2009 FIXTURES story

Dates for 2009

The South East racing season for 2009 starts at Detling on January 18th.

After the opening meeting at Detling there is a break of a month before the South East Hunts Club fixture at Charing on February 22nd. Action then resumes six days later at Godstone, with a two week break before the second Detling fixture. For die-hard point-to-point fans there then follows an unbroken run of eight weeks with 10 fixtures, including Easter, and a meeting every Saturday or Sunday until it all ends on May 16th.

Provisional plans for a Friday evening meeting at Parham have been abandoned in favour of a Saturday fixture.

Colin Squance, SE Area Chairman, said: “The ownership of the various parts of the Parham course hasn't been finalised yet but hopefully will be shortly. If all goes according to plan, a course realignment of the section which used to be the first 300yds from the start will then be required. Landlords’ consent may also be a challenge as time is against us for this year.

Asked to comment on the conflict between the Grand National and the OSBWK meeting at Penshurst on April 4th, Colin Squance said: "Choosing a date which conflicts with the Grand National has always been a difficult decision because so many people including our own regular supporters look forward to watching the lead up and the event live on the TV, not to mention a bet on the outcome.

“Sometimes the requirement of the landlord, our desire to provide continuity of racing, or avoiding a clash with a neighbouring meeting, make it difficult to find an alternative date and we have to bite the bullet.

From a positive viewpoint if modern technology is utilised, the situation could even work to our benefit.

Installing a large screen, as is the intention of the secretary and committee of the OSB and WK, to enable the Grand National to be viewed will ensure that everyone is able to enjoy the best of both worlds. The important thing is to advertise the fact in good time, once any obstacles are overcome - and I bet the bookies hope they are!"

Fixture List 2008/2009

Sunday Jan 18th - West Street Tickham @ Detling

Sunday Feb 22nd - South East Hunts Club @ Charing

Saturday 28th Feb - Southdown & Eridge @ Godstone

Saturday 14th March - West Street Tickham @ Detling

Saturday 21st March - Crawley & Horsham @ Parham

Sunday 29th March - Mid Surrey Farmers Drag @ Godstone

Saturday 4th April (GN Day) - Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent @ Penshurst

Easter Saturday 11th April - Ashford Valley @ Charing

Easter Monday 13th April - East Kent @ Aldington

Sunday 19th April - East Sussex & Romney Marsh @ Catsfield

Saturday 25th April - Old Surrey, Burstow & West Kent @ Penshurst

Saturday 2nd May - Southdown & Eridge @ Godstone

Saturday 9th May - Surrey Union @ Peper Harrow

Thursday 14th May - Folkestone Hunter Chase Meeting

Saturday 16th May - Chiddingfold Leconfield & Cowdray @ Parham