Fairground Motorcycle Wall of Death

[rosielewis]

A long shot, but I am trying to find out something about my Grandmother's Brother William Price born Llanidloes Montgomeryshire in approx 1904
He travelled around the fairs riding the Wall of Death,I guess he would have had a "stage name"and not just used William Price.
I would love to find out more about him to put in his section of my family tree, or find out a bit more about the wall of death.
If anyone has any knowledge about this sort of thing ,I would be very interested to hear from you.

[ricky1]

Hi Rosielewis

You could try this website for a start, it all about the wall of death, I remember going to fair grounds when I was young lad watching people like these


http://www.thewallofdeath.com/home.html

or this website
http://www.wall-of-death.org/history1.htm

but if you google around you will come up with other sites

ricky

[rosielewis]

Thanks a lot Ricky, I have the greatest respect for what he was doing, and will enjoy looking at the websites you gave me.
Cheers
Rosie

[ricky1]

Hi Rosielewis

The second website I gave you has other pages on it, They used to start at the bottom and get faster and faster then worked their way up the wall, some would come up right near the top, and the noise they made was deafening,The wall was made out of wooden planks fastened together in a circle. Used have to go up some steps on the outside to watch them, by looking over the top. In them days it was something to be seen, and the whole construction used to shake and vibrate as they went around on the inside. Brings back gteat memories

ricky

[rosielewis]

Must have been amazing to watch, wish I had been able to see him in action!
Had a quick look at the websites what an amazing thing to do! Both my Brother's are motorbike mad-must be in the blood!
Cheers
Rosie

[ricky1]

Rosie

One I was a youngster, I had a motorbike, but wouldn't dream of doing what they did. Sometimes members of the audience would be allowed to sit behind the rider, at their own risk, me I wasn't that stupid

ricky

[J.W.T.]

I think this is my grandad that you are looking for information on, he was born in 1906 and died in 1969 he was one of twelve or fifteen children from 2 marriages the names i am aware of so far are Mariam Joseph and Emlyn. William rode the wall of death on a regular basis in bellevue Manchester. I have just started to try to gather information on him. We also think in rode in local fairs in the Montgomeryshire area and used the stage name speedy Williams.
I would love to here from you if you have any further information on his career as a wall of death rider.

[GillyJ]

Every year on October 24th there is a fair in Menai Bridge on Anglesey - Ffair Borth. I recall visiting the travelling fair with great excitement as it was truly one of the most exciting things in anglesey when I was young in the 1950/1960's.
There was a wall of death sited on the outskirts of the town on the car park and as explained by one of the other members, the construction was of lots of wooden planks and the motor bike riders would rev up going faster and faster in circles getting nearer and nearer to the top making your heart thump as you thought they would come right over the top. the noise of the bikes was exciting and the riders themselves held in awe.
There was an element of danger and fear all mixed up together usually with the smell of petrol mixed with hot dogs, candy floss and chips.
I do not know when the attraction stopped but I suppose health and safety issues would arise now.

[rosielewis]

J.W.T nice to meet you, been hoping to find a relative on here for a while! I am the Granddaughter of Kate Price, the second born of John and Mary Price's 12 children. John Price/Pryce had 6 children from a previous marriage too, and my Mum always believed there were more Children but I have not traced them yet.
My Brothers and I have been fascinated by the thought of Williams's Wall of Death riding and have wanted to find out more about him for a long time. I had traced that he had Children and was hoping there would be Grandchildren who may be researching him. I have spent hours and hours on the Price tree and believe it as complete as it can be for now. Keep in  touch, and if I find out anything else I will let you know.

Gilly J what a great description of the Wall of Death and the visit to the fair, felt like I was there! I was born and brought up on Pen Llyn so wasn't  too far away from Aglesey. Apparently the Wall of Death has returned in a big way recently, my Son goes to a lot of festivals and he went to watch the riders last Summer at one he was at, sure its much safer these days though!
All the Best
Rosie