ALCESTER

Birmingham Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5QF

Alcester in Warwickshire became another town to stage a temporary Greyhound Racing track. It was during the early 1980’s that meeting first began to be staged at the Birmingham Rugby Union Ground; a venue situated west of the A435 about a mile north of Alcester town centre in the district of King’s Caughton.

It is known that this gathering was organised by the same people who operated similar meetings at the two Hopwood venues and the one at Studley. Advertisements began appearing in the Greyhound Owner of 1981 with some as late as 1993 also featuring.

The hounds raced over a 240, sometimes 250-yard straight course, who would contest behind a ball hare type lure. The slight gradient track was laid out up the side of two rugby pitches and was temporarily fenced on one side with a permanent hedge on the other.

A handful of bookmakers also attended, with the ads saying that refreshments were also available at the rugby club. The gatherings were so popular that some dogs failed to get a run because it became too dark. This venue still exists and is now used by Alcester Rugby Union FC, but today I am not sure on exactly were the track once lay.

Thanks to Mr Ian Pearce for additional information.