MARTIN Pipe who was one of the most successful trainers ever in the history of National Hunt, recently discovered a long lost scrapbook at his home which contained a treasure trove of memories from 60 years ago, writes Richard Walsh.
This week marks the sixtieth anniversary of the very first greyhound race at the home of Somerset County Cricket Club.
Contained within the pages of the scrapbook were newspaper cuttings and pictures from the time when greyhound races took place twice a week.
Back in the early 1960’s when the club was struggling financially secretary Richard Robinson, ever anxious to create another source of income made an application to the local council to host greyhound racing.
Permission was eventually granted and a running rail for the hare was put in place and retractable overhead lights were installed, along with kennels at the St James’ Street end of the ground at a cost of £12k, all of which created quite an atmosphere on race nights.
On the evening of December 8th 1961 the first meeting was held at what was called the Priory Greyhound Stadium over the almost circular course that had been created around the boundary edge that had a circumference of 485 yards.
When the big day arrived a crowd of 2000 people turned out for the Grand Inaugural Meeting when there were four open races each with a first prize of £100 and £25 for second.
Dave Pipe, Martin’s father, who was a local bookmaker was involved with the greyhound racing, so teenager Martin used to go along regularly.
“I was at school at Queen’s College at the time and used to love it when they hosted greyhound racing. I used to go down every Tuesday and Friday. There was a real atmosphere at the ground particularly on Friday nights when a large crowd from all over the west country and from South Wales used to go along.
“I can remember that there were always quite a few bookmakers there and in the clubhouse they had two one armed bandits that I used to play. There always seemed to be a lot of people there who were regulars and liked betting on the dogs.
"Mum used to come along on Friday nights as well and would meet up with several of the other wives and often go up to the Tudor Tavern in town."
“People would come from all over and someone who I remember was someone who a man called The Captain who came from Wales, and brought dogs down to race. He had a daughter who was a famous pop singer - Maureen Evans, who had hit with ‘Like I Do’ in the early 1960’s!”
Martin continued: “I can remember that during the summer when the ground used to get firm m Dad used to go down and water the track all the way round the night before because he didn’t want the dogs to hurt themselves. When it came to cricket the next day the fielders used to run to the boundaries and some of them slipped over where it was wet because of the watering, so it wasn’t very popular.
“I can also remember the six greyhound girls who came along every week and used to lead the dogs out- I wonder what happened to them?
Martin added: “Greyhound racing was a good night out for people and everyone enjoyed it . The club wanted the money so it was a god send when they started but in the end things improved so they didn’t need it.”
The last greyhound racing was held in May 1979 and for a number of years the running rail for the hare was still in evidence. However with the ground having undergone extensive redevelopment in recent years little if anything now remains to suggest that the home of Somerset County Cricket Club once hosted greyhound racing.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here