Greyhound Museum
If we the people of the British Isles want a Greyhound Racing Museum, then we better act fast! with more and more private greyhound collections going to waste, and many old trophies and salvers being melted down purely for scrap value, then we can all see that time is running out for all UK dog racing fans.
Portsmouth which opened in 1930, sadly ran it's last race on the 27th March 2010. The "Target Road" venue now joins the endless list of greyhound stadiums that have closed in the last few years!
Walthamstow Stadium closed on the 16th August 2008, this was described quite rightly in the 'Racing Post' as another nail in the coffin for UK greyhound racing. Out of an original 15 tracks in London, Wimbledon Stadium "Plough Lane" remains the only venue left open!
As all "Greyhound Predictors" will know, it is only by studying the past can we try to visualise the future! Therefore, if we cast an eye back to the beginnings of British dog racing, we see that the first stadiums opened in the mid to late 1920's. The most famous of these was the White City Stadium, London, which was constructed from the Olympic Stadium originally built for the 1908 Olympics! We also find that many of these stadiums, in order to remain financially viable, shared their facilities with other sporting events such as athletics, football, speedway, cycling, rugby, cricket etc.
My reasons for mentioning this, is that since new stadiums are being built for the 2012 Olympic Games, then I firmly believe the London Development Agency (LDA) and Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) should be made fully aware of the urgent need for a 'new dog stadium'. If built this track should not only offer world class racing facilities, but could also accomadate a UK greyhound museum, thus ensuring a secure future for British greyhound racing!
Since previously learning of the horrendous revelations concerning the "Seaham Scandal" and the unlawful killing of innocent greyhounds, described in one BBC report as an "open secret" running throughout our sport, I can confirm my own belief that a dog racing museum should be set up forthwith, with all future profits given back to the benefit of the greyhounds themselves in the form of welfare and the re-homing of retired ex-racing dogs.
As a small but keen collector of greyhound racing memorabilia, I remain in full support of the Greyhound Racing Historical Society in their ultimate aim to create a modern greyhound museum located here in the United Kingdom.
Prominent greyhound historians have formed this society to build a further foundation on which to promote and perpetuate the memory of famous coursing and track racing greyhounds of English and Irish descent.
Our desire is for all generations to actively participate and benefit from our own extensive research into the history of our sport, in the safe knowledge that many collections of memorabilia previously uncatologued could be housed under one roof as a permanent home and showpiece for everyone to enjoy. Many original artifacts and photographs were given by the owners and enthusiasts, much of which has been collected by people who have since passed away. This leaves my colleagues and I with a great moral responsibility to fulfil their wishes and unselfish desire to establish a lasting monument to the famous greyhounds and people associated with them.
Our objective is to show exhibits including films of old classic races, paintings, sculptures, various literature, old dog racecards, newspapers comprising from now defunct publications, famous photographs of greyhounds, owners, trainers, kennel staff, photo finishes, cigarette and postcards, NGRC calendars etc. in the aim of creating an unparalelled greyhound racing libary, the facilities of which we hope to make available to all who wish to use it. The tangents are enumerable, to include the famous history of greyhound coursing and racing and the transition from course to track.
The opening and participation in this museum would not only show people's interest in the world of greyhound racing, but would allow them the opportunty to expand their knowledge of the sport and breed by meeting people who also shared their enthusiasm. It is hoped in time the Society would invite gallery talks by famous trainers, veterinary surgeons etc. and be able to hold special exhibition previews for Museum members, to which all would be invited.
This proud tradition of our English and Irish heritage is too valuable to defer any longer and we really do have a strong moral obligation to recognise the achievements of our late friends and animals! (extracts adapted by kind permission from the Chairman's address.)
If you would like more information on the Greyhound Museum Project please contact me.
