Cycling and Mopeds 30 July, 1958

All hail the Empire Games as England tops medal table

In 1958 the Empire Games came to Wales and it seems the locals were thrilled to host all the countries of the Commonwealth. “The Welsh are very proud of Wales and the welcome they gave the rest of Britain and the Commonwealth was something unforgettable,” writes editor H H England. “During training for the road race the greatest hazard on the Ogmore commons was the straying sheep. On race day the farmers penned all their animals!”

Sheep and cows on or near the road are a regular feature of Tour of Britain video montages, now largely kept at bay by the vehicles travelling ahead of the race so the farmers don’t need to round them all up.