Today it’s a haven of peace, but once it echoed to the roar of dozens of motorcycles.

Scrambles at Shotover in Headington, Oxford, often attracted crowds of 20,000.

Ron Slater remembers riding for the Oxford Ixion club in one major event there in 1950.

He writes: “In those days, we had annually a race meeting versus the Cambridge Centaur club.

“In 1950, I had the honour of being selected for the Oxford team in the company of four international riders – John Avery (captain), Dave Curtis, Jack Stocker and John Draper.

“Our team of eight was completed by Pip Barratt, Alan Cole, John Keeley and myself.

“The meeting was at Shotover, attracting, I remember, a huge crowd.

“The course was among the fastest and most demanding around and one of England’s best.”

Mr Slater, of Ludsden Grove, Thame, tells me that the Oxford Ixion Club was at that time arguably among the strongest in the UK in the sport of scrambling (now called motocross).

“Names from that era that spring to mind are Doug Wheeler, Arthur Vincent, Dave Rymes, Bill Faulkner, Cliff Washington, Maurice Baker, George Baker and, later, the redoubtable Joe Johnson and Pat and Mick Minns – there were so many more.”

He was prompted to write in after seeing the picture of the Oxford Speedway Club members in 1937 (Memory Lane, January 26).

As we recalled, the photograph was taken shortly before the speedway and motorcycle enthusiasts split to form separate clubs.

Ixion club officials knew the names of only two of the 14 men in the picture and asked Memory Lane readers to identify others.

Susan Lee, of Wheatley, recognised the man fourth from the left in the back row as her grandfather, George Prior.

She writes: “He and my grandmother Susan were licensees at the Magdalen Arms in Iffley Road, Oxford.

“I believe my grandfather was one of the founder members of the club. After the racing, I think they all went to the Magdalen Arms to ‘wash up’ and, I'm sure, have some refreshments!”

Veronica Webster, of The Moors, Kidlington, identified the man fifth from the left in the back row as her uncle, Edward Mander.

She writes: “He started the speedway club with Mike Hailwood’s father, and was speed car champion.“ She has enclosed a picture of him with his cups and medals.

Pictured: Edward Mander with his cups and medals, right; Ron Slater, just ahead of Dave Curtis, going into the water splash in the 500cc final at Shotover in 1950, far right, and emerging from it, left; Oxford speedway club members in 1937, right