Betty and Nancy Debenham: Difference between revisions
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== Writers == |
== Writers == |
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In 1928, the Debenhams published a book entitled ''Motor-Cycling for Women''. Based on their extensive experience, the slim book is part travel guide, part manual, and part shopping guide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McEwan |first1=Jo-Ann |title=REVIEW: Motor-Cycling for Women (1928) |url=https://invenusveritas.com/the-petrolettes-blog/2020/3/29/review-motor-cycling-for-women-1928 |website=In Venus Veritas |language=en-AU |date=29 March 2020}}</ref> |
In 1928, the Debenhams published a book entitled ''Motor-Cycling for Women''. Based on their extensive experience, the slim book is part travel guide, part manual, and part shopping guide.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McEwan |first1=Jo-Ann |title=REVIEW: Motor-Cycling for Women (1928) |url=https://invenusveritas.com/the-petrolettes-blog/2020/3/29/review-motor-cycling-for-women-1928 |website=In Venus Veritas |language=en-AU |date=29 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Youngs |first1=Tim |title=‘Take out your machine’: Narratives of Early Motorcycle Travel |journal=New Directions in Travel Writing Studies |date=2015 |pages=145–160 |doi=10.1057/9781137457257_10 |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137457257_10 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en}}</ref> |
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{{blockquote|Motor-cycling is an ideal hobby for the tired business girl. She can seek health and pleasure during her precious week-ends by exploring the countryside and the seaside. She can gather her violets and primroses from the woods instead of buying them in jaded twopenny bunches, and her whole week-end's holiday need only cost her the price of her return fare to Brighton.}} |
{{blockquote|Motor-cycling is an ideal hobby for the tired business girl. She can seek health and pleasure during her precious week-ends by exploring the countryside and the seaside. She can gather her violets and primroses from the woods instead of buying them in jaded twopenny bunches, and her whole week-end's holiday need only cost her the price of her return fare to Brighton.}} |
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Revision as of 14:45, 13 July 2023
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Betty and Nancy Debenham (born c. 1906[1]) were twin sisters, motorcyclists, and sports journalists in the United Kingdom. The sisters were heirs to the Debenhams department store fortune, and were both attached to the BSA works team.[2]
Motorcyclists
By 1923 the two were already well-known colourful figures,[3] sometimes working as stunt riders to promote motorcycle sales at events such as the Olympia Motor Show.[4] In 1924 Betty Debenham completed a 500 mile trial on a 1.25 horsepower motorcycle from London to York and back, and then to Brighton and back.[5]
By 1926 they had both become formidable racers, and were competing in events across the country. They competed in their first trials in February, winning gold (Betty) and silver (Nancy) cups.[6] Each earned a silver cup in August's London-to-Barnstaple trial, riding 2.25 horsepower BSA motorcycles.[7][8] A few weeks later, Nancy Debenham came out on top in a 200 mile reliability trial organized by the London Motor Cycling Club involving about 40 riders, mostly men.[9]
In 1929 the pair made a wager with racing driver Kaye Don that they could complete a 2,000 mile tour without spending any of their own money.[10] They set off south from London in February, but were forced to turn back due to snow.[10] Having already completed 600 miles in wintery conditions, and earned a few shillings helping stranded motorists, they headed north and encountered better weather.[10] They made more money by posing for photographs and writing about their journey, and at one point delivered a tyre for a local garage in exchange for petrol and oil.[10][11]
Writers
In 1928, the Debenhams published a book entitled Motor-Cycling for Women. Based on their extensive experience, the slim book is part travel guide, part manual, and part shopping guide.[12][13]
Motor-cycling is an ideal hobby for the tired business girl. She can seek health and pleasure during her precious week-ends by exploring the countryside and the seaside. She can gather her violets and primroses from the woods instead of buying them in jaded twopenny bunches, and her whole week-end's holiday need only cost her the price of her return fare to Brighton.
Later life
Betty Debenham went on to become a golf writer for the Daily Sketch[14] and, in 1938, was a founding member of the Association of Golf Writers.[15]
References
- ^ "Sports". The Fresno Morning Republican. 31 August 1926. p. 14. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
...Nancy Debenham, a girl still in her teens...
- ^ "Wheels of Glory". Western Daily Press. 26 February 1994. p. 37. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "—". The Brooklyn Standard Union. 2 December 1923. p. 34. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
Schoolchildren are always on the lookout for Miss Nancy Debenham, who gives the youngsters of her district a treat by carrying a whole load of them to school in the morning.
- ^ "Exhibiting new cycles: Model home on wheels". Birmingham Gazette. 16 Oct 1923. p. 10. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Girl's splendid motor cycle runs". Daily Mail. 14 March 1924. p. 9. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Motor-cycling twins". Sunday Pictorial. London. 21 February 1926. p. 2. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "Twin Sisters' Fine Ride". Sunday Pictorial. 1 August 1926. p. 23. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Brilliant Girl Riders". Daily Mirror. 2 August 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "Champion Test Rider". The Daily News Leader. Associated Press. 9 September 1926. p. 4. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Girls' 2000-mile motor cycle tour". Birmingham Gazette. 20 Feb 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ "2000 mile venture". Citizen. Gloucester. 14 February 1929. p. 6. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ McEwan, Jo-Ann (29 March 2020). "REVIEW: Motor-Cycling for Women (1928)". In Venus Veritas.
- ^ Youngs, Tim (2015). "'Take out your machine': Narratives of Early Motorcycle Travel". New Directions in Travel Writing Studies. Palgrave Macmillan UK: 145–160. doi:10.1057/9781137457257_10.
- ^ Wright, Ben (1 May 2005). Good Bounces and Bad Lies. University of Nebraska Press. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-8032-9854-5.
- ^ "Betty Debenham – AGW Member (1938 – ?)". Association of Golf Writers. Retrieved 12 July 2023.