IAN2

Interesting to note that Barry Briggs has become a Vice President of the museum,can I ask what has happened to the Donnington Park Speedway Museum exhibits and will at least some of them be on show at our new National Museum. I have got a vested interest having sent a plaque to the memory of Johnnie S. Hoskins to the Museum at Donnington after Canterbury closed in 1987, a collection was made by the Supporters Club at Kingsmead with the the expressed wish that it should be displayed in Canterbury Cathedral, when this was refused the Donnington Park Museum was the next best alternative and the curator was only to pleased to accept it. I would very much like to see the plaque installed again in our new Museum for all to see and if Barry is now onboard perhaps it will be possible.

Contact information for Ray Crossley required for a new publication on the history of Iwade. Last known to be living in the Maidstone area of Kent, Ray is the son of the late Lionel well known at the training circuit for his timekeeping skills and pipe and for writing the history of Crystal Palace Speedway.

Thankyou for the reply Norman but if you still intend going back to High Beech in 2010 and in alternate years to come, is their not room for both events each year, even if no dealers stalls are at the Kings Oak Hotel. I'm sorry but the High Beech anniversary means a lot to me and have attended for many years as to me it is the traditional start of the new season on Hallowed ground that cannot alter over time. Yes I support the Museum wholeheartedly, was very supportive of George and Linda Barclay and have donated all of my local tracks Supporters Club trophies [ Canterbury] held by myself to be seen by all. But I still do not see how you can amalgamate the two events into one.

Well said Derek, but will wait for a satisfactory explination before getting annoyed.

Can the Museum Committee explain why this move has come about as High Beech is a unique venue steeped in history and free to attend on the nearest Sunday to February 19th.

Gone off the thread a bit but I for one certainly do tell Canterbury City Council at every opertunity about what they have lost without the Speedway. Yes a new stadium is on the ' long term agenda' and yes Speedway was high on a fairly recent survey of sports Residents would like to see return. How many City's can anybody name without a stadium to its name?

Sorry you feel that way Shazzy, but its all we have got at the present time. I am commited to the track because its the closest I am going to get to what I really want and that is Premier League standard racing in Kent once again. Call me old fashioned but no matter how many times I go and watch Eastbourne and that is a fair amount, they are the old enemy and could never support them in a million years, its just a geographical thing. Sittingbourne or Iwade as it will never lose the training track image will sadly never progress a lot more than it is at present and as everybody rides the circuit no home advarntage is possible. We only survive through generous help from Sponsors and well wishers giving their time for free, so at the moment I am happy to keep the flame flickering in the hope of a brighter future.

Could not agree with you more Shazzy, I blame it all on that prize prat Tony Millard at Eastbourne, He started it all off trying to turn Mark Loram, pronounced Lorum into some sort of Stateside Yank like Kelly Moran. If their is one thing that Kelvin Tatum can get 100% right its Marks name and I wish He would correct that Mil-Lard twit live on Sky.

Like to see that videoShazzy, going dewy eyed at the thought! Raven has been in touch and his computor has crashed at the moment, but he is on the case of the 'lost' cine film footage. Who scored 10 on his debut for the Crusaders,I'm useless at stats so I will take a flying guess at Dave Johnson?

Hoped you might have some idea Kevin but never mind, how about you Raven,seem to have gone a bit to quite lately.

Question, Does anybody out their remember the bloke in the stand who used to film meetings on a cine-camera. I know it was many years ago before Steve Girdwood and re-run videos but would be very interested to trace him and hopefully that historic film he took if he's still got it. A lot of old supporters remember him but I've yet to find anybody who knows his name or whereabouts.

Just in case you thought I had gone to sleep the answer is Faversham Town Football Club,have Fans rearly got that shorter memory :roll:

18th May 1968, Canterburys first meeting, I was 9 when my late Dad took me along to see this sensational new sport in the area. totally hooked ever since and all I can remember of the day is the huge crowd more than I had ever seen and the dust.

Superb site,still bringing back such happy memories and a tear to the eye. looks like the work of local motor sports photographer Kerry Dunlop. Thanks for sharing the memories and where has Shazzybird got to ?

As a Canterbury fan I have to go out of Kent to see any League racing at all, make do with being on the track staff at Arena Essex as that is the only place to see the racing from the inside,but I'm no Arena fan and go just to keep my interest up. My real ambition is to see Sittingbourne ( Iwade ) overcome all its problems with the local Council,residents and Terry Russell to establish itself once and forall as a Conference League track with a future.

Spotted that one Mr T and that is going too far! Nice one Steve Hone,then and now photes are very thought provoking and I found it all too much when I looked in at the remains of the stadium last year on the anniversary of the grand opening in May '68, very happy memories,sadly it seems never to return. :-(

Nice one Norbold, the Kentish Gazette was always very pro-speedway and do print a memory lane column in their sports section.The crusaders often get a mention in this and have told them in the past that I would tip them off if anything concrete was about to happen. They certainly did their bit to help save the sport in 1987 and can remember doing a long interview with them including a photo shoot at my house,all sadly to no avail. This could be just the spark we need !

I have the answer here on very good authority and my informer says there is no doubt who they are : Graham Banks & Graeme Stapleton :roll: Helps to have friends who view the forum from a distance Thanks for your answer,still can't find the programme,who is your informer :?: Is it Dad :?: Have got your message ok, will sort it out as soon as I can

One of my all time favorite stickers that one about 'them down their' looked good in black as well,those were the days :twisted:

Neck on the line time - I reckon gate 4 is Graham Banks but I'm unsure about gate 2 too. I stand to be corrected on Banksie though. Yes fully agree with dear old Graham Banks on gate 4 but gate 2 help anybody please :?:

Question, Who are the 2 Crusaders featured in the programme for the 75th Anniversary of British Speedway at Rye House? I think gate 4 is pretty easy,but gate 2 is a bit of a problem,any ideas? Have not looked out the old programme yet so still guessing myself. :roll:

I make it one more letter than you Ian2, but the last one was an "e" which didn't look quite right when written down anyway. I hope that hasn't given too much away. You've even got me thinking now Kevin,the memory is failing me,but I am pretty certain it is without the 'E'. Shazzybird,if your Dad has forgotton S----, plus or minus -, He wants shooting!

He was always well turned out,just realised that sounds like I'm creeping as the Vic Harding meet gets closer,beginning to wonder if we are in for more action off track than on! :roll:

Did nobody take note of the number of '-' I put after the S, that was a bit of a clue,but it is very unusual and have never seen it before or since,would like to know the story behind it!

Well I know Kevin as I was at his funeral in Herne Bay and his resting place at Reculver in Kent,but I did not know until that sad day. I was Secretary of the Canterbury Speedway Supporters Club,now defunct and felt it my duty to be present.It was not until the coffin was lowered into the ground that I spotted S---- on the brass plate and solved a great mystery to me,but I won't give the game away as its a good question!