Programme content

[IainB]

8 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

I actually got to watch a couple of races from the centre green and personally I was disappointed as they seemed just to be riding round in circles! It's the same when I watch a DVD when the meeting was filmed from the centre green. I find that watching from the outside from a height you get a better perspective...just my opinion.

It always makes me laugh when, usually the meeting presenter says it's totally different watching on the infield, as surely you're watching 50% of the race from the inside anyway even though you're on the outside... if you follow me

[MattB]

On 6/24/2022 at 5:35 PM, bluebee said:

Although I always buy a programme at meetings I rarely read them on the day of the match as I like to concentrate on the meeting and the company.  I'll read them later in the week usually. But after reading Oxford's programme  today i started to ponder on what poor value official programmes generally  are. The articles by the various contributors s all seem to cover the same issues and state similar opinions.  In the Oxford programme there was comment on Luke Killen's debut by four columnists and Aaron Summer's comeback was covered multiple times. Sure, there's a years gone by section and a  biographies of the visitors but the team discussion pieces all regurgitate the same topics and points. When I buy a magazine I like to read different things - and yes it was good to read about these riders but not in every comment piece, Am I just unlucky in the teams I have supported or are there good programmes out there with varied content. I would think there might be an opportunity for a bit of humour somewhere in the pages for example, or even a bit of technical stuff for those inclined. Perhaps there could be some discussion between the contributors about what each one is going to cover before going to press. I'm not just picking on Oxford as I think the management have generally done a very good job and my criticism applies to many other programmes I've bought before. Just like to know what others think.

From what I can see some clubs seem to make more of an effort with the programme than others.  Belle Vue always seem to do a very good programme and the Birmingham programme is also good.

Even though its my team, i think the Wolves programme is poor value for money and was one of the main reasons I stopped buying programmes altogether.

[IronScorpion]

Interesting this as most people that have posted, do not buy programmes or prefer an A4 sheet folded to give a score card or to print their own yet when the SS do a programme survey, the booklets get the best reviews(costing £3+) & the 8 page programmes get the worst reviews. 

[singy13]

Still nice to be able to find an old programme stashed away in loft etc. Like looking back through them from eras when we followed the Comets to such as Eastbourne, Canterbury, Mildenhall, Peterborough, Bradford, Quibell Park, Sunderland etc etc.....the programmes from such venues add to great nostalgia............very important.

[steve roberts]

3 hours ago, singy13 said:

Still nice to be able to find an old programme stashed away in loft etc. Like looking back through them from eras when we followed the Comets to such as Eastbourne, Canterbury, Mildenhall, Peterborough, Bradford, Quibell Park, Sunderland etc etc.....the programmes from such venues add to great nostalgia............very important.

I used to place comments in my programmes so when I went back to consult them they would evoke fond memories...better written down as one's memory diminishes with each passing year!

[Bagpuss]

Not bought a programme for years, agree with what iainb says about filling them in being a mood hoover. If I want to know rider scores during a meeting I load the updates up on my phone occasionally and have a quick glance, the meeting score is either on the scoreboard or heard over the tannoy. 

[bigcatdiary]

4 hours ago, Bagpuss said:

Not bought a programme for years, agree with what iainb says about filling them in being a mood hoover. If I want to know rider scores during a meeting I load the updates up on my phone occasionally and have a quick glance, the meeting score is either on the scoreboard or heard over the tannoy. 

 I Used to buy one religiously at every match I went too but these days I use my iPad for matches and but for the fact I get a programme with my ST I wouldn’t bother, the reading material is awful and it’s the same old crap every week, some of that is down to the bspl fining anyone for content that’s controversial but it’s made programmes very bland and they are not sought after by collectors as much these days.

I have dropped out of buying GP programmes as well, it’s pretty much the same content and front cover every round and the price is utterly ridiculous with some regular sellers on eBay charging as much for postage as for the programme.

GB programmes have been £10 for years, yet the same programme a few weeks later on eBay are a third the price.

[steve roberts]

13 minutes ago, bigcatdiary said:

 I Used to buy one religiously at every match I went too but these days I use my iPad for matches and but for the fact I get a programme with my ST I wouldn’t bother, the reading material is awful and it’s the same old crap every week, some of that is down to the bspl fining anyone for content that’s controversial but it’s made programmes very bland and they are not sought after by collectors as much these days.

I have dropped out of buying GP programmes as well, it’s pretty much the same content and front cover every round and the price is utterly ridiculous with some regular sellers on eBay charging as much for postage as for the programme.

GB programmes have been £10 for years, yet the same programme a few weeks later on eBay are a third the price.

John Berry, Dave Lanning (during his tenure at Cowley) Len Silver and Bob Dugard/Danny Dunton amongst others would often be controversial in their editorials but as you point out they had to tone down their observations in case it upset the "hierarchy.".

[IainB]

34 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

John Berry, Dave Lanning (during his tenure at Cowley) Len Silver and Bob Dugard/Danny Dunton amongst others would often be controversial in their editorials but as you point out they had to tone down their observations in case it upset the "hierarchy.".

I wonder if Leicester would let me do an editorial in their programme? Or Birmingham? What about Scunny?

[Fina]

I do buy a programme when I go to Redcar and read some of the content when I get home, but don't fill in the racecard when I am at the track.  Same as someone else said, if I want to keep tabs on rider scores I check updates site on my mobile.

It would be interesting to know if the clubs make a profit on the programmes from the advertising.  I have been assuming they do & that's partly why I get one, if sales were too low they would probably struggle to sell the advertising space.  I suspect clubs would lose out financially if they dropped back to a basic race card print out with club news on the other side.

[Bagpuss]

18 hours ago, iainb said:

I wonder if Leicester would let me do an editorial in their programme? Or Birmingham? What about Scunny?

Now those I would buy

[arnieg]

19 hours ago, iainb said:

I wonder if Leicester would let me do an editorial in their programme? Or Birmingham? What about Scunny?

You should offer to contribute to

http://speedwayplus.com/

Or the Friends of Speedway publication 'The Voice'

[IainB]

35 minutes ago, arnieg said:

You should offer to contribute to

http://speedwayplus.com/

Or the Friends of Speedway publication 'The Voice'

You're just trying to get rid of me from here 

Blimey! speedwayplus.com is still going! I haven't been there since using the programme generator and match report generator many many years ago

[Liontamer]

On 6/25/2022 at 8:40 AM, iainb said:

 how many times do you see somebody near you, head down as soon as the race is finished filling their programme in while the winning rider is making a (sometimes rare) lap of honour, the programme  filler completely oblivious to the fact that the race winner is in front of them coming round for some glory!

Wouldn't make any difference to the rider if the crowd have their heads down or not. Most of the Lions riders don't even look at or acknowledge the crowd on either the track walk, or on the lap of honour.

Edited June 29, 2022 by Liontamer

[IainB]

1 hour ago, Liontamer said:

Wouldn't make any difference to the rider if the crowd have their heads down or not. Most of the Lions riders don't even look at or acknowledge the crowd on either the track walk, or on the lap of honour.

Was good to see Tom Brennan specifically stop to wave and acknowledge the Birmingham fans at the end of the match last week, didn't have to do it and he was only guesting... class!

[Liontamer]

1 hour ago, iainb said:

Was good to see Tom Brennan specifically stop to wave and acknowledge the Birmingham fans at the end of the match last week, didn't have to do it and he was only guesting... class!

Yes i thought that was a great gesture, especially from a guest.

 

[bluebee]

Saw Brennan at Leicester having pictures taken with fans. Seems have a very good attitude to the paying public. I hope he has a very successful career.

[steve roberts]

Just bought a 1978 White City programme for £1 at an antique centre in Beverley! There listed is one Jim Tebby as Clerk of the Course...I had forgotten that. That's one reason I like reading old programmes so as to jog my fading memory. Just a shame I sold my massive collection!

Edited July 3, 2022 by steve roberts

[Ovalman]

On 6/24/2022 at 5:35 PM, bluebee said:

Although I always buy a programme at meetings I rarely read them on the day of the match as I like to concentrate on the meeting and the company.  I'll read them later in the week usually. But after reading Oxford's programme  today i started to ponder on what poor value official programmes generally  are. The articles by the various contributors s all seem to cover the same issues and state similar opinions.  In the Oxford programme there was comment on Luke Killen's debut by four columnists and Aaron Summer's comeback was covered multiple times. Sure, there's a years gone by section and a  biographies of the visitors but the team discussion pieces all regurgitate the same topics and points. When I buy a magazine I like to read different things - and yes it was good to read about these riders but not in every comment piece, Am I just unlucky in the teams I have supported or are there good programmes out there with varied content. I would think there might be an opportunity for a bit of humour somewhere in the pages for example, or even a bit of technical stuff for those inclined. Perhaps there could be some discussion between the contributors about what each one is going to cover before going to press. I'm not just picking on Oxford as I think the management have generally done a very good job and my criticism applies to many other programmes I've bought before. Just like to know what others think.

I liked the Oxford programme, my bruv filled his in then I copied it next day. A souvenir of our visit. I agree it was a bit repetitive in parts but good quality nonetheless.

[steve roberts]

2 hours ago, auntie doris said:

I liked the Oxford programme, my bruv filled his in then I copied it next day. A souvenir of our visit. I agree it was a bit repetitive in parts but good quality nonetheless.

I have a couple winging their way to me from meetings my two brothers attended!