Peterborough Panthers 2023

[Mick Bratley]

2 hours ago, Crump99 said:

I thought that it was you who told me that we were dealing with professionals

They are very good at getting others to produce a nice glossy brochure saying all of the right things before pulling the wool over local eyes as they get people to fall for it!

No, they are amateurs at this game.

[Mick Bratley]

2 hours ago, Daniel Smith said:

Seems some are being confused as to what planning permission is for. 

Any land owner can remove any buildings that doesn't have any existing use & or listed status without council permission.

Once the season ends the land owner can remove the stand & plough over the track, nothing can stop that.

Only an objection order can prevent the demolition but this has to be in place before the last meeting. Any delay (November onwards) would likely be to late. 

In progress.

[Rickyag]

48 minutes ago, Hackney said:

I think I read that there was asbestos in the roof.

The roof etc on the Grand Stand are asbestos so I would think nobody would want to reuse it, but be removed and destroyed by specialists.

[Gasser90]

1 hour ago, Rickyag said:

The roof etc on the Grand Stand are asbestos so I would think nobody would want to reuse it, but be removed and destroyed by specialists.

Which doesn’t come cheap. Not sure where aepg think they are getting the money from to cover the costs of that, you need electrical engineers to disconnect all electrical stuff. You need asbestos specialists to do the roof plus a team of mechanical engineers to do the structure, that’s a big job to take that down,  won’t come cheap 

[OldNutter]

1 hour ago, Gasser90 said:

Which doesn’t come cheap. Not sure where aepg think they are getting the money from to cover the costs of that, you need electrical engineers to disconnect all electrical stuff. You need asbestos specialists to do the roof plus a team of mechanical engineers to do the structure, that’s a big job to take that down,  won’t come cheap 

Not expensive compared to the size of the mortgage they already  hold that is designed to keep them going prior to the end of Phase One.  That is the problem. the money tree harvest they are looking at would probably keep the whole of British Speedway going for tens of years. That is the scale of the unbalance in the British economy these days.  How is it that a bunch of so-called petty consultants can put a scheme together with a few glossy brochures and a one-page web site with their previous absence of any previous experience and make almost enough to buy Manchester CIty FC without put lifting a finger to actually do any work that looks like being able to steamroller this plan through - UNLESS. 

[Florence]

https://youtu.be/C3T6XbMCgVA?si=wnn6MQ_2jn0sMo9w

Here’s two links that will take you straight to the two planning applications that have been submitted for developing the Showground and to make comments and/or objections. You can comment on both applications.

 

https://planpa.peterborough.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RSOMJ0MLIWV00

 

https://planpa.peterborough.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=RSXWVDML04U00

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv]

Disgraceful reporting from the BBC - Look East bulletin on breakfast news

"End of an era"

"Last ever meeting at the Showground"

"The sote IS being redeveloped leaving them homeless"

All made to sound cut and dried  - no mentioned that nothing is even agreed!

Even as a Pussycat loathing Witches fan that grated on me 

I dont know how many complaints the BBC have to receive before they have to issue a correction/apology........

[truthsayer]

16 minutes ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

Disgraceful reporting from the BBC - Look East bulletin on breakfast news

"End of an era"

"Last ever meeting at the Showground"

"The sote IS being redeveloped leaving them homeless"

All made to sound cut and dried  - no mentioned that nothing is even agreed!

Even as a Pussycat loathing Witches fan that grated on me 

I dont know how many complaints the BBC have to receive before they have to issue a correction/apology........

Hardly 'disgraceful reporting' those are the official facts as they are just now. BBC has a history of doing this, it's to their credit and to their detriment, as everyone who lived through the EU Referendum can attest to. Even the speedway team is saying it is their last meeting. I mean seriously are the BBC going to say 'well this might be the last meeting, it might not...' if all parties say this is the end?

The alternative is to not report it.

[Sir Sidney]

55 minutes ago, truthsayer said:

Hardly 'disgraceful reporting' those are the official facts as they are just now. BBC has a history of doing this, it's to their credit and to their detriment, as everyone who lived through the EU Referendum can attest to. Even the speedway team is saying it is their last meeting. I mean seriously are the BBC going to say 'well this might be the last meeting, it might not...' if all parties say this is the end?

The alternative is to not report it.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0kgi89GDboYs6pqVz1N4NnXqZCJoEBqr6Jgf41oz68gBm33tFi9DmczVpGqe1rPGl&id=100063520780294

 

 

Last league match but not last meeting

[IainB]

1 hour ago, dontforgetthefueltapsbruv said:

Disgraceful reporting from the BBC - Look East bulletin on breakfast news

"End of an era"

"Last ever meeting at the Showground"

"The sote IS being redeveloped leaving them homeless"

All made to sound cut and dried  - no mentioned that nothing is even agreed!

Even as a Pussycat loathing Witches fan that grated on me 

I dont know how many complaints the BBC have to receive before they have to issue a correction/apology........

Unfortunately "journalism" these days is often reduced to work experience kids lifting stuff from Twitter and "reporting" it as fact

Edited September 14, 2023 by iainb

[Crump99]

On 9/12/2023 at 11:57 AM, Crump99 said:

Agreed. I think that I'm done with it for 2023, hopefully not for good because there is still a fight there and PCC are looking pretty crap, who's surprised, and if people keep the pressure on, don't lose interest and become apathetic as the season ends then who knows where it will lead because there are plenty of questions to be answered concerning AEPG, The East of England Agricultural Society and Peterborough City Council (namely the planning committee and its members).

That was a gut shot from Chapman, delivered in the most unbelievably incompetent uncaring fashion, and I'm not sure that I want to turn up again to any operation that he heads.

Well a few days on to reflect and my view hasn't changed.

[Sully]

https://t.co/wK9tZn80tC
 

I can think of something else that would allow them to continue making money before construction begins…

[KetteringPanther2]

Hello all.

First Panthers meeting in 1975 with my dad but live in Poole now. 

I have very few skills except time and money. Very happy to come to Peterborough to protest, spend a couple of days leafleting to make people in the City aware or contribute to a legal fund. Just ask.

Good luck to everyone. Talking to fellow speedway fans is valuable but engaging others who value the Showground for other events more valuable?

[JoeW436]

14 minutes ago, Crump99 said:

Well a few days on to reflect and my view hasn't changed.

You, Mick and others are doing a great job, all we can do is make life as hard as possible for AEPG now and see what happens. That interview Monday night was disgraceful and completely out of touch with the current mood of those supporting the club but I didn’t expect anything less.

Good luck to the Stars in the future (you will need it) but I certainly won’t be spending another penny in an establishment linked to Keith Chapman following the conclusion of tonight’s meeting.

[Panther1997]

http://www.peterborough-speedway.com/news.php?extend.4258

 

PETERBOROUGH Speedway tonight (Thursday) stages its final league fixture at the East of England Arena with the visit of King’s Lynn.

We fully understand this will be an emotional occasion for our supporters, following confirmation that speedway will not continue at the venue in 2024.

First and foremost we want to thank everyone for their tremendous support this season in general, and more particularly in recent weeks where our crowd numbers have been superb, matching the team performance and quality of racing, and the result has been a wonderful atmosphere at our home meetings.

We also do not under-estimate the financial strain caused by the busy recent period of Monday-Thursday meetings, and we can only thank you for your continued patronage during such a tough time.

However, it is necessary for us to address several items of wholly inaccurate speculation and insinuations which have appeared online from a very small minority over recent days.

We have worked with our landlords AEPG over the last 12 months and more to ensure that the 2023 season did take place at the East of England Arena, and they have been particularly helpful and accommodating during this busy period.

Any suggestions that there is a situation beyond that whereby the ownership and promotion of Peterborough Speedway could in some way benefit from the closure of the site are completely and utterly false.

We have always been aware, as tenants, that this season would very likely be the last at the venue, and that the long-term future of the club needs to be elsewhere. This situation has not changed, and it will remain the case whoever is at the forefront of the club.

The current ownership will give every possible assistance to all efforts to retain the sport in Peterborough – but it should be clear that simply selling the club will not solve the fundamental issue of the need for a place to race.

The club has continued to invest heavily this year and did not throw in the towel even when results over the first half of the season were not up to scratch and a play-off challenge was therefore out of the question.

This was with a team which was largely not constructed by the current ownership, as it had been anticipated that a club sale would take place last winter. The exception was the final signing of Nicki Pedersen, which did not work out for reasons which have already been documented.

However, rather than drift to the end of the season, we introduced new riders – with costs associated – which did dramatically improve performances and results, and we hope provided everyone with a good deal of enjoyment over the closing weeks.

We are members of the Sports Insure Premiership and, despite inaccurate speculation elsewhere, it was always our intention to run our final fixture against King’s Lynn, which takes place tonight. This is correct for the integrity of the league, the contracted riders of both clubs, our season ticket holders, and the wider public who wish to attend.

However, the rapid arrangement of the fixture, which was only finalised on Monday afternoon, led to our decision to run a Farewell Meeting at a later date, which we felt was right to give everyone the opportunity to make plans for one final visit, rather than finish with a meeting which had been announced at 72 hours’ notice.

We categorically reject any suggestions that this meeting is solely being arranged as a ‘cash cow’ and would respectfully suggest that anyone of that opinion has the option to be wherever they wish on the day the meeting takes place – whether at the Showground or elsewhere.

The nature of the comments we have read caused us to seriously consider pulling the idea of a Farewell Meeting and simply ending the season after tonight’s meeting – which in fact would be easier logistically, given the timescale and volume of work required prior to vacating the site.

However, we have decided that out of respect to the vast majority of our loyal supporters who deserve the opportunity to give our home a fitting send-off, we will go ahead with the Farewell Meeting and hopefully by tonight we will be in a position to confirm a date.

Everyone has worked hard to keep the club operational through an immensely difficult period, and everyone feels huge sadness that our time at this venue is coming to an end.

What we cannot accept are remarks which verge on the slanderous, made by people who are not in possession of the full facts much as they would wish to believe they are.

We hope to see 15 heats of thrilling speedway tonight, and we hope everyone enjoys the meeting.
 

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Panther1997

[Crump99]

1 hour ago, JoeW436 said:

You, Mick and others are doing a great job, all we can do is make life as hard as possible for AEPG now and see what happens. That interview Monday night was disgraceful and completely out of touch with the current mood of those supporting the club but I didn’t expect anything less.

Good luck to the Stars in the future (you will need it) but I certainly won’t be spending another penny in an establishment linked to Keith Chapman following the conclusion of tonight’s meeting.

Thanks. I'm just doing my objection to Planning – Application Comments on 23/00412/OUT | Outline permission for up to 650 dwellings (and I encourage everyone else to do the same because the numbers are less than the 850 dwellings objections for some reason) so I'm still fighting but will not be attending the final two requiems that for me sum up the Chapman 2023 purple effort. Perhaps I'm doing him an injustice and he may open up when not under the alleged watchful eye of AEPG (reminds me of the interesting Youtube videos about North Korea I've been watching recently, the fully escorted holiday's are very eye opening if you haven't seen them) but the impression given is that slippers and rocking chair are waiting at the corner of the pits?

As for not upsetting the landlords, my mind went back to all of those years ago when Andrew Mercer arrived and had the usual purge on cars within the EoES. I think season tickets were in at that time but he threw them out? The disabled took the brunt as per usual as they were thrown out. It all got very personal and public with, if my memory serves me right, Jim Lynch threatening to take the landlords to court. That even made the local paper I seem to recall? Oh how times have changed.

Edited September 14, 2023 by Crump99

[Shhalewhhale]

34 minutes ago, Panther1997 said:

http://www.peterborough-speedway.com/news.php?extend.4258

 

PETERBOROUGH Speedway tonight (Thursday) stages its final league fixture at the East of England Arena with the visit of King’s Lynn.

We fully understand this will be an emotional occasion for our supporters, following confirmation that speedway will not continue at the venue in 2024.

First and foremost we want to thank everyone for their tremendous support this season in general, and more particularly in recent weeks where our crowd numbers have been superb, matching the team performance and quality of racing, and the result has been a wonderful atmosphere at our home meetings.

We also do not under-estimate the financial strain caused by the busy recent period of Monday-Thursday meetings, and we can only thank you for your continued patronage during such a tough time.

However, it is necessary for us to address several items of wholly inaccurate speculation and insinuations which have appeared online from a very small minority over recent days.

We have worked with our landlords AEPG over the last 12 months and more to ensure that the 2023 season did take place at the East of England Arena, and they have been particularly helpful and accommodating during this busy period.

Any suggestions that there is a situation beyond that whereby the ownership and promotion of Peterborough Speedway could in some way benefit from the closure of the site are completely and utterly false.

We have always been aware, as tenants, that this season would very likely be the last at the venue, and that the long-term future of the club needs to be elsewhere. This situation has not changed, and it will remain the case whoever is at the forefront of the club.

The current ownership will give every possible assistance to all efforts to retain the sport in Peterborough – but it should be clear that simply selling the club will not solve the fundamental issue of the need for a place to race.

The club has continued to invest heavily this year and did not throw in the towel even when results over the first half of the season were not up to scratch and a play-off challenge was therefore out of the question.

This was with a team which was largely not constructed by the current ownership, as it had been anticipated that a club sale would take place last winter. The exception was the final signing of Nicki Pedersen, which did not work out for reasons which have already been documented.

However, rather than drift to the end of the season, we introduced new riders – with costs associated – which did dramatically improve performances and results, and we hope provided everyone with a good deal of enjoyment over the closing weeks.

We are members of the Sports Insure Premiership and, despite inaccurate speculation elsewhere, it was always our intention to run our final fixture against King’s Lynn, which takes place tonight. This is correct for the integrity of the league, the contracted riders of both clubs, our season ticket holders, and the wider public who wish to attend.

However, the rapid arrangement of the fixture, which was only finalised on Monday afternoon, led to our decision to run a Farewell Meeting at a later date, which we felt was right to give everyone the opportunity to make plans for one final visit, rather than finish with a meeting which had been announced at 72 hours’ notice.

We categorically reject any suggestions that this meeting is solely being arranged as a ‘cash cow’ and would respectfully suggest that anyone of that opinion has the option to be wherever they wish on the day the meeting takes place – whether at the Showground or elsewhere.

The nature of the comments we have read caused us to seriously consider pulling the idea of a Farewell Meeting and simply ending the season after tonight’s meeting – which in fact would be easier logistically, given the timescale and volume of work required prior to vacating the site.

However, we have decided that out of respect to the vast majority of our loyal supporters who deserve the opportunity to give our home a fitting send-off, we will go ahead with the Farewell Meeting and hopefully by tonight we will be in a position to confirm a date.

Everyone has worked hard to keep the club operational through an immensely difficult period, and everyone feels huge sadness that our time at this venue is coming to an end.

What we cannot accept are remarks which verge on the slanderous, made by people who are not in possession of the full facts much as they would wish to believe they are.

We hope to see 15 heats of thrilling speedway tonight, and we hope everyone enjoys the meeting.
 

 

Once again failing to "read the room". Granted some things that have been posted are borderline slanderous but there are better ways to deal with it.

[Crump99]

2 hours ago, Panther1997 said:

We have always been aware, as tenants, that this season would very likely be the last at the venue, and that the long-term future of the club needs to be elsewhere. This situation has not changed, and it will remain the case whoever is at the forefront of the club.

Firstly, that wasn't the impression given on the centre green in Sept 2022 although it would clearly need a fight throughout 2023 to change those circumstances that we were told were needed to give Panthers a 2024 and beyond. And as I've said, credit for giving us a  good deal of enjoyment over the closing weeks be we needed that season long fight which has been lacking and is now being ramped up, possibly too late, by the likes of Mick Bratley. Bratters to his credit, fully appreciates that you don't upset this lot when you're working with them for Panthers so it's not surprising to see the excellent working relationship quote   "they have been particularly helpful and accommodating during this busy period"

Unless they know something that we don't, what hasn't changed is AEPG's responsibilities under:

Policy LP36: East of England Showground:

Proposals for development should not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the surrounding
uses (especially on occupiers of nearby residential properties), and all development should
ensure that the character of the area is maintained.

A comprehensive master plan in advance of, or alongside, any significant proposals will be
required and, if approved by the council in advance, this would become a material consideration
in the determination of future planning applications. Such a master plan must demonstrate how
the functioning Showground will be retained.

The loss of any existing leisure and sports facilities will not be supported unless replacement
facilities are provided in accordance with policy Policy LP30: Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Community Facilities

LP30: The loss, via redevelopment, of an existing culture, leisure, tourism or community facility will only
be permitted if it is demonstrated that:

k. The facility is demonstrably no longer fit for purpose and the site is not viable to be
redeveloped for a new community facility; or

l. The service provided by the facility is met by alternative provision that exists within
reasonable proximity: what is deemed as reasonable proximity will depend on the nature
of the facility and its associated catchment area; or

m. The proposal includes the provision of a new facility of a similar nature and of a similar or
greater size in a suitable on or off-site location.

Now I'm no expert but there are questions to answer for AEPG/PCC in an alleged open and transparent planning process and those answers potentially need to be challenged? With inadequate answers or justification a new club owner could get 3 seasons at least until a new local plan is adopted in 2026 so I'm not fully convinced by that part either; although it would probably require one or both planning applications being turned down or PCC telling AEPG that they have to honour LP36 & LP30. Not forgetting, from Peterborough Today: The Peterborough Local Plan for 2016-2036 says that 650 homes on the Showground is an acceptable number; though building works might take a decade.

The fact that Butterfield is quoted as saying: “We are working with the Speedway fans and owners but we understand the disappointment that the speedway is moving from Peterborough.” does raise some alarm bells because surely that decision is yet to be made or go in their favour?

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Crump99

[Shhalewhhale]

Which fans is Butterfingers working with?

[Sir Sidney]

1 hour ago, Panther1997 said:

http://www.peterborough-speedway.com/news.php?extend.4258

 

PETERBOROUGH Speedway tonight (Thursday) stages its final league fixture at the East of England Arena with the visit of King’s Lynn.

We fully understand this will be an emotional occasion for our supporters, following confirmation that speedway will not continue at the venue in 2024.

First and foremost we want to thank everyone for their tremendous support this season in general, and more particularly in recent weeks where our crowd numbers have been superb, matching the team performance and quality of racing, and the result has been a wonderful atmosphere at our home meetings.

We also do not under-estimate the financial strain caused by the busy recent period of Monday-Thursday meetings, and we can only thank you for your continued patronage during such a tough time.

However, it is necessary for us to address several items of wholly inaccurate speculation and insinuations which have appeared online from a very small minority over recent days.

We have worked with our landlords AEPG over the last 12 months and more to ensure that the 2023 season did take place at the East of England Arena, and they have been particularly helpful and accommodating during this busy period.

Any suggestions that there is a situation beyond that whereby the ownership and promotion of Peterborough Speedway could in some way benefit from the closure of the site are completely and utterly false.

We have always been aware, as tenants, that this season would very likely be the last at the venue, and that the long-term future of the club needs to be elsewhere. This situation has not changed, and it will remain the case whoever is at the forefront of the club.

The current ownership will give every possible assistance to all efforts to retain the sport in Peterborough – but it should be clear that simply selling the club will not solve the fundamental issue of the need for a place to race.

The club has continued to invest heavily this year and did not throw in the towel even when results over the first half of the season were not up to scratch and a play-off challenge was therefore out of the question.

This was with a team which was largely not constructed by the current ownership, as it had been anticipated that a club sale would take place last winter. The exception was the final signing of Nicki Pedersen, which did not work out for reasons which have already been documented.

However, rather than drift to the end of the season, we introduced new riders – with costs associated – which did dramatically improve performances and results, and we hope provided everyone with a good deal of enjoyment over the closing weeks.

We are members of the Sports Insure Premiership and, despite inaccurate speculation elsewhere, it was always our intention to run our final fixture against King’s Lynn, which takes place tonight. This is correct for the integrity of the league, the contracted riders of both clubs, our season ticket holders, and the wider public who wish to attend.

However, the rapid arrangement of the fixture, which was only finalised on Monday afternoon, led to our decision to run a Farewell Meeting at a later date, which we felt was right to give everyone the opportunity to make plans for one final visit, rather than finish with a meeting which had been announced at 72 hours’ notice.

We categorically reject any suggestions that this meeting is solely being arranged as a ‘cash cow’ and would respectfully suggest that anyone of that opinion has the option to be wherever they wish on the day the meeting takes place – whether at the Showground or elsewhere.

The nature of the comments we have read caused us to seriously consider pulling the idea of a Farewell Meeting and simply ending the season after tonight’s meeting – which in fact would be easier logistically, given the timescale and volume of work required prior to vacating the site.

However, we have decided that out of respect to the vast majority of our loyal supporters who deserve the opportunity to give our home a fitting send-off, we will go ahead with the Farewell Meeting and hopefully by tonight we will be in a position to confirm a date.

Everyone has worked hard to keep the club operational through an immensely difficult period, and everyone feels huge sadness that our time at this venue is coming to an end.

What we cannot accept are remarks which verge on the slanderous, made by people who are not in possession of the full facts much as they would wish to believe they are.

We hope to see 15 heats of thrilling speedway tonight, and we hope everyone enjoys the meeting.
 

 

What this statement doesn't address at all is the provisions of the Local Plan, and what, if any, conversations the current owners have had with the Council or AEPG about the provisions contained on it.