Southwell Racecourse

Wuda

Carl Orff?

Been 3 times recently,agree ARC seem to have improved facilities,first 2 were in the afternoon then went this Tuesday night,went usual way then about 1/4 of mile from track sign saying no access to racecourse,carried on to entrance which was cordoned off and directed on a 5 mile detour,asked when we got in what's that all about?" All night's and weekend meetings main entrance closed due to complaints about the traffic from the local residents at Rolleston.

Get that Jimnast although Lady on O & T told me the other week they're moving O & T further down so that may change things a bit?

I've been a member there (and thus all ARC tracks - marvellous value BTW) for 10 years now.

I can't complain about the gaff and Mark Clayton sets a great example with how he is out and about most meetings talking to owners, stable staff, bookies, annual members and racegoers all the time.

But I am bit amused at the work going on to get rid of the hospitality boxes and make the area for owners and trainers. Then the upstairs floor (currently just for owners and trainers) will likely revert back to annual members - which is how it used to be.  It's the third change around in less than a year and we'll all end up back as we were if this goes on!

As for road access, well the local residents must be the most miserable bunch of bl**ders in history! Nothing the track does it right, although some of them moved in knowing full well there was racing there so often. Like buying a house on the Heathrow flight path and then moaning about the air traffic!

BUT, to end, Southwell's biggest attraction is the track itself. Easily the fairest AW configuration in the country with a good pace generally guaranteed (none of the Newcastle slow, slow, slow, quick, quick, right near the line). Sometimes the 5f course does favour one side of the track or the other, but very rarely bother in running at Southwell and why punters struggle to make it pay there I don't know.

It's years since I've been there - do they still have the excellent chippy in the grandstand?

Strontium

It as shut when I was there a couple of Sundays ago I was very disappointed,also it’s not in the same place so it might not be the excellent one you remembered.

There’s a famous singer who sold out at spurs new ground very quickly so they want to do a second night bringing in much revenue for the area ,however it’s against the council’s rules.

I doubt the hotels,catering and gas would not consider it a problem,after we keep been told times are hard

Agree about premier teams been above the law

I first went there in the early 80s when it was very much a small semi-rural jumps course with minimal facilities but I liked it.
Been several times in the last few years and really find the course very likeable though the a/w track has affected the ambience. I don't drink alcohol when racing but have always managed to get a sandwich or two and a coffee. I managed to burn myself once spilling a cup of the latter and got very prompt attention from the St John's people.
As smirnoff says the a/w meetings are very sparsely attended,but that does mean you can park within 20 yds of the turnstiles   
Have always found it alright but did get badly lost once going home. Luckily I know the area fairly well so I soon ended up on a road I recognised ( no satnav for me ).

One final word from me about Southwell...when it comes to attendances they can be pretty poor nowadays. Going back 10 years, they were never that good but so sad to realise that I can count 15 or more people who were every-meeting attendees as late as 2019 but who are no longer about.

Covid seems to have changed so many things, because I know that at least 6 of those 15 have died in the past 3 years. Of the others, a lot just cannot afford to go anymore.

I wonder if any regulars at other tracks have seen the same thing? I'm a member at a number of tracks but only Beverley seems to have shared the same fate as Southwell, with regard to the amount of regular attendees having so noticeably thinned out.

Only been once and didn't like it, it took ages to get in and both the viewing and places to eat were poor , plus my sat nav nearly melted trying to work out were it actually was.....

Johnny Mustang - your name suggests you're a c*** , and your post confirms it . 'nough said.