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Encouraging to see both Connor and danyon score some good points tonight in NL challenge - 12 from 5 and 10 from 4 rides respectively, should be a good confidence boost for them to get the season going!

To mark the start of the new season ITV News Anglia have done a feature with Len Read who celebrated his 100th birthday in January. There are links to a little taster below feel free to share it. The full piece will be on our 6pm programme tonight. https://twitter.com/itvanglia/status/979279219070062593 https://www.facebook.com/itvanglia/videos/2308155269198544 Cheers David Golley ITV News Anglia

Credit to the track staff for getting it on, looked bleak when we got in and it started raining again but after a tentative first couple of heats which cleared some of the surface water it held up pretty well. Promising for the Brummies, Davey's hot start for Swindon looks like no fluke and he was absolutely miles ahead of everyone, reminded me very much of Adam Ellis at #1 for us and Eastbourne a couple of years back, wouldn't shock me at all if he's got the highest average in the league come the end of the season. And he's going to be backed up very well by Danyon Hume who was also flying, he'll make an absolute mockery of his starting average if he stays fit. There's going to be some very good heat 13's (when Mitchell gets to #1) and 15's for us with those two. Bacon looked good too, had most of his success at #4 last year and not as a heat leader but hopefully with a couple of big hitters above him this year it'll take the pressure off a bit, hard to see a better HL trio in the league even at this early stage. Flint is definitely the real deal, going to be very exciting watching his progress this season. Cupitt looked like the rider from the first half of last season not the second, and 10 points from number 2 is very encouraging. Good to see them both get the outing in heat 15 whilst the rules allowed it. Walker a little disappointing, but plenty of leeway given for the tricky conditions and it being his debut, as long as he can chip in with 5 or 6 at home from that position then that'll be fine, and he'll probably end up at reserve once Flint's average goes up which will let him rack up a few more. Butcher unsurprisingly well off the pace (led Halder for a lap though) but that was all expected and we just need him to stay on his bike and pick up the pieces if anyone comes off, which he did to get his second place. Coventry were disappointing, Mountain will be a reliable high scorer, and Halder rode well, much like I expected him to when he guested for us last season and flattered to deceive. Armstrong and Harris the biggest disappointments though, Armstrong well off the pace and Harris has impressed me around PB before, so surprised for him to get 0 from 3 rides before winning a relatively low calibre heat 14. Not many Bees fans, not a fantastic turnout of Brummies either, not massively surprising with the weather I guess but hopefully now people have seen the Mason's will do everything to get the meeting on then it might encourage people to chance it a bit more in the future.

Owners haven't changed as I understand. Downers Management(I think that's what they were called), the consortium that Mike Bowden, Per-Axel Warensjo and Steve Park are a part of, still own the club with Terry. It's just those with a day to day involvement that have changed around from what I can see, and this happened last season.

People aren't daft, they know why the happenings of winter 2010/11 occurred. Ford was made to look very silly on national TV in the Grand Final and by fair means or foul wasn't going to let it happen again. The guy is like a mafia boss, he runs everything from the shadows.

A little early in the season for a fishing trip surely.

Spoke to Colin at Birmingham tonight and he confirmed that it is indeed his older brother Terry and that they rode together in a pairs meeting.

Daniel just put it all to one side and give it another try you are obviously still are passionate about your speedway and the sport needs supporters like you.The sport pi..... me off like hell at times but i have to go habit i suppose but i see a few good races and i suddenly forget all the other crap just give it another go.!!!

The winter of discontent was caused by MF falling out of his pram after losing to Coventry and then seeking vengeance and retribution..

Should be targeting a win here. Lakeside have picked up a point so we must be looking for 3. Can’t see us getting anything at Lakeside so if we’re going to win the group, we need a point minimum. Agree with Taps though, even though I believe we’re a much better side, never confident of anything at the Showground. Such a difficult place to go and very home friendly.

That's giving him too much credit.

The stadium supporting 62 jobs and bringing £3.1m to the local economy seems wildly optimistic. Does anyone have a link to the actual report? It does appear to be good news though and reading between the lines the council seem to be lining themselves up to take over the stadium.

Yes, a nice idea of Jo, we will try to make it a yearly thing, thankfully the ward wasn't full and the nurses sent a lovely little thank you card awwww

Just seen on Facebook Trees that you guys have been to the QE2 hospital with both Lewis' and Kasper giving away Easter eggs in the children's ward, fantastic stuff and well done to all involved.

Definitely , but as i stated , he's earned this opportunity to test himself against the best, Wish there were more British riders with Cookies attitude

You obviously are not aware of the new drainage installed over the winter then by the Town Mayor and his team at the OTA! I reckon if the practice was this evening on track it would have happened but typically this year they change it to the afternoon and the weather still wins. Track looked pretty good this evening at 7pm.

Don't let the barstewards get ya down, as someone shouted out to Shane Parker once lol Let's just try to think positive people, you can do it if you try really hard arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Think the Championship promoters can be blamed fairly and squarely for our Weds race night #should'vebeenThursday!!

AS MAGNUS SAYS , SPREAD THE WORD. good to see it is also comets season ticket holders as well . taylorj will be well chuffed . so bring yer cash and a hot water bottle , i am . CANT WAIT . edit 29/3/2018. so looks like Jordan Stewart will miss the Cumberland open due to the good OLD FASHIONED postal service . in todays modern era , why o why cant they use other methods . cost cutting by British speedway once again . maybe we can get Richard Hall in as a replacement ? what a shame for laura and co. they put together a bunch of great riders . G.P.O. eat my crud .

He said luminary not loony.

Indeed it is but did you ever visit Harringay, perhaps your subliminal memory was also sending you messages. I was also just thinking about the journey those Belle Vue riders will have undertaken that day, assuming they were mostly northern based it must have meant a hell of a drive, pre motorways etc, no doubt they would all travel home following the meeting too, that's a long day for the cause. There is a scarf wearing Aces supporter in the picture too, again that would have been quite a commitment. As they say, every picture tells a story.

Exactly, he is part of a squad. He will ride when available. I'm all for giving the club and its riders a kicking if they deserve it on the back of something that's actually happened, but moaning like some have on here today is embarrassing.

Better Amendment served no purpose. It didnt save time and didnt add anything to the meeting

Aye, but you cannot blame the fan for poor management, and you cannot blame the fan when poor management depletes the entertainment. I still think if Scott had continued in the way he said he would, there was a possibility of success, it does appear however that recent history has reappeared, and it does make you ask the question 'who is pulling the strings'

When I saw the title of the thread I feared Philip Rising had fallen on hard times.

Unfortunately the inclement weather has delayed any progress these last 5 years.