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GRAND PRIX RACING HERITAGE ERASED AT AINTREE RACECOURSE
RESEARCH
undertaken by local Motor Racing enthusiasts has revealed that
commitments made by Aintree Racecourse Company Limited to reinstate
the famous Tatts Corner section of the historic Aintree Grand Prix
circuit are worthless.
Despite significant opposition from the Motor Racing community,
Aintree Racecourse Company Limited deliberately went ahead with the
construction of two new grandstands which intrude onto the famous
Tatts Corner section of the circuit.
The Liverpool circuit played host to the British Grand Prix in the
1950s and 1960s and is still used
for Club-level motor sport activities to this day. However, the
historic Grand Prix circuit, on which
such famous drivers as Sir Stirling Moss, Juan-Manuel Fangio and Jim
Clark often raced, has effectively been placed beyond use for
demonstration events such as the Aintree Festival of Motorsport by
the construction of the grandstands and the erection of various
fences, gates and steps adjacent to and across what remains of the
now narrowed circuit.
Charles Barnett, the outgoing Managing Director of Aintree
Racecourse Company Limited, had previously given written assurances
that such demonstration events would still be possible and that
Aintree Racecourse Company Limited intended to compensate for the
loss of the track by realigning the inside line of the course
(circuit) by an equivalent amount (to the incursion) in
correspondence with Peter Kilfoyle M.P. (Liverpool Walton) and Andy
Wallis, Planning and Economic Regeneration Director, Sefton Council.
Merseyside-based Motor Racing enthusiasts have, with the assistance
of Peter Kilfoyle MP, since sought a meeting with representatives of
Aintree Racecourse Company Limited to discuss the realignment of
Tatts Corner. The Managing Director then wrote to Peter Kilfoyle M.P.
on the 20th June, 2006 and stated that:- “I cannot see any
benefit in discussing the reinstatement of the Motor Circuit where
the Grandstand is being built. While construction work is in
progress, it is difficult to get a good idea of the final layout, so
it may be more appropriate to re-look at the site when construction
is nearing completion." However, Aintree Racecourse Company
Limited made no attempt to initiate such a meeting before the
ancillary works referred to above were completed either through
Peter Kilfoyle MP or otherwise.
The Motor Racing enthusiasts concerned believe that the commercial
viability of Aintree Racecourse
would be enhanced by the use of the Aintree Grand Prix circuit for
Car Manufacturers’ Launches, Dealer Days and Track Days but
proposals for such events have, in the past, been met with apathy by
Aintree Racecourse Company Limited.
2007 marks fifty years since British drivers Sir Stirling Moss and
Tony Brooks won the Grand Prix
d’Europe at Aintree in their British-built Vanwall but, instead of
celebrating this famous event, Aintree Racecourse Company Limited
has chosen to mark the occasion by finally putting the Grand Prix
circuit beyond use.
A spokesman for the Motor Racing enthusiasts concerned said:-
“We are saddened by the impact that these new grandstands have had
on a famous and important Motor Racing venue, the heritage of which
seems to have been deliberately ignored. There is still a place for
the Aintree Grand Prix circuit in today’s world. We believe that the
circuit should be used to increase Aintree Racecourse’s revenue and
significantly benefit the Merseyside economy.
We therefore urge Aintree Racecourse Company Limited to honour the
commitments previously given by the Managing Director to both Peter
Kilfoyle M.P. and Sefton Council and, after due consultation with
all the interested parties, to realign Tatts Corner so that the
circuit can still be used for demonstration events.
We believe that Aintree Racecourse Company Limited should be
celebrating, not erasing, the venue’s Motor Racing heritage and hope
that the new Managing Director realises the commercial potential of
that Motor Racing heritage.”
Jimmy Corkhill Stands As Councillor!
SPEKE born
director and actor Dean Sullivan, fondly remembered as Jimmy
Corkhill in C4 Brookside, is to stand as Councillor for the ward of
Speke Garston in the forthcoming May 2007 elections.
Dean, who about to start filming a new comedy sit-com series, and
has been working relentlessly to promote employment for local people
(with his initiative Employ 2008) says:- "The City of
Liverpool is approaching a period of time that is going to leave a
lasting legacy. This is our opportunity to showcase to the world all
the good things about the City. I want to be able to contribute to
this by representing the area in which I have grown up.
Employ 2008 an initiative I created in January 2006 to promote
sustained employment for local people in the run up to Capital of
Culture. Local commerce have been extremely supportive and as a
result over 400 'extra' jobs have been created.
With over £500 million pounds available to local commerce to help
with training and development and to assist with recruitment, it is
vital that local business leaders are able to access this practical
and financial assistance to help their sustainability."
Radio 1’s Chris Moyles models his Red Nose with the John Lennon
Statue at JLA
CHRIS Moyles
and the Radio 1 Breakfast Show are last week where touring the UK
with The Chris Moyles Rallyoke - a Red Nose Rally Karaoke tour in
aid of Comic Relief. Chris and the crew travelled from Liverpool
John Lennon Airport this on 12 March 2007 to Belfast with easyJet
and chose to promote Red Nose Day by using the famous John Lennon
statue at the Airport to model a red nose!
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Peter Brown Craven Minor League - Match Reports - Week Ending 11
March 2007
Under13 Liverpool County Tesco Cup
semi-final
West Tower 1 Thornton Boys 2
THE two Craven
Minor League teams met in a colossal semi-final of the County Cup,
and both did the league proud in what was probably as tough a game
as either will face all season. Both teams possessed great passing
players, but also had players prepared to throw their bodies on the
line when the going got tough. It was a credit to them all that
there were no bad tackles, and that it was played in such good
spirit, despite the intensity and passion of the game.
West Tower set the
early pace, dominating possession and spending a lot of time in
their opponents half, but as half time approached, Thornton Boys
gradually took control and looked the stronger team at the interval,
though the score remained 0-0. West Tower regained the initiative
after the re-start, and the Thornton goalkeeper was forced to make a
couple of great saves to keep his side from falling behind. With
three quarters of the game gone, West Tower keeper Conner Monaghan
had not had a shot to save, but with 15 minutes to go, a mix up in
the West Tower defence let in a Thornton forward to fire in a shot
which looped over the keepers head and into the net. West Tower were
now forced to go onto all out attack, and once again the Thornton
keeper pulled off a great save to deny them, and it looked as though
the game would end 1-0. Finally however, with less than a minute to
go, Bradley Sherwood found himself free in the Thornton box, and he
fired in a low shot which even the excellent keeper couldn't save.
The game finished 1-1 at full time.
Extra time followed a
similar pattern to the rest of the game, with the action swinging
from one end to the other, but few clear cut openings, until right
on half time, some slick passing in midfield led to a ball being
played through to a Thornton forward who rounded the keeper and
slotted the ball into the net. Try as they might, West Tower could
not force a second equaliser, and the game, which would have graced
the final, ended 2-1. Man of the Match was Will Shields of West
Tower, for his great determination and excellent passing.
Well done to both
teams, and good luck to Thornton in the final!
Under 11
Town Green 6 Birkdale 3
THIS was never
going to be an easy game for Town Green, and at a windswept Edge
Hill it proved so. Birkdale started strongly and put pressure on the
Town Green defense from the start but a fine marshalling display by
Luke Dwyer kept Birkdale at bay. The first goal came from a Charlie
Stoker ball though the Birkdale defense that enabled Alex Muirhead
to latch onto and steer the ball around the keeper. This seemed to
give Town Green the impetuous that they needed and following a John
Cain corner, James Halpin nicked the ball in at the near post.
Cruising towards half time Town Green were caught out by a fine pass
and shot combination from Birkdale. 2 -1 Half time.
Town Green started the second half much more strongly than the first
and fine efforts from John Cain and Conor McLean early in the half
all but sealed the final outcome. Town Green seemed to settle a bit
and started to play better football which was rewarded with another
couple of goals from Muirhead and Cain respectively. Guilty of
taking the foot off the gas slightly Town allowed Birkdale back into
it with two sloppy goals. One from a corner that was obviously
handled by the Birkdale striker and another goal line melee that the
defense could just not get rid of.
All in all a
competent display by Town Green which showed a fine team performance
rewarded with another three points towards the title.
Under 10
Birkdale A 2 Kingsford 1
THE Capio
Renacres Hospital sponsored site Birkdale United A took on
Kingsford, a team one place behind them in the league. The game
started at an even pace both teams pressing forward and Harrison's
shot just shaving the post denied Birkdale the breakthrough.
Kingsford charged forward forcing a good save from Griffiths and
some active defending from Bolton and Gaskell. The breakthrough came
from a goal by Young for Birkdale after 15 minutes of play, but
Kingsford responded well and forced another save from Griffiths.
Birkdale's Fletcher and Rawsthorne drove the ball forward from
midfield and Young's shot was caught well by the Kingsford keeper.
Gaskell's shot just over the bar was the last kick before half time.
The second half saw Aindow in goal and the appearance of Platts and
Williams for Birkdale. Birkdale pressured Kingsford from the off and
Rawsthorne's shot hit the post. But the hard work from
Kingsford payed off as they scored an equaliser, but Birkdale were
relentless and Rawsthorne's diligent play reaped its rewards when he
scored the winner. Birkdale were on top for the remainder of the
game and the Kingsford keeper prevented the score from being higher.
This was a good even match played in good spirit and enjoyed by all
players.
Player of the match for Birkdale United A : G. Rawsthorne
Rainford 1 Southport 2
SOUTHPORT have
come towards the end of the season and have been in outstanding form
lately with James Smith up front their main threat, today was no
exception as every move involved the twenty goal hitman. Rainford
were on the back foot for most of the early stages and Ryan Patel
went close for SFCJ in the early minutes only to be stopped by a
superb save by the Rainford keeper, Robson Baldwin commanded the
left side for Southport and a cross into the box lead to panic in
the Rainford defence only for Smith to shoot narrowly wide from a
tight angle. Rainford pushed forward and from a throw in a neat one
two on the edge of the box found the Rainford forward who hit a
terrific shot wide of Callum Jones and into the net. This pushed
SFCJ on and the determination to get back on terms led to a superb
move involving Sam Johnson and Anthony Brown and Owen Drummond who
crossed the ball into the box to find Smith to fire a shot straight
at the keeper only for the rebound to fall to Smith who rammed a
shot into the empty net.
Rainford had it all to do to keep Southport out as they had the
slope and wind at their backs Jack Bainbridge and Oliver Cunningham
kept it tight at the back and Rainford did well to stop SFCJ taking
the lead when Oliver Cunningham hit the post from a fantastic corner
from Anthony Brown, SFCJ pushed forward again and a shot from Owen
Drummond flashed over the bar. Rainford battled back but a ball into
their box fell to James Smith who calmly lofted a left foot shot
into the far side of the net. Rainford hit back straight away and
forced two fine saves from SFCJ keeper Callum Jones. A free kick on
the edge of the box given in the final minute to Rainford saw a
great free kick destined for the bottom corner of the net only to be
kicked off the line by Southport Captain Oliver Cunningham to earn
his team a much deserved win.
The game was played
in a very sporting manner and good luck to Rainford in their
remaining games. Man of Match was James Smith. |
