Уолтэмстоу стадионы: тарихы мен еске алулар

Former stadium in Walthamstow, East London

Walthamstow Stadium was a greyhound racing track in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in east London. It was regarded as the leading greyhound racing stadium in Britain following the closure of White City in 1984. By 1929 the ground hosted greyhound racing for the first time and was known as the Crooked Billet Greyhound and whippet track (named after the nearby Crooked Billet public house). The track was an independent track, unaffiliated to a governing body. In 1931, William Chandler, a bookmaker by trade, decided to build on the existing independent track. Chandler also had shares in the Hackney Wick Stadium. and in which aviator Amy Johnson presented a trophy as a guest.

From 1931 to 1943 the stadium underwent three major rebuilds as Chandler strove for the perfect stadium. The kennels and paddock were situated between the third and fourth bends with a veterinary room and trainers room at either end. Between the first and second bends was the Senior Club sandwiched by two stands. The back straight had one large covered stand but the home straight had another Senior Club which was located under the upstairs ballroom and dance band. There were two tea rooms and a wet and dry bar in the main grandstand and sixteen tote buildings. The track was 440 yards in circumference and was described as the slowest and most difficult course in London. The hare was an 'Inside Sumner' and there was an artesian well near the fourth bend used for watering the track. On 13 January 1938 the track raced under National Greyhound Racing Club rules for the first time. In 1941 the stadium introduced its first major competition, called 'The Test'. The trainers and greyhounds attached to Walthamstow were situated in kennels to the north called 'The
Limes' in Sewardstone Road not far from Epping Forest. Walthamstow were unusual in the fact that they hired several female trainers at the time; a practice attributed to the influence of Frances Chandler (the wife of William's son Charles). Frances was a leading greyhound owner in the industry. Female trainers employed during the period mentioned included Mrs F Deathbridge, Meg Fairbrass, Miss J Griffiths and Mrs B Lark. Wartime champion greyhound Ballynennan Moon won the Stewards Cup and broke the track record in 1942. In 1948 the track had their first English Greyhound Derby finalist in Doughery Boy and two more female trainers Noreen Collin and Miss K Sanderson joined in 1950. Joe Coral (founder of Coral Empire) stood as a track bookmaker before branching into betting offices in the sixties. and in 1965 chromotography (a drug testing unit) was first used at Walthamstow in their purpose built lab. In 1968 the bends were sanded and banked producing a much faster surface than all grass.

In 1971 a new stand with a restaurant and an escalator were added. A fourth major event was introduced in 1987, called the Arc. After Barney O'Connor died in 1988 further trainer appointments included Ernie Gaskin Sr. in 1988 and John Coleman in 1989. Walthamstow became the leading track in Britain and in 1988 tote turnover figures were £16,355,089. In 1998 the Racing Post sponsored the Racing Post Festival at the track. Trainer Linda Jones was appointed in 1999, and would be Greyhound Trainer of the Year twice.

Linda Mullins retired with the trainers going to her son John, Ernie Gaskin Sr. retired in 2005 with the kennels being taken over by his son Ernest Gaskin Jr. and Mark Wallis took over from Linda Jones. Despite the success the directors agreed to the sale of the company's freehold property to a development consortium led by Yoo Capital and K W Linfoot plc. Formal contracts were exchanged. The final race was held on Saturday 16 August at 11pm, the winner being trap two 'Mountjoy Diamond'. On 8 May 2012, the application for housing on the site was approved by four votes to three. On 30 October 2012, Mayor of London Boris Johnson approved the plans for housing. The stadium buildings were demolished and were replaced with 292 new homes, but the Grade II listed front facade remains. In February 2016, the 1930s neon lights were turned on for the first time since the stadium's closure in 2008, following a £100,000 restoration.

The stadium appears as one of the location settings for an episode of the television New Tricks. Titled Eyes Down for a Full House, the episode centred around the story of a missing greyhound and a possible murder. It was broadcast by the BBC on 5 June 2005 as the sixth episode in the second season of the show.

Distance (yards) Greyhound Time Date Notes500 Ballyhennessy Seal 28.59 1944 Circuit Final500 Shaggy Lass 28.55 13.12.1945525 Ballynennan Moon 29.79 21.11.1942525 Ballyoulster Deemster 29.76 10.1951 Grand Prix heats525 Rushton Smutty 29.74 10.1951 Grand Prix heats525 Olivers Lad 29.73 10.1951 Grand Prix second round525 Rushton Smutty 29.70 10.1951 Grand Prix semi finals525 Duet Leader 29.24 1956525 Drina 28.99 23.01.1962525 Some Cheatha 28.95 09.1968525 Say Little 28.83 1972700 Stylish Nancy 40.92 29.11.1945700 Kilbelin Dancer 40.81 1948700 The Fixer 40.09 04.08.1962700 Switch Hitter 40.05 08.1968700 Hong Kong Bay 39.91 09.1968700 Cash For Dan 39.88 1970700 Breachs Buzzard 39.78 1971880 Bedford 16.04.1966880 Hiver Whitenose 52.54 1968880 Hiver Whitenose 52.13 1968880 Todos Liza 51.58 07.10.1968 Test heats525 H Frating Dan 31.01 10.04.1943525 H Baytown Blackbird 30.52 1946525 H Lisnalong Hero 30.06 01.05.1965700 H Dogstown Queen 41.33 28.08.1965