CHARLIE BALNEAVES HAS DIED

NEWS Wednesday 14th November 2007, 7:09pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs

Very sad news from Edinburgh on Wednesday is that Monarchs' supporter, worker and fundraiser Charlie Balneaves has died.

Charlie has many friends throughout speedway who will be saddened by the news. To many of us, regular phone calls about Monarch matters will now be a much-missed memory.

Amongst many tasks he has performed for the Monarchs, Charlie filmed for Edinburgh Speedway videos for a number of years, either as ground camera or with Geoff Chandler on the interviews.

He has also sold draw tickets and programmes (successfully) and been the driving force behind the very successful Chatzone Fundraising in the last few seasons.

He was a warm and enthusiastic man who also had a lifelong devotion to Hearts F.C. He has been in hospital recently but seemed to be on the mend.

Everyone at Edinburgh Speedway sends their deepest sympathies to his wife Margaret and daughter Diane.

Charlie's funeral is at Warriston Crematorium on Wednesday 21st November. Colours (Monarchs, Hearts) will be preferred to dark clothes.