GREETINGS FROM UNCLE ‘B’

NEWS Tuesday 27th January 2015, 8:00am

by Brian Gray

  Edinburgh Monarchs

I'm going to begin this week with a wee message for our race-day volunteers.

This year I'm going to be the Staff Controller (not the FAT Controller!) and look after the volunteers who help make sure that Armadale is one of the best run tracks in the country! In place now is a dedicated mobile phone so that our race-day helpers can contact us via a call or text message to say they might have a wee problem with attending – say, holidays or sickness – and we can shuffle duties about to make things run like clockwork!

What I'd like you to do is message me with your full name and what you do on race-day so I have a note of everyone! Something along the lines of 'Ed the Monarch - Mascot'. That would be great. If you also want to give me your email address we can keep you informed of any news. Of course, we may well be looking for one or two extra folk, so if you know someone then let me know. Many duties are finished in time for heat 1 and you get to watch the meeting for nothing as our way of saying thank you!

The number is 07503 620539. Thank you very much.

Not a lot else been happening but this Visa problem with Australian and American riders. I'm sure it'll all get sorted out before a wheel is turned but we've had this on and off for a few years now and I just hope it can all be put right once and for all! All these riders want to do is earn an honest living and entertain us. What's wrong with that?

I see Matthew Wethers has signed for Workington. Apparently, Dane Michael Palm Toft has said it isn't viable for him to race in Britain and that has opened the door for Matty to get a team berth. Look forward to seeing him at Armadale this year. Another ex Monarch, Aaron Summers has moved to Glasgow on a full transfer and becomes a heat leader for the Tigers. Best of luck to both these guys.

And so it's been confirmed that the second Video night of the winter is Friday, 27th February at the Thomas Morton Hall in Leith so get that written into your new diary!

Well, that's me for this week. I'm just going to stock up the cupboards and wait for the snow to come! Look after yourselves! Bye.

Uncle ‘B’