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westmeadhawk

Walthamstow sold for housing development

Announced today.

Gutted is an understatement.

Racing to end mid August this year  
westmeadhawk

I will never place a bet with that wormy permatanned Gibraltar baboon dweller Victor Chandler now  

Like he will care  
theGoingStick

That's a real shame, also I didn't realise Catford greyhound stadium had closed in 2003.

Walthamstow greyhound track is far more famous though. I guess there is still Romford near by, maybe they were taking each others business  

Didn't David Beckham collect the empties at Walthamstow as a kid  
westmeadhawk

Catford, Hackney, Haringey, Wembley as well as White City.

I don't think Romford would be taking the Stow's business really.  I live nearer now to Romford but I have NEVER been and always travel back to the Stow.

I suppose I will have to now.
alansouthcoast

westmeadhawk wrote:
Catford, Hackney, Haringey, Wembley as well as White City.

I don't think Romford would be taking the Stow's business really.  I live nearer now to Romford but I have NEVER been and always travel back to the Stow.

I suppose I will have to now.


Stamford Bridge, Wandsworth, Hendon, New Cross, West Ham, Clapton and Park Royal.

Catford, in its heyday had 80 bookies operating, more than  most racecources have now, i would think.

Working mens sport... R.I.P
westmeadhawk

Alan I thought there was one at Clapton too -near Millfields Park but I also thought I could be confused.

Seriously I am really, really gutted.  It is awful.
westmeadhawk

From this site:
http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.....php?show=conInformationRecord.64

Quote:
In 1966, the owners of Wembley stadium refused to cancel the regular greyhound meeting scheduled for the same day as the World Cup football match between Uruguay and France. The match had to be held at the White City stadium


Now that is proper!
alansouthcoast

Thats what i like Westmead...... Correct priorities.
BRETT

As somebody who runs greyhounds on the independant circuit,i cant say this is a surprise.My own local track closed a month ago because there was no money in it.Personally i think this was down to poor management and handicapping so he got what he deserved but regarding walthamstow,i'd heard stories about the track closing more than 6 months ago.I can assure you that this wont be the last track to close in the next year or so.Stories abound that coventry is in  trouble with swindon and reading not far at the back of them..

The main problem with the sport is it is being run by idiots who are still living in the past and cant bring themselves into the present day.Lord Lipsey is a clown and the some trainers cant see past the end of their own nose.It makes me sick to the stomach to see this happening and at the end of the day the only tracks that will survive are bookmakers owned tracks and the bookies are a big contributor to the downfall of greyhounds and to a point horse racing as well because of their pityful contribution through the levy system.If they paid a fair % the whole racing industry both horse and hound would be in a better position.Unfortunately this will never happen until they are forced to pay a proper %.for a multi million if not billion industry to be so scrooge like to their bread and butter product defies logic but they get away with it because there are people in the world who would bet on 2 raindrops falling down a window so it doesnt matter to them what the quality of the product is or the financial implications to the people who put that product on their screens.Im pretty sure that the bookies would be delighted if all they had was cartoon racing,FOBT,49s and the like and not have to pay the paltry amount that they do to the levy system.
westmeadhawk

Hi Brett, hate this sad situation but I am loving your post  
LongJ0n

I can vouch for Coventry being in trouble. Went there the other night, basically empty.
westmeadhawk

Sorry to hear that Long Jon

The Stow's last night is reported to be Saturday 16th August.

I am going to go before then, don't think I could take the actual last night itself      

I may owe VC and the Chandlers an apology.  I have heard that they didn't want to sell but were outvoted.  For some reason I thought they had the majority shareholding.  I am sure the truth will out in the end.

It really is a bit of living history going down the drain.
alansouthcoast

The Chandlers have had some unfair stick on Betfair, after all it was the Chandler family that built the stadium, i think they would have been reluctant to sell for that reason alone.
westmeadhawk

It seems the new owners will not be able to just demolish the front, tote board and some of the kennelling as they are Grade 2 Listed.  Which means they will first have to get some sort of permission.

I can only hope forlornly that they don't  
alansouthcoast

alansouthcoast wrote:
westmeadhawk wrote:
Catford, Hackney, Haringey, Wembley as well as White City.

I don't think Romford would be taking the Stow's business really.  I live nearer now to Romford but I have NEVER been and always travel back to the Stow.

I suppose I will have to now.


Stamford Bridge, Wandsworth, Hendon, New Cross, West Ham, Clapton and Park Royal.

Catford, in its heyday had 80 bookies operating, more than  most racecources have now, i would think.

Working mens sport... R.I.P


There was a post about this on Betfair. I had forgotten Dagenham, and there was also a track at BRIXTON, less that half a mile from my grandads house !!!!!!!!!!  

The course was in use from 1910 until 1938, way before my time. WMH, dont even think about it...  
BRETT

just to top it off?

Lipsey appointed to Financial Services Consumer Panel

The FSA has announced Lord Lipsey is taking over as chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel.

David Lipsey is an active member of the House of Lords, who has a background in journalism, financial services and regulation. He takes over from John Howard who chaired the Panel from October 2005 to March 2008.
Callum McCarthy, chairman of the FSA, said: “He brings a wealth of experience in regulation, financial services and communications and will no doubt provide challenging ideas on behalf of consumers to the development of policy at the FSA.”


This is the muppet who has stood by and watched greyhound racing as a sport nearly self destruct.
Jimbob

This is very sad news. I don't follow the dogs as much as I used to for various reasons but love Walthamstow! I will try & get there before the last night. I think that the downfall of Greyhound Racing is partly due to it's image with the general public. I am sure Brett doesn't and know a fair few owners of dogs so am aware that the majority of owners are responsible but there doesn't seem top be strict enough regulations in place for those that aren't and I'mk afraid to say a lot of dogs get neglected because of this.

When the public see this they can not be blamed for supporting the sport.

This is not intended as a wind up and I am willing to be corrected by those that know more than me about the sport but that is how I see it at the moment.

alansouthcoast

Jimbob for the odd bad owner you have dozens of good ones. Like most things alarmist stories in the press, and a few bad apples, gets an undeserved bad name.
Jimbob

alansouthcoast wrote:
Jimbob for the odd bad owner you have dozens of good ones. Like most things alarmist stories in the press, and a few bad apples, gets an undeserved bad name.


Agreed Alan but if the regulations were stricter and enforced with heavy punishments that would perhaps cut out the bad apples. maybe not I don't know. Just a thought. My local track(Yarmouth) seems to do ok in the summer mainly due to tourists and Stock Car & Banger Racing(which I'm sad to say seems to be more popular than the dogs but the track doubles up so will probably survive due to that. My only fear is they keep the track on for banger racing & get rid of Greayhound Racing).
BRETT

Jimbob wrote:
This is very sad news. I don't follow the dogs as much as I used to for various reasons but love Walthamstow! I will try & get there before the last night. I think that the downfall of Greyhound Racing is partly due to it's image with the general public. I am sure Brett doesn't and know a fair few owners of dogs so am aware that the majority of owners are responsible but there doesn't seem top be strict enough regulations in place for those that aren't and I'mk afraid to say a lot of dogs get neglected because of this.

When the public see this they can not be blamed for supporting the sport.

This is not intended as a wind up and I am willing to be corrected by those that know more than me about the sport but that is how I see it at the moment.

I cant sugarcoat it cos it does happen but not to the extremes that some groups would lead you to believe.Alan is right when he says for 1 bad owner there are dozens of good owners but good owners dont make good headlines.I personally have had 7 dogs through my hands,2 are unfortunately dead due to severe injuries while racing,2 are retired to lovely people who adore their new pet,my folks have one wee bitch(retired and ruling the roost) and i have 2 at my feet,1 retired and one racing.When he finishes racing he will stay at my feet.I cant do any more than that and when i get my new dog next year he will be treated the same.
Jimbob

BRETT wrote:
Jimbob wrote:
This is very sad news. I don't follow the dogs as much as I used to for various reasons but love Walthamstow! I will try & get there before the last night. I think that the downfall of Greyhound Racing is partly due to it's image with the general public. I am sure Brett doesn't and know a fair few owners of dogs so am aware that the majority of owners are responsible but there doesn't seem top be strict enough regulations in place for those that aren't and I'mk afraid to say a lot of dogs get neglected because of this.

When the public see this they can not be blamed for supporting the sport.

This is not intended as a wind up and I am willing to be corrected by those that know more than me about the sport but that is how I see it at the moment.

I cant sugarcoat it cos it does happen but not to the extremes that some groups would lead you to believe.Alan is right when he says for 1 bad owner there are dozens of good owners but good owners dont make good headlines.I personally have had 7 dogs through my hands,2 are unfortunately dead due to severe injuries while racing,2 are retired to lovely people who adore their new pet,my folks have one wee bitch(retired and ruling the roost) and i have 2 at my feet,1 retired and one racing.When he finishes racing he will stay at my feet.I cant do any more than that and when i get my new dog next year he will be treated the same.


That's great to hear Brett  and I am jealous of you as I think Greyhounds are magnificent creatures. Don't get me wrong I love dog racing & understand it is a small minority of people being irresponsible. I just think if the penalties were harsher & better enforced that small minority would become even smaller
westmeadhawk

There is going to be a rally at Walthamstow during racing this Thursday evening - 31st July - against the closure.

Press coverage both national and local is expected.

May be a forlorn hope but the Stow is well worth the effort in my view.  I am going to try and make it.
westmeadhawk

Tonight's demo still on for 8.30 lead by Ricky Holloway.  Terrestrial coverage in ITV News this evening I believe.

In the meantime the housing developers have been offered around 2 million pounds more than they paid by an consortium lead by an Australian millionaire to keep the Stow as a track.  I saw a brief piece on the London news this morning.

A 2 million quid ray of light at the end of the tunnel?  I hope so  
alansouthcoast

To really rub it in, Wimbledon in their infinite wisdom have drastically slashed prize money. Reading is also due to close, leaving no dog track North of the Thames from Romford to Swindon !!!!!!!!
Jimbob

RIP The Stow!! Thanks for the memories
westmeadhawk

I can't believe it's over  

One thing's for sure, I'll never bet with VC.
alansouthcoast

westmeadhawk wrote:
I can't believe it's over  

One thing's for sure, I'll never bet with VC.


I dont really blame VC, if it wasnt for them, there would never have been a "Stow" to start with. As i said in my article yesterday they are much maligned, and if anything the BGRB should have done more at an earlier stage. The Stow made losses of £1/2 million in 2007 and i dont blame the Chandlers for moving on.
westmeadhawk

I am afraid I blame them for not securing its future as a dog track.  I blame them for lying about the situation to the trainers and I blame them for bad management of a potential goldmine for the last few years.

Sorry Alan, rant over, but I'm bitter.

I expect the founder is spinning in his grave.€
westmeadhawk

Should have said I liked your article, a well-written and thought provoking piece IMO  

Sorry about that!

Gotta keep maligning though    I'm a Scorpio it's in the blood  
alansouthcoast

westmeadhawk wrote:
Should have said I liked your article, a well-written and thought provoking piece IMO  

Sorry about that!

Gotta keep maligning though    I'm a Scorpio it's in the blood  


Yes, my brother divorced two Scorpios...  
westmeadhawk

I wasn't married to your brother was I?  
alansouthcoast

westmeadhawk wrote:
I wasn't married to your brother was I?  


Im not sure ? Do you recall a night under Southend pier ?

westmeadhawk

Jaysus, under the pier, you'd need a wetsuit or a dinghy for high tide  
westmeadhawk

Back on topic !

The consortium lead by Ricky Holloway (new owner of Blonde Dino) has asked for further meetings with the owners of the Stow after this week's meeting on Wednesday went on into the night.

Possibilities I hope.  I think there is more detail in the Post today but I've not seen a copy.
westmeadhawk

http://saveourstow.wordpress.com/

Now I realise many people may see this as a lost cause, but I think it is true to say that the Housing Association that has bought the land is going to struggle to build on the plot for quite some years.  There is also an issue about the planning procedures and I read that there are calls for a public inquiry.

I believe the consortium leader Ricky Holloway has got quite a few local MPs on board and I continue to hope that something may retrieved, notwithstanding that the track was dismantled on the Sunday following the last night's racing  

Anyhow, in the meantime this site has a few ways in which supporters can help, the most straightforward of which seems to be to fill in the online petition  
westmeadhawk

I've been too downheartened to mention this lately!

Basically, if you've not seen it already, the housing association L&Q wrote a snotty sort of response the other week to SOS, dismissing their financial position/structure and dismissing the demand for a mixed residential leisure facility on the site.

There is a reasonable piece in the RP today putting the SOS side of the matter, but the time that elapsed between L&Q's statement and SOS's response makes one assume that there were some valid issues raised to do with their finances and legal structure.

Anyway, they are now SOS Ltd, they will have a firm of investment brokers working for them and they point to the successes of Shelbourne Park, Romford and good old Orient as examples of mixed use sites.  The offer of buying the site has however been withdrawn due to the depreciation of land since July.

Upcoming is a meeting with Boris Johnson and the continuing assertion that planning permission cannot be given to the housing association due to some planning complication with the sale and the viability of the business at that time.  I don't pretend to understand it myself but it would seem that the site will remain unused for some time to come either way  

Another casualty of the closure is Mick Puzey the trainer previously attached to the Stow.  He is retiring from the game and it is sad to see him go.  You could always rely on a Puzey runner to get you back in front at some point during a night at the Stow.  
alansouthcoast

I hope it doesnt become a giant car boot, like Hackney did.
westmeadhawk

Alan - I am covering my ears (or eyes in this case!)  

It is going to end up mothballed somehow I expect, it seems inevitable.  Damn and blast those Chandlers.
theGoingStick

There's a big article in todays RP about the Reading stadium closing it's gate this weekend. We'll be lucky if there are any stadiums open by the end of the decade.
alansouthcoast

The good thing about reading is the track owners dont want to quit. The problem is the lease on the land they are on expired. It now means from Romford to Swindon, there is not one southern track north of the Thames.
dogsaver

westmeadhawk wrote:
I've been too downheartened to mention this lately!

Basically, if you've not seen it already, the housing association L&Q wrote a snotty sort of response the other week to SOS, dismissing their financial position/structure and dismissing the demand for a mixed residential leisure facility on the site.

There is a reasonable piece in the RP today putting the SOS side of the matter, but the time that elapsed between L&Q's statement and SOS's response makes one assume that there were some valid issues raised to do with their finances and legal structure.

Anyway, they are now SOS Ltd, they will have a firm of investment brokers working for them and they point to the successes of Shelbourne Park, Romford and good old Orient as examples of mixed use sites.  The offer of buying the site has however been withdrawn due to the depreciation of land since July.

Upcoming is a meeting with Boris Johnson and the continuing assertion that planning permission cannot be given to the housing association due to some planning complication with the sale and the viability of the business at that time.  I don't pretend to understand it myself but it would seem that the site will remain unused for some time to come either way  

Another casualty of the closure is Mick Puzey the trainer previously attached to the Stow.  He is retiring from the game and it is sad to see him go.  You could always rely on a Puzey runner to get you back in front at some point during a night at the Stow.  


i used to know mick puzey,he used to go fishing with a few of us about forty years ago ,a friend of mine had a few dogs with him as well
theGoingStick

According to the RP the Stow could still be saved, apparently an American may be in line to buy the track and re-open it.

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