Berwick Bandits’ recently enforced problems with the Young Shield fixtures have had a dramatic knock-on effect for one former rider in particular.
David Meldrum flew in from his new home in the USA especially for he thoroughly deserved testimonial meeting scheduled for Saturday October 18th, a meeting he’s spent over 12 months organising and arranging with is committee of hard working supporters.
The lack of a team to race on Saturday gone has meant the Bandits’ Young Shield semi-final against the Isle of Wight must go ahead on October 18th leaving the Meldrum Milestone even without a date to be run.
There is one final Saturday in the season left, but it’s not a viable proposition on two counts, firstly being if the Bandits make the final then that has to be the night that event must run, and secondly Meldrum himself has got to be back in the States (flying out on Monday 20th) without fail for a vital meeting which cannot be missed.
This complex situation has left the committee, in conjunction with Berwick Speedway, absolutely no option but to cancel the testimonial and reschedule the event for March 2009 as the season’s curtain-raiser with a possible date of March 21st being provisionally pencilled in for subsequent confirmation.
Frustrated doesn’t even come close to describing David Meldrum’s current state of mind who stated this weekend: “I was keeping a close watch on last Thursday’s match at Sheffield, and as soon as we knew the Islanders were going to win the semi final place it was panic stations as we already knew Workington would take Redcar and leave Berwick with the Isle of Wight, and we already had heard they would not take the 11th as their date here.
“So we knew then my meeting was up the swannie and there was nothing we, or Peter and the club could do about it, even though they have been brilliant over this we knew he could do nothing at all to help as it was out of his hands.
“The decision to hold it over to next season was quickly taken and the obvious one really as we had no real alternative, but at least we now have another five months to re-group and make it an even better Milestone than it would have been, and we’re planning some winter events in Berwick too to keep the momentum and interest growing before we come back over to the UK to try again.
“But, the after meeting party still runs as planned after the Berwick match on the 18th at the Berwick Rugby Club and everyone is urged to come and have a great night out. We’ll be there, and we’d like as many supporters to get along too as it’ll be a night to remember!!”
Fans are advised that a limited number of tickets are still available from Taffy’s Time Machine in Marygate, Berwick upon Tweed.
The date for the Meldrum Milestone will be confirmed as soon as possible but it would appear safe to pencil in March 21st for the great event.
