Comments

• Durham_Bloke said:
  

  It was great to see the Durham Wasps on Inside Out, I see the Smith’s still came over as arrogant as ever. Looks like the use of ‘Durham Wasps’ will be an interesting fight! No doubt the smiths will want paying for it so they can cover some of the old rink losses.

  If there was a new ‘Wasps’ team I’d be there to watch the first game

  -February 25th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
• Dave said:
  

  It was good to see the ice rink plans featured in the bbc inside out programme. I hope that the plans get passed and the ice rink becomes a reality. The only dissappointing aspect of the programme was the interview with Paul Smith. The sale of the rink and the transfer of the wasps to newcastle with the understandable adverse reaction from the wasps fans have obviously left a sour taste with Paul but I really think that a line should be drawn under all that after 13 years.
  We should all get behind the danish businessman who is proposing the rink. I do think that it can be a commercial success and the resurrection of the wasps will see the fans flocking back to the rink. It would also be good for Durham City - the good old days can return - it just needs us all to believe.

  I must say a great big thank you to Rich Endean and everyone at the county durham ice foundation - without you guys I don’t think we would be where we are today - on the verge of ice returning to Durham.

  -February 26th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
• CJ Linton said:
  

  Couldn’t agree more Dave.

  I too was dissappointed with Paul Smith’s comments, especially when he claimed the Wasps name belongs to him. However its a massive step in the right direction, a way forward which I did not see coming at all. A nice bit of sunshine in a dreary winter sky.

  CJ Linton.

  -February 26th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
• pstatts said:
  

  A huge step in the right direction, unfortunately until the rink is built I along with many others will be keeping their fingers crossed, if the Danish businessman feels building a rink is commercially viable then applaud his vision, unless you are directly involved in operating an ice rink who knows if they are profitable. One thing I will say though is I travel all over the country with my son so he can play hockey and every rink is jammed packed with skaters, like any business your awareness of the market and an astute business plan go a long way to ultimately succeeding. I wish the guy all the best, go for it!!

  -February 27th, 2009 at 11:26 am
• hcayley said:
  

  Bring back the wasps!

  I used to watch them in the 80’s - great stuff

  -February 28th, 2009 at 12:55 am
• keith simpson said:
  

  Didnt we also have a junior team called the hornets as well. Its a shame the old ice rink down by the river wear was closed, if i recall it used to be owned by the smith family . Canadians , dont know exactly what happened as ive lived in new zealand since 1973. But i spent many happy times skating there from 1961 to 1970. Used to watch the ice hockey matches and help scrape the ice after the sessions etc., the durham wasps were amazing back then. I sincerely hope you get your ice rink back.

  -September 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am
• Ian Rathbone said:
  

  Just re discovered the site again after finding the skate shop in Gilesgate

  1 Tell keith sompson from me that he still owes me for the cigarettes that he used to scrounge from me in the early 70s

  2 Paul Smith can say what he wants, he was a good lad - possibly one of the best players the wasps ever saw - but does any one remember tankie?

  3 At the end of the day they, the Smiths, sold the team lock stock and barrel with no intention of ever carrying the rink on - sadly through no fault of their own.
  as a result they have no rights to the name - sad bcause Paul’s Dad did more the youth community in durham than any one else in the 60 to 80s as an authority figure

  -January 9th, 2010 at 9:04 pm

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