peter taft cotswold scramble 1956

[@johnredding202]

A brilliant film of an event that I remember to this day, however it wasn't the 1956 Cotswold Scramble but more likely 1959. That was the first year the Rickman Bros ran their Metisse machines. Derek Rickman's machine broke it's primary chain right near where my parents and I were watching and he was very angry, throwing his helmet and gloves onto the ground alongside the stricken machine. Peter Taft, Paul's older brother who features early on in the film was my very first motor sporting hero after seeing a motorcycle scramble for the first time in 1957 at Miserden right near my old home.

[@philiptaft]

thank you for interesting message,peter[my brother] past away last year aged 80

[@johnredding202]

Thank you for your reply Philip, and I am very sorry to hear that Peter has passed away. He was a very stylish rider and the image of him those 60 years ago are still vivid for me today. I was only 6 years old at the time I first saw him ride, and followed him for several years afterwards, but am I correct in thinking that a serious injury to his arm/shoulder ended his career prematurely? It was quite a surprise to me years later when I saw Paul racing cars, and very successfully too. Paul was also riding at those early scrambles meetings and somewhere I have an autographed monochrome photo of him on his BSA Goldstar. Great memories thank you.

[@philiptaft]

John Redding ,yes. Your right on the shoulder /back injury.could you send any photos to me of them please.my e mail is [e-mail] thank you.i am same age as you then when this was happening

[@robt1805]

I have fond memories of looking at Peters ex works BSA gold star, in your shop window in Stirchley Birmingham. I think you wanted £150. Dad said it would be to heavy for a 16 Yr old. So I ended up with a Dot white Strengh. 😢 great film

[@cbk2144]

These courses are great. This would get me to come back out to watch these races.

[@clydebutler6487]

Great video and I enjoyed it. Times sure have changed since then though. A lot of the men that are spectators are wearing a suit and tie.

[@lissataft2609]

This was cool

[@Whitejesselink]

The music is fine. It's a bit like the cowboy bebop theme.

[@detlefzimmer3956]

In 1956 i was born.....a top Year......

[@angelsone-five7912]

Dave Curtis was a brilliant rider on that 600cc Matchless of his. I`m glad he passed Rickman "before" Rickman`s spill just to prove he was going to win anyway. Anyone know what the music is called? Asked loads but no-one can put a name to it.

[@philiptaft]

dont know,but i think the music spoils it

[@TMxl-w5t]

@@philiptaft and to dam loud to

[@angelsone-five7912]

@@philiptaft With the absence of bike sounds I think the music fits very well but that`s just me.

[@ВладимирПрокопьев-я7ъ]

Да музыка здесь вообще неуместна

[@georgemaher5129]

I was enjoying this up as far as approx. 2:25, when the totally unnecessary and unrelated "music" blasted in and blotted out the commentater. ( sound engineers ? ). Ruined it for me.

[@robt1805]

I remember spending hrs looking a Peter Tafts ex works gold star, that was up for sale in there shop in Stirchley Birmingham. For the pricely sum of £150.It was about 1966 ??. I was only sixteen, dad said it would be to heavy. I ended up with a Dot white strength.😢