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Bring Speedway back Bristol / Newport area


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It would be interesting to know just how many people living in or around Cardiff actually attend the Grand Prix meetings. This would perhaps give a good pointer as to whether a Cardiff Club would be supported - IF of course, a suitable venue in the City could be found.

I spent some time working in Cardiff during my working days, and the people there all said that the old Cardiff track at Penarth Road was a difficult place to get to in the days when not so many people had cars and had to rely on buses, and that they thought this was why it didn't last very long. The Penarth Road track is long gone now, but I did look for it in about 1964 and found what ws left of it which was just a couple of huts without roofs, and a concrete starting area.

Pre war, there was a Cardiff track at a place called White City which has also disappeared now, and some of my Cardiff mates did suggest a place called The Maindy Stadium might be a possibility. Glyn Taylor once told me that he had a stadium in mind - but he wouldn't say where!

I never managed to get to Carmarthen, which was a bit of a disaster, but I did go once to Neath and saw that the crowd was poor and the facilities non-existent!

I'd really like to see tracks at Bristol and Cardiff though.

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15 hours ago, brianbuck said:

It would be interesting to know just how many people living in or around Cardiff actually attend the Grand Prix meetings. This would perhaps give a good pointer as to whether a Cardiff Club would be supported - IF of course, a suitable venue in the City could be found.

I spent some time working in Cardiff during my working days, and the people there all said that the old Cardiff track at Penarth Road was a difficult place to get to in the days when not so many people had cars and had to rely on buses, and that they thought this was why it didn't last very long. The Penarth Road track is long gone now, but I did look for it in about 1964 and found what ws left of it which was just a couple of huts without roofs, and a concrete starting area.

Pre war, there was a Cardiff track at a place called White City which has also disappeared now, and some of my Cardiff mates did suggest a place called The Maindy Stadium might be a possibility. Glyn Taylor once told me that he had a stadium in mind - but he wouldn't say where!

I never managed to get to Carmarthen, which was a bit of a disaster, but I did go once to Neath and saw that the crowd was poor and the facilities non-existent!

I'd really like to see tracks at Bristol and Cardiff though.

Thanks for your input,much appreciated 

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I suppose Oxford is the nearest, as I seem to recall, Swindon versus Oxford was known as a local derby? And it has always been said, that Bristol got big crowds! I don't know why someone couldn't do something like 'a Workington' somewhere near Bristol, Swindon or South Wales. Maybe there isn't anyone with the money or the interest to start something up. However, there is a Swindon action group, how are they getting on?  

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4 hours ago, Ray Stadia said:

I suppose Oxford is the nearest, as I seem to recall, Swindon versus Oxford was known as a local derby? And it has always been said, that Bristol got big crowds! I don't know why someone couldn't do something like 'a Workington' somewhere near Bristol, Swindon or South Wales. Maybe there isn't anyone with the money or the interest to start something up. However, there is a Swindon action group, how are they getting on?  

Bristol Council - appalling record regarding closing sports and entertainment facilities and failing to replace them

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10 hours ago, Andy Downes said:

 

Bristol Council - appalling record regarding closing sports and entertainment facilities and failing to replace them

Is the board mainly oldies if so they are only interested in the hobby of golf

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5 hours ago, Youhave2minutes said:

Is the board mainly oldies if so they are only interested in the hobby of golf

Hey, I'm an 'oldie' and I am into Speedway, Cricket and Football. 😳

You can't stereotype groups of people like you have done. 😉

By the way - I detest Golf. Boring as hell and it spoils a good walk. 🙄

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On 11/25/2024 at 5:22 PM, The White Knight said:

Hey, I'm an 'oldie' and I am into Speedway, Cricket and Football. 😳

You can't stereotype groups of people like you have done. 😉

By the way - I detest Golf. Boring as hell and it spoils a good walk. 🙄

I used to enjoy watching the odd game of golf when Peter Alliss was a commentator. He had the knack to make it sound interesting, in my opinion. He had a dry sense of humour! 

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On 11/24/2024 at 7:42 PM, Ray Stadia said:

I suppose Oxford is the nearest, as I seem to recall, Swindon versus Oxford was known as a local derby? And it has always been said, that Bristol got big crowds! I don't know why someone couldn't do something like 'a Workington' somewhere near Bristol, Swindon or South Wales. Maybe there isn't anyone with the money or the interest to start something up. However, there is a Swindon action group, how are they getting on?  

We have someone who wants to open the sport again in Swindon, but the Council are adamant they have no land available.

Private land searches have also drawn a blank so far.

Clarke Osborne continues to sit on what's left of the Abbey and let that deteriorate and not complete the new bits he threw up to enable houses in the car park.

No doubt to eventually be allowed to demolish it for more houses.

We are presenting our petition to Full Council on Thursday, but fully expect lots of lip-service and verbal support with no end product from the Council.

 

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Re tracks in South Wales - There was some talk of a track in the proposed car & bike racing track planned for Ebbw Vale area which fell through much to my disappointment having moved to the area from Newport, And of course there have been 2 tracks in Newport - Somerton Park now a housing estate (built by the Housing Association I used to work for - the irony) and Queensway Meadows now a truck yard (after it burnt t down after it closed) as well the aforementioned Cardiff, Neath & Carmarthen (which was a great little track housed in a showground) and also tracks in the very early days at Caerphilly & Tredegar and possibly New Tredegar. A venture to bring racing to Swansea at one point was to come to nothing. The crowds initially at both Newport tracks were outstanding but faltered, but proved it could be feasible in Newport at least and it drew a support from across South Wales.

Edited by longlivefrankie
spelling error & update
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What about Reading (at least it is west of London). Smallmead Stadium is no more, but the land itself hasn't been built on yet. Surrounded by industrial units it shouldn't get many house owners moaning about the noise. I don't get why someone will not give it another try or is the Council not willing to give permission?

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On 11/25/2024 at 11:30 AM, Youhave2minutes said:

Is the board mainly oldies if so they are only interested in the hobby of golf

No, it gives the outward appearance of wanting to be a trendy fun city but they only seem interested in building houses and more houses. 

A few years ago they looked at building a much needed large concert hall/sports venue (10,000+) by Temple Meads Station but changed at the last moment to housing. 

They have closed down the Ice Rink and show no interest in helping Bristol Rovers build a new ground to replace the antiquated Memorial Grounds.

The plan to move the Basketball team to a new stadium has been put back again to 2025 

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4 hours ago, ElmParkRG2 said:

What about Reading (at least it is west of London). Smallmead Stadium is no more, but the land itself hasn't been built on yet. Surrounded by industrial units it shouldn't get many house owners moaning about the noise. I don't get why someone will not give it another try or is the Council not willing to give permission?

We spoke to the council 3 times about the possibility of going back to Smallmead and were given a resounding "no chance". As for homeowners there is a housing estate 300 yards along on the opposite side of the road.

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There was huge talk of a track opening just down the road from Newport in Magor but haven't heard anything about that for a long time now. Must be dead in the water.

In a time where the sport is absolutely on its knees, I can't see it returning to Wales any time soon.

 

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