SpeedwayPlus | The VSRA Speedway Museum 10/02/2006

The VSRA Speedway Museum
10/02/2006

We would like to start by wishing everyone a Happy 2006, the year we hope to open the sport's first National Speedway Museum. We are now confident of reaching our target, as we have raised £47730 (87% funded) just £7270 to go. Although there is less opportunity during the closed season to raise money, the Sunderland Reunion raised an incredible £500 and the article in the latest 'Opposite Lock' has achieved a great response from the VSRA members for which we are most grateful.

Our next fund raising events are the weekend 18th & 19th February. The Scottish members of the VSRA are holding a raffle at the dinner in Glasgow for the Museum fund on Saturday 18th. Sunday 19th sees the Speedway fraternity gathering at The Kings Oak High Beech, for the Annual Speedway Fayre, 77 years to the day of the first Speedway meeting there in 1928. The main hall will have our leading stallholders gathered inside with many new items, and memorabilia. Terry Stone leading the Men in Black braving the weather outside along with Frances & Nigel Gabbitas who will be displaying Billy Sander's & Danny Dunton's bikes. Craig Saul will be on hand to interview the speedway personalities during the day. We will have a stand inside (Linda did not want to brave the weather) selling our badges, CD's, DVD's etc. On view Wally Loak's recordings, and "Once a Jolly Swagman" available from Alan Hodkinson. Joining us on the day will be Stuart Towner who is now running the "Friends of Speedway" if you are interested in joining now's your chance. Please come along and give your support, the profits from this day are for the Speedway Museum. Lunch is available in the pub restaurant, for bookings call 0208 508 5000. Further information is available from Andy Griggs 01553 82706 or George Barclay. Also see the adverts in the Speedway Star.

Our thanks to Dave Dowling and the Association of Referees who are raising funds with a raffle at their pre-season meeting. This museum really is supported by everyone in this great sport.

March sees the start of the 2006 season with all its many changes in tracks, and riders moving between the leagues. We are sorry to see some tracks not running in this coming season. We look forward to the collections taking place at the tracks that were unable to hold them last year, but have agreed to organise for the coming season. We also hope that the remaining promotions, and some of the newcomers, will give an opportunity to their supporters to contribute to their Museum.

We continue to be assisted in the fund raising by many people behind the scenes, without whom we would not have achieved the success to date, they know who they are and we greatly appreciate their support.

We are still working closely with Pete Sampson and his staff at Paradise Park, in particular Mark Edgerley and Steve Ling assisting in negotiations with the relevant authorities.

For any further information please contact:

George Barclay
41, Lodge Avenue
Dagenham
RM8 2JD

Telephone No. 020 8592 3361.