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2007 features

A Lambden TT walkabout produced a few pictures of Manx Athletes on Friday evening but pride of place has to go to David Quine, pictured with wife Lynne, opposite the Gaiety Theatre. The Rentokil man told so many stories about vermin that he could have been on the stage at the Gaiety. Have you heard the one about the long tail who polishes off the remains of an Indian takeover and then goes to the nearby chemist to get something to settle his stomach?

For the benefit of the off island visitors to this site who do not know what the Isle of Man is like during the two weeks of TT practice and racing, here is a typical scene from Douglas promenade (top) where the supporters' bikes are parked in every conceivable corner. As well as the racing and the music festival in Peel that we have been referring to, there is a funfair on Douglas promenade. As you can imagine, training let alone racing is difficult at this time of the year. (ML)   Earlier TT pictures

I tried to find an old TT photo from the Lambden collection to celebrate 100 years of the event but the best I found was a very blurred picture from the 1963 Manx Grand Prix. It was taken on the approach to Kirk Michael (Erinville where the Crowe/Lambden family photograph below was also taken). The rider was John Cannell whose family lived at Berk Farm (next to the hump back bridge half a mile Peel side of Kirk Michael). After finishing the Senior race in 1962 and 1963 his bike also finished for the next two years ridden by John Crowe. The latter's brother is Alan Crowe MLC. John stood unsuccessfully for the House of Keys in Michael on one occasion, while another brother, Fred, has failed to gain election in Michael, Ramsey and Peel. The family used to run a building company in the village and along with fourth brother, Geoff the accountant, they all played for Michael United at some stage in, what shall we say, their less glamorous years.  Back to the Cannell family, there were three brothers including Frank the dentist and Robert. (Provided I have not got the brothers mixed up) John returned to live in Michael after a spell in Australia and has lived for many years half a mile from where this was taken at Ballalona Farm. The farm extends out the valley towards the old Michael Reservoir. Unless my childhood memories deceive me, this private land is in one of the most beautiful spots in the whole island looking up towards Slieau Freoaghane.

Before closing the diversion from athletics to the centenary TT, I've found another old picture from the 1977 sidecar. Taken by Mike Lambden at Rhencullen its of one of the top sidecar crews of the time but I can't remember who. And below, between races it's the dubious hairstyles of a couple of students. On the left was one of my North Staffs Polytechnic mates who came to watch the races together with the Lambden brothers. Photo by Doreen Lambden (still Thomas then).

Pete Townshend of the Who played in Peel on Wednesday. Robbie Lambie followed up the story from Mike Lambden that the original band (Townshend, Daltry, Entwistle and Moon) once travelled on the bus to Jurby.

"I too know a story about him staying at 94 Port e Chee Avenue,  in the late 50's during the summer months when his parents were in a big orchestra playing at the Palace Lido all season.   He did a bit of schooling over here.   Colin Jones (DHSS) ex-TT relay walker/cricketer was friendly with him during those months (pre Who) and got to know him quite well and thought he was a good bloke.   Colin at the time lived at No 90.   Townshend would twirl his brother around a bit like he windmills his guitar.  But one day it all went horribly wrong and his brother's head hit the wall.  They had to call the doctor out to fix him up.   Pete was terribly upset by this as he was at least 5 years older than Colin and 9 older than his brother.   At the end of the season he left a pair of school gymn shoes to Colin as a way of patching things up and his name was in the shoes marked Peter Townsend.  Colin wishes he had kept the shoes but didn't know that Pete would end up famous".

Try the link below for a classic Who performance of Baba O'Riley