is the home page for J & S Publications of St.Austell, books by Jeremy Jackson. Jeremy is a prolific writer of motorcycle books & has been involved in the sport since he was seventeen years of age. Among his titles are:-
ICE ONE BRUCE, The story of the Life & Times of Bruce Semmens,
THE MIGHTY ATOM, The Life & Times of Len Read,
CHAMPIONS, A profile of the Westcountry Motorcycle Champions,
CHAMPIONS TAKE 2, includes 33 profiles & a brief history of the sport,
CHAMPIONS 3, includes colour & 28 more profiles with12 British Champions,
ST.AUSTELL SPEEDWAY THE BWOC GULLS with David Collins,
ST.AUSTELL SPEEDWAY THE BWOC GULLS FLY AGAIN with David Collins,
ST.AUSTELL SPEEDWAY THE EARLY YEARS 1949-1954(Published by Tempus)
All are out of print barring the above which is still available, details below,
His latest 168 page book hit the bookshops on 6 OCTOBER 2007 @ £11-95, they are now reduced in price to £5-00 & can be ordered direct by mail from the author, Jeremy, details below.
ST.AUSTELL SPEEDWAY 1958-1963 plus THE SIDECAR YEARS,includes year by year race action, rare photos, introduction to all the sidecar drivers, a biking spectator's overview, a tribute to the great Trevor Redmond, plus a 2006 sidecar update giving the reader a chance to meet the British Champions.
The launch evening at Porthpean Golf Club, St.Austell,on 6th.Oct.raised
an incredible £587 for THE MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE ASSOCIATION. For further information on the disease visit the website www.mndassociation.org ( registered charity number 294354)
Riders who supported the event were, Glyn Chandler, Jack Geran, Eric Martyn, Reg Hawken, Ivor Toms, Alf Webster, Tom Brown & Chris Bennett.
Sidecar aces at the evening were Ken Westaway, Joe Sturtridge, Alan Martin,
David Stephens, Gerry Wheeler, Stuart Rattenbury, Eric Roberts, Peter Yates, & Terrence Eddy. Dave Stallworthy & Eric Martyn shared the evenings presentation. Sadly David Stephens(Phil Williams passenger has since died)
Many of the old track-staff attended as well as former Cornish speedway promoters Brian Annear & Ray Purvis.
Excerpts from Book Reviews, October 2007.
The book is a most interesting & accurate account of the final years of racing action at Par Moor Stadium. When I first picked up the book as a long term speedway fan, I could just not put it down, since it brought back so many fond memories. Jerry pays tribute to Trevor Redmond, his version of 'the Haka' had to be seen to be believed. All this & much much more has been faithfully chronicled by Jerry & once again the reader is treated to a social history with reports from many Cornish folk who were supporters of the St.Austell Gulls. I take pleasure in thoroughly recommending it to those who have an interest in motor cycle racing & sidecar racing in Cornwall. Those who supported the Cornish Gulls & anyone who just simply enjoys speedway will find this book an enjoyable read. Glynn Shailes is the former Press Officer for Oxford and Swindon Speedway's.
Like its predecessor this publication again shows Jeremy's depth of research & determination to preserve for posterity the resurgence of interest in a sport which all the family could enjoy.The riders were the equivalent of today's modern pop stars & could be sure of a huge following wherever they went, with TV offering little by way of counter attraction. The way in which the story is presented goes far beyond the usual dull & unemotional manner in which facts of historical interest are so often presented. Jeremy's enthusiasm for speedway racing shines all the way through & his descriptions of individual meetings, how the riders fared, & some of the more memorable incidents that occurred during the evening never fail to escape attention. For many who attended these meetings they will recreate fond memories of the past & riders who became household names. Many top riders rode in anger at St.Austell including several World Champions, often to be seen for the first time by many. An intriguing addition is the chapter on the sidecar racing which was included in the stock-car racing programme until 1986. I found the the description of what these home built & home prepared outfits looked like when they made their debut remarkably accurate as I can recall them so well. They were a far cry from the ultra smart finishes & sponsorship logos on todays counterparts. As for health & safety regulations ! They added a thrill to every meeting as well as a sense of danger. Many came to a stock car meeting just to see them in action. Definitely a book for all Westcountry speedway enthusiasts as well as those who have seen the St.Austell Gulls battle their team. Fittingly it serves to pay tribute to Trevor Redmond, a superb showman who took the ups with the downs , often battling against all odds to keep going. More than just a promoter, he performed almost every role himself at one time or another wherever the occasion arose. To him the final chapter is devoted & it is pleasing to see mention of Chris Julian throughout the book. His nineteen years as a rider & impressive points scorer ensure he was the mainstay of any team. Jeff Clew, Motorcycle Author, Editor, photographer, & Journalist.
'This new edition which is published in Cornwall is an excellent read, & the nostalgia just oozes out of the book.' Dave Stallworthy, is the former St.Austell Gulls & Reading Speedway announcer. He is a well known motor-sport commentator, & Speedway Star grass-track reporter.
'Some great presentation from Louise Hillier/MPG Books, well done Jeremy', said Robert Bamford, he's the Reading Speedway Press Officer & prolific author of track racing books.
'I found the bits about George Major interesting, a favourite of mine from my early days of watching speedway. I always thought George had the longest left leg in the business because no-one seemed to get inside him! My wife Linda bought me the two John Berry books which I enjoyed, Jerry's book is equally
as well presented & finished as any of his work. Jerry should be pleased with the result of his efforts.' Richard Walne, of Ipswich, is a life long speedway supporter.
Thank you for the new book, it's great. I think it is better than the first volume. I look forward in reading your next book. Roy Dutch, St.Austell.
'I have read both of Jerry's books, I have enjoyed them because it brought back so many happy memories.' Dennis Williams, is a former rider, St.Dennis.
'Jeremy's books are an excellent read' said Mark Barker the Plymouth Speedway enthusiast.
Book review from the Speedway Researcher Volume 11 No.2, September 2008,
St.Austell Speedway 1958-1963, The full title of Jeremy's latest book published by J & S Publications includes 'Plus The Sidecar Years' but I suspect it is the solo action that will be of interest to most of you. It was an interesting period in the life of this Cornish venue as Trevor Redmond kept faith with the Gulls
fans for 6 years before calling it a day. The track featured non-league action until 1962 when it became the second home of the ill fated Neath Dragons before running 'The Gulls' in the Provincial League of 1963. Hazy days indeed reflected in some of the slightly fuzzy photographs but that isn't a criticism as sometimes these give the mood of the era before the state of the art single lens reflex & now digital cameras have made photography easy for everyone.
The sidecars look nothing like the modern machines. Big British twins with highish frames(which I've been lucky to see in action at the BMF Rally at Peterborough )-and go like stink!
This professionally produced book adds to our stock of information about this far flung part of Britain & worth splashing out £5 + £1-50 P & P. available from Jeremy. Jim Henry, Editor of The Speedway Researcher, promoting research into the history of speedway & dirt track racing.
If you would like a book send your cheque to Jeremy Jackson, Glen Maye, 85, Park Way, St.Austell, Cornwall. PL25 4HR. United Kingdom.
St.Austell Speedway 1958-1963 plus the Sidecar Years are £5-00 plus £1-50 post & packing throughout UK, add £4 for Europe, Canada & Australia.
St.Austell Speedway The Early Years are £10-00 plus £2 post & packing throughout UK, add £4 for Europe, Canada & Australia.
For those of you who follow motorcycle sport in general Jeremy has been a regular contributor/columnist to the Mid & North Cornwall Advertisers for many years. He has also contributed articles to The Speedway Researcher,
The West Briton, The Cornish Guardian, The St.Austell Voice, The Cornishman & Packet Newspapers.
Jerry has also been actively involved in Cornish motorcycling since his 'teens' being a member of one make clubs. He has organised 5 charity bike shows, & been a member of the trackstaff at Claycountry Moto Parc. He has participated in the Martin Jennings Memorial Run, The Mega Run & road runs with the B.S.A.& Suzuki Owners Clubs. He has exhibited motorcycles on rally
fields across the country from Norwich to Yeovil. Jerry has also been a guest
speaker to clubs, groups & societies talking about his passion for 2 wheels.