There are murmurs – and not for the first time – about moving back to the Ipi Tombe Room better known as the O’s & T’s.

Let’s make this happen because regular Borrowdale Park fans need a place of their own, with easy access to everything that matters.  The actual Mashonaland Owners & Trainers Association has fallen away so it would be up to volunteers to get things up and running again.

I am sure there would be volunteers. There are lots of golden oldies still around and if the parents are missing some of the sons and daughters are not.  I know who most of you are.  

Without a doubt the actual venue needs work – and it will take time to locate some of ‘’our’” possessions that have moved elsewhere – but to get started all we need is something to sit on – a well-stocked, well-managed bar, and adequate snacks. Fancy lunches and glamorous events – as in the good old days – can come later.

Let us begin thinking out of the box – and I suggest…

1. The Board of Stewards has never been involved in running the O’s & T’s and let’s keep it that way.  All we need is for them to accept that the venue is rent-free as in the past.  It is surely the stewards’ duty to provide racing enthusiasts with basic facilities.

• Forget about annual subscriptions and keep the entrance fee as low as possible – $5 at the most. Appreciation boxes could collect more than doormen when patrons are enjoying themselves.

• Wear what you like as long as it’s decent, because during “racing hours” this is not a four-ale bar or a brothel.

That will do for a start – and now you can tell me I have finally lost it,  and then  say what needs to happen.

First and foremost, this is about bringing people back to the course. A supportive on-course bookmaker is essential, and hopefully, some genius will soon come up with a solution to that.

By the way, there is racing at Borrowdale on Saturday …first race off at 12:45.