Bryn

Lunchtime weather update: I'm in a state of shock for, here at the track I can report that it's sunny, the sky is blue and it's pretty WARM!

Spain is not the sort of place I would choose for a holiday destination nowadays John, did all that in my youth plus Tenerife! Obviously the Spanish Rhonda region, given its apparent beauty and charm was named after God's own part of South Wales!

Quick question Mr Hyam sir - where's the Rhonda region? Do you, perchance, mean the RHONDDA region in South Wales where many famous people have begun life? Plus me!

Have you never bothered to get Russell's phone number then John?

From memory (and at MY age, IOW, Poole, Swindon & Arena this week and this time in the morn you'll realise that said memory is not THAT great Parsnips old fruit!) I seem to remember Kerry was an Aussie who tried his luck over here. Bryn

Johno's testi's gonna be great - especially if you lot bring Bundy Sedgy! Same thing applies to a certain 'speedway dad' - I take it that he's coming too? As for the Aussie title, will certainly be interestin to see what happens now IF DP has said "no way Jose!" when it comes to Gilly!

Having seen and spoken to Russell on Sunday when he rode in the STRA meeting at King's Lynn, I can tell everyone that he's now back in Spain and he tells me that the project is NOT dead but much depends on the outcome of various meetings which, apparently, are taking place today.

Cold? In King's Lynn AJH??? You jest surely???

I think it possible that he said that because he thought you might propose to him otherwise! :lol:

Sam most certainly can Parsnips - mum hails from Canterbury.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it on Sunday as to do so would involve me getting the 6.59am train from my local station to (IF the trains run on time!) try to ensure arriving at the Hayley Stadium before 1pm! Seats on the trins back to Paddington are somewhat scarce too because of all the French rugby fans returning after getting walloped by the Boyos. I'm somewhat gutted but really hope all goes well for Nick, Bryn

All I can say Ozyace is for those who haven't met ya yet...... they're in for an experience! Looking forward to seeing ya and I better start training NOW!!!!

Perhaps Parsnips old fruit, Terry didn't say anything at that final meeting of 1983 because nothing was set in stone at that point both in terms of the future of Crayford Stadium, and thus racing there, and indeed the intentions of the then Hackney promotion in terms of 1984? However I take it you heard what he, and I together with the CSSC Committee had to say at the meeting of Crayford supporters held on December 15th 1983? Note: Don't believe for a moment that I could have researched that info I've just given you about the meeting held for Crayford fans - but I "know a man who can" - and DID!

Crayford Kestrels fans will be sad to learn of the recent passing of Pete Bussey at the age of 78. Pete, employed by the stadium as the electician I think I'm right in saying although my memory may be playing tricks, was an avid fan of the speedway and did much behind the scenes to assist the speedway club. My condolences to his widow Chris, his family and friends. R.I.P. Pete

Doesn't Steve pay for drinks????

Yes indeed sad news indeed - RIP CJH.

Re Canterbury.... And it did Chris G (rest his soul!) too KevH as I and my ex-missus can categorically confirm considering his state when we took him in to give him shelter for a considerable period in the name of sincere friendship. And re Hackney... Money!

Okay folks - WHO is going to be there this Sunday? Having been stuck within these four walls since escaping from my second stint in hospital, apart from a return trip there to have the stitches out of my now (hopefully!) NOT gammy foot, I really can't wait! Just hope it doesn't ruddy well snow on Saturday night otherwise negotiating the 30 yard or so slope from my front door to the pavement when my lift arrives WILL be fun!!! So, who else is gonna be there apart from myself, Les & Dick of the Canterbury Branch of the Monarchs Supporters Club and my mate, who's bigger than BFD, BFC alias Big Fat Chris?

Well in that case Shazzy, all I can say is that you are a better man (or in your case woman!) than I am Gunga Din! Can you honestly remember it word for word though? Or just Chris saying words to the effect that "I've tried but that's it!" ????

YOU brought the subject up 25 years on - weren't you expecting a response then? And having just re-read your original posting that prompted all this, I must say I'm tremendously impressed that, nigh on 25 years on, you can STILL remember what Terry Russell said on the centre green mic at Crayford's last meeting - blowed if I can! But just HOW were we supposed to tell you "ordinary punters" given lines of communication that existed a quarter of a century ago? I cannot be certain but I feel fairly sure that we DID call and hold a meeting of the Crayford Supporters Club members to explain what was happening. Invitations would, of course, had have to been posted out to members in those days. Maybe we do, maybe we don't "fail to recognise etc" BUT with lines of communications such as they are nowadays getting information to supporters is a doddle compared to 1983 and I fail to see why in any event that anyone who attends Speedway (Including the likes of you and I Parsnips!) SHOULD be "privy to a level of knowledge about the various machinations around the sport." Some they / you & I SHOULD BE, some we shouldn't and I know of NO business where it's customers, or indeed all of it's employees know EVERYTHING about the business - even Housing Associations! Assuming you have members of staff working under your direction, can you honestly say you tell ALL of them EVERYTHING???? Maybe the percentage you refer to IS higher, maybe it isn't - who knows! And let's be perfectly honest here and ignoring the likes of us who come onto forums such as these (and I'm not decrying us for doing so!) isn't it fair to say that the VAST MAJORITY of folk who attend speedway meetings up and down this country do NOT frequent such forums but go along to their local track for an exciting night of racing whilst, at the same time, hoping their team will win?

He told the supporters club but don't expect me to give you the flipping definitive date he did so Parsnips (and I do apologise for not being able to and, as a certain quizmaster used to say, "I mean that most sincerely folks!") because, alas my memory is not up to recalling such detailed information nigh on a quarter of a century down the line! It's my age ya know! Having told us on that date my memory is not up to remembering we (I think but I can't be sure!) immediately announced it on the club's website and through various other internet outlets - oh NO wait a minute, the internet wasn't with us in 1983 was it apart from, possibly, in Government secret bunkers? My hazy recollection 25 years on is that we told the local newspaper which, as I recall (but again can't be certain!) was the Erith & Crayford Observer - presumably you didn't get that where you lived? If I'd have known, I'd have rung you! Might have helped I suppose if I'd known you back then too. I also recall going over to Waterden Road in the close season with my fellow members of the Crayford Speedway Supporters Association Committee (blimey who remembers the Wheeltappers and Shunters?????) for a meeting with dear old Snowy Beattie and the Hackney Supporters Committee at which we exchanged ideas and details as to just how we raised funds etc, and formulated plans for what we were going to do in that direction in the exciting season ahead and to stage some sort of meeting prior to the season to formulate a new committee.

Oh deary deary me Parsnips matey so you've turned your attention to Terry Russell now eh? FACT: Ladbrokes had done / did a deal regarding the site FACT: There was soon erected a Sainsburys Supermarket and a MUCH smaller stadium not big enough for speedway. FACT: Len Silver wanted to concentrate / was concentrating on getting the now highly successful SILVERSKI HOLIDAYS off the ground SOLUTION EFFECTED.

Spot on Rob, he did!

Like the Tadpole (alias Paul), yourself Tony Mac and everyone who remembers those days gone by, I'm so sad to hear of Colin's current plight - even if he DID ride for the Bombers! Hopefully he'll make a good recovery in time and I'm sure he's being well looked after where he his. I, of course, lived on the "posh" side of the Thames, as we were instructed to refer to it as, in Kent and was thus a devotee of the Highwaymen when the sport came to London Road thus becoming THE top Kent side over and above that 'other lot from down the road!" But, as Paul indicated, Romford / Crayford clashes were something special - they couldn't be anything else with Footy on one side and Childsy on the other! A story I heard (and thus cannot vouch for its authenticity but it 'sounds' right!) is that at one clash of the teams at Brooklands, Footy was already in the pits when Tony C arrived carry kit bags or whatever in both hands. The latter, so I'm told, did no more than walk up to Brian, drop both bags on the floor and say to him, "We going to have the punch up now Footy, save doing it later?" But it wasn't what you might call thuggery was it in those days? In fact, looking back, it was all part of "the show" put on back in those days I suspect nine times out of ten! Anyway Colin will, I'm sure, be pleased to hear from those who remember him and say him ride - I certainly do and did - and my thoughts are with him. Bryn

From the expression "tried to bite me" I take it that it failed? Hope the Zoo vet sorts its eyesight problem then!