Yarmouth / Norwich

[witchnut]

Many of you serious researchers will have already seen the site, and possibly also the pictures in other publications but for those that haven't there is some interesting material at Evening News24

 

Witchnut

Edited September 20, 2004 by witchnut

[norbold]

Talking of which. I was up in Norwich a couple of weeks ago at the Norfolk Police Gala Day (!) helping out on the Norwich Speedway stand. Amongst the supporters, former riders and those 'in the know' there seemed to be a feeling that plans to reintroduce speedway to Norwich were doomed and that it would never happen.

 

However, there was a lot of optimism about a return to Yarmouth and many were looking to a return as early as next year, either to Conference League or Open Meetings. As I say, there was no definite news, but it was the general 'feeling'.

 

Does anyone have any more definite news?

[25yearfan]

From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway.

 

Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse.

 

- I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances.

 

Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS!

[spiegal]

From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway.

 

Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse.

 

- I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances.

 

Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[spiegal]

From what I've heard, the guys trying to find a site for Norwich are just stabbing in the dark and one of the prospective promotors in particular does not have the necessary funds to run speedway.

 

Yarmouth sounds more promising with current Peterborough promotor Mick Horton applying for planning permission for a track on land at Yarmouth racecourse.

 

- I'm sure Yarmouth if ran from middle of May to start of September the venture would get viable attendances.

 

Must be called the GREAT YARMOUTH BLOATERS!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Apologies I am new to this and pushed the wrong button !!

 

I can tell you that any hope of a Track at the YARMOUTH RACE TRACK is a 100% NONE RUNNER.

The Horse Track is next to loads of housing on 2 sides. Add to that a golf course situated in teh centre of the complex. add to that a huge Caravan site on the East side....More chance of teh Ppe being Jewish.

 

The Stock car track runs 3 nights a week with cars..3 nights a week with Dogs. They do NOT want Speedway...How come...I have tried 3 times.

 

Similar to situation in norwich...not a prayer...Again I tried for about 8 years and the best I got was the bums rush outa the door.

 

Sad, but true is that the last person who made noises did immense harm to the cause....

 

what a shame as it is still a hot bed of interest

 

SPIEGAL

[25yearfan]

I hope you are proved wrong Spiegal.

 

I'd have to agree though that after years of rumours and nothing coming to fruition I'll believe any Norwich or Great Yarmouth reopening when I'm actually standing on the terraces watching the completion of heat 15 on opening night!

 

Your right about Cyril Crane. Cyril who was a great promoter for the best part of 20 years upset the apple cart at Norwich council and the BSPA when he ran an unlicensed meeting at Hevingham in early 1976 which was won by a 14 year old Andy Buck as I can recall.

 

A while back one of the Franklin family who runs Yarmouth greyhound Stadium (which is coincidentally currently in the process of replacing the old grandstand with a newer version, not that the old one wasn't plush enough!) posted a message on the internet regarding speedway. He said that they would welcome speedway back to the stadium if a suitable way of laying and taking up a temporary shale track for every speedway meeting on the current concrete stock car circuit could be found. No way are they going to upset the stock car promoters because attendances are very good for the cars, like they could be for speedway racing.

 

On the subject of Hevingham if you care to venture behind the Marsham Arms pub to the land where the 1976 meeting took place on, you will find that the site has not been developed.

 

I'm sure that if any prospective promoter went through the correct channels then this site could still yet make a suitable venue for a Norwich speedway track. It is 5 minutes out of the City on a main road and apart from the pub their is not many houses to close by.

 

I'm like many others in the Norwich area still hoping that one day I'll see speedway return to Norwich and Great Yarmouth would be nice as well! - Stranger things have happened!

[spiegal]

I hope you are proved wrong Spiegal.

 

I'd have to agree though that after years of rumours and nothing coming to fruition I'll believe any Norwich or Great Yarmouth reopening when I'm actually standing on the terraces watching the completion of heat 15 on opening night!

 

Your right about Cyril Crane. Cyril who was a great promoter for the best part of 20 years upset the apple cart at Norwich council and the BSPA when he ran an unlicensed meeting at Hevingham in early 1976 which was won by a 14 year old Andy Buck as I can recall.

 

A while back one of the Franklin family who runs Yarmouth greyhound Stadium (which is coincidentally currently in the process of replacing the old grandstand with a newer version, not that the old one wasn't plush enough!) posted a message on the internet regarding speedway. He said that they would welcome speedway back to the stadium if a suitable way of laying and taking up a temporary shale track for every speedway meeting on the current concrete stock car circuit could be found. No way are they going to upset the stock car promoters because attendances are very good for the cars, like they could be for speedway racing.

 

On the subject of Hevingham if you care to venture behind the Marsham Arms pub to the land where the 1976 meeting took place on, you will find that the site has not been developed.

 

I'm sure that if any prospective promoter went through the correct channels then this site could still yet make a suitable venue for a Norwich speedway track. It is 5 minutes out of the City on a main road and apart from the pub their is not many houses to close by.

 

I'm like many others in the Norwich area still hoping that one day I'll see speedway return to Norwich and Great Yarmouth would be nice as well! - Stranger things have happened!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[norbold]

You've done it again, spiegel. I've been on tenterhooks all day waiting for the response....

[NOBBY]

Come back Spiegal...all is forgiven !

 

The suspense is killing me

[Trees]

IF Norwich do ever get their speedway back I'm 100% sure it will be a huge success!

 

I cannot believe that there isn't a site near to the airport that would be suitable. I can't believe that there isn't a land owner anywhere near Norwich who has a suitable site.

 

Is there nothing the fans can do???

[25yearfan]

The Hevingham site is about 2-3 miles up the road from the airport which in turn is almoost opposite the housing estate where the famous Firs Stadium home of the equally famous Norwich Stars was situated.

 

A supporters organisation would be a help.

 

If everyones energys and ideas can be centralised then maybe things could be done.

 

I would definately join any supporters organisation.

[Trees]

The Hevingham site is about 2-3 miles up the road from the airport which in turn is almost opposite the housing estate where the famous Firs Stadium home of the equally famous Norwich Stars was situated.

 

Who owns that piece of land now then, Crane? I know where it is and I think my husband attended the meeting that was held there.

 

You know it was only a few years ago that the Norwich Speedway Supporters Club folded having kept the fire burning for all that time but to no avail.

 

I think everyone knows what piece of land is required, a piece in the ar** end of nowhere with no houses in sight who could possibly make a complaint. Once that has been found no bl**dy councillor would have reason to turn down planning permission surely.

 

You're right about forming the supporters group again, I guess the more noise that is made about the people of Norwich wanting a speedway back the better it would be and perhaps the landowners might listen?? It's a huge ask, even if a site is found the money for the building of the track and stadium has to come from somewhere. But there are businessmen out there who would invest especially if they knew that tv revenue/advertising possibilities would come their way and with the building of a multi purpose stadium. I've convinced myself already, shame I only have pence in me purse and no rich aunts

 

I wonder if I know you already 25yearfan?? Email me on tjcarman@ntlworld.com then we can discuss this further perhaps??

[norbold]

There is still a lot of support in Norwich for speedway, but I think they've all given up hope that's why the supporters' club folded. Supporters in the area do still get together fairly regularly at various events. I don't think it would be too difficult to get them organised in to a formal supporters' organistaion again apart from this feeling of pessimism.

 

I think there have been something like 28 planning applications put in for the return of speedway in and around Norwich since 1965. All of them turned down. Is it any wonder they have given up hope!? If they can have some encouraging news, who knows?

Edited October 6, 2004 by norbold

[Trees]

Yes Norbold, I think you are right about their pessimism and it's totally justified. I didn't realise there had been 28 applications, can you believe that, who are these planning people anyhow who have that right, I know what they need

 

I have this theory that Norwich City Football club pay them off to turn down the applications because they think speedway would affect their business, which it might do a little, sponsorship wise I guess ..................... two sports should be able to exist side by side in Norwich mind you!!

[spiegal]

Norwich football have really no opinion either way about the speedway.

 

the real problem does in fact eminate from the various "meetings" that dear old Cyril had with the various planning bodies. When Cyril thinks something is a great idea he naturally assumes everyone does as well. when they don't the rattle and the pram become immediately seperated.

 

The names who have tried are endless...Wally Mawdsley/Colin barber/ Roonie Russell...plus assorted idiots who had no money,and no real plans, and they did immense harm.

 

HEVENINGHAM was turned down not beacuse of the location but beacuse of the access onto a relatively main road.

 

Frettenham pits have been mentioned...same applies.

 

there are still people looking around...me being one...and we do have some hopes on a site not too far out...we will see.

 

Nice poeple who ran the supporters club. I visited the Norfolk Showground and was told in an ever so polite way to "Go forth and multiply"...it was so nicely done I was almost charmed !!

 

Believe me it is NOT dead

[Trees]

Spiegal ............ it's a bit mean to call those who had good intentions to find a site for a new speedway ...... idiots. Who knows what might become of it if a site had of been found!

 

I guess you're right about the site at Hevingham although I wouldn't have thought the entrance would have been too bad beside the Marsham Arms. I thought the reason they turned the site down was the grief from the owner of the pub, I bet the present owner wouldn't turn the potential business down these days In fact I know that the owner is half keen on the sport having a mad mate of mine working there, he cannot fail to get embroiled in the goings on of the GP's at least! lol

 

I'm chuffed that people are still looking for a site, shame it couldn't be found sooner rather than later tho

[25yearfan]

Yes, a multi purpose stadium in Norwich featuring speedway on a Saturday night, greyhounds on two other nights possibly Tuesday and Fridays football/Rugby on the infield and function facilities could be a very good thing for the area. If only someone could convince the council.

 

TREES, I only hear rumours and talk amongst locals and speedway fans, but I do hope one day before my end that I'll witness speedway racing on a track in Norwich!

 

I known that many persons have tried over the years and indeed people are on the case at the present time but until it actually happens don't get your hopes up, but thanks to this forum ideas and interest can be maintained and who knows if someone with the capabilities reads some information on here such as the land at Hevingham and realises that interest is still high then things could happen!

[Trees]

Drove out on the Aylsham-Norwich road today and there's a perfect site for the new track inbetween the two turn offs to St-Faiths, an undulating piece of ground, not a house in sight, wonder what the planning dept would say to that If only hey!!

[Canadian Star]

Trees, a lot of your theories are correct, i have spoken with people connected and envolved with Hevingham. The pub owner at the time was the problem, not sure if Cyril still owns the land or not. According to people in the know Cyril certainly did ruffle a few feathers, and there is definately an opinion that people on the local council were connected with the football club and didn't want competition for peoples leisure spending. In one very envolved persons opinion it might take a lifetime before new people are on the council and in the planning department, who are not biased, or have memories of Cyril's somewhat cavalier although enthusiastic approach. Unquestionably there is more than sufficient interest in the area to make any new venture a viable proposition, in fact i would suggest a very lucrative opportunity. Obviously the place should have been the showground,sadly there you have the 57 old farts syndrome, and after all these years the houses are now too close as they are at Peterborough. I am firmly of the opinion though that there will be speedway again in Norwich sometime, its just waiting for someone with enough perseverance and diplomatic persistance to finally succeed where the other 28 attempts failed.

[Trees]

Obviously the place should have been the showground,sadly there you have the 57 old farts syndrome,

That damned lot of toffs "motorsport is too dirty for our showground" ....... tch! Everyone you meet says it should have been on the showground but like you say even if it had been there it may well now be doomed because of the housing closing in. At least the people of Norwich would have had speedway for a number of years now and the sport would be in a very strong position in the city. Never mind, as long as there are still people out there with the will and the way, you can never say never.

 

If the supporter's club was renewed again it would be great to get to know all the peeps out there who are on the case, it would also be great to have some nostalgic

nights, GP nights perhaps and get a few riders here to give talks etc

 

Now that the Firs has had a revamp I wonder if it would be the place to hold the meetings too!!

 

Perhaps Norwich Speedway should rear it's ugly head again (in the eyes of the planners ) by way of the fans. At least any potential land owner/promotor/developer would have proven evidence of the interest out there!!