Hello all, After a few months of issues I think its time that I got the ball rolling on the day at the races we all promised to have for Oldest to meet up and have a good chin wag about him and his old ways. Now can I ask for some help, in a few different ways - Firstly, anyone who wants to donate to the naming of a race could you drop me an email or private message on here, I just want to know the numbers of people who want to get involved in that aspect and I am not asking for any grand gestures of pledges. Just whether you want to donate will do!! I would also love to invite everyone to come, I think it should really be at Kempton Park or the like so that its on the AW and its also more intimate. If people want to add their names to the list of those wanting to go racing and meet the famous and infamous 606ers then add it to this thread. Thirdly and most importantly I would like to ask people to contribute a bit of time - firstly send emails to all who knew oldest but are not on this site and ask them to get in touch with myself. Secondly I would love it if Princess could try and get some estimates of costs for a race and I would invite anyone with time on their hands or ideas to make it an even better occasion to get in touch with me or add suggestions to the thread. Lets remember the old boy fondly and lets celebrate him and the friendships we are able to form on this and other forums. Over and out. Nass
Sorry, was meant to put that in (which is apt as its an Oldest sort of thing) Its OldestBRFC who passed away when we all were on 606. I am sure most members will post as to why many remember him fondly.
Nassau, I'm absolutely on board, we talked about this at the time and I am more than happy to help out in any way I can. Minimum sponsorship for a race is usually about £500 and I can touch base with my contacts at Kempton to see what they have on offer. We probably need to have in mind a particular type of race - a maiden, a decent handicap, etc so that we don't get palmed off with a crappy little class 6 seller! Also we should try to come up with a few dates so that we can try to pull it together. Are you in touch with his family at all? Kempton's fixtures for the rest of the year are (starting from mid Oct onwards as races are framed up 3 weeks in advance): Weds 12 Oct (evening) Thurs 13 Oct (evening) Weds 19 Oct (evening) Weds 26 Oct (evening) Thurs 27 Oct (evening) Tues 1 Nov (evening) Weds 2 Nov (evening) Weds 9 Nov (evening) Thurs 10 Nov (evening) Weds 16 Nov (evening) Thurs 17 Nov (evening) Fri 18 Nov Weds 23 Nov (evening) Thurs 24 Nov (evening) Weds 30 Nov (evening) Weds 7 Dec (evening) Thurs 8 Dec (evening) Weds 14 Dec (evening) Thurs 15 Dec (evening) Sun 18 Dec Tues 20 Dec Weds 21 Dec (evening) Mon 26 Dec (jump) Tues 27 Dec (jump) Thurs 29 Dec (evening) I imagine a weekend fixture would suit most people better, but unfortunately there is only one of those! Let me know thoughts and I will touch base with Kempton.
Nass I've left you a PM.. I'll try to help as best I can. Who's up for this and where do the majority live just so we get closest / suitable venue for most.
Should have read your OP properly, of course I also have contacts at the other AW courses, so wherever, whenever I can sort something out.
Cheers Catty, got it. PN, I will drop you a message tonight with more info. Thanks for the kind offer of help.
Nass: Awesome and i know Stick will attend and donate! I will obviously donate and hopefully the 'Northern' 606ers can get together and travel down en mass, as much notice as possible would enable 'us' to get time off work and book trains and accommodation and the like. I was extremely 'close' to Ray especially near the end and the man was a very gracious, loving, family man who enjoyed the banter on here and getting the odd winner too!! He never complained about his illness and asked me not to 'let on' how ill he was and to be honest i new he was on oxygen regularly but never realised it was as bad as it was. I have numerous stories and anecdotes from him and the lovely thing is every time Mr Dascombe or Richard Kingscote have a winner i smile and think of Ray!! I have a suggestion too for the name but obviously that will have to go to the vote nearer the time. I would love to see 'Just A Whim' included in the title and/or 'Desparate Dan' as that was his favourite horse!! He was a great man who like a lot of his generation was extremely proud to be English. Well done mate
The BHA's rule of thumb is that a race title should have no more than 7 words (excluding the race type - eg "handicap" or "maiden". The racecourse should be able to advise on what is suitable.
Count me in too, although I know I'll not be able to make the actual event. Oldest would understand. He made me laugh so much, especially his usual greeting to me..........Swaneeeeee. You know, he was, by present-day standards, not "old" at all, and far from the oldest Blackburn Rovers supporter I'm sure (but the most passionate and devoted). The most charismatic member of the old 606 Horseracing Forum by a long shot. Hope Nassau and PrincessNewmarket can find a suitable venue and race in his honour. Well done to you both, and good luck! Not much, I know, but your endeavours have my full support.
I think its great what you lot are trying to do! wont be able to attend anything but good luck to you guys!
If I can combine it with business travel then definitely- Kempton would be ideal as it's right next to Heathrow midweek better for me but lets see
i dont post tht often,more of a regular reader of the site but was unaware oldest had passed on.I'm on the other side of the irish sea so wouldnt be able to make it but i wish you every sucess and hopefully you can organise great tribute to a true gent.
