Closed Tracks (where)

[norbold 7,135]

I saw SEVEN copies in an Oxford Street store this afternoon

Thanks Shadders, I wondered where they were.

 

The reason The History Press have given me for not reprinting the book in spite of neither them nor me having any left and in spite of dozens of requests which neither of us can fill is that there are still "a few" copies left in a couple of W H Smith's shops in London and until they are either sold or returned they can't make a decision on a reprint.

 

So, in the meantime, speedway supporters who have contacted us can't get hold of a copy unless you go to W H Smith's in Oxford Street.

 

By the way, DKRA, any news from Lewisham Council?

[DK Rides Again 4]

Thanks Shadders, I wondered where they were.

 

The reason The History Press have given me for not reprinting the book in spite of neither them nor me having any left and in spite of dozens of requests which neither of us can fill is that there are still "a few" copies left in a couple of W H Smith's shops in London and until they are either sold or returned they can't make a decision on a reprint.

 

So, in the meantime, speedway supporters who have contacted us can't get hold of a copy unless you go to W H Smith's in Oxford Street.

 

By the way, DKRA, any news from Lewisham Council?

 

Sorry Norbs, only just read this.

 

No news so far from my 'tame' councillor, not sure if she's too busy or just not all that interested.

 

You might be better off contacting them direct, but if I get anymore info in the meantime, I'll pass it on immediately, I would really like to see this event go ahead.

 

As others have said, there aren't too many places to put a permanent tribute; there is a concrete wall that could be used for a plaque, but it's within easy reach of anyone 5' 10" or above, so I don't suppose it would last long.

 

I like the idea of a dedicated bench, but again, it would probably need to be securely bolted down.

 

What you might be able to do is campaign to get the name of the area changed. That bit of grass is officially known as "Bridge House Meadows", presumably to commemorate a building that once stood near the canal bridge that is North of the green; as there's already a street name that recognises the bridge, maybe the council would consider a well put together argument that it should be called "Farndon Field" or "Frying Pan Green" or any other appropriate name.

 

Done the right way, I'm sure a good bit of local, if not National, publicity could be gained to get the snowball rolling; just a thought...............

 

[norbold 7,135]

Thanks for the suggestions, DK, I'll chase it up.

[cityrebel 2,960]

for any south london fans that want the new cross book they had four copies in the colliers wood branch of wh smith a couple of weeks ago.

[Jim Blanchard 19]

Thanks for the suggestions, DK, I'll chase it up.

 

 

Forget the bikes for now and the plaque, or bench if as likely they will take about 5 years before they are allowed officially, why do not just arrange to have a meeting there Norman of like minded enthusiasts, and get a press release out about it. As its a public place we would not be breaking any rules or laws either. I would like to go back again and just to stand there and let it all go back over the memories in my mind (it must be at least 20 years since). It would be really nice to chat to other like minded folks, and we could all end up in a local pub (if there is one of those left to ) and have a late lunch.....

 

Just a thought.

 

[Killer Cat from Mars 16]

I mentioned Belle Vue earlier in the thread - other Greater Manchester tracks include Droylsden (now a housing estate), Salford (now a casino), White City (now a retail park) and Audenshaw (now a housing estate which I live in - yeah - I actually live on the track!)

 

The sad thing about many of the above closures though, is that when Belle Vue lost Hyde Road in 1987, White City and Droylsden were still in existence - it's such a shame the Aces couldn't have moved to one of these - but I guess town and city planners prefer to turn their cities into an endless sprawl of housing estates and retail parks!!

 

[25yearfan 476]

Even bigger shame that the car auction site that replaced Hyde Rd is now derelict!

 

Any chance of a new stadium with a replica to the old track built there?

[Killer Cat from Mars 16]

There's always hope that the Aces will return to Hyde Road, but the derelict land is on a major arterial route into Manchester, and is only a mile or so from a motorway connection - in other words, worth a lot of money for business or housing! There are rumours of a consortium who are looking at buying the site to return it to it's original splendour, but nothing concrete. Perhaps if the credit crunch really bites, the consortium could get the land for cheap! As long as they are also unaffected of course!

 

[billbabylon 0]

CANTERBURY

 

Canterbury Crusaders disbanded in 1987 after Wally Mawdsley (Speedway) Promotions Ltd failed to get permission from Canterbury City Council for speedway to continue at the site. Wally Mawdsley turned instead to greyhound racing which continued at the stadium until 1999. It was also adopted, unofficially at first, as the site of Canterbury's Sunday boot fair.

 

Canterbury City Football Club continued to use the stadium for home games until the start of the 2001/2 season, when they too disbanded. The Council, always having an eye for the quick buck, transferred the boot fair to somewhere 'more suitable' and the stadium, never really in the best state of repair even in its heyday, rapidly fell into disrepair and was eventually bulldozed into oblivion.

 

There was much discussion and public debate about what should happen to the derelict site but, much to the non-surprise of residents (and especially former speedway-goers), planning permission was eventually granted for the erection of 184 houses and apartments. The developer, Berkeley Homes, named the new development 'Kingsbrook Park'. At the time of writing the building work is virtually complete.

 

Many fans, including myself, wrongly harbored suspicions that Wally Mawdsley had sold us out for a shot at promoting greyhound racing, which we somehow assumed must be more lucrative. It's doubtful that this was actually the case and all the documentation points to Mr Mawdsley having campaigned to keep speedway (a) in Canterbury, and ( at Kingsmead. You know how it is, when you lose something important in your life you have to find someone to blame. It won't mean much to him now of course because he died in February, but I'm sorry for all the negative thoughts we all had towards him for all those years. We got it wrong and nobody ever took much trouble to put us right.

 

Here's a few links, some interesting and some heartbreaking:

http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/kingsmead

http://www.kingsbrookpark.co.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1

http://www.british-speedway.co.uk/news.php?extend.2444.1

 

[Parsloes 1928 nearly 495]

The developer, Berkeley Homes, named the new development 'Kingsbrook Park'. At the time of writing the building work is virtually complete.

 

"Kingsbrook"..?? Why the idiot not Kingsmead..???!!!!

[falkirkbandit 89]

"Kingsbrook"..?? Why the idiot not Kingsmead..???!!!!

 

 

Thats what my asst manager said when i showed him this earlier today at work, he's from Canterbury originally and knows the area well, he remembers hearing the speedway but he never went.

 

[martinmauger 584]

Following on form my Hull post, whilst in West Hull on work-related business being a confirmed Track Anorak I made a bit of a detour and checked out the Boulevard, there was no-one about so I went inside walked and round. The old main, home straight stand has been completely demolished and there is nothing left of it. It seemed strange standing on the wall that the home straight fence was attached to and looking down on the sand dog track, where we cheered and waved to the riders as they came off the parade.

 

More has been demolished around the 1st turn area but the entry to the pits, 'Tucker's Tunnel' was still there though the pits area behind the terrracing has also gone. The old stadium looks much the same; the car park, Ian Thomas' floodlights on the bends, the terraces are overgrown with weeds and the re-built Threepenny Stand is still ok. In fact the place would still be great for speedway if they got rid of the dogs, rugby pitch or ideally both, LOL! But the entire stadium is due to come down in 2010 or so to enable the nearby school to be expanded.

 

In 2 years time, incredibly it will be 30 years since speedway was last staged there - where does the time go?...

[cityrebel 2,960]

Following on form my Hull post, whilst in West Hull on work-related business being a confirmed Track Anorak I made a bit of a detour and checked out the Boulevard, there was no-one about so I went inside walked and round. The old main, home straight stand has been completely demolished and there is nothing left of it. It seemed strange standing on the wall that the home straight fence was attached to and looking down on the sand dog track, where we cheered and waved to the riders as they came off the parade.

 

More has been demolished around the 1st turn area but the entry to the pits, 'Tucker's Tunnel' was still there though the pits area behind the terrracing has also gone. The old stadium looks much the same; the car park, Ian Thomas' floodlights on the bends, the terraces are overgrown with weeds and the re-built Threepenny Stand is still ok. In fact the place would still be great for speedway if they got rid of the dogs, rugby pitch or ideally both, LOL! But the entire stadium is due to come down in 2010 or so to enable the nearby school to be expanded.

 

In 2 years time, incredibly it will be 30 years since speedway was last staged there - where does the time go?...

i last went there on royal wedding day 1981 to see the dons get a 39-39 draw against the vikings thanks to a 5-1 in heat 13. one memory for me was all the street partys going on all around the stadium celebrating the big day.

[speedyguy 20]

i last went there on royal wedding day 1981 to see the dons get a 39-39 draw against the vikings thanks to a 5-1 in heat 13. one memory for me was all the street partys going on all around the stadium celebrating the big day.

 

 

The only Hull track I ever visited was the old Hedon Stadium about 1959 or 1960. I went there with the rider Pete Rogers (Wimbledon and Oxford junior) who was keen on trying to promote there. We went, we saw but never conquered...too much work needed, too little financial backing. My old pal Alf Webster was an original Hull rider in the 1940s. Before riding speedway, Alf was West Ham star Eric Chitty's mechanic.

[shazzybird 10]

Many fans, including myself, wrongly harbored suspicions that Wally Mawdsley had sold us out for a shot at promoting greyhound racing, which we somehow assumed must be more lucrative. It's doubtful that this was actually the case and all the documentation points to Mr Mawdsley having campaigned to keep speedway (a) in Canterbury, and ( at Kingsmead. You know how it is, when you lose something important in your life you have to find someone to blame. It won't mean much to him now of course because he died in February, but I'm sorry for all the negative thoughts we all had towards him for all those years. We got it wrong and nobody ever took much trouble to put us right.

 

You believe what you want to believe, Wally Mawdsley sold us down the river! If he had told Chris Galvin that he had to apply to the City Council for permission when he took over the promotion, we might still have a track locally (and don't go giving me the directions to Iwade at this point!!) All the documentation in the world can point to Wally campaigning to keep speedway in Canterbury and at Kingsmead but being there back then I know thats Bulls**t.

 

I am one Canterbury fan that will NEVER forgive Wally Mawdsley for what he did to speedway in Kent. My Grandad always said "Never speak ill of the dead" so at this point I will stop ranting before I do say something