Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium - March 2011
Walthamstow Stadium
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/WSLights.jpg
Opened in 1933 by William Chandler. It had a larger attendance and income from gambling than any other dog racing track in the UK, And was at one time the largest track in the UK with capacity for over 5,000 spectators.
It’s popularity waned and, in 2008, it closed.
There has been quite a large campaign to bring it back to life including a 20,000 signature petition
https://saveourstow.wordpress.com/
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...0Dogs/WOld.jpg
Developers London & Quadrant (L&Q) took ownership of the iconic site two years ago. Since buying the site, L&Q have infuriated campaigners by failing to submit planning applications or accept offers to buy or lease the site.
Infact a £9m bid by businessman and greyhound enthusiast Bob Morton was rejected by the owners
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11103349
Trivia bit!!!
The front and back cover of the Blur album Parklife were shot at the stadium
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...%20Dogs/bb.jpg
Explored with Skeleton Key, Priority 7 and a newly met non member, although that is hopefully about to change
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9081.jpg
We had heard all about the free roaming guard dog and had even seen a picture of it on another forum, but that was dated a year ago and we were hoping that it was old news.
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9085.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/SAM_2086.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9024.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9025.jpg
I kid you not, I had a sandwich bag full of chopped up sausage tied to my belt, I had seen the photo and I wasn't about to become a dog chew, the plan was, if the dog found us then rip open the bag, throw the grub at it, trip SK over and the run like F##K
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9042.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9028.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9016.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9026.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9029.jpg
We had only been in the first grandstand building for a couple of minutes when we heard somebody walking about on the floor above.
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9031.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9030.jpg
Then it was out of the first bar and towards the seating area and the second section of the building, this is when we started noticing the dog crap dotted all over the floor, not good!!!
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9038.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9040.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9035.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9043.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9045.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9049.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9050.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9055.jpg
At the end of the building we came across the Sec tea station and TV. We were deciding whether or not to have a brew up when fido spotted us through the window, he went absolutely ballistic!! Barking and growling.
We retreated to one of the upper bars but it was too late, Sec knew we where in there and was walking the outside looking for us, at one point he climbed an outside staircase and was only a stones throw away. We did the brave thing and hid, waited a while and decided not to push it and beat a retreat, taking photos on the way.
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9056.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9057.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9063.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9066.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9068.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9071.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_9072.jpg
So that was that and Charlie Chans nightclub which is situated under the clock will have to wait for the revisit!!
