THE?request for information on the recent nostalgic photo (right) of motorcyclists in?Okehampton prompted a response from local historians Mike and Hilary Wreford.

The event was an annual run between Fore Street in Okehampton to Land's End and back, a popular event in the 1920s and 1930s, but long since abandoned.

Mike said: 'This was very well supported and took place on Good Friday, starting in Fore Street at 6.30am. It was a tradition for the riders to pose for photographs, just before the start and there was always a large arrary of well-wishers to see them on the way.

'It is interesting to note that the riders in those days were members of the business community and generally included such personalities as Ernie Stinchombe, Harry Newman, Bill Hain, Sid Hain, Fred Tenby, George Gunn (of Gunns, the fuel firm) and Messrs  Luxton, Downs, S Horne, Bill Backway, Yeo, Woods, Hoskins, Hawkins and Spencer.

'As a round trip it would take some 12 hours to come back at 6.30pm or so. The riders would be tired but happy and love to "roar" in.

'There was of course not a crash helmet in sight, but it is interesting to note that the sober-suited members of the business community were not dressed like the motorcycle riders of today!'

Pictured in the background is Star Stars which became the International Stores, and the Red Lion Temperance Hotel, which now is the entrance to the 'Shopping Village.'    

Mike added: 'Perhaps more intriguing is the bank known as Fox Fowler and Co, which helps date the photogragh to the early 1920s. It is not generally known that this commercial bank could print their own banknotes, but the number of banks so authorised gradually fell away, but Fox Fowler has the distinction of being the last commercial note-issuing bank in England.

'Fox Fowler wre taken over by Lloyds Bank Ltd, but continued to trade as Fox Fowler for a few years, with Edward Clist as their final manager.

'For a few years there were two Lloyds Bank just 50 years apart!   These premises still retain their popularity today, trading as 'Donald's' menswear shop.