"Motor Sport" Brooklands Fund

“Motor Sport” Brooklands Fund

In view of the splendid way in which Brooklands Motor Course served the motoring fraternity until a few years ago, Motor Sport has decided that some form of memorial should be instituted in memory of the late H. F. Locke-King, who built the Weybridge Track at his own expense, and who kept it open as a testing ground and sporting centre for nearly forty years.

We do not wish to dwell on the loss which the closing of Brooklands — which was the first motor course in the world and the only one of its kind in this country — is to the nation, but it does seem that only now, when it is too late, has the full value and fascination of Brooklands come to be appreciated. This being the case, recognition of Locke-King’s work is overdue. Accordingly, we invite readers to contribute to a fund for the purpose of instituting a Brooklands’ Memorial. The nature of this memorial will naturally depend on the generosity of donors, but some form of permanent appreciation of Locke-King’s track at Weybridge, expressed in a useful or charitable manner, is in mind.

We feel that Dame Ethyl Locke-King, who did so much to further her late husband’s great undertaking, and who still lives near the site of the old motor course, might be asked to suggest an appropriate form for the proposed memorial.

Donations to this fund should be addressed to “Brooklands’ Fund,” Motor Sport, 15/17, City Road, London, E.C.1, postal orders and cheques being crossed “Brooklands’ Fund.” Acknowledgment. of each donation will be made and a list, of subscribers will be published from time to time in Motor Sport.

The Rt. Hon. the Lord Howe, P.C., V.D. President of the B.R.D.C. has kindly consented to start this fund, and Messrs. H. J. Morgan, Secretary of the Junior Car Club (with which the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club is incorporated), D. J. Scannell, Secretary of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, J. A. Masters, Secretary of the Motor Cycling Club, and Stanley Sedgwick, Secretary of the Bentley Drivers’ Club, together with the Proprietor and Editor of Motor Sport , have kindly agreed to sit on a small committee which will decide how the fund shall be allocated and guarantee that it is properly spent. The Weybridge Urban District Council is favourably disposed to the memorial.

We look forward to a generous response to the Motor Sport Brooklands’ Fund, which is hereby declared open. Donations, large or small, will be equally welcome and we feel sure that everyone who knew Brooklands in any capacity whatsoever will wish to be associated with its Memorial Fund.