Service to be held in memory of track fatalities.
Over 1,000 people are expected at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Saturday, 20th September 2003, at 3.00 pm for a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for the 175 speedway riders who have died in track accidents and, in particular, Peter Craven who raced for the famous Belle Vue team in Manchester and is the only Englishman to win the World Speedway Championship twice in 1955 and 1962.
Over 1,000 people are expected at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on Saturday, 20th September 2003, at 3.00 pm for a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration for the 175 speedway riders who have died in track accidents and, in particular, Peter Craven who raced for the famous Belle Vue team in Manchester and is the only Englishman to win the World Speedway Championship twice in 1955 and 1962.
Peter died as the result of a track accident at Edinburgh Speedway 40 years ago on 20th September 1963 aged 29. The Service will be conducted by the Revd Canon Mark Boyling assisted by the Veteran Speedway Riders' Association Chaplain, Revd. Michael Whawell.
Readings and Reflections will be given by Sweden's five times World Speedway Champion, Ove Fundin, and Welshman, twice World Champion, Freddie Williams as well as journalist and speedway historian, Peter Oakes.
Among the congregation will be Peter's widow, Brenda, son Robert and daughter Julie together with more than 50 members of the Craven family. Among the former Belle Vue Speedway riders present will be ex-World Champion, Peter Collins, Billy Powell, Jim Jacoby, Arthur Wright, Peter Williams, Ken Eyre and Tony Robinson as well as the former Aces promoter and manager, Jack Fearnley.
Craven's mentor, Liverpudlian Charlie Oates who captained Liverpool Speedway and who is now in his 91st year, will be making a special journey from the Isle of Man for the occasion.