The history of off-road motorcycling in Runnymede

Dan Campling 25.06.19 History

Runnymede Borough Council have been supporting off-road motorcycling since 1962 (then Egham and Chertsey District Council).

The Chequered Flag Club was run by Bob and Margaret Dyos for scrambles practice at the Englefield Green site every Saturday and gave demonstrations at local shows in the summer. Pit Stop Youth Club started in 1972 and was run by Youth Leader Glynn Shefford for scrambles practice every Saturday at the Lyne site.

In 1974 Surrey Schoolboy Trials Club started motorcycle trials training and practice days, run by Eddie Renham, sharing the Lyne site with Pit Stop Youth on the second Saturday of the month, but in 1981 the Council offered Eddie a new site at Brackendene in Addlestone.

Runnymede Rockets BMX Club was started at Brackendene in 1984 by Albert and Carole King.

Runnymede Sports Council was formed in 1984 and has been very supportive of Eddie and his club. In 1987 Runnymede Youth Motorcycle Club run by Mike Wheaton took over the Lyne site for scrambles practice. In 1994 the Council also offered Eddie another site at Trumps Mill in Virginia Water.

1994 also saw the birth of “have a go days”. Sports Development Officer for Runnymede Borough Council, Carol Munn, encouraged sports clubs to offer the public “have a go days”.

In 1995 we started having one a year, since when 100’s of youngsters have had a go at riding a trials bike.

In 2008 Surrey Youth started to run trials for novice beginners at seed level before grassroots on the second Saturday of the month at 2.00pm at Brackendene.

Dan Campling 25.06.19 History

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