norbold

As I have said on another thread, Stan Stevens was my hero at West Ham and now a good mate with whom to share happy speedway memories. As for VSM, I have subscribed for a number of years now and I do like the new look with the mix of old and not so old material. It is well produced. It has a team of excellent writers (with the exception of the turgid Bob Radford of course). It is so good to see Dave Lanning, Eric Linden and others still in full flow. Keep up the good work, tmc; I'm sorry I misserd you at the film evening. Hopefully we can catrch up at High Beech in February.

You didn't manage it last time! Ah! But don't forget there was unfortunately row 13 between the two groups so I couldn't quite reach to bash anyone who was misbehaving. Now Fd has got the two rows together I will be ready and waiting. I forgot all about Row 13. Now they were a noisy lot...

You didn't manage it last time!

Ditto

That's a coincidence, Norbold, that description could apply to the person who was sitting to my left It's almost as if we were sitting next to each other, Addy...

The person to my right was wonderful. Sane, sensible, witty, good conversation. Couldn't have asked for anyone better. The person to my left was - shall we say - a little excitable at times, especially when he felt the ref had made a wrong decision!

Yes, the Evening Standard also mentioned the site had once been a 'greyhound stadium'..... :-(

News in the Evening Standard tonight that Hackney Stadium is to become the site for a multi sports complex hosting handball, basketball, volleyball and paralympic events at the 2012 Olympic Games (assuming London wins the bid). The new 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium will be sited off Marshgate Lane in Stratford

Definitely two for me please, Fd.

Stan's a mate of mine. Lives fairly near me in Witham. He was a cycle speedway star in the mid 50s; rode for England. He started speedway at Rye House and was their discovery of the year in 1959. He stayed with Rye House for a couple of seasons, doubling up in the Provincial League for Rayleigh as part of their all-conquering title winning side in 1960. He moved on to New Cross in 1963 and then had several seasons with West Ham and was in and out the team throughout their revival period - 1964 - 1972. I think he was the only 'Hammer' also to ride as a 'Bomber'! As a West Ham supporter, Stan was my favourite rider. He was never a great star but was always a never-give-up trier. The sort of second string any team needs if they are to challenge for honours. I met him again in 2000 when I was doing research for my East Anglia book. He has always been very helpful and is happy to spend hours discussing the old days, other riders, Lokeren, the sport in general etc. etc. It just so happens there is an action photograph of him in West Ham colours on page 163 of Speedway in London.

Now, if only I'd been there and sold you a copy of Speedway in London, you could have read about it in there. By the way it's Lokeren! ;-)

Thanks for the report Sean. I'm glad it was a good evening. Were there many there? I was supposed to be there, but I caught Son of Norbold's viral infection and wasn't really well enough to go. Did you see my empty table? :-(

From what I remember of this year's Grand Prix, better Steve Turner than Full Throttle! No offence, FT, I'm sure you are a jolly decent chap, but with FT around who cares about the noise from air horns! ;-)

Can I have a seat next to Steve Turner please. I think I want at least two more for non-Forum members - if that's allowed - but they are colleagues from work. I wil confirm as soon as possible.

Phew! They don't make races like that any more. Are you sure that was Lofqvist? That's the first time I've ever seen him ride on the inside!

By the way, 'Hawkeye' was also at the Norwich do over the week-end. We had a good old reminisce.... and :-( at the same time.

I used to find it quite easily. Came out my house, turned left and just kept walking in a straight line. About 15 minutes later there it was. As far as I know that is still the case, but Planning Committees can change their minds - especially if a brand new Olympic Stadium is to be built nearby.

This discussion on Larry Ross is very interesting. I'm sure Montine Dons is very pleased she asked about Rudy Muts and now has all the information she needs. ;-)

Yes there was an article in the Evening Standard tonight. It said the Waterden Road site might still be used for alternative use as part of the Olympic bid or it might just be given over to housing or commercial development. It really does look like the end of the road for Hackney now. :-(

Of course. If only you'd said you were Team Man.....I'll have to add you to Forum Memebrs I have met. And another thing....If you let me have your e-mail address Team Man I can send you a photo you might find interesting..........

It's neater this way: 3 from GB, 3 from Australia, 3 from Sweden, 3 from Poland.

Sorry I missed you. I was the one trying to flog a few books!

I didn't meet him at Hoddesdon, it was at the VSRA Eastern Region dinner in Norwich. He was there with Kelvin Mullarkey. He's a very nice man too.

2004 INDIVIDUAL SPEEDWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX QUALIFIED RIDERS Riding N° Name Country 1 NICKI PEDERSEN DENMARK 2 JASON CRUMP AUSTRALIA 3 TONY RICKARDSSON SWEDEN 4 LEIGH ADAMS AUSTRALIA 5 GREG HANCOCK USA 6 TOMASZ GOLLOB POLAND 7 SCOTT NICHOLLS GREAT BRITAIN 8 RUNE HOLTA NORWAY 9 RYAN SULLIVAN AUSTRALIA 10 ANDREAS JONSSON SWEDEN 11 MARK LORAM GREAT BRITAIN 12 PIOTR PROTASIEWICZ POLAND 13 LUKAS DRYML CZECH REPUBLIC 14 MIKAEL MAX SWEDEN 15 BJARNE PEDERSEN DENMARK 16 LEE RICHARDSON GREAT BRITAIN 17 HANS ANDERSEN DENMARK 18 BOHUMIL BRHEL CZECH REPUBLIC 19 KAI LAUKKANEN FINLAND 20 ALES DRYML CZECH REPUBLIC 21 JESPER B. JENSEN DENMARK 22 JAROSLAW HAMPEL POLAND 23 WILD CARD 24 WILD CARD

Hi Shazzy. I met your uncle Ted at long last today. What a nice man. But he doesn't look anything like the slim youth of my photos of him in his riding days! Much more distinguished now...