Freelance’s passion for speedway

Life member Cyril Hart has died at the age of 88. Until 18 months ago, when he suffered a first stroke, Cyril was still running his own agency specialising in speedway and travel writing.

Cyril was until three years ago the Bournemouth and Dorset Branch welfare officer. A stalwart of NUJ activities, his other main interest was speedway. He edited Speedway World and reported for the Speedway Mail.

Following the Second World War, when he served in the RAF, Cyril moved to Poole from London and became a PR executive for electronics firm Plessey. He returned to reporting and covered a range of topics, with speedway always his favourite.

Cyril was well known for his strict adherence to correct English and was a regular contributor to the Bournemouth Daily Echo.

His funeral was attended by speedway champions and by NUJ representatives including former Deputy General Secretary John Fray, another speedway enthusiast.

“I grew up reading Cyril’s reports. He was one of my heroes,” said John. “We met at ADMs and had kept in touch.”

Chris Adamson

The Journalist is published by the National Union of Journalists