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I am Sandra McPherson nee Jones the daughter of the late Billy Jones (William Edward Jones), his father (my grandfather also had the same name) My grandfather was the builder of the Billy Jones racing bicycle, he built them for my dad, so he could win his races, which I believe he did.... My grandfather also had made and started the Billy Jones trophy which I believe is still going?? Both my grandfather and father have unfortunately have passed away.

            My mum is still alive at 87, so she will probably remember more than me, as I was only a baby in his racing days. I will try and dig out some pictures and send to you..

            My Grandfather had a bicycle shop, known as Billy Jones Cycles, at Slade Rd, Erdington, a few names I can remember were Tommy Godwin, who was my godfather, I believe he wrote a book called “It’s not easy”, he was still alive at 90ish?  also Bob Maitland, Norman Baker (Tickes) who was my father’s racing buddy, Ernie Clements, Reg Harris and Johnny Dennis…

            My Father went to the Helsinki Olympic games in 1952, but I believe he crashed over there in the trials and did not complete his event. Not sure of the details. I was only a year old then.

            We all came to Australia to live permanently in 1965, but I believe he came out to race in Melbourne sometime in the 50’s, but his bikes never made it so he was unable to race then.

            I would love to hear from you.

            Kindest Regards Sandra

Hello Glyn, welcome!

Can't help with the Billy Jones frame, but it appears there's still a Billy Jones Memorial Trophy run in Dudley each year as a 10 mile endurance track race:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/track/article/20150610-track-Refurbish...

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/1104/Dudley-Grand-Prix-...

Perhaps someone at the Halesowen Athletics and Cycling Club there could help you:

http://www.halesowencycling.net/ ?

Hello, welcome.

I haven't heard the name, and suspect that Billy Jones would have been a local frame builder around that time, so wouldn't expect masses of information, but a quick search found...

1. Somebody who had a Billy Jones frame for sale in 2011:

Quote:

I do not know anything about the builder, Billy Jones, but this is a well constructed pure track frame from the late 50s or 1960s.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/197082/ 

2. Mention of the "prestigious Billy Jones trophy" in the history of  Maryland Wheelers (I was starting to think you were chasing an exotic US import until I realised the Maryland in question was in Belfast).

Quote:

ALBERT EWART

In 1952 he held the club record for a 25 with a time of 59mins 1 sec. Albert was an Irish International before moving permanently to Manchester in 1953 to join Manchester Wheelers, although still remaining a 'second-claim' member of Maryland, in 1956 was crowned 'sprint champion of Manchester' and was recognised as one of the top echelon of the riders at the Reg Harris stadium, while with Maryland he had been Irish champion at various distances. His titles included the 1955 Irish 1 mile grass champion and he was Irish track champion runner-up that year. In 1955 he regained the prestigious Billy Jones trophy in the 10 mile scratch race in Halesowen, a trophy he first won in 1952.

http://www.marylandwheelers.com/a-history-of-maryland-wheelers.php 

Searching for the Billy Jones trophy, I found it mentioned on and the Halesowen CC website:

Quote:

Our most prestigious and long-standing event is this international track meeting run each July, featuring a round of the national hard track endurance league – over 20km for the coveted Billy Jones Trophy - and a round of the national women’s omnium league as well as a wide range of support events.

http://www.halesowencycling.net/#!halesowen-gp/cwqj 

So, we have a trophy for an event based in the West Midlands with the same name on it as the bike you got from a guy/shop in Birmingham. It may be worth your while emailing somebody at the Halesowen club and asking about who the Billy Jones the trophy is named after and whether they know if he became a frame builder.

Good luck!