31st November 2009 - Hilton Hotel, Swindon - the annual dinner and dance.
The annual dinner and dance gives everyone a chance to socialise and celebrate before riders disappear off to far flung places, like Mildura and Sheffield (!) and this year's was held at the very smart Hilton Hotel just off junction 16 on the M4.
Whilst some in the past have been good, this one was excellent - a very nice meal, an excellent location and a good cabaret, provided by a "Supremes" tribute band.
It's become something of a tradition for the track staff representatives to sit together and so Mick Richards, Roy Hicks, Punch and myself, accompanied by our wives gathered together for the sit down meal, to be joined later by Mark Price and then Ronnie Russell.
The format for the evening is the sit down meal, then farewells by the riders, presentations of trophies and awards and then the dancing.
Leigh Adams picked up the "Rider of the Year" award again while Simon Stead won the fastest gater trophy, an award that left him amazed. Other riders present included Cory Gathercole and Justin Sedgmen, Morten Risager, Matej Zagar and Travis McGowan.
It was very clear just how determined Morten and Simon were to come back to Swindon. Both took time out to come across and have a chart with the track staff and were clearly enjoying the atmosphere. Matej Zagar was also intent on having a good time.
When the "Supremes" asked for volunteers for form an impromptu backing band Matej and Rosco were the first up on stage, joined by Travis McGowan's fiance Maja Backlund (on Rosco's left) and some others.
We may not have won the Elite League but there was still much to celebrate. I was delighted to be told that we would indeed be having a new air fence (although that decision has subsequently been reversed - ah well, high hopes dashed!)
Barry Briggs was the guest of honour and he spoke glowingly about his time at Swindon and how he had enjoyed being present at the final match of the season against Wolves.
As we left, Ron was in his element. It was an excellent evening and thanks go out to all who helped to make it happen.
As I write this, two months on, in the first week of the new year, a glance out of my office window shows four inches of snow outside. We're supposed to be re-convening at the track tomorrow (7th January) to carry on with out essential closed season work but it all looks a little bleak at the moment.
Alan Tarrant informs me that there are 80 odd days to go to the start of the season. It's a statistic that fills be full of dread - there's a vast amount to be done so we could be starting up Saturday working parties in February if the snow blots out our work in January.
