Slider Shuttleworth

WHAT IS IT?

Photographs and family memories

WHEN DID YOU GET IT?

In the late 90's, it was handed down from my mother before she died

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

My Grandad  (AKA Slider Shuttleworth) was one of the very early Bellevue Speedway aces racing for them, I think c. 1928-1930. He also raced for the Leicester Stadium team.
He was known for his practical jokes, one of which was to place a small balloon full of red ink inside his crash helmet, if he was winning it stayed where it was, but if he was loosing he'd stage a hair raising crash clapping his hand to his head and bursting the balloon, which would burst giving the appearance of blood. He'd then stagger dramatically back to his machine, remount and 'bravely' give chase again to his opponents. Somehow even when he lost he often stole the crowd's hearts.
Also, quite a local character in Stockport from where he originated, in his later years he could often be seen (wearing his cowboy stetson) entertaining small crowds playing his accordion in Merseyway shopping centre.