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Last year, the annual High Beech Anniversary in Epping Forest, where Speedway, or 'Dirt Track Racing' as it was then known, began, was moved to Paradise Wildlife Park where we had more space, better facilities and was also the site of our National Speedway Museum. High Beech and The Kings Oak Pub held a lot of nostalgia for all of us regarding the birth of our sport, but parking there was difficult, and the Collectors' Fayre in the Kings Oak Pub was crowded as fans tried to get to the various tables. The move to Paradise gave us better facilities all round. Better parking, good disabled access, wheelchair friendly and lots of food outlets and toilets all around the Park. The Collectors' Fayre will be held in the warm and dry Events Marquee and, when you add the fact that our Speedway Museum is also there, and the Wildlife Park is a major attraction, then it makes sense to move to Paradise. There will be displays of bikes, everything from Cycle Speedway bikes to pre-War Douglas & Rudge machines, to Japs, Weslakes, Ice Racing Jawas and modern GM Grand Prix bikes. Top announcer, Craig Saul will be conducting the rider interviews and there will be book signings, (the new Tom Fandon book will be launched there), face painting, (that may improve some of us!) and invitations have gone out to riders from our past up to our present Grand Prix stars. You can also win tickets to the Cardiff Grand Prix in our raffle to raise funds to expand the Museum and enjoy a Bar-B-Q when you feel hungry. Our thanks go to former Hackney & Swindon rider, Peter Sampson, the owner of Paradise Wildlife Park, who has flung open the doors of the Park (but fortunately, not the doors of the animal cages) FREE OF CHARGE to Speedway folk on 21st February and includes free entry to the Wildlife Park with Tigers, White Lions, Rabbits and even, Meerkats,............"Seemple!" Remember that if you are a member of the WSRA, you can enter the Wildlife Park and Museum F.O.C. any day of the week throughout the year just by showing your WSRA membership card at the Pay Cabin. Paradise Wildlife Park is 20 miles north of London and signposted from Junction 25 of the M25................See You There!"
Bert Harkins.
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