The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
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Opening of Plymouth Speedway Stadium
Plymouth Tiger's victory, as they win the first ever speedway race at Pennycross Stadium on opening day
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Overview
Dirt Track Racing originated in Australia coming to England in 1928, Plymouth enthusiasts formed the Western Speedway Limited and opened the Plymouth Speedway Stadium at Pennycross in Peverell in 1931, officially opened by Chairman Percy Fletcher's wife seen in this film. The first ever meeting at the stadium was held between Plymouth led by Bert Spencer and Exeter led by Buster Buckland, Plymouth won 32 points to 21.
Each team consists of seven riders and although Plymouth won Exeter were said to have given the better performance. The captain Buster Buckland establishes a record lap time of 20.15 seconds, the roar of the engines and the mass formation riders transport you back to this opening day. A speedway track still exists at Plympton.
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