OK, I’m asking again. This is still killing me…
Way back at the start of this blog adventure, one of the local history queries I had was about a legendary streaking incident in Brownhills in the mid-1970’s at the height of the streaking craze. At that time, all kinds of streaking incidents were occurring, bewildering and amusing sports audiences and public gatherings alike. The craze, if legend is to be believed, even came to Brownhills.
I’ve talked to several folk about this over the years, who swear it happened. I wasn’t there, and didn’t see it, and the two people I know who knew most about it have now, regrettably, passed on. I don’t necessarily want to know who the guy is or was, but it would be nice to know the detail if possible. Obviously, if you were that man and are happy to share, you’d be welcome. When I originally asked for details, way back in 2009, I didn’t have the audience I do now, and so I feel it’s worth asking again, and this is one of the few longstanding queries on here never to have had a single bite, as it were.
I know the following about the incident. These are not facts, but statements related to me.
- A man was bet serious money (£50 I think) to streak the length of Brownhills High Street, in the mid ’70s.
- It was mid-summer and midweek, possibly a Wednesday morning.
- The man is believed to have been a truck driver, possibly working for Taylors Transport.
- Sammy Taylor himself may have put up the money.
- Whoever he worked for, the plot originated at Edward Rose on the Pelsall Road (Taylors were a transport company that operated deliveries from there).
- It is suggested that two fellow drivers blocked the top and bottom of the High Street off with their wagons to prevent the police from nicking their workmate.
- He jumped out of a cab at the Station Hotel end of the street, and ran, stark naked apart from boots and socks, to Silver Court.
- It is rumoured that the gentleman had nothing to be ashamed of, and indeed, could be regarded as rather fortunate.
- At Silver Court, it is said he doubled back down Silver Street and hid behind a wall where it was arranged someone would collect him.
- They left him there for some hours as a wind-up.
- This is said to have made the local papers.
I know about a lad in Queen Mary’s School For Boys who streaked through an assembly in 1974 for a bet, to general amusement. It wasn’t him.
Can anyone help with this? Rumour, legend, anything at all. If anyone rom the Local History Centre is reading this, is there any way of finding out?
If you have anything at all, comment here or BrownhillsBob at Googlemail dot com – I’d be really, really grateful. Cheers.
