van wolfswinkel Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Decent 3 hours of entertainment, big crowd, car park full, excellent souvenir programme, good to see the old riders there, especially Briggo and Broady on the old machines. Fitting tribute to riders no longer with us. Rosco the last man to ride around The Abbey. Good to see so many kids there. Fantastic fireworks nearly as good as Cardiff! A fitting farewell before moving into the new stadium sometime next year. Batch wont be back after his comments, unprofessional for a club captain! Edited October 11, 2015 by haydon hat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 I've said my piece previously about Batchelor. But his pre match comments were simply abhorent. I thought his original excuse for his dire play off performance was because the track "wasn't to his liking". He's conveniently changed it now to "my best mate is in a wheel chair" and " it wasn't safe out there and it's my life and if I don't feel safe then so be it". What a complete idiot. No apology for an inept performance as any captain or leader would have expected to have done, and even worse, a sarcastic comment to the fans about receiving "a good reception". Please please get rid. A decent crowd with supporters from many tracks present, including Eastbourne, Leicester, Birmingham. and Poole. The usual Blunsdon wind cut through the hardy folk on the back straight and I final visit to those infamous bogs (resplendent in their 2015 blue coloured paint) brought a grimace to my face. A spectacular sunset brought the curtain down on the final meeting in what was average racing to say the least, although Masters looked superb and Harris's pass on Batchelor was top drawer. The car park mafia /stewards were at the top of their game, one of them yelling at the top of his voice at a guy in his 70's stood on the grand stand staircase taking a last picture of the veteran Swindon riders exiting the pick up truck. Sad to see the Abbey close, I was 10 years old when I first went. Onwards and upwards, and keeping the faith that I will be there sometime in 2016. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzCagney Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Well that was a bit of a dull afternoon out. I thought there would be a bit more atmosphere about the place today with it being the last meeting at the Abbey. Swindon fans even found it hard to muster up a boo for Bratchelor. Sorry we couldn't entertain you. As a Robins supporter It was all just very sad. As such the atmosphere was muted. Please forgive us. What is really sad is that we have a Promotion who wants to keep the sport going and a core support just about strong enough to sustain it here. Unlike in some town's there is no reason why speedway in Swindon needs to wither and die. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinny Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Never forget that Frank Smart golden double with Wato at swindon against steve masters .... Always remember the start marshall lobbin the chequered flag in disgust as masters trailed in last ha ha. Had some awesome times at the abbey - crazy to think newport, exeter, swindon, reading and the isle of wight will all be no more soon. Those five tracks made up a whole premier trophy group!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Never forget that Frank Smart golden double with Wato at swindon against steve masters .... Always remember the start marshall lobbin the chequered flag in disgust as masters trailed in last ha ha. Had some awesome times at the abbey - crazy to think newport, exeter, swindon, reading and the isle of wight will all be no more soon. Those five tracks made up a whole premier trophy group!! Isle of Wight are on their way back and I thought Swindon too? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Quick question - Are the greyhounds continuing for a few more weeks yet, or is that it for both sports now till the new stadium is built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_Jones Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Quick question - Are the greyhounds continuing for a few more weeks yet, or is that it for both sports now till the new stadium is built? The dogs are carrying on for a while. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 "and they weren't that much slower than the normal bikes, quieter too which may be a positive if the sport goes forward". Oh my word...........the sheer irony of that statement. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A ORLOV Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Quick question - Are the greyhounds continuing for a few more weeks yet, or is that it for both sports now till the new stadium is built? Greyhounds are continuing, as is the market behind the stadium. The carpark next to the turn styles and behind the stadium is being closed shortly so that building in this area, which includes the location of the new stadium, can take place. Parking for the dogs and market will be the present carpark on the right of the entrance to the stadium where they have motorbike training now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 does anyone have plans of the new setup that they can post? long time since I went to Blunsdon so cant picture all thats being said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theblueboy Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 For 40 years I have been to the chapel for quiet prayer. Initially Saturdays, now Thursdays I have stood solemnly, shoulder to shoulder with many of my fellow supporters. Each of us had turned up to bid our farewells. The smell roared in to the Wiltshire sky for once last hurrah. Some fans shaking vigourously, others more stoic. The dampness oozing....into my trainers for the final time. I zipped up, turned, nodded and said my goodbye. The Blunsdon Bogs are dead...long live The Blunsdon Bogs. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OveFundinFan Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 (edited) Brilliant blueboy, brilliant Edited October 12, 2015 by Joe Hatton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A ORLOV Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 There was quite a large crowd at the stadium, more than I thought there would be. It was a shame that 4 of the Robins were not there as 3 were riding at Glasgow and 1 in Poland. Many people mentioned that they enjoyed the youngsters on the training track for their championship and why had we not had more of these meetings. It was good to meet many of the older riders returning to the stadium, quite a few of which I saw racing in their day. The main meeting was not outstanding, due to the lack of Swindon riders, but it did have a few good races, and I thought that Sam Masters was the best rider on the night. The engines that Sam Ermolenko showed in the three races at the end looked to be a good, cheaper option, and apart from one bike that was slower than the others the racing was ok. It was also fitting when Rosco lept on a bike and rode a couple of laps at the end of the meeting. The speaker system where I was was not great and I missed many of the comments by Rosco and the riders, hopefully they will have a decent sound system in the new stadium. It will also be an improvement if the new design can somehow eliminate the cold winds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Goodbye Swindon and good luck. I suspect you are going to need it unless we see a stadium built in record time in a housing estate with an old people's home coming (still?) and by a developer which has a long history of false promises over building replacement stadia. This time I do hope I'm wrong. Had some good times there. It reminded me of Rayleigh, plus seats and the world heritage site on the back straight. I do hope it's not the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Return of Odin Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I've said my piece previously about Batchelor. But his pre match comments were simply abhorent. I thought his original excuse for his dire play off performance was because the track "wasn't to his liking". He's conveniently changed it now to "my best mate is in a wheel chair" and " it wasn't safe out there and it's my life and if I don't feel safe then so be it". What a complete idiot. No apology for an inept performance as any captain or leader would have expected to have done, and even worse, a sarcastic comment to the fans about receiving "a good reception". Please please get rid. A decent crowd with supporters from many tracks present, including Eastbourne, Leicester, Birmingham. and Poole. The usual Blunsdon wind cut through the hardy folk on the back straight and I final visit to those infamous bogs (resplendent in their 2015 blue coloured paint) brought a grimace to my face. A spectacular sunset brought the curtain down on the final meeting in what was average racing to say the least, although Masters looked superb and Harris's pass on Batchelor was top drawer. The car park mafia /stewards were at the top of their game, one of them yelling at the top of his voice at a guy in his 70's stood on the grand stand staircase taking a last picture of the veteran Swindon riders exiting the pick up truck. Sad to see the Abbey close, I was 10 years old when I first went. Onwards and upwards, and keeping the faith that I will be there sometime in 2016. Couldn't agree more with this. GP rider scores 0 he should apologise to the people who pay his wages. I have absolute respect for anyone who rides a speedway bike but Troy chooses to and we choose to pay his wages by attending. I also visited the back straight "facilities" surprised they haven't been declared a site of special scientific interest !!!! Sam Masters looked fab, track very dry which didn't help racing. A wonderful and fitting sunset was the last thing I saw there 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 It's not the end but the beginning ...... isn't it? Even if the stadium isn't completed in time for next season, as long as you have a track, new loos and somewhere to buy a cuppa you'll be okay 😊 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Sorry we couldn't entertain you. As a Robins supporter It was all just very sad. As such the atmosphere was muted. Please forgive us. What is really sad is that we have a Promotion who wants to keep the sport going and a core support just about strong enough to sustain it here. Unlike in some town's there is no reason why speedway in Swindon needs to wither and die. Excuse me for having an opinion. Just felt everything was a little flat yesterday. Maybe as I've seen posted elsewhere Batchelors impetuous interview at the beginning of the meeting set the tone, along with Peter York's inane drivel (who on earth invited him!!!) I guess it all meant more to the Robins fans of course, but from an outsiders perspective the last meeting went off with more of a whimper than a bang. Did enjoy the kids on the 125's before the main meeting started. You could tell they meant business, shame there's not more opportunities given to them around the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 For 40 years I have been to the chapel for quiet prayer. Initially Saturdays, now Thursdays I have stood solemnly, shoulder to shoulder with many of my fellow supporters. Each of us had turned up to bid our farewells. The smell roared in to the Wiltshire sky for once last hurrah. Some fans shaking vigourously, others more stoic. The dampness oozing....into my trainers for the final time. I zipped up, turned, nodded and said my goodbye. The Blunsdon Bogs are dead...long live The Blunsdon Bogs. I said my farewell to the back straight blunsdon bogs yesterday, twice!. I had tears in my eyes at the end of my second visit, this had more to do with the smell of the place rather than the sadness of the occasion! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packerman Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I said my farewell to the back straight blunsdon bogs yesterday, twice!. I had tears in my eyes at the end of my second visit, this had more to do with the smell of the place rather than the sadness of the occasion! I've heard that even Bear Grylls was terrified of those Back Straight Bogs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WembleyLion Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 I said my farewell to the back straight blunsdon bogs yesterday, twice!. I had tears in my eyes at the end of my second visit, this had more to do with the smell of the place rather than the sadness of the occasion! I didn't chance them yesterday Tony but it reminds of a visit to Smallmead many years ago when I took a mate to his first ever Speedway meeting and he remarked how it would have been handy to have had luminous 'equipment' when using the facilities there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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