British Skating Legends

This 1 minute 17 second clip firstly reviews roller hockey but the last 17 seconds shows a ladies race at Victoria Park, Hackney.

Jeff Stumbke talks about his late father, Eddie Stumbke's skating history and his record breaking sucesses in the 1930's. Interviewed in Woodford Green on 5th December 2022.

3rd February 1972 - John Folley wins the 10,000 metres Jacoskates Trophy. Look closely and you will see Chloe Ronaldson ringing the bell, Bob Halford and Dai Davis as ever on the stopwatch

This footage shows the very first officially recognised world track championships held at the Empire Pool arena (now the SEE Arena) in Wembley, London. There were triumphs for British skaters Bill Ross, Arthur Cooper and Harold Wilkinson - the only pre-war world champions for Great Britain.

The women of the Forest Gate rink take part in a soccer on skates match. Undoubtedly one of these women will be multiple British Champion Winifred Davies.

3 times national roller speed skating champion takes part in a one mile race on ice.  The one v one event saw Lee beat his rival Richardson for the first time in 4 years.

News report of a 10 mile road race in Surrey (Woking to Pirbright) run by the Camberley & Bagshot Roller Skating Club, won by Pip Baker (billed as amateur World Champion - although obviously not an official World Champion). No mention of the name of the winner of the women's event.

1957 World Championships in Palermo, Italy. Great Britain did not send a team to these championships stating the lack of suitable training facilities as the major reason.

European Championships at Grenoble, France.  First international outings for John Mullane, Gerard Bissett and Gwen Marriott.  Patrick Feetham was a traveling reserve who later partnered Mick McGeough in the relay.  Pat Eason takes home her final major international medal with a bronze in the 5000 metres.

First time out for Leo Eason who just missed out on victory when falling just before the finish line. Medals also for Les Woodley, Geoff Wright and Graham Stead. Pat Eason was the sole GB lady and took medals in all events which earned her the Vandervell Trophy.

1953 saw the emergence of legend Les Woodley who alt just 18 years of age gets his first medal at a World Championships.  This was also the very first World Championships for women and the British girls aquitted themselves superbly with Pat Kirkham gaining a couple of fourth paces just behind the dominant Italians.

The second official World Road Championships for senior men and the third official European Road Championships for senior women in the Piazza Ariostea, Ferrara, on 18th and 19th September 1938.  The event was notable for three gold medals from four events for Frenchman Louis Fichaux and two from three for Italian lady Adriana Rianda.