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The weekend of 23/24 October 2004 was the
occasion of the Annual Norwich Saturday Night Buffet Dance and
the Sunday Lunch, both events being held at Bawburgh Golf Club.
Eileen and I were unable to make the Saturday night bash but did
make the Sunday lunch.
Two
anniversaries were being recognised. The first - it was exactly
40 years to the day that Norwich Speedway closed. You may
remember there were many famous Australians who raced at The
Firs - Max Groskreutz raced and promoted there in the 1930's,
Bob Leverenz and Johnny Chamberlain wore the green and yellow
colours in the 1940's and 50's and probably the most famous
Australian was Aub Lawson who was responsible for bringing Ove
Fundin, as a raw recruit, to the Firs in 1954.
The second
anniversary was Ove celebrating 50 years since making his debut
at Norwich Speedway. He and Joanna attended both the dinner and
the lunch. The World Speedway Riders' Association President,
Jimmy Tannock, was a welcome guest and was accompanied by his 'personal
piper', Andy Meldrum who piped in Jimmy, Ove and Joanna, Reg and
Eileen, Archie and Sonya. Only Jimmy and Andy wore the kilts!!!
They changed into 'civvies' for their 12 hour drive back to
Northern Scotland.
Bill
Smith, former announcer, was Master of Ceremonies and introduced
former riders who were in attendance which included Billy Bales,
Phil Clarke, Johnny Davies, Peter Atkins, Trevor Hedge and his
son, Gavin who is a current racer, Kelvin Mullarkey, Ray Bales
son of Billy, Archie Windmill former President of the WSRA who
celebrates his 90th birthday next year, Len Read, Titch Read,
Stan Stevens and Maurice Flood. There were apologies from Terry
Betts and Dingle Brown who cancelled due to ill health. The
effervescent AIf Weedon, 84 years young was there, as ever with
his camera.
The
recently much-traveled Darrell Mason and wife Sue were in
attendance at the commencement of their world tour which starts
in Australia and on to New Zealand for the New Plymouth World
Longtrack Final Meeting. Darrell and Sue had only recently
arrived back to their home on the island of Tenerife from a
whirlwind trip to Christchurch to celebrate Ronnie Moore's first
World Speedway Championship title 50 years ago.
Everyone
put their hands together in a great round of applause for Trevor
Hedge's wife Pam, who organises these most successful events
every year.
Reg
Fearman
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