Berwick Bandits Speedway

The success of last night’s Forum/ DVD night was characterised by the ‘feel-good’ factor that swept through the ‘sell-out’ audience. The night was a jam packed affair in many respects, not least by the amount of Berwick Speedway supporters who purchased their tickets, and eagerly arrived early as to get a good seat but also by the entertainment provided.

The fund-raising night was declared an absolute success, with a huge sum of £2906 being split between the ‘Motor Neurone Disease Association’, in memory of the late Graham Platten and the ‘Michal Makovský Testimonial 2010 Fund’.

Dick Barrie started the evening by welcoming everyone and kept the flow of the evening going at an electric pace.  Tony Steele presented cine-film footage of some of the pioneers of speedway, including an excellent documentary chronicling the emergence of a certain ‘Split’ Waterman, from a raw novice to a debut for Wembley Lions, in front of 80,000 spectators under the old twin towers.

The forum was then formed, comprising of Tony Steele, Michal Makovsky, Lee Complin and Sam Ermolenko.

Questions to the panel were informative, and were well received, the audience were treated to some good banter, some insightful speedway knowledge as well as a lot of ‘straight talking’, with the panel members not shying away from ‘telling it how it is’.

A break from the entertainment came in the form of the excellent ‘pies’ from Anderson’s Quality Butchers.

The ensuing auction provided entertainment aplenty, with professional auctioneer – Sandy Jeffery receiving bids on lots at warp speed.

A DVD compilation of some of Michal’s highlight ‘rides’ from the past 10 years was shown, courtesy of GRT Media’s Bob Tasker including some never seen before footage.

The night was rounded off with the most entertaining ‘Grand raffle’ draw, that has ever taken place with fun provided by Michal, Lee, Craig Branney and the ‘visiting’ Paul Cooper and we wish to pass on our thanks to everyone who made the night such a success.