The author of a new novel which tells the tale of a legendary speedway racer from Saddleworth visited a bookshop in Oldham to sign copies.

The book, entitled ‘Clem Beckett, Motorcycle Legend and War Hero’, tells the tale of a local legend who shot to stardom racing motorcycles across Oldham.

Clem Beckett, born in 1906 near Scouthead before moving to Roundthorn in Oldham, broke records in dirt track racing and entertained fans from across Europe.

However, he also spent his childhood and life in Saddleworth and Glodwick.

Speedway racing became a hugely popular spectator sport in the 1920s and 1930s though there were tensions emerging around money, sponsorship, safety and individual competitors’ rights.

The Oldham Times: Author Rob Hargreaves (right) was joined by Graham Briggs (left), a supporter of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, at the signing.Author Rob Hargreaves (right) was joined by Graham Briggs (left), a supporter of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, at the signing.

Mr Beckett was an outspoken and influential individual off the track who campaigned for fair play for speedway racers before he was banned from competitions after a clash with the authorities.

Mr Beckett turned to perform daredevil stunts such as the ‘Wall of Death’ to earn a living but suffered numerous injuries throughout his track and stunts career.

Mr Beckett was also one of 10 Oldhamers to volunteer to fight in the Spanish Civil War with the International Brigade.

However, he tragically died during the Battle of Jarama in 1937, aged 30.

Now bringing his story back to life and into public knowledge, author Rob Hargreaves spent 10 years researching the speedway star for his book, which included trawling through Oldham's archives.

The retired journalist has since attended the Waterstones bookshop in Oldham to sign copies of the novel.

The Oldham Times: The book is about a 'daredevil' motorcycle star from Saddleworth.The book is about a 'daredevil' motorcycle star from Saddleworth.

He was joined by Graham Briggs, an Oldham supporter of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, and Waterstones branch manager Ryan Creely for the special book signing.

Mr Hargreaves said: “I am very encouraged by the interest in Oldham about Clem Beckett and the other men who joined the International Brigade.

“Clem Beckett travelled the world before dying heroically, fighting for democracy and against fascism, in the Spanish Civil War.

“Clem was born a Yorkshireman in Saddleworth but was an Oldhamer through-and-through.

“As I discovered in my research, lots of folk in the town can tell stories about Clem that have been handed down to them and there's no doubt that Clem Beckett was admired - even loved - by his fans.”

The Oldham Times: Waterstones manager Ryan Creely (left) also attended the book signing.Waterstones manager Ryan Creely (left) also attended the book signing.

The stories of the six of the 10 men from Oldham who died fighting in the war have been touched upon briefly in local media and through a small International Brigade touring exhibition at Oldham Library.

Oldham Parish Church also has a memorial plaque dedicated to them.

However, Mr Hargreaves hopes the new book will boost awareness of Clem Beckett and other local volunteers with a number of talks by the author about Oldham and Saddleworth’s links to the Spanish Civil War also being planned later this year.

Mr Hargreaves will be giving an illustrated talk, called 'Clem Beckett, Oldham and the Spanish Civil War', at Oldham Library on Tuesday, September 27, as part of the town’s history festival.

The Oldham Times: Clem Beckett himself on a motorcycle. Image by The John Sommerville Collection.Clem Beckett himself on a motorcycle. Image by The John Sommerville Collection.

Meanwhile, the International Brigade Memorial Trust looks after memorials from across the country and Ireland, including memorials at Droylsden Library in Tameside, Oldham Parish Church and Manchester Central Library among other sites in Greater Manchester.

The Trust is also campaigning to have the Spanish Civil War taught as part of the UK school curriculum.

Reflecting on Clem Beckett’s life, the author previously said: “He broke records galore and he was a mechanical genius, he was interested in motorbikes throughout his life.

The Oldham Times: Glodwick Lows, where Clem practised off-road on a homemade machine.Glodwick Lows, where Clem practised off-road on a homemade machine.

“Clem lived for motorbikes.

“When he was very successful he was living quite a high life as he was earning big money for the time compared to what he would have been if he had gone on to be a blacksmith.

“He was very well respected and politically committed.

“He stood up for speedway riders getting fair pay, even those who were nowhere near as good as him.”

The book is available to buy via Amazon and Waterstones among other stores.