BERWICK - From the Air

Pilot and speedway fan Mark Meynell was the photographer for these pictures of the two Berwick circuits. Thanks to Steve Harland for passing them to us.

The first shows an aerial view of much of Berwick-upon-Tweed and Shielfield Park is clearly visible in the picture. The picture below is of a reduced size, just click on the picture to see it in all its glory.

Shielfield was the original home of the Berwick Bandits from 1968 until Berwick Rangers Football Club served them notice in 1979. They were able to use the track for most of the 1980 season and spent a nomadic season at Barrow and Glasgow in 1981.

The second home of the Bandits was Berrington Lough, hidden away in the deepest countryside a few miles from the town. This purpose built venue, constructed mainly from breezeblock, telegraph poles and corrugated iron, was used until the end of the 1995 season.

The bar and dressing rooms on the home straight still exist though the remainder of the stadium has been cleared in recent years. This recent picture from Mark, which again can be enlarged by clicking on it, shows just how little of the venue remains.

The Bandits are now back racing at Shielfield Park, they moved back into the town centre venue in 1996.

We have additional pictures of both Berrington Lough and Shielfield Park elsewhere on the site.