Thanks Lawrence!

Shielfield stalwart Lawrence Heppell can sit back, relax and enjoy watching the racing after stepping down from his role as Berwick Speedway press officer.

The self-employed piano tuner has been hitting the right notes for almost three decades as the vital link between the club and the newspapers, radio, television – and in more recent times the mushrooming world of the internet and social media.

Having supported the Bandits from the terraces as a schoolboy, Lawrence was recruited to the Bandits’ backroom staff after the club moved to Berrington Lough in the 1980s and has kept journalists and fans informed through multiple promotional changes and the return of the club to its spiritual home in 1996.

In addition to rattling out match reports, previews and updating the club website Lawrence is also the matchday music man at Shielfield and previously wrote for the club programme. He’s also been known to stand in for the odd announcer “caught short” on a cold night!

Often still putting the finishing touches to match reports at 2am on a Sunday before heading to Newcastle where he filled the same role, Lawrence has decided that the time was right to hand over the reins.

He said: “While at times it has been really challenging, especially the changes with the advent of social media, it has also been great to work with so many people dedicated to keeping speedway alive, often against the odds, in Berwick.

“But now the time has come to hand over the responsibility to someone else and concentrating on getting the music right on a Saturday night and enjoying the meeting as a fan again.”

Programme editor George Dodds takes over as press officer.

Berwick promoter Gary Flint said: “We cannot thank Lawrence enough for the superb job that he has done for the club over the past 30 years.

“His role has changed beyond all recognition since he first became involved but he has always been a fierce champion when it came to getting the club precious coverage on a local and national level.

“At least now he will not have to write his match reports as the racing is going on in a bid to meet ever-early newspaper deadlines.

“And it’s good to know he’ll still be here on a Saturday night, enjoying the racing and selecting the music.”