Coventry Bees Speedway - Brandon Stadium

From the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group: THE Coventry Telegraph have launched a poll asking whether readers feel speedway and stock car racing should return to Brandon. We would urge supporters to register their views in order provide further confirmation of other such surveys over the last 18 months. The poll can be accessed from this link.

From the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group: LATEST information from the Planning Department at Rugby Borough Council is that the application concerning Brandon Stadium will not be heard this month. The application cannot be taken to committee until various items of additional information and outstanding issues are received and resolved. We are hopeful that this can take place in September, and will advise further when we receive the news. Whenever the application is heard, we are prepared for every circumstance arising and our opposition to the scheme of Brandon Estates remains as strong as ever. Our determination has not been lessened by a 'quiet' few months whilst paperwork is received, assessed and completed. We want to see both speedway and stock car racing restored to an area where there is clearly identified ongoing need, and both can be run viably, as soon as is practicably possible. The forced closure of the stadium, its subsequent deterioration, and the time taken for matters to progress do not in any way alter our aims.

One of speedway's all-time greats, Ronnie Moore, OBE, has died at the age of 85 Twice world champion, he had a brief spell with Coventry Bees in 1974** RIP Mirac! ** Two away meetings in August 1974, scoring five points at Belle Vue and six at Hull (each from five rides)

The Save Coventry Speedway and Stox Campaign Group invite all motorsport fans and local residents to a public meeting on Tuesday November 6. In October 2017, we held a very well-attended meeting at the Brandon Club and one year on we feel this is the right time to provide a full update on the current position. The meeting will be staged in the Woodlands Suite of the Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel on Tuesday November 6, starting at 7.30pm. Members of the media are also welcome to attend. Whilst a decision on the future of Brandon Stadium has still not been made, much has happened in the last twelve months. The meeting will take the form of a presentation, followed by questions / discussion, focussing on the following: 1) Recap on the events discussed at the first public meeting; 2) Describe what has happened between October 2017 and November 2018, including the Local Plan process, the Planning Application, the Neighbourhood Plan and the events / damage to the stadium; 3) Highlight some of the outcomes resulting from the work of the Campaign Group; 4) Look at possible future scenarios. Since its formation, the Campaign Group focus has always been forward-looking, and the meeting will therefore NOT discuss the events leading to the closure of the stadium or discuss who is to blame, as it will not help in any way. We are very pleased to say that Mark Pawsey (Member of Parliament for Rugby) and Michael Stokes (Leader of Rugby Council) have both confirmed they will attend the meeting. Admission to the meeting is free, and we would like to place on record our thanks to the Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel for being so willing to accommodate us. VENUE Woodlands Suite Mercure Brandon Hall Hotel and Spa Warwickshire Main Street Brandon Coventry CV8 3FW

From the Save Coventry Speedway & Stox Campaign Group: Well, the Presentation is ready, the Local MP & Leader of the Council are coming, riders & drivers are coming, 3 local radio stations & BBC TV are coming. We just need supporters & residents to turn up in numbers. We know you won't let us down.

Thank you for that MR. Sounds like a good gathering, almost wish I had been there. Hey! Where's Lady G when you need her, imagine her riding in holding the 'Bees' banner.

Good work, guys! If I can generate any support from Australia, showing what an iconic venue Brandon is, even on the other side of the world, I will try! Former Bees riders and families that I know I can contact in this part of the world would include Bob Valentine, Phil Cain, Peter Gay, and the families of Nigel Boocock, Lionel Levy and Ken McKinlay. One of Queensland's speedway tracks (Pioneer Park) is actually in a place called Brandon! Let me know if it would help! PS - Dreamtime - perhaps the Lady Godiva routine would work all over again! Basically it's the same scenario - us against the rich Lord, isn't it? Wouldn't be hard to find a speedway bike for her, instead of a horse, ........ but they are a bugger to ride side-saddle! Any volunteers?

JW, be careful what you wish for

You offering, Dream?

Not to be wearing a pink body skin, but maybe draped in the Bees flag . . . and Dr Who to transport me back about 50yrs in the Tardis. We want to get more supporters in, MR, not scare them orrrrrf! I can't bear to imagine the sight!

Coventry Bees raced in the National League (third tier of British Speedway) at Leicester in 2018. However, at the recent AGM of the National League, eight clubs were confirmed as starters in 2019 - the list did not include Coventry's name. Leicester are tracking their own team (The Cubs) in the NL, as well as The Lions in the SGB Championship. No real surprise that Mick Horton's venture has not been successful enough to be repeated for a second season.

Too large to transcribe, so here's a link to "Latest News - Rugby Local Plan" on the Save Coventry Speedway and Stox website. This sounds encouraging

Recent video showing the state of the stadium

Distressing, all in the false name of progress, or is it greed.