I am 56 now and have been riding now for 49 years. This is the general club
cycling story of the Ephgraves. Les and Lou Ephgrave twin brothers who
learnt their fame building skills at Claud Butlers. After leaving Butler's
they started their own frame business in Avely Road, Clapton East London.
The building they used was called the Avely works which was a very basic
structure, basically a building on stilts over a railway line.
Lou is supposed to have died in tragic circumstances from exposure and I
believe pleurisy. When the Avely Works building was condemned Les moved
around the corner to work out of a lock-up garage. He displayed his
beautiful frames in an empty family butchers close by. This was supposed to
have been a wonderful site with his superb workmanship displayed in the
window and highlighted by the spotlessly white butchers tiles. Towards the
end of his life he was making car exhaust systems and badge bars etc. for
the motor trade.
I believe he committed suicide by shooting himself in the head apparenyly
never ever getting over his brothers death.
Sources general cycling club chit chat. Rory & Phyllis O'Brien friends of
Les and fellow cycling shop owners. Incidentally all of Rory's better frames
were made by Les Ephgrave. Len Phipps master lug cutter. Tom Board master
London frame builder and Gillott's shop.
I am sure the Ephgraves were Jewish. This community has done so much for
Cycling Maurice Selbach, Alf and Hymie Hetchins all wonderful bicycle
makers.
Best wishes and be lucky. Michael Butler Huntingdon UK.