Interview with Rosemary Sayle, landlady of the Sulby Glen Hotel and visitors to the 1994 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races
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Date(s): 1994
Creator(s): Manx National Heritage
Scope & Content: Track 1: Interview with Rosemary Sayle, landlady of the Sulby Glen Hotel about the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races. Rosemary talks about her life and moving to the Sulby Glen Hotel; her interest in bikes; getting a bike at age 39; involvement in Manx Grand Prix Supporters' Club, Hailwood Centre; sponsorship; Women’s International Motorcycling Association connections; her pub; importance of TT for business; nationalities of visitors to the TT; friendliness and helpfulness of TT guests; Sulby Glen known as the ‘German Embassy’ for help with German TT visitors; large New Zealand contingent [noise of bikes revving in background]; German bikers who camp at Sulby Claddagh; Rosemary’s family’s attitude to bikes; atmosphere of TT and change it brings to the island; vivid description of a typical night of celebration at Sulby Glen during the TT; exhaustion after long hours; future of the TT; reaction of first timers to the TT; reactions of locals who don’t like the TT; TT 'characters' who visit Sulby Glen such as Rudy, Black Hat Club, Herman the German, Little Willie, Gentle Peter; competition between Northern and Southern Germans; ‘Sulby Glen Guinness Drinking Club’; portraits of German ladies including ‘Ushy’; Super Mario ‘Disco King’; popular drinks; doctors and police; retired miner ‘Teal’.
Track 2: Interviews with TT visitors including:
Alan Duckworth, Manchester, talks about his reasons for returning to the TT; accommodation; activities when racing is not on; changes to Mad Sunday; food on offer; comparison of TT to events; boat availability; atmosphere of the TT and friendliness of visitors.
German TT visitor describes boat crossing; initial astonishment at the road behaviour at the TT; accommodation at King William's College; Douglas Promenade at night; the common interests of the biker.
Billy Thomas, Conway, North Wales, talks about his 42 years of visiting the TT; family connections in the Isle of Man; memories of Senior TT from Hillberry; photographing famous riders at the weigh-ins; 1957 and its weather; other festivals attended; Conway Motorcycle Club and ‘Dragon Rally’; memories of Eric Oliver, 1950s; first 100 mph lap (Bob MacIntyre) from 33rd milestone; Ray Hamm 1952/3 Braddan Bridge; Manx Glens; view of the Isle of Man from Great Orme in North Wales; social hub of the Sefton Hotel, 1970s; nickname ‘Bomber of Conway’; uniqueness of TT; comparison with Daytona; delivery of and readership of Isle of Man Courier in Conway; beauty of the Isle of Man compared with Jersey and Guernsey; meeting with Wolfgang Kalauch; memories of the riders’ paddock; chatting and running errands for TT riders.
Administration / Biographical History: This recording is part of the TT Oral History Project 1994.
Language: eng
Extent: 51 min. 28 sec.
Item name: cassette tape
Collection: Sound Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: SA 2019-0074/2
Access conditions: All reasonable attempt has been made by Manx National Heritage to trace and request permission (where needed) from the copyright holder(s) in this sound recording. If however you think you are a rights holder then please contact Manx National Heritage.
Subject tags : #UOSH, #UOSHTT