MEMBERS of the Oxford Ixion Motorcycle Club spent much of their lives caked in mud.

But there were times when racing was forgotten and they went out in their best clothes to enjoy themselves.

One such occasion was the annual dinner and presentation evening – this picture was taken at the Forum Restaurant, in High Street, Oxford.

The picture comes from a collection belonging to Stan Braybrooke, of Morton Avenue, Kidlington, who joined the club in 1947 and is now a trustee.

As we have recalled, the club’s roots can be traced to the 1930s, when the Oxford Speedway Club was formed.

In 1937, the speedway fans decided to break away, leaving the motorcyclists to form their own club.

The Oxford Ixion Club was born when 19 people met at a garage owned by Mr C Cox at 38 Cowley Road.

No-one is sure why the word Ixion was favoured, although it was probably chosen to denote speed.

Ixion was the king of an ancient tribe who, according to Greek mythology, was bound to a wheel that was always spinning.

Over the years, the club has organised many competitive events, including grass track, trials, enduros and scrambles, and hosted British championships.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, it ran a series of scrambles at Shotover, which regularly attracted more than 20,000 spectators.

Star riders included the legendary Mike Hailwood, British scrambles champion John Avery and British motocross champion Craig Pratley.

The club also has a proud record of training motorcyclists to ride safely on and off road.

Apart from the annual dinner, the club had an extensive social programme, including treasure hunts, tramps’ suppers, seaside outings and tug of war and tub races Wytham against local cricket clubs.

Do you recognise yourself or anyone else in the picture?