OWLS Motor Club: A Summary of the Club's History
Q  By Kevin Storey Membership Secretary OWLS Motor Club
on 1st January 1927 successfully completed the Motor Cycling Club's Exeter Trial on a Brough Superior outfit. The first event Part 1 1926 to 1956 organised by the Club was a dance to raise funds, over 200 turned up, making it a success, both socially and financially. In the first six months the club organised Social Runs around Kent, Reliability Trials, Pillion Trials, Motorcycle Football matches, a Hill Climb and a Paper Chase. There was also a trip to Dymchurch where racing on the sands was undertaken. In May 1927 the club's first motorcycle football match took place at Westerham, six club On Thursday the 2nd December members from Westerham took 1926 a group of about fourteen on six members from Oxted. 300 people turned out to watch. The motorcyclists gathered in The result was Westerham 2, Oxted Kings Arms Hotel, Westerham, 0. A rematch was arranged where they agreed to form a club. Initially it was to be called for a couple of weeks later at Oxted, but this time there were the Oxted and Westerham 1,500 spectators. The result was Motorcycle and Light Car Westerham 3, Oxted 1. In the Club but within a few weeks 1930's motorcycle football took it had grown to be the Oxted, off in a big way both in this Westerham, Limpsfield & country and in France, the Owls District Motorcycle and Light Car Club, which became known were in at the very beginning. By July 1927 club membership as the OWLs. The club annual stood at a healthy 50 plus. subscription was set at 5 In the growing up years 1926Shillings. 30 the club grew quickly and One of the group, a Mr W grass track meetings were held Hempshall who was a Scout at Marlpit Hill and Yards Hill. A for the RAC, is credited with being mainly responsible for the scramble held at Pilgrims Farm, Titsey was very successful and formation of the club. In order to get things moving he became had a write up in "The Motor Cycle" of a whole page. Around the Club's first Secretary, but 1930 Sevenoaks joined the club after two months he handed and the name changed to the over to Mr F R Mowforth, and OWLS Motor Club. was unanimously appointed an The club became affiliated to honorary member of the club. Another Founder member was the A.C.U. and began holding competitions. In the very early Mr C Sharp from Brasted, who days only closed events for club 16
members were held. The Whitley Mill Trial started its long run and in 1931 Grass Track races were held at Crowhurst. At
these meetings and others at Layhams Farm and Readercott (Hill Climb) the OWLS riders almost swept the board. Stars of the early days were Vic Bryant, Jock Preece and Angus Herbert. The machines of the day were as varied as Heinz soups. Nortons, Velocettes, Royal Enfields, JAPs, Bakers, Excelsiors, Zeniths, Rudges, and very many other makes. Also in 1931 the first lady member was enrolled, a Miss Walker by name. Eric Oliver joined the ranks and started on his long road to a World Championship. On his way up, he was one of the stars of Brands Hatch grass track, Sidecar and Solo. Later he took up road racing with a sidecar outfit. We should be very proud that Eric started his career riding for the Owls. 1932 was destined to become one of the most memorable years in the history of the club. A fantastic amount of work and activity within the club itself. The birth of Brands Hatch on Easter Monday was the start of a fabulous era in motor
