The future of Batley

[RobHatcliffe]

Having read Jimmy's report from the interclub on Sunday, I now have concerns for the future of the Batley track.

Ever since those new houses were built, I have wondered how long it would take for the new residents to kick up a fuss over the track.

I really like Batley, it's a top track run by a good bunch of people and I for one would hate to think that they may be due some serious pressure from the new neighbours.

Can anyone in the know enlighten us on the situation?

[Cockerill]

After talking to the residents who camplained about the rostrum on Sunday I have a clearer picture of what is going on.

They have no problem with the rostrum or track. Their problem is a group of 30ish kids going up onto the rostrum and throwing stones into their garden/ at their windows.

Now one suggested solution was to move the rostrum to the otherside of the track. However, this was only a suggestion, and at no point was it to be moved this week, that was just rumors.

The residents are now in disscussion with Steve and Dianne and I believe they are in the process of trying to fund a better solution. We will see what happens, but I don't think we will see the rostrum or club going anywhere soon.

PS. Racing this Sunday (10/9/06) Outdoors.

Track set up will start at 11 am please attend as the more who help the more track time you will be able to get and the meeting will start around 12.30.

Hope to see you all there.

[RobHatcliffe]

That sounds a lot more positive, good news.

Thanks for the info Tom

[jimmy]

I hope something can be done re:fencing or something.

[BenG]

or anti-chav wardens I volounteer,

[DCM]

As much as it is daft (buying a house overlooking a track and next to the rostrum), I don't think the residents would want higher fencing, but, as they just moved next to an existing structure, they might be willing to share the cost of relocating the rostrum (and container) to the opposite side of the track, and maybe boarding to, to stop the little gits climbing on there.

[jimmy]

Sorry, I didnt mean higher fencing for the residents, whose fencing is already high. I meant metal fencing to stop people getting onto the track at all, preferably with razor wire at the top, or needles or something.

[DCM]

heehee, I reckon Bately would be best to appease the residents..

[losidan]

could some kind of lockable cover be made that covers say they first half of the staircase and so stops them going up there. could also run round the top of the container so of that railing which has metal attached in a kind of star formation that spins round if you put any weight on. Prevents anyone being able to climb up then.

One thing I wonder is if move the container to the other side if it is going to compromise the "infield" of the track?

I have been down sometimes on an evening say eight to nine onwards on a summer evening, it is like a chav fest down there with all the little scroats making nuisance of themselves...

[Northy]

It can be a bloody chav fest on a Sunday when your trying to get a bit of practice in!

G

[tyreman]

I don't suppost the skate park helps much either
As when we were there for the National, at any-one time there must have been 20+ kids loitering about.

I don't see how, by moving the rosrum to the other side of the track, this would compromise the in-field section though .

The main problem with moving it to the other side is, would this cause problems with the football pitches/spectators area, or the access that has to be kept clear between the track fencing and the steel rail where we pit/camp?

[jimmy]

They might have meant move it to the other side of the track but keep within the borders.. it would really mess up the track as it is now...

The idea of the skate park was that it would be great and get all the kids / vandals off the track.. the kids who skate dont vandalise (I dont think) its the chavs that loiter around the skaters.

its certainly worse than it was.

[Northy]

I'm not sure if the "doubles" will still be ok if the rostrum is moved to the other side of the track as you may loose site of your car. Guess we'll have to see if it is moved.

It would also be possible to move the straight to the other side and build up an infield where the rostrum used to be with more features, it could make the track even better!

I'm sure it will all get sorted, as I said to Dan on Sunday, I'd be more than happy to come accross and lend a hand with any work as I for one do not want to loose tha track.

G

[jimmy]

really does need a fence round it tho, so our work doesnt go to waste.

[DCM]

In the end, is it better to make a compromise and some track alterations to accomodate a rostrum move than lose the venue, as I am sure the local council won't allow the skate-park to be removed.....

[super__dan]

I've been speaking to Steve a bit over the last few days. Seems the housing building company promised the buyers of the houses that the rostrum would be moved and maybe then some, they basically told them whatever they wanted to hear. However at no point did they contact the club.

We were intially very worried by all this but actually hope to turn this negative into a positive. If the company were to insist the container were to be moved we hope to get some compensation from them. Firstly and foremost the container would need to go on a base at least as good as the one it's currently on. However we might be able to get them to make some improvements like;

Fence round the side and back of the rostrum with a gate so you can seal it off.
Build a fence round the track.
Level the area where the container was to allow us to extend the track.
Relay the straight to the opposite side and astroturf it.

As an aside this year has highlighted how the VERY small Batley commitee has at time struggled. Now I didn't realise how small the committee actually is, I think there is Dianne and Steve and 2 others who you might not realise are on the commitee now. Lots of the people that help out are not commitee members at all (John Price, Tom etc)

However with Dianne ill (we all hope she gets better, and I don't mean so she can come back racing) we shouldn't rely on her having time and Steve wants to be come less involved the club NEEDS people to committ some time, energy etc and put their names forward for the commitee.

Steve has asked me and my initial reaction is no but seriously if we don't then the club will fold, end of, defo! Some of us have talked about putting some time in this winter in track improvements and so being on the commitee would be a good idea for us. I really hope a few of us will bite the bullit and get properly involved, I won't do this by myself but if a group of us can take it on then I think we can make the track dialled for next year.

Dan

[RobHatcliffe]

I've served on the Bury Metro committee for the last 2 years, and hope to carry on again in 2007, so I feel I know a little about how much effort is needed to run an r/c club. We're fortunate at Bury that Roger takes on a great deal himself, but he knows he has the backing of a small number of core club members to assist at work days, track preparation etc etc

It's probably fair to say that at most clubs the bulk of the work is done by a small number of people - imgaine how much easier it would be if a large number of people each did a little bit??

As I said in my original post, I really like Batley, I enjoy racing there and the club have always made us feel very welcome.

When you have dates for workdays would you please post details on here - if I'm available I'll come over to help.

[BenG]

yeah, I am definitley willing to help, as I live about 2 mins walk from the track. Anything that needs doing, we need to organise a day for. A comittee meeting would be great though, where everything that needs doing can be prioritized and dates shechduled.

[BenG]

what about if there was a winter series, to fund any nessecary changes

[Lee]

Is the track open to practice on at any time?