Giving. Never before have I seen such a sea of faces as when Alderman A Shutler, Secretary of the first Poole Wheeling Club, addressed the crowd from the Pavillion. Before calling upon Miss Burge to present Harvell with the ‘Burge’ Cup, he said so many nice things about the race and the club in general, that the present Secretary blushed violently and immediately ordered a larger size in hats. Harvell stepped up for the silver and after smiling nicely for the photographers, and shaking hands with Miss Burge (some say he kissed her) he carefully tucked it under his arm and made way for the Sloop. After Hollywood and Barnes, amist roof lifting cheers, had taken their piece of china and silver, President Jimmy, looking very charming in a brand new suit, expressed the Club’s thanks to Mr and Miss Burge and the 12,000 for their attendance’. ​

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1970s

Sunny Evenings in Poole Park My Memories of Poole Track​
by Alan McRae

One Saturday, before the Virus Lockdown, I went down to Poole Park to watch my daughter take part in the weekly Park Run, where hundreds of joggers run round the whole park with varying degrees of pace and ambition. For 25 years however, for me, Poole Park had meant bike racing.  I couldn’t help but stroll over to the path we had used that runs around the cricket pitch and walk a lap of the 3 laps to the mile circuit,  I was stunned!

Riders from left to right: Steve Moss (Arrow), Brian Coghlan (Arrow), R Agozzino (Poole Wheeler) (held by Gerry Gary), Sean Conway (Arrow) (held by Pete Boston), Tom Wilson (Arrow) (held by Ted Wilson). Dave Moss is commentating at the lectern. Starter (White top) Ray Price. Man in long coat Vic Deuters. At the table Joan Attenborough and Joan Price. circa 78/79

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I joined the path about one third of the way round from the Pavilion.  But, looking down, the path is only about 2 metres wide here at best!  And there are solid looking park benches and even bigger trees about 1 metre outside the path! 30 riders, 25 mph, no brakes, Health and Safety? There was more to come, strolling round almost on the opposite side to the finish was my friend the very slightly sunken drain, neatly located on the path right on the inside of the track.  Memories of going full bore on the last lap, a rider just inside me and all I had to do was not move out!  Opponent hits the drain, loses 1.5 lengths, job done!

Evening sunshine

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​and slow once you are over the line, massive compression of the bunch takes place on a narrowing path, with only one outcome!  Some have to take to the outside grass and navigate the benches and trees suffering a slight loss of focus on the race and, more importantly, about 5 mph!  Did anyone ever hit a tree or bench? Not from my memory but one rider did overdo the swinging wide tactic to find the small lake conveniently waiting.  Next lap he was seen caked head to foot in mud, knee deep in water rummaging around in the sludge for his bike.


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Gone now but the wall of the old Zoo, again only about 1 metre outside the path made sure there was limited room for manoeuvre and, it’s still there, the slightly uphill but widening route to the final sweeping bend. Here at last the path widened but, with only 30 odd metres to the finish line, all a bit late. Just 20 metres after the finish line, comes the next challenge, yes the path more than halves in width inside about 10 meters.  This is essential information when riding the early laps
of an Elimination race.  Get near the front of the bunch
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(L to R)Owen Tyson, Tom Wilson & Ian Barnes. Standing behind wearing glasses is Alan McRae.(all Bournemouth Arrow cc).

W.Kirkland, Pete Rawlinson, Patrick Lockyer Ted Wilson (my father), Steve Staniland , Ken Williams (club sec. And mainstay of BACC), Barry Clarke (BACC sponsor and riding Tony Doyle’s Olympic team issue aerodynamic Geoffrey Butler ) John Barnes. (source - Patrick Lockyer).

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So who were these riders and why did they take on all these risks? The vast majority of the 30 or so riders at Poole each week were drawn from local Cycling Clubs, all of whom had their roots in the traditional activities of Sunday rides and riding time trials.  50 years ago Poole Track provided one of the very few opportunities for bunch racing mid week and riders grabbed the opportunity for a bit of “fast and furious”on whatever was available.  The format was pretty simple, first off were heats of the dreaded 660 yard handicap, 40 seconds of flat out from a standing start, first 3 through to the final.  Then came a Consolation Race, a Points or Scratch Race for those who didn’t get through, then the Handicap Final.  Last race of the evening was an “everybody up” distance Scratch Race, 5 miles when the light was poor, usually 10 miles, or, mid summer, the famous 20 miler.  All the race prizes were presented at the end.  With fields of up to 30, a strung out bunch could occupy over half a lap.  Not so good to be at the back, ​

L to R, standing, Chris Ballam (Poole Wheeler), then (all Bournemouth Arrow), George Dixon, A. Jackson aka Ajaxs, Tony Summers, Guy Bolton. Linda Allen. Christeen Edwards. Sitting, Joyce and George Bolton with granddaughter VIC. (source - George Bolton).

once the first few riders crossed the line, the lap scorer would start to change the lap board and guys at the back had no idea what lap they were on!  In addition to the main prizes the hat had been passed round the crowd to collect cash for “primes”, intermediate lap prizes signalled by the blowing of a whistle with 1 lap to go.  This really spiced up the racing particularly when some of the lesser lights had made a hopeful attack and would shout “Blow the bloody whistle!!” as they crossed the line doing their best to hold off the big hitters for one lap and pocket £1.00!

Above all else though , there was a unique atmosphere created by the whole spectacle of bike racing set in a public park with the public inches from the action, the photo below shows it all.

Lynda Allen (Arrow) in front, Sue Foster (Crabwood) in 2nd, the young rider 3rd is Ian Barnes (Arrow), 4th George Dixon (Arrow) on the outside, 5th Willie Kirkland (Wessex) 6th Alan McRae (Arrow). (source - Alan McRae).

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It is a heat of the 660 yard handicap, 2 girls and a young lad, being chased down by 3 senior riders, in theory all crossing the line at the same time.  How competitive was it? Check the face of the race winner, determined to put one over on the guys, see the disappointment etched in the faces and slumped shoulders of the guys who failed to get past, and all the while, sitting in the sun on the park bench on a warm evening, a family enjoys the spectacle. That was Poole Track. - Alan MacRae, Bournemouth Arrow CC.