Dave Stummings

In 2005 like so many speedway fans, put a few quid into the Speedway Museum fund being organised by George & Linda Barclay. Their goal to raise £50k or there abouts to build a permanent Speedway Museum, within the grounds of Paradise Wildlife Park. With a great deal of hard work, which I don’t think has ever been appreciated, they succeeded and the Speedway Museum opened and a massive amount of speedway memorabilia was donated on loan to the museum. I believe they became a charity, tried unsuccessfully to get a Lottery grant and without knowing all the politics the Barclays left and a committee –unelected, just the glory hunters- were left to run the museum. I have to say when George & Linda stepped aside the museum just didn’t seem the same and it still doesn’t, but I believe it was always there intention only to raise the capital. Now I am hearing the whole Speedway Museum is being run by Paradise Wildlife Park, which may I say is not a bad thing, I have a lot of respect for Pete Sampson but I do have a few issues. I was on the understanding this would always be run separate from PWP, which I still believe it should be. I donated some hard earned £’s in 2005 because I thought it was going to be separate concern. What happens to all the speedway memorabilia does it become part of PWP and not the people who loaned it? If they want to raise money to extend the museum, which I understand they do, surely this should come from within PWP or do they want donations again? I personally feel a little disappointed that the Speedway Museum has had to go down this road, maybe it is for the best, maybe my facts are incorrect. I would ask the moderators to leave this on the general board until such times you think it should go onto the Speedway Museum board

Well I have to say I do not recall a Miss Terry at Hackney. There was a Mark Terry in 1984, and we had a couple of lady speedway riders in the late eighties and early nineties doing second halves at Hackney and riding for the Earlybird Hawks. We had Maxine Hill and probably the greatest female speedway rider everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr in the world and that was Katie Mason, wooooo hoooooo !

Great to here Colin is back in the UK. Although nothing to do with Hackney reunion there is a great bit on Colin on the hackney reunion website. www.hackneyreunion.com.

BRING IT ON! THIS YEAR PAUL? IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PUBLISHING OF LENS AUTOBIOGRAPHY PERHAPS?

Hackney, what a place. One of the best nights was Tadpoles & Fenn’s reunion. Awesome night! The old stadium! What a place! The track, second to none, sorry TMC disagree about Belle Vue, Hackney was a far better track. Surprised Mr Tadpole has not been on here. I do understand that Len Silver’s autobiography is due out later this year, what about a reunion launch Tadpole?

craig.herbert@tiscali.co.uk

I am aware this should be under another heading but mod’s I feel it is important it stays so as many people as possible see this. I hope I am not saying something that has already been posted. The dates for the German GP have changed. It is now a week later, the 13th October 2007. I know loads of people have to book holidays and hence the reason I feel the importance of this item being under general speedway. This also means the Czech Golden helmet dates have changed. It will now be the week before, the 6th October, not the 13th. Mod Note :- The sections are there for a reason. Post moved to correct section Anyone could claim it was 'important as many people as possible' saw one of their posts. people looking for GP info look in the GP section

Edinburgh point blankly refuse to hold a collection because it does not benefit them.

Agreed. However a big thank-you should also go to Edinburgh, the only club who refused to allow a collection. Shame on you Edinburgh!

What a shock! Life is indeed short, we all should live every day as if it’s our last! Toni Kasper was one of my Hackney idols, I only wish I could have told him that, face to face. Toni you made a lot of Hackney fans very happy. What a shame Zenon Plech and Toni Kasper where not in the same Hackney team together. There are some pictures of Toni Kasper on www.hackneyreunion.com Condolences to Antonin Senior and of course to family and friends of one time Hackney Hero Toni Kasper, RIP

With Reading holding this years World team Cup will the back straight stand be open? I heard the reason for it being shut was because it had a roof and no stepped terracing. Our old friends at H & S refused them permission to open it. Arena have a similar stand complete with roof with no stepped terracing but they are allowed to have members of the paying public standing in there, so why not at Reading? I must admit for such a prestigious meeting as this, if the back straight stand is not open should the meeting actually be held there!

Well, just picked up my new Backtrack, and the article and pics are fantastic. That event will live with me forever and to have such a good write up in the Backtack mag and on the reunion website fantastic! Well done to all concerned from a very happy old Hackney supporter!

Tony will you be covering the Hackney reunion in your next issue?

General discussion board has that Bo Petersen is coming to the reunion, fan bloody tastic!

For those who want a quick answer, the Hackney website says Dave Morton will be at the Hackney re-union later this year, yippieeeeeee. Sorry rather a sad man whose excitement gets the better of him at the thought of meeting up with guys I still idolise!

Fantastic............ I cannot wait. This by the sounds of it is going to be one hell of a bash! What price are the tickets going to be, and where can I get them from?

I no it's been christmas and all that, but any news yet on riders and a date yet? Really excited by the whole two day's and want to put the dates in my diary asap!

Quote "Just make sure Tadpole that the reunion is NOT scheduled prior to Feb 3rd" Like I said in a previous posting your not even allowed a re-union out of season, unless the BSPA give it there full blessing, ie a couple of quid in someones pocket!

Funny how reading through this thread has bought back memories that had been locked away in the back of my mind for many, many years. There are of course several people who will say nothing new there then, I know! The one in particular memory that has sprung to my mind, like that spring in the Magic Roundabout, saying time for bed! Talking of roundabout’s how’s Chris Golding? I digress on this occasion. Oh dear I think the funny pills are working overtime! Back to the point in question, NEWS FLASH! Just listening to RTE radio on line. Irelands worst plane disaster struck today when a two- seater plane crashed into a cemetery. Irish rescue workers have recovered 828 bodies, digging continues, oh dear! Anyway like the man was saying the memory that has got jogged today was the twenty-four hour darts marathon I think in aid of the Barry Thomas XX Testimonial Fund. Was quite a night and day in the Vic Harding Lounge where the marathon took place. Hopefully a load more memories will come flying back when once again we will hear the sound of the Magnificent Seven theme music on a Friday at Eight! However, especially Coventry, beware of imitations!

Re-union what a great idea. Count me in for two people! Will speak to other people I know at the weekend meeting at Brighton on Sunday. There are lot's of people I no that do not to speedway anymore, I am sure they would be interested! Good Luck and see you there! Just a thought, do you have to get permission from the BSPA to hold a re-union???????