Sunday 7th September 2025
Whatever happened to all the boys and girls who loved to BMX – 40 years ago or more in Warminster? Do you remember the BMX track that was beyond the western end of the Portway Lane playing field. Were you at the very first BMX event held there or any subsequent meets? What make and model of BMX bike did you have and where was it acquired from?
50 BMX riders attended the first ever races meeting of the Warminster Wizards BMX Club on the evening of Monday 2nd July 1984. This not only “christened” the new BMX track at the far end of Portway Lane, Warminster, it also resulted in great fun for everyone who took part. Medals were awarded to the race winners as follows:
Five to Six Years Old ~
Richard White, Simon Mead, Rowan King.
Eight to Nine Years Old ~
Michael Kervel, Richard Hathaway, Jonathan Clapp.
Ten Years Old ~
David Coleman, Lorna Harris, Mark White.
Eleven Years Old ~
Steven White, Chris Mingo, Jason Bevis.
Twelve Years Old ~
Adam Shepherd, Stuart Magee, Tony Sargood.
Fourteen Years Old ~
Glen Pearce, Simon Brock, Richard Magee.
Fifteen Years Old ~
Kelvin Pearce, Shane Sargood, John Morris.
___________
I took this photo of the BMX track at the western end of Portway Lane Playing Fields, Warminster, during August 1986. The gas storage containers at Furneaux Lane (Gas House Lane) can be seen in the distance (they no longer exist). And the BMX track is long gone too.
When I posted this photo and accompanying notes on Facebook it gained 80 likes and received 43 comments including the following:
Gemma Stone
I remember it well was across the road from my grandparents house. I still got some scars from coming of my BMX here.
Matthew Brock
Takes me back to, coming a cropper on the table top.
Loma Harris
Loved this track. My best years there. So many memories x.
Ben Smith
I remember the first time I rode that track. I belive on the last bit there were a few small bumps. I remember not seeing one of them (blended into the ground) and fell off. I only remember it as I can still remember the pain of my nads hitting the crossbar. Good times!
Will Mckee
White lightning lol.
Babs Hayward
When l moved on the Portway estate nearly 50 yes ago the young lads raced around the field on their motor cycles. Got woke up most Sunday mornings along with the lovely sound of the Minster Church bells peeling. That was my alarm call on a Sunday, didn’t need to have to set my alarm clock. And when they built the BMX Track we had to buy a BMX bike for my son Andrew, he was about 14 at the time. We got it second hand. Them days are LONG GONE NOW Xxx.
Michelle Finnigan
I remember this track so well. Lots of fun memories.
John Slade
I had a Yes Titan TX, remember the track very well, fell off a lot.
Angela Saunders – Dix
Spent virtually all my childhood on that track with the gang. Such great memories, thanks for sharing dannyhowell.net
dannyhowell.net warminster and district
Glen Pearce Thank you for sharing the pic of your trophies!
Damian Mead
I loved this track.
Martin Woodham
Loved the bmx track.
Stella Hardy
A memory from Warminster wizards, Derby British champions qualifiers:
dannyhowell.net warminster and district
Stella Hardy Thank you for sharing this.
Lee Kennedy
Kye Kennedy they were the days! X
Marc Young
My god I know most of the winners, I was in the Corsley Cyclones BMX club at the time.
Chris Curtis
Didn’t have the BMX but did do First Aid cover there with Warminster Red Cross.
Carl Jenkins
James May sadly before our time.
James Curtis
Looks like a proper bmx track like we had in Bournemouth, before they wrecked it.
Ant Miller
Used to love BMX, I had a Haro Shredder,GT Dyno and finished with a Brian Curtis.
Laura Loobie
Need a new one my son would love this. x x x
Will Mckee
I still got the scars and the memories!!
Robin Ellison Loma and I raced wizards track so many times . . . Chris Mingo , Damian Mead , Kev O’mahony, Mike Baggs
Loma Harris
Stella Hardy we definitely did Stella. Great times x
Mike Kervell
I still have my trophy from that night at my mum’s house.
Paul Batchelor
Thank you Danny, for all the documentation you have done over many decades which has become an invaluable source of historic interest to all Warminster people.
Duncan Cockburn
Shameless plug I know but if anyone fancies reliving their youth, BATH BMX CLUB has a brand new start gate and probably the steepest, smoothest Velosolutions berms in the country. They host regular open practice, races and coaching and loan out bikes, helmets and gloves, of all sizes, for free. Current club riders age from 4 to 60 and count amongst its members British and European Champions and even sent riders to the World Championships. Club Champs this coming Sunday if you just wanted to see how things have changed.