Latest news with #GreyhoundRacing
The Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Labour peer Lord Lipsey found dead after swimming in River Wye
The Labour peer Lord David Lipsey has been found dead after swimming in the River Wye in Wales, police said. Officers were called to the village of Glasbury on Monday after concerns about the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the river. Dyfed Powys police said on Thursday the body of the 77-year-old was pulled from the water on Tuesday after a multi-agency search. Lipsey previously worked as a journalist and was a Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan. A police spokesperson said: 'His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. 'They have asked for their privacy to be respected.' Lipsey entered the Lords in 1999. Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, said the upper chamber extended its 'condolences to the noble lord's family and friends'. Lipsey, originally from Dorset, lived in Powys and was a patron of the Glasbury Arts festival. In the 1970s, he served as a special adviser to the Labour minister and diarist Anthony Crosland and on the staff at 10 Downing Street under Callaghan, later Lord Callaghan. Lipsey also worked for the Guardian, the Sunday Times, New Society and the Economist and co-founded the short-lived Sunday Correspondent in 1988. He was awarded a life peerage by Tony Blair in 1999. The peer was also a fan of greyhound racing, chairing the British Greyhound Racing Board, now called the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, between 2004 and 2009 and worked to get dogs rehomed at the end of their careers. Keir Starmer said: 'David was loved and respected by so many. Whether it was his early years as a researcher and adviser, or his quarter of a century in the House of Lords, he worked tirelessly for what he believed in. 'He will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to know him, in parliament and beyond. My thoughts are with his wife, Margaret, and their family and friends.'
Daily Record
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Labour peer Lord David Lipsey found dead after police discover body in river
Officers confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Labour Peer Lord David Lipsey has been found dead after swimming in the River Wye, cops have said. Police were called to the River Wye in Glasbury on June 30 following reports of concern for a person last seen in the water. Dyfed Powys Police has now confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, entered the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases "New Labour" and "winter of discontent". A police spokesperson told the Mirror: "Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. "Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. "His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. "They have asked for their privacy to be respected." The Lord Speaker said the upper chamber extended its " condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends". Lord Lipsey, who was a fan of greyhound and harness racing, chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board and the British Harness Racing Club for a number of years. The British Horseracing Authority said: "Lord Lipsey was a staunch supporter of British horseracing and formerly an APPG member. Our condolences to his family at this incredibly sad time." Premier Greyhound Racing said it was "deeply saddened at the passing of Lord David Lipsey". In a statement, they said: "We were very luck to have David as Chair of Premier Greyhound Racing from our inception until his retirement this year. "Throughout this time, we benefitted from his wisdom and guidance which he delivered with dedication, professionalism and no little humour." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
ABC News
24-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Dapto Dogs to stop running after nearly 90 years as showground owners end lease
It is the end of an era for the iconic Dapto Dogs as the local show society prepares to wrap up racing at the venue by the end of June next year. Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Steve Griffin said it was an unfortunate decision. "Very sad for the industry and for us. We are a little bit shocked and surprised. We had hoped that we were going to get a 20-year extension but the society has decided to go in another direction." GRNSW had been in negotiations Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society for some time over rent and facility upgrades, including relocating the kennel block to the western part of the precinct. Mr Griffin had visited the site just last week to inspect the proposed areas. The news was shared with GRNSW on Friday night. Racing started at the track on February 25, 1937. Mr Griffin said people will be "grieving for the loss of the icon from the sport". "Obviously there will be some people who will be hurting because this has been their home track for their lifetime and probably their forbearers before them. Close to 100 trainers trial their dogs at the track each week. Two full time and four part time staff will be offered opportunities at the Bulli and Nowra tracks. GRNSW has a parcel of land at nearby Bong Bong Road and will continue to explore opportunities — but it would involve significant work to determine if it would be suitable for a straight track. Shellharbour state MP Anna Watson said the decision was sad but she is glad it was not acrimonious. "It is a big parcel of land. It is community. It presents a great opportunity to see what comes from the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society in the future," she said. Ms Watson said she looked forward to seeing how GRNSW progressed the Bong Bong Road site. The Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society has been contacted for comment.
Daily Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Dapto Dogs: Greyhound racing to close in June 26
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Greyhound racing at the world famous Dapto Dogs will draw to a close by June next year at the latest, bringing an end to 88 years of history at the iconic racing venue. News Corp can reveal that the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society (DAHS) advised Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) this week that advances for a new long-term lease to continue racing at the track, which first began in 1937, had been rejected. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The two sides had been locked in negotiations in recent months with GRNSW requesting a new 20-year lease which would provide the certainty needed to allow for significant – and much needed – investment in the venue. But in response to the proposal, the DAHS said a long-term commitment 'would severely limit the society's ability to adapt and deliver its evolving vision for the site' while adding that a 'shorter-term arrangement would impose constraints that restrict broader planning and limit future use of the precinct'. GRNSW has been conducting racing at Dapto since 2019 when the DAHS abruptly brought a halt to racing under its management, citing issues around club funding and race dates as reasoning for the decision. The closure of Dapto will draw to an end 88 years of racing history at the venue • 'Must be the J-Mac tax': Owner surprised by Doomben Cup plunge Since then, the industry's commercial arm has been leasing the track on a year-to-year basis to maintain a racing footprint in Dapto for the benefit of owners and trainers in the region. But the process has proved to be a costly exercise for a track that races just once a week and was last year relegated to Sky 2 broadcasts under a revamp of the racing schedule which saw Wentworth Park moved to prime time on Thursday night. The move resulted in Dapto, a one-time centrepiece of NSW greyhound racing, finding itself battling for relevance, with meetings comprised of predominantly lowly 297 metre events on the second-tier racing channel. In confirming news that racing will soon come to an end at Dapto, GRNSW CEO Steve Griffin said 'that while the decision is disappointing' there are 'exciting plans to modernise greyhound racing in the months and years ahead'. GRNSW CEO Steve Griffin Picture: Thomas Lisson 'GRNSW has been in consultation with the Society in recent months about the future of racing at the Dapto Showground and we held hopes that a long-term extension at the venue may be possible,' Griffin said. 'The Society informed us this week that greyhound racing did not align with their long-term goals at the site. 'We understand it was a commercial decision, but that doesn't soften the disappointment which will be felt right across the industry, particularly within the Illawarra. 'It may sound cliched, but the iconic Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars, and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name.' Mr Griffin also confirmed news that hopes of a Centre of Excellence being built at Dapto were slim but he hadn't ruled out the possibility of a straight track being brought to the region. In early 2023, GRNSW – under the direction of former CEO Rob Macaulay – announced amid much fanfare the purchase of a parcel of land on Bong Bong Rd at Dapto for $4 million. The land was to become the home of a new Centre of Excellence for the industry but zoning concerns and lack of clarity around funding for the project plagued the concept from the outset. The land purchased at Bong Bong Rd Dapto by Greyhound Racing NSW. It's understood GRNSW is currently exploring alternate options for the land, including the construction of a straight track, but a Centre of Excellence is no longer being considered. While the lease at Dapto expires in June 2026, it remains to be seen whether GRNSW considers an earlier exit given the track's fate is now sealed and the recently upgraded track at Nowra is being very well-supported. News of the demise of Dapto comes ahead of GRNSW this week launching its Track Optimisation Strategy in which stakeholders from across the industry will come together to discuss the NSW racetrack footprint for the future. Originally published as World famous Dapto Dogs to close next year, ending 88 years of racing at the historic venue
News.com.au
24-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
World famous Dapto Dogs to close next year, ending 88 years of racing at the historic venue
Greyhound racing at the world famous Dapto Dogs will draw to a close by June next year at the latest, bringing an end to 88 years of history at the iconic racing venue. News Corp can reveal that the Dapto Agricultural and Horticultural Society (DAHS) advised Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) this week that advances for a new long-term lease to continue racing at the track, which first began in 1937, had been rejected. The two sides had been locked in negotiations in recent months with GRNSW requesting a new 20-year lease which would provide the certainty needed to allow for significant – and much needed – investment in the venue. But in response to the proposal, the DAHS said a long-term commitment 'would severely limit the society's ability to adapt and deliver its evolving vision for the site' while adding that a 'shorter-term arrangement would impose constraints that restrict broader planning and limit future use of the precinct'. GRNSW has been conducting racing at Dapto since 2019 when the DAHS abruptly brought a halt to racing under its management, citing issues around club funding and race dates as reasoning for the decision. • 'Must be the J-Mac tax': Owner surprised by Doomben Cup plunge Since then, the industry's commercial arm has been leasing the track on a year-to-year basis to maintain a racing footprint in Dapto for the benefit of owners and trainers in the region. But the process has proved to be a costly exercise for a track that races just once a week and was last year relegated to Sky 2 broadcasts under a revamp of the racing schedule which saw Wentworth Park moved to prime time on Thursday night. The move resulted in Dapto, a one-time centrepiece of NSW greyhound racing, finding itself battling for relevance, with meetings comprised of predominantly lowly 297 metre events on the second-tier racing channel. In confirming news that racing will soon come to an end at Dapto, GRNSW CEO Steve Griffin said 'that while the decision is disappointing' there are 'exciting plans to modernise greyhound racing in the months and years ahead'. 'GRNSW has been in consultation with the Society in recent months about the future of racing at the Dapto Showground and we held hopes that a long-term extension at the venue may be possible,' Griffin said. 'The Society informed us this week that greyhound racing did not align with their long-term goals at the site. 'We understand it was a commercial decision, but that doesn't soften the disappointment which will be felt right across the industry, particularly within the Illawarra. 'It may sound cliched, but the iconic Dapto Dogs is as Australian as meat pies and Holden cars, and whether you are a punter or not, you have heard of the name.' Mr Griffin also confirmed news that hopes of a Centre of Excellence being built at Dapto were slim but he hadn't ruled out the possibility of a straight track being brought to the region. In early 2023, GRNSW – under the direction of former CEO Rob Macaulay – announced amid much fanfare the purchase of a parcel of land on Bong Bong Rd at Dapto for $4 million. The land was to become the home of a new Centre of Excellence for the industry but zoning concerns and lack of clarity around funding for the project plagued the concept from the outset. It's understood GRNSW is currently exploring alternate options for the land, including the construction of a straight track, but a Centre of Excellence is no longer being considered. While the lease at Dapto expires in June 2026, it remains to be seen whether GRNSW considers an earlier exit given the track's fate is now sealed and the recently upgraded track at Nowra is being very well-supported. News of the demise of Dapto comes ahead of GRNSW this week launching its Track Optimisation Strategy in which stakeholders from across the industry will come together to discuss the NSW racetrack footprint for the future.
