Bee Posted May 11, 2004 Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 Hey BRYN how are you. Still chain smoking? I was really quite saddened to hear that Chris Galvin has passed on. Smashing guy, and helped me out a lot when I was messing around with the training schools (Remember they called me Skid!) Anyway those days at Hackney were great even when ANDY used to grab my bike and go for a burn up. Bacon butties and cards at Vic Harding was always worth hanging around for. Is SNOWIE still with us. I do hope so. Me? I live in the Philippines now. and happy to be in the sun all year around. Do I miss speedway? Not in the slightest really. I keep in touch with it via here, and the Coventry web-site etc. Saw your reports from Oz. U should stop off here on the way there, or back one time. Speedway looks a complete mess to me nowadays. The Premier looks a better thing than the Elite. I couldn't even imagine turning up week in week out to top league matches when you are getting no value at all. Two heat leaders if your lucky... And very long tails. Downgraded beyond belief IMHO. Bring Back the Hawks and the Bees of the 70's 80'and even most of the 90's. But 2000 + Nah Forget it. Best wishes anyway to all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 11, 2004 Report Share Posted May 11, 2004 Hey BRYN how are you. Still chain smoking? I was really quite saddened to hear that Chris Galvin has passed on. Smashing guy, and helped me out a lot when I was messing around with the training schools (Remember they called me Skid!) Anyway those days at Hackney were great even when ANDY used to grab my bike and go for a burn up. Bacon butties and cards at Vic Harding was always worth hanging around for. Is SNOWIE still with us. I do hope so. Me? I live in the Philippines now. and happy to be in the sun all year around. Do I miss speedway? Not in the slightest really. I keep in touch with it via here, and the Coventry web-site etc. Saw your reports from Oz. U should stop off here on the way there, or back one time. Speedway looks a complete mess to me nowadays. The Premier looks a better thing than the Elite. I couldn't even imagine turning up week in week out to top league matches when you are getting no value at all. Two heat leaders if your lucky... And very long tails. Downgraded beyond belief IMHO. Bring Back the Hawks and the Bees of the 70's 80'and even most of the 90's. But 2000 + Nah Forget it. Best wishes anyway to all. Blimey - SKID!!!! How ya doing? Me? Smoke??? Er...yep! LOL Sunny yourself in the Phillipines huh? Alright for some! Anyway you'll be pleased to know that dear old Snowy's still around and a regular at Arena Essex although he doesn't get to many away tracks now. He had a stroke a few years back but he's still with us. Wonder what Terry Heath's doing now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Does anyone apart from Bryn of course remember and ever purchase the excellent Kestrel News that Bryn used to write and edit every week. Back in those days if you could not attend any away meetings the Kestrel News was the about the only way of finding out the full scorers and match reports from any away matches held during the week. I used to buy the Kestrel News every Friday and found it an excellent read. I always remeber one particular headline saying PREDICTABLE LOSS AT POOLE AND THE REF NEEDS SHOOTING!!!!! I seem to remember Bryn producing a similar thing at Wimbledon in 1991 called Dons Digest is that correct Bryn?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robyn1972 Posted May 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 (edited) Yep - remember it well - a really good read! Also always enjoyed "Birdbrain" in the programme - some of the catchphrases from that column still raise a giggle when I think of them! When we moved house last year I came across a pile of old Hackney programmes and had a great laugh reading those and the copies of KN which were tucked in the pages of some of them! I was delighted to hear that Snowy is still about too! Edited May 12, 2004 by Robyn1972 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliv Clav Posted May 12, 2004 Report Share Posted May 12, 2004 Paul Whittaker's bad crash was in 1991, at Newcastle, I think. He last rode for Arena in 1995 as a replacement for the injured Rob Ledwith. Sadly, Whit wasn't the same rider he had been before the crash. Haven't heard anything about him since '95. Really would love to see Andy riding again, as he loves racing. It's an absolute miracle he ever sat on a speedway bike again after the horrific injuries he suffered in 1993. Respect to The Great Galvini! It's great that Moggo is still thrilling the crowds as he always did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bee Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Does anyone apart from Bryn of course remember and ever purchase the excellent Kestrel News that Bryn used to write and edit every week. Back in those days if you could not attend any away meetings the Kestrel News was the about the only way of finding out the full scorers and match reports from any away matches held during the week. I used to buy the Kestrel News every Friday and found it an excellent read. I always remeber one particular headline sayingPREDICTABLE LOSS AT POOLE AND THE REF NEEDS SHOOTING!!!!! I seem to remember Bryn producing a similar thing at Wimbledon in 1991 called Dons Digest is that correct Bryn?? Yes I do and very good they were too. Even featured my antics of Skidding round the marshes right Bryn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cheetahhawk Posted May 13, 2004 Report Share Posted May 13, 2004 Is SNOWIE still with us. I do hope so. Anyway you'll be pleased to know that dear old Snowy's still around and a regular at Arena Essex although he doesn't get to many away tracks now. He had a stroke a few years back but he's still with us. He can also be seen at Rye House most weeks. Every time I have been to Rye House this year I have seen Snowie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Paul Whittacker as far as I know still lives in the Kent area, Snowy he can be found in March at the VSRA bless him, keep trying to get Bryn there but he's having none of it maybe this year huh Bryn? Chris Galvin yep I remember him and El Tel his partner in crime we had some excellent laughs with the pair of these at Canterbury & Iwade. Who knows if Chris had applied to the Council that fateful year (87) we may still be going now Oh well times change but like Bee says you can never beat the 70's 80's Hackney was a wonderful place to grow up and I was pleased to be a part of that era when Unc was riding. Bryn are you going to venture over to Iwade on Sunday for the Sittingbourne/Wimbledon meeting if you do bring Mark and Sam with you please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Cheetah Hawk, Robyn, Cliv Clav, Bryn et al. Do you remember the meeting at Waterden Road in 1990 against Arena when Bryn took over as start or flag marshal for a couple of heats because the normal flag/start marshal had a barney with the ref and walked off!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure this incident happened and I havent dreamt it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Cheetah Hawk, Robyn, Cliv Clav, Bryn et al. Do you remember the meeting at Waterden Road in 1990 against Arena when Bryn took over as start or flag marshal for a couple of heats because the normal flag/start marshal had a barney with the ref and walked off!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure this incident happened and I havent dreamt it No you didn't dream it VV - that's exactly what happened....I would have waved the chequered flag "Paul Johnson" style (remember him?) but I was scared of splitting my trousers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliv Clav Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Cheetah Hawk, Robyn, Cliv Clav, Bryn et al. Do you remember the meeting at Waterden Road in 1990 against Arena when Bryn took over as start or flag marshal for a couple of heats because the normal flag/start marshal had a barney with the ref and walked off!!!!!!!! I am pretty sure this incident happened and I havent dreamt it I do remember this, in fact, I have it on video! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Great I thought my memory wasnt playing tricks with me. Didnt Bryn also referee a meeting once when the ref wasnt available for one reason or another. It may have been a 4tt meeting at Arena possibly Arena v Hackney v Rye v Mildenhall something like that?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryn Posted May 15, 2004 Report Share Posted May 15, 2004 Your memory serves you correctly once again VV!!! And dear old Peter Thorogood was none too pleased when I called a halt to the meeting midway through due to that wet stuff falling down in buckets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robyn1972 Posted May 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2004 I used to enjoy the end of season shenanigans - for some reason it was always funnier at Waterden Road than other tracks - perhaps mainly because whoever the poor b*****d who'd lost their trousers was, with the pits being where they were it meant a walk "sans legwear" past the majority of the crowd to get back there! Who was it who had theirs thrown on the bonfire one year?!!!! Another memory - that terrible old supporters club coach. Alright on it's own, but when coupled with Terry's driving......eeeeeek! Still - it never really let us down! (The bus, OR Terry come to that!) Ahhh - happy days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliv Clav Posted May 17, 2004 Report Share Posted May 17, 2004 I think I'm right in saying that Bryn parted company with his trousers at Arena one year. Am I right Bryn? I also seem to remember Andy Galvin, Troy Pratt and others tying Pete Thorogood to the starting gate, stripping him down to his undies putting flour and eggs in his hair and painting him white! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted May 17, 2004 Report Share Posted May 17, 2004 I used to enjoy the end of season shenanigans - for some reason it was always funnier at Waterden Road than other tracks Have to agree there.I guess Uncle Len has to take credit for that.He knew how to entertain.Mechanics races and all.Think Wimbledons meetings were somewhat sober occasions compared to Hackney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.