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Swift Saint

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Everything posted by Swift Saint

  1. I would like to add my condolences to the family of Brian Hanham. I too remember him racing for Southampton at Norwich his name was always on the team sheet. I think his one club approach is something that is now very much lacking in speedway and the sport is very much the poorer for it. Norwich had one club riders such as Phil Clarke but how many teams can say that today. I am glad that I was able to watch speedway at a time when most of the previous season's team would be there again year after year. Brian Hanham displayed loyalty that has been left in a bygone age. I'm glad that this has enabled him to stand out in my mind for qualities seldom seen (in any sport) these days. Malcolm Vasey
  2. Given your journalistic background I am alarmed but unsurprised by the inaccuracies in much of what you post Speedyguy. Let me assure the world that Rob Hollingworth retired from the Conference League painlessly and voluntarily and was not "forced" out of the sport by anybody. That may be the case in respect of other riders who have not gained a place because of a high grading but Rob has no wish to race in the CL anymore. He does the odd STR meeting and that is all that he is interested in doing. Malcolm Vasey
  3. Yes Star Ghost I was there. A long forgotten incident that you have reminded me of. Norwich Speedway was meant to move into Boundary Park I believe and that never happend and of course the City's two greyhound stadiums have long since disappeared into housing developments. Surely it is the disappearance of leisure facilities for profits that is the cause of many of Society's present day ills. How can anybody legitimately turn down speedway through an elongated planning process yet somehow allow football stadia to be developed? It has to be about money I suppose. Speedway has to get itself into the public eye again perhaps by full reports in the press appearing as adverts, paid for by the Clubs corporatelyand taking up whole pages would help including fixtures and tables. The reports wouild need to be in depth even the Speedway Star does not look at a match or meeting in any dpeth these days. By that I mean examining the racecard and highlighting the key races and the likely defining points but that is never seen in modern speedway previews. The generic "We should win this one" or "It's going to be close" from various Promoters is not enough. However, I doubt the days that you and I recall will ever come back and that is also something to do with the times as much as any shortcomings within the sport. I had the pleasure of meeting Geoff Pymar at Mildenhall a few years ago and talked to him at length one night at one of the Presentation Evenings perhaps ten years ago. He was a splendid gentleman who even at 80+ talked of having another ride on one of Dean Garrod's bikes. I met my boyhood hero, Ove Fundin, at a World Cup Final at Peterborough and I felt humble because seeing my BSPA badge and blazer the great man called me "Sir". The situation was quite paradoxical and he is another gentleman of our sport. I will never forget as a schoolboy taking my bike to Norwich Speedway at the Firs with 100's of others and parking in the gardens of the various dwellings along the Cromer Road the bikes never being locked (couldn't afford a lock anyway) and never interfered with by anyone to my knowledge. I believe they charged 3d or 6d to allow you to leave them there. Oh for a return to a society at that level. Malcolm Vasey
  4. Yes I was aware of attempts in the early barren years but not recently as far as I am aware. Councils change, although there has been a general hardening of the attitude of planners against speedway. I would be interested to know from a professional planner, if there is one that reads this forum, how it is that Football Clubs with all the attenedant nuisance can build stadia and yet Speedway, which isn't even policed cannot get a plan through for love nor money. I wish that there was some corporate activity within the sport to overcome these prioblems. Sadly, there doen't seem to be. Malcolm Vasey
  5. Hi Mr Star Ghost I too am interested in Geoff Pymar since he rode for Norwich, as has been said, in my earliest days of attending speedway. I recall him and Wal Morton well from those days when you and I must have stood on the same terraces looking rather different I expect to how we look today. I cannot understand why there has been no attempt to develop a real Norwich track such as at Hethel perhaps or even the Showground. It is the saddest thing to me about speedway that there is no track at Norwich or in the area. Even a revival at Great Yarmouth would help Malcolm Vasey
  6. John Oliver's Dad has posted the above message on the Boston Message Board and I have placed it here for the information of his many friends in Great Britain who may not otherwise see this sad news. This is really dreadful and I am sure that everyone who knows John will want to join me in the hope that he is able to make a complete recovery. Malcolm Vasey
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