Topic: Want - the Wall Of Death still performing in Britain? (Read 9978 times)

OMK · « **on:** November 30, 2008, 05:58:40 am »

Would anyone here might know if the Wall Of Death is still perfoming in this country? They used to be at Bridgwater fair every year but suddenly stopped.
Would anyone know how I might contact them?

A million thanks for any info' at all.

tigertiger · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2008, 06:04:35 am »

I think there is only one left in UK, they have recently (last 20 years) had problems recruiting.
But I think WOD is getting popular again.

Try these numbers
KEN FOX - 07970 674824
NEIL CALLADINE 01773 826124 or 07971 439490

Hi PMK
BTW
Animatronics is on my list for projects to start in December. I ki8t out my new workshop this week.
Mark

The long Build · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2008, 10:31:54 am »

website.
http://www.wall-of-death.co.uk/

funtimefrankie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2008, 02:06:45 pm »

Saw a spectacular one in Las Vegas a couple of years back .
Performing in a large ball shaped cage, using kid sized scrambler bikes

biggles1 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2008, 09:55:34 pm »

Saw wall of death on t.v. Saturday they were at the N.E.C. Bike Show. Saw them at Truckfest Peterborough Showground couple of years ago they were superb, had not seen them since the early 70s when they were a permanent feature at the Kersall (hope i spellt it right) a permanant fun fare at Southend Dave

BobF · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2008, 10:44:35 pm »

Hi PMK,
Not an answer to your question, but Lloyd Bennett Ex Goole MBC member, used to be a wall of death rider.
Bob

RickF · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:02:27 pm »

Saw one in action at the Great Henham Steam Fair (Suffolk) in September. According to their publicity they are the last remaining touring WOD.

Rick

OMK · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:27:19 pm »

Thanks, Tiger. You too, Mr. Longbuild.
I'm damned if my search engine would returned anything on the WoD. I'm not sure how you both did it, but thanks!
At least I've got something to go on now.

Bob, now that IS interesting. I can't say I'm familiar with the name, or even heard of Lloyd Bennett, but I would love to know if he ever rode the wall at Bridgwater.
Is there any way of finding out, or any way to contact him? A whole crate of finest scrumpy heading your way if you don't mind doing a little snooping around on my behalf.

Thanks to everyone else who chipped in. Appreciate your help with this.

OMK · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:33:35 pm »

"According to their publicity they are the last remaining touring WOD"

RickF, apologies for sounding dense, but when you say 'they', who do you mean? Do you mean the Ken Fox crew? Are you saying that they're pulling the plug??

RickF · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2008, 12:27:37 pm »

Sorry to confuse you, PMK.

I'm not sure who the operator at Henham was, but his advertising hoarding - as I remember it - said he was the last touring WOD. Whether that is true, or "artistic licence" I don't know.

Rick

tony23 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2008, 10:27:30 pm »

Quote from: biggles1 on November 30, 2008, 09:55:34 pm

Saw wall of death on t.v. Saturday they were at the N.E.C. Bike Show. Saw them at Truckfest Peterborough Showground couple of years ago they were superb, had not seen them since the early 70s when they were a permanent feature at the Kersall (hope i spellt it right) a permanant fun fare at Southend Dave

nearly right Dave it was the Curzel

you must be around my age.

Propslip · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2008, 08:11:20 am »

I'm sure you mean Kursaal at Southend, with the worlds first female WOD rider & of coarse Tornado Smith. Check out the Kursaals historic website they are both mentioned.

John C · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2008, 09:43:29 am »

Yvonne Stagg wasn't it?, moved to Margate in the 70's

John

norry · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2008, 12:25:24 pm »

...And Yet Another Posting So Off Course That It Ran Aground 3 Days Ago...

John C · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2008, 12:05:21 pm »

At risk of being censored, it's a bit more interesting than some of the tittle tattle that's been on here recently. ***inflamatory remark removed***

alan colson · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2008, 07:31:30 pm »

Have seen the wall of death at Laughton Country fair and also Barleylands Steam fair in recent years.

Jonty · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2008, 09:51:50 pm »

Last seen at Vrindaban, a bit south of Delhi, rather surprising in such a holy place. Even more surprising was the sari clad pillion rider.

alan colson · « **Reply #17 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:19:54 am »

Jonty, where abouts in Britain is Delhi? I have never been there, might be worth a visit.

BobF · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2008, 12:22:40 pm »

There was a programme on T V Life channel a couple of days ago called Hot Bikes.
It included a bit about the Wall of Fear (for 'fear' read death) although their T shirts said Death.
They also are now running a Go Cart round the wall

sweeper · « **Reply #19 on:** January 08, 2009, 11:21:52 am »

PMK,
re your question. Just come across an advert for the Historic Motorsport Show, Stoneleigh Park 13-15 March. One attraction may be of interest to you.
A Wall Of Death.
Hope that helps!

OMK · « **Reply #20 on:** January 08, 2009, 01:20:23 pm »

I was rather hoping for something closer to home.
When I were a tadpole, the chaps at Bridgwater fair let me ride pillion in the early hours, just before they disassembled their wall and moved on to the next venue (no PC brigade in them days). I was around 9 or 10 at the time. We didn't go all the way to the top of the wall - maybe just 5 or 6 feet above floor level, but that was enough to get me instantly hooked. It's been an ambition of mine to ride the wall ever since.
Unfortunately, since making a few phone calls, I've discovered that Health & Safety have worked their magic. Also, the wall operators are beset with all kinds of snags and clauses from thier insurance companies. Which, in a nutshell, has put the dampers on any dream I had of having another ride.

Thanks a million to all those of you who bothered to reply, but I fear I have sent you on a bit of a wild goose chase. But if'n any of you should know of any operator with enough gumph to let me ride that Indian motorcycle around the wall (i.e: to hell with poxy insurance companies and H&S), then yes - PLEASE put me in contact.

Thanks again for all your help.

Arrow5 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 08, 2009, 06:12:05 pm »

Just shown on STV "Five-thirty Show" a piece on wall of death act performing now at the Royal Highland Centre (Ingleston ?) . Should be details on STV website. Think the name of performers was Meesham. Sorry I didnt catch it all. They took the lady presenter on a vintage looking bike but the act seemed to use modern trial bikes.

djrobbo · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2009, 10:02:56 pm »

Hi guys....yes it was the kursaal in southend.......the main building with the dome is still there but the amusement park is now a housing estate.

The guy who used to ride the wall of death in the kursaal was a guest at our rock n roll club recently , he bought a lot of posters and photos etc plus his old bike . A really interesting bloke.

regards.......bob.

danix · « **Reply #23 on:** July 23, 2009, 05:52:03 pm »

Hi
I rode The Wall for Yvonne Stagg at Southend in 1966.
Motorcycle News ran a story about a year ago about some guys who built their own by stacking a shitload (their description) of old pallets in a circle and lining the inside with plywood. Access was up an external ramp (more pallets) and the machines , including a moped, were lowered from the top by rope. I don't recall Health & Safety figuring in the procedure so if you manage to locate them let me know - I wouldn't mind having another ride.
Meanwhile have a listen to a song I wrote called "Yvonne (The Wall of Death)" at www.bikesongs.com

Regards

Dan

Umi_Ryuzuki · « **Reply #24 on:** July 23, 2009, 06:27:31 pm »

Quote from: danix on July 23, 2009, 05:52:03 pm

...
Motorcycle News ran a story about a year ago about some guys who built their own by stacking a shitload (their description) of old pallets in a circle and lining the inside with plywood. Access was up an external ramp (more pallets) and the machines , including a moped, were lowered from the top by rope. I don't recall Health & Safety figuring in the procedure so if you manage to locate them let me know - I wouldn't mind having another ride.

...

Regards

Dan

Yup, build your own..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjhjaN5zKI

News:

Author Topic: Want - the Wall Of Death still performing in Britain? (Read 9978 times)

OMK

The long Build

OMK

OMK

tony23

Propslip

John C

John C

OMK

djrobbo

danix

Umi_Ryuzuki