Friday 18th June 2021  

Cycle racing on Quorn Green!

Before it became a car park, Quorn Green in the centre of the village, on Station Road was often known as ‘The Black Green’, presumably due to the lack of grass. We know that at least from the 1930s, the area was used for cycle racing, which took place on a cinder track. There was a plentiful supply of cinders from Wright’s factory.

The photographs below were donated by Mr G Owens from Wales, who was a student at Loughborough College (now the university). Mr Qwens continues:

“I was a student of Mech. Eng. at Loughborough College from 1948 to 1953, staying all that time at the Dower House, Quorn [which was then halls of residence]. They were five of the best years of my life. Good friends and a lovely village to call home. The 1948 Olympics had just been held in London and the PT College was full of British and Commonwealth athletes who after competing had enrolled on a three-year course at the college.

One photo [top left] shows fellow students outside the original entrance to the Dower House, with newer extension to the left.
The rest of the photos show a challenge match between Dower students and the local cycle speedway team, as cycle speedway was all the go then.”

Missing information: Can you identify anyone in these photographs? Please email us at: team2021@quornmuseum.com Submitted on: 2017-08-03 Submitted by: Mr G Owen Artefact ID: 1990 Print: View artefact in printer-friendly page or just on its own.