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GENERAL NEWS
CYCLE SPEEDWAY ON LOOK NORTH TV posted 12 March 2014
Cycle speedway featured again on television last night when BBC cameras were at Cramlington to cover the sport for it Look North regional programme.
Take a look at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03xjvwn/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-11032014
Another important piece of the pre-season preparation jig-saw fell into place at Poole Harbourside today as the centre green was reinstated after winter work to replace all drainage and inside track perimeter.
Action from a Go-Ride day especially for women and girls, hosted by Sheffield cycle speedway, will be shown on Sportsday on the BBC News channel on Friday evening between 6.30 and 7.00pm.
Meanwhile BBC cameras will be at Northumberland Vikings track tomorrow (Friday 7 March) to do a piece highlighting cycle speedways revival in the North-East for transmission on the local Inside Out programme.
Sky Sports 4 will screen highlights of the national individual championships from Coventry at 7pm on Tuesday 11th March. There wil be numerous repeats on the following dates, details of which will be published later.
One of the unsung heroes of Coventry Cycle Speedway is official club photographer, Ray Andrews. Ray, alongside Mark Phillips, provides the club with images that help to brighten the website, matchday programmes and the clubs social media accounts.
"When I was first asked to pick my favourite photos from 2013, I thought it would it would be quite an easy task. However it proved to be more challenging than I first thought", Andrews commented.
"After sifting through the blurred, out of focus and photos of a track minus the riders, where I completely missed all the riders because they are a bit quick, I've managed to come up with a few.
The second below is a shot from the British semi final at Leicester. I never like to see riders fall off, however in this image I think Myke Grimes and Craig Marchant are trying to start a new sport of sychronised crashing! Unfortunately it was one too many falls on the day which denied him a place in the final. Good luck in 2014 Myke for Coventry and individually added Ray.
This remarkable photo shows damage to fencing after a tree was uprooted at St Thomass recreation ground, home of the Stockport cycle speedway team. Now club and Council officials are battling to clear the site ahead of Stockports pre-season training sessions.
Delegates attending the Coalville conference had hoped that under-16s competing in youth events would be exempt BC byelaws from paying British Cyclings recently introduced £1.50 rider levy. However the latest communication from British Cycling reiterates an earlier statement confirming that that levy must be paid by all riders.
The statement reads as follows: Levies and Match Registration Fees. For the 2014 season, £1.50 levy per day of competition will be payable by all riders in all competition. This needs to be collected by the host club and paid to BCHQ in early June, August and at the end of December. Levies for British Championships will be collected as part of the entry fee.
Meanwhile, in order to streamline the admin process, British Cycling is looking again at the supporting paperwork
The levy form to be completed after each day of competition is currently being updated so that the referee can list upon it those riders who cannot provide evidence of current and valid BC membership on the day said British Cyclings Paul West.
As a copy of the score sheet is required for submission from the host club which carries the names of each rider, these two items rather make the rider registration form redundant. The match referee is still required to scrutinise each BC membership card or other evidence of BC membership for validity.
An updated levy form will be circulated early next week he added.
Cycle speedways leaders have agreed to meet a delegation from the regions to discuss the future of the sport and its relationship with British Cycling.
The meeting follows requests for a forum which emanated for last weekends Future of Cycle Speedway meeting in Leicestershire.
Originally it was through a small delegation from the Coalville meeting would meet the Commission chairman, British Cycling senior managers and Commission representatives.
Instead, it is understood that three representatives from the four regions, the full Commission and a senior BC officials will meet in Manchester, possibility on Saturday 1st March, to discuss a number of issues highlighted at the Coalville meeting including rider levies, communication and publicity.
Regular readers will recall that a British veterans national champions jersey was recently put up for sale on Ebay.
At first it was thought that a former winner had offered the jersey for sale but it later transpired that it was a reject shirt which was probably found to be too small. The excess jersey was bought by a company specialising in surplus stock and auctioned on Ebay.
Under British Cycling regulations, national champions jerseys no longer have any narrative on them but the spare jersey was over-printed with the wording British Over 60s Cycle Speedway Champion.
The winning bid, believed to be in the region of £20, was made by popular Norwich rider Paddy Wenn.
What a lovely thought. Thats really generous of Paddy said Bob Prince as he received the jersey from Paddy Wenn (pictured above).
One of Spokesmans keenest readers is hoping to set up a new cycle speedway track in Cambridgeshire! Local enthusiast Michael Jones is hoping that other readers will help him in his quest,
I would like put together a new cycle speedway club near where I live in Cambridge or Royston to its south Michael told Spokesman.
As a start-up club, I am looking for members and hope to hold indoor training in one of the local leisure or sports centres.
Anyone interested can contact me on Facebook directly, throw the group "Cambridge Cycle Speedway" or email me at [email protected]
After a positive meeting, delegates stepped-back from forming an independent governing body in favour of a last ditch attempt to improve relationships with British Cycling.
Welcoming 36 delegates from 17 clubs, hosts Ross Mee and Tim Jarvis outlined the reasons why they had called the meeting, reiterating that the initiative was not anti British Cycling but pro cycle speedway.
Having clearly done their homework, the pair took it in turns to confidently outline their proposals, Jarvis concentrating on administrative matters while Mee, a chartered accountant, explained the financial aspects.
Early discussions with a number of companies suggested that insurance could be provided more cost effectively than that currently provided by British Cycling. It was acknowledged that some more work, including a meeting with prospective providers, was needed to ensure insurance was robust and met the needs of cycle speedway.
One big advantage cycle speedway has is that it is raced in a controlled environment which should make it considerably cheaper than, for example, racing on the roads. Mee and Jarvis are confident that substantial savings can be made, making any new body a realistic and cost effective proposition, at the same time significantly reducing costs for member clubs.
Subject to assurances on insurances, there was a consensus that, not only could cycle speedway administer its own affairs but it could save money in the process. In short, it offered a viable alternative to British Cycling.
Opening the debate to the floor, clubs shared their experiences of British Cycling. Two of the biggest clubs, Ipswich and Sheffield, praised British Cycling for the help and assistance they had given the clubs, Ipswich primarily in recruitment and Sheffield in facility development. On the other side of the coin, several clubs were less complimentary, saying that they had received little in the way of support despite asking on numerous occasions.
Having represented cycle speedway on British Cyclings regional board and attended National Council, veteran administrator Paul Bodley thought some of the BC staff he had experienced were lacking in ability. Another well-known personality, Joe McLaughlin, voiced his disappointment at the lack of support in the revival of Coventry CSC and the staging of the 2013 British Finals. He also outlined conflicts of interest when dealing with sponsors and television companies.
Other shared their thoughts and views on the subject including Tony Bennett who said Ian Brown had done more for cycle speedway than British Cycling while Tony Mann felt the governing body had little knowledge or interest in cycle speedway.
One of the most enlightening comments came from cycle speedway newcomer Rob Barnett who explained that his son Charlie had recently taken up the game and how it had changed the youngsters life and improved his social skills. Youngsters are our future said Barnett who earned a warm round of applause for his comments.
Commissioner Bob Prince warned of the potential damage a split could do to the sport.
After much debate, most of it uncomplimentary to British Cycling, the meeting moved on to the vexed question of finance and match levies. Southampton legend Colin Wheeler explained the difficulties of physically collecting the money and suggested clubs should simply refuse to pay it. Others like Bretfords Bernie Kemp thought it would badly hit already pressed family-based club like Bretford. Former World number one Roger Ellis was critical of the spiralling cost of competition entry fees.
There was much confusion what the £1.50 levy was for. It was unclear whether it was a race levy, in which case under-16s are exempt under Bye-Law 3.7.3 or an event insurance levy in which case under-16s had to pay.
Although senior British Cycling officials had indicated the levy was non-negotiable, such was the strength of feeling from the floor that the Commissioners present, Bob Prince and Ian Brown, were asked to present a number of specific suggestions to the full Commission at its meeting scheduled for 1 February.
Graham Sutton, at his analytical and persuasive best, summarised the main points, suggesting that the issues raised should be reasonable, well argued and hopefully achievable.
Among the things British Cycling are asked to consider are continuation of the block insurance premium at an increased cost; failing that, restricting the daily levies to those over 16 years of age; and setting up a forum of BC officials and representatives from cycle speedway to develop a new relationship to take the sport forward. It was hoped some of the non-tangible aspects, such as improved administration, communication, development, marketing and promotion could form part of this dialogue.
The meeting felt the support of newly appointed Commission chairman Graham Elliott was crucial in the process. Having received nothing but glowing reports, the sport was confident Elliott would take these matters forward with drive and energy.
The meeting was held in a convivial atmosphere. Surprisingly no chairman or facilitator was needed, showing the harmony within the group.
Ross Mee and Tim Jarvis, who has recently resigned as Midlands regional representative of the Commission, were thanked for their hard work and for facilitating the meeting, earning a well deserved round of applause.
The entire sport now looks forward to the outcomes of the Commission meeting and the Board meeting two weeks later, certain in the knowledge that continued membership of British Cycling is the preferred option but that there is a realistic alternative if things dont improve.
A new cycle speedway track is set to be built in Dunfermline and could be open in time for the 2014 season.
Costing close on £50,000, the facility will be created at Queen Anne High School. It will be funded by grant aid. Sportscotland have already agreed to provide £24,606 while the Carnegie Trust put £2,461 towards the construction of the track, which will be only the third in Scotland along with circuits in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The project can now be completed after Fife Environmental Trust agreed to provide a grant of £21,151 that completed the funding required for the project.
No planning permission is required as the track will be built on spare land within the school grounds so organisers are hopeful that work on constructing the track start in March after a tendering process has been completed.
The sport has captured the imagination of Queen Anne pupils who have been participating in a five match series with other Fife schools - Balwearie, Madras College, Glenwood and Viewforth. Queen Anne, along with Inverkeithing High, have also competed in the Scottish Schools Cycle Speedway League which held its inaugural season in 2012 with matches held indoors.
Craig Masson, acting PT guidance teacher at the school, said, "It is a big deal as when we started the Fife series, I didn't expect it to take off as well as it has. "We have about 25 pupils a week taking part and between the five schools in the series, there are about 100 kids participating.
"I got into it when I started going to speedway when I was 10 or 11 and from that I've wanted to try and get the sport within the school as an extra-curricular activity. "This will be only the third outdoor track in Scotland and it will make a huge difference. It would allow us to create a club to compete against teams like the Edinburgh Falcons and Glasgow, who I think would be willing to have a Fife team in their championship.
"It will also allow us to have more sessions in school as at the moment we are only able to have 30-45 minutes on a Monday. It will enhance the school's existing facilities and be available for community use. With the Commonwealth Games coming up, there will be more interest in cycling that will hopefully see more people become involved."
Organisers of an initiative to gauge if continued membership of British Cycling is the best way forward for cycle speedway, plan to invite every club in the country to a special meeting to discuss the subject.
The debate has been launched by leading club officials Tim Jarvis and Ross Mee, who outside cycle speedway both run their own successful businesses.
Explaining the reasons for the meeting, the pair told Spokesman "It is clearly time we chose a clear path and embrace it fully. We can continue as we are, but we must then accept that the cost of cycle speedway will continue to rise and that decisions are likely to be imposed on us that may have an adverse effect on the sport."
"Alternatively we could form our own national governing body (NGB) and operate cycle speedway as a business in the same manner as Cycling Time Trials. Our meeting should aim to promote a clear path that we can publish in full for our members to make an informed decision."
Originally it was intended to invite two delegates from each region to discuss the emerging proposals. However, due to overwhelming interest, coupled with the need to ensure as wide a dialogue as possible, the invitation has now been extended to every club in the country.
Organiser Tim Jarvis confirmed the new arrangements saying "Due to the response to the article published on Spokesman regarding an alternative to British Cycling, a planned meeting due to take place on Saturday 25th January is set to be expanded. Originally two representatives from each region were invited to attend but the scale of interest has been such that we are now opening the meeting to representation from each club.
"Our original meeting room will not accommodate the expected attendance" explained Jarvis. "We do have access to a larger one on the same premises, however an idea of numbers would be ideal for our planning.
Interested parties are therefore asked to contact Tim Jarvis as soon as possible, via email if possible on [email protected]
The meeting is scheduled to start at 10.30am, and finish by 3pm, provisionally at NixonMee Accountants, Unit 9 Whitwick Business Centre, Stenson Rd, Coalville, LE67 4JP.
The possibility of cycle speedway breaking away from British Cycling is gaining momentum.
A group of highly respected club officials are putting a package together which they hope will convince the sport that it can be self-sufficient and be better managed outside British Cycling.
Preliminary discussions have already taken place with Cycling Time Trials to learn from their experiences and see how they operate. Formerly the Road Time Trial Council, the time trialists took the decision not to join British Cycling back in 2000 when the other fringe disciplines, BMX, cyclo-cross and cycle speedway merged with their Big Brother.
Still their own national governing body (NGB), CTT has gone from strength to strength and, despite the lack of government grant, has become financially stable.
The main driver for the breakaway is the dramatic increases in fees demanded by British Cycling including the £10 Elite League licence and £1.50 daily rider levy. There are serious concerns that fees will continue to rise in the future.
However the initiative is not exclusively about money. It is also about accountability, democratic administration and taking back control of the sport from a large corporation. The new set-up will be headed by an elected committee who would be responsible for the operation of cycle speedway.
Making their case, the group contend that British Cycling made a loss of £821,000 for the years 2012/13. We can be certain that BC will wish to halt this trend. One way of doing this is the increase the fees it charges, something that has been apparent with the whole raft of price rises seen by cycle speedway. Therefore if we are to remain as part of BC, we must accept that the cost of doing so will continue to increase.
Building a case to leave British Cycling, the group have obviously done considerable groundwork, suggesting that cycle speedway would need to form a limited company. An outline budget has already been compiled. From quotes received, it would appear that cost effective public liability insurance can be sourced at an affordable rate.
It is suggested that an income stream, funded predominantly from membership fees, would not only meet the cost of insurance but could fund a part-time administrator.
Under emerging proposals all membership fees would start and be due on 1st January and would be paid online directly into a CS account. No licences would be issued.
The regions would be responsible for operating their own competitions. Clubs would no longer pay a fee to stage British championship events but they would be responsible for supplying trophies.
After initially setting up the systems, the administration would be mainly be involved in collecting fees, both for annual membership and championship events, and a certain amount of book keeping. The person would not be involved in the actual day to day running of the sport.
This is a most important point claim the group, The administrator would be there simply to carry out their specified duties and would not be involved in decisions that affect the operation of cycle speedway.
It is expected the group will be setting up a meeting soon to gauge interest in their proposals.
Clubs may go to the wall after British Cycling announced big fee increases for individual riders. Others face a bleak future and will have great difficulty attracting new members. Thats the stark message coming from new and experienced club officials alike in the wake of BCs decision to charge every rider £1.50 virtually every time their race in competition.
Bretford will not race next year if we have to pay all these fees club secretary Bernie Kemp told officials at British Cyclings headquarters in Manchester.
Why are BC asking for this money? They do nothing to support clubs. Cycle speedway is an amateur sport. We have paid our events fees every year but BC, it feels, wants to fleece clubs or run the sport into the ground Kemp added.
As a new team, I find this quite steep said Glasgow club secretary Fiona Macdougall. We already have a lot of fees involved. We also have travel expenses, expenses to run a home event and also public liability insurance. I know we would severely struggle to pay for these fees. It was always my impression that, as a sport, we were trying to encourage people into cycle speedway but this, in my opinion, will discourage people even more warned Macdougall.
Even experienced administrators like Newports Colin Simmons have serious misgivings, not just about the increased fees but collecting all the £1.50s on behalf of British Cycling.
Why cant BC just increase clubs annual event levy to say £80, then clubs can then forget it suggested Simmons. The event and riders fees are going to be very hard to collect on match days, chasing riders at a busy match day. This is also a massive increase in fees and will discourage clubs to stage open matches etc. Really need to re think this said the Welsh official.
Meanwhile Wednesfield CSC have asked British Cycling not to publish their top invitation meetings in the 2014 race calendar.
Following the clubs annual general meeting yesterday, the committee agreed that 13 fixtures, including the prestigious Midland Grand Prix, Fiesta Fours and Andrew Jackson and Christine Ellis Memorials, should not appear in any official calendar.
We want you to pull them out of the calendar Roger Ellis told British Cycling. We feel very strong with what's going on with all these fees at the moment and our club is not happy at the present time. It was a committee decision yesterday at our AGM, pulling these meetings out of the Cycle Speedway Directory 2014.
A leading official has warned that bad behaviour in cycle speedway will not be tolerated.
Over 80% of British Cycling disciplinary cases are cycle speedway related explained cycle speedways new chairman and thats far too high.
Riders up and down the country are working out how much more cycle speedway will cost them next season following British Cyclings shock announcement yesterday that a £1.50 insurance levy will be charged for every days racing.
With the season stretching from April to September and most riders riding at least one competitive match a week, the average rider will face the prospect of paying something in the region of £40 more per year. British championships apart, those enthusiastic riders racing twice at weekends and again midweek, could be hit in the pocket by as much as £60.
Putting championships to one side, the current directory lists over 400 cycle speedway events. Applying a conservative estimate of 20 riders taking part (many of the fixtures include Combination and junior matches), would realise well over £10,000.
Meanwhile clubs, already heavily burdened with paperwork, are considering the logistics of collecting the money from riders and forwarding it to British Cycling headquarters in Manchester.
Cycle speedway clubs and riders face a huge hike in British Cycling fees and charges next year. Historically clubs had been charged £50 a year for event insurance. Now, under new arrangements announced by British Cycling earlier today, clubs will be charged £3 and individuals £1.50 for every days racing.
The change is expected to bring in several thousand pounds but British Cycling argue that the levies are necessary in order to meet the spiralling cost of event insurance.
Making the announcement, cycle speedway Events Development Officer Paul West explained For many years cycle speedway clubs have not paid match registration and rider levy fees in line with the table as shown on page nine of the 2013 British Cycling handbook. Instead, in order to cover event insurance, each club has made a one off annual payment of £50. This is to be replaced by a match and rider levy.
Once the 2014 CS calendar is loaded up on the BC website (end of January) each club shall be billed for each match it is hosting at a rate of £3.00 per day of racing. The exceptions will be for Elite League matches (covered by the league registration fee) and British Championships (covered by the bid fee)
There will be a race levy of £1.50 per rider per day of racing.
After each day of racing each host club will be required to forward to me a completed copy of the attached form along with a payment for those levies due. This payment will not be required for British Championships as levies will be collected directly from those entry fees received centrally.
Not only did Gamage successfully mastermind GBs victory over the Australians in Adelaide but invested a considerable sum of his own money, said to be in the region of £6,000, to ensure he had the best possible squad in Australia.
Gamage, who is hoping to extend his tenure as GB womens manager, was presented with the framed shirt by Lucy Whitehead at last weekends indoor championships at Coventry.
I am totally in shock the quiet and amiable Taylor told Spokesman just minutes after receiving the award from British Cyclings Paul West. To be included alongside the great names of past winners is a wonderful honour. I still cant believe it said a stunned Taylor.
Awarded by the Commission for outstanding achievement or service to cycle speedway, the award recognises Alan Taylors lifetime contribution to the sport.
The 66-year-old recently retired lab technician has been involved in cycle speedway for over 40 years. Brother Gordon introduced him to the game in the Seventies when he joined Didsbury Vikings under the watchful eye of legendary team manager Keith Wingrove who played a key part, not only in his development as a rider but as a young administrator.
Alan then joined up with another cycle speedway legend, the late Dave Blinston at Denton as the club underwent a metamorphosis firstly to Tameside and ultimately Stockport. When Blinner died suddenly in May 2005, there were fears that his beloved cycle club would disband but Taylor, confident in the clubs future, was instrumental in repackaging it as Stockport 2006.
With Taylor at the helm as club youth development officer and junior team manager, the club has gone from strength to strength, fittingly winning the national indoor junior team championship on the same day Alan received his award.
I am totally surprised and never suspected a thing added Alan who has also served on the Manchester League committee for many years. I feel like King Arthur with Excalibur he said smiling broadly. The much criticised and sometime abused secondary registration system has come to an end.
Secondaries will be replaced by a Regional Rider Loan Scheme to be managed by each region as they feel fit. However the Commission has emphasised that the scheme can only be used to assist ailing clubs to function and not as a tool for clubs to build their competitive base. BRITISH CYCLING TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP FEES posted 18 October 2013
British Cycling members face an increase in membership fees next year.
National Council in Crewe on Sunday 9 November will hear proposals from the BC Board to increase bronze membership (the most popular cycle speedway membership) from £15 to £20, silver from £38 to £40 and gold from £66 to £69. Club affiliation fees will increase from £88 to £92.
Sixteen male and six female riders rolled out at 7 pm for the first heat and the racing was fantastic. These novice riders put their bodies on the line for Birmingham Childrens Hospital and went at it hell for leather. Heat one saw the first of many spills as the inexperience showed though.
presented by local radio station Signal 107 where their top DJs also took to the track.
As the rules dictate, the riders can have no experience apart from this specific event and the training sessions held in the weeks before the big night. The winner isnt allowed to defend the title but chooses the next beneficiary.
The total raised is still being counted but is already beyond £3,000 raised for this great cause. Now onto next year where the County Air Ambulance will be the beneficiary on Friday 12th September 2014.
Anyone wanting to have a go, or get involved contact Glyn on 0774201555 or email [email protected].
Finally, thank you the Wednesfield Aces team for all their track work and to everyone involved whether youre a rider, spectator, supporter or donator.
For the third year running Bury held a Come and Try It Go-Ride event at the Goshen track with 27 riders from the local National cycling academy, ages ranging from 6-years-old to 14 attending and taking part in a marathon six hour event.
The day started at 9 am as some of the club members arrived to prepare the track and bikes ready for the arrival of the riders at 10 30am. The officials from NCA arrived with a massive gazebo and proceeded to erect it at the third bend area, just as the students arrived to start the session.
A series of shake-down races were held to introduce the riders to the sport and bikes, followed by a break for lunch and the main events, with the squad being split into four five-rider teams - Wolves, Dragons, Lions and Eagles with the other eight competitors going into a eight rider individual, based on age and ability.
After 24 heats of intense and exciting racing, with the youngsters really taking to the sport and giving it their all, the Wolves, ably managed by Laura Watson emerged the winners, with Adam Watsons Eagles taking second place and the Lions and Dragons, managed by Adam Turnbull and James Elston, tying for third and fourth places on 35 points each.
Riders to note were Grace, who took a maximum 16 points for the Dragons, Corry, who rode to 15 points for the Eagles, Orliath, who took 14 points for the Wolves and Finn who made 12 for the Lions, with all the rest adding valuable points to their teams scores.
In the eight rider individual, Anna showed the rest how to ride cycle speedway, when she won the event with 15 points. Second were three riders Tom, Thomas, and Israr, all on 14 points with the rest having some great battles for the lower places.
three riders on the next lap.
It was a good day and a large number of the youngsters expressed a desire to return on one of the Bury clubs Thursday evening training sessions.
Thanks to all the club members and friends who turned out to assist on the day, when the weather was kind. Everybody enjoyed themselves and cycle speedway enhanced its reputation in the region. NEW TRACK OPENS IN CHELTENHAM posted 27 June 2013
The first training session went rather well Lukasz told Spokesman. The circuit is very unusual. With long straights and extremely tight bends, it is rather challenging. You have to put your foot down and make sure you slow down to make the bend." said Lukasz.
"The school is having four bikes delivered from Archie Wilkinson today, and we have another coaching session planned for Friday. Track officially opens the following Thursday, with British Cycling and local media invited. I am honoured to have been chosen as a ribbon cutter." said excited Lukasz.
The school is planning a visit to a local track, just to see how the real track and real racing should look like. Horspath v Ipswich would be the possible fixture, with some good Ipswich juniors on show, it will most certainly inspire those kids to ride.
DISAPPOINTING FALL IN MEMBERSHIP posted 16 January 2013
Figures released by British Cycling today show that under-12s account for close on 40% of the cycle speedway membership.
Its a remarkable statistic that once again illustrates that cycle speedway, with its safe and controlled environment and well managed club structure, is the ideal entry level for children trying competitive cycling for the first time.
The figures show that the total cycle speedway membership stands at 964 members of which 373 are seniors, 171 youths, 60 juniors and 360 under-12s. Overall there was a reduction of around 3% on the year (992 members were registered in 2011), a disappointing figure which will concern officials and riders alike.
Officials were hoping that numbers would soar through the one thousand ceiling in 2012.
With a remarkable 145 members, Sheffield continue to be by far the biggest club which means the Stars now account for 15% of the total cycle speedway membership.
A further eight clubs enjoy a membership in excess of 40 led by Wednesfield (81), Poole (75), Ipswich (63), Kesgrave (53), Norwich (47), Astley (45), Hull (44) and Leicester 43. At the other end of the spectrum Sandwell have only four registered members while Colchester and Stoke have six apiece.
The average size of a club, in terms of registered members is 31.
Cycle speedway's national archive has a new home, the national cycling archive and heritage centre at Warwick University. Ten crates crammed with thousands of cycle speedway magazines, programmes, handbooks, annuals, reports, development plans, sponsorship prospectus, fixture lists, posters, press cuttings and photographs were transported from the sport's former Central Office in Norwich to the purpose-built centre in Warwick.
County archivist Helen Ford was delighted with the new aquisitions. "This is an amazing collection" she told Spokesman-Online. "Until now we've had very little cycle speedway material in the centre. Now we have some unbelievable items many of which go back to the birth of the sport in the mid Forties. Given their age, the documents are in amazingly good condition. "We plan to catalogue every item, a job that will take several months, before making the entire collection available to the public. Some of the more valuable items like the early programmes, posters and press cuttings, we hope to digitise and make available electronically." |
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