Newsletter No 29 - VMCC - Isle of Man

Through the intervening years I would frequently see Stanley about during TT. In
1990 he was President of the TT Riders Association when we became acquainted
again through a donation I had sent him for the TTRA. His reply to my letter was
interesting and required an answer which I readily sent. By then his much loved
wife had died and his health was slowly beginning to decline, but he was fond of
letter writing and his interest in all aspects of motorcycling was as great as ever.
I enjoyed replying to his occasional notes, they were quite topical and he had a good
sense of humour. I had mentioned to him that I was “trying” to learn Manx Gaelic
but was finding it rather difficult. Stanley Woods himself could speak a smattering
of Irish Gaelic and as there is a similarity between both languages it was quite
interesting at time to interpret his Gaelic.. Sadly his eyesight deteriorated which was
a great shame as he had exceptionally good handwriting and a great Irish turn of
phrase.
Though he was in hospital I sent him a card now and again – hoping a kind nurse
would perhaps read it to him. Stanley Woods died in July 1992.
In 1990 all his Cups, Trophies, Medals etc., were on permanent display in the
Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Belfast – I assume they are still there.
I have a few notes and an autographed booklet, Stanley Woods, A Short Biography
by W.F.McCleery amongst my momentos. It was a privilege to have had a short
acquaintance with Stanley Woods, one of the greatest all time TT riders.
Dorothy Greenwood
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