Memories of the home where Heathens would ’ommer ’um!
Dudley Wood Stadium, one of the most famous speedway venues, will be remembered forever with a brand new book, writes Nigel Pearson.
The former home of Cradley Heath Speedway hosted World Champions from all across thr globe but closed down at the end of the 1995 season when the owners sold it for housing development.
And despite the efforts of several different groups, the Heathens remain without a home to this day.
Now a 196-page book will be produced by well-known publishers Curtis Sport compiled by lifelong Heathens fan Neil Skelding in time for March 22.
A host of previously unseen images of the stadium have been handed over by former club photographer John Hipkiss.
Fans have also sent in some of their own collection and a host of columns and interviews will be featured with riders, promoters, journalists and supporters.
Skelding said: “This is a project I’ve been thinking about for the last few years.
“It’s a lot of hard work and the hours involved are painstaking, but I know it will be worth it.
“Dudley Wood was the focal point of the community and I went to every meeting, like so many people throughout the area.
“This is a perfect way for fans to keep a permanent souvenir.
“It will be produced on gloss paper to maximise the quality of the pictures, the unseen ones from John Hipkiss are remarkable and some of the memories I’ve already compiled are great reads.
“It’s available to order now and I’m sure it will be popular, by pre-ordering it’s the best way to guarantee a copy.”
The book, Memories Of Dudley Wood, is available to pre-order now from curtis-sport.com/books or by sending a cheque for £17.95 per copy (including postage) payable to Curtis Sport Ltd, Unit 24, Empire Industrial Park, Empire Close, Aldridge, WS9 8UQ remembering to include your name and address for delivery.
