Description:
Although horse racing in Nottingham dates back as far as 1689, the first meeting at Colwick Park took place in 1892 and continued to thrive under the management of the Colwick Racing and Sporting Company until 1965. That's when the 293-acre park was purchased by the City Council for £5 million. The future of the track hung in the balance until the Levy Board financed much needed improvements, but it is under the wing of RHT (Racecourse Holdings Trust), who lease the track from the local authority, that Nottingham has really flourished. Facilities at Nottingham have also been upgraded under RHT's leadership. A decade ago the Centenary Stand was opened, which offers a panoramic view of the track from its members' lounge and hospitality suites. And this year (2004) the racecourse has completed its £750,000 refurbishment of the main grandstand - another landmark in the colourful history of the course. (information from www.information-britain.co.uk)
This record was originally dated as c 1980, but this has proved incorrect as the road to Colwick Hall still used today (2016) was laid in 1969, and is not there yet in the above image. The original road across the Racecourse is still in evidence, and the Candle Meadow and Starting Gate pub are yet to be built. (Additional information very kindly supplied by Malc Hallam).
Website contributor Jarek Bien also very kindly relates the following information: 'This photo is certainly pre-1980s. According to now-retired colleagues who worked on design and implementation of the Colwick Loop Road, it was opened in the late 70s / early 80 - as you can see, the road has yet to be built in this image and that's the former Colwick Road crossing the old Nottingham to Grantham railway line. The racecourse used to extend all the way back to Mile End Road, as shown, and part of the Candle Meadows now stands at what used to be the old far end. This estate is shown on the 1973-76 1:10,000 OS plan.'