You know you are in the borough if you are on the A406, it's write large in florescent lights, "Walthamstow Stadium" with a dashing greyhound. The countries greatest, best loved and best known dog track forms an entrance marker to Waltham Forest, but not for much longer if the owners of the stadium get their way. The stadium and associated car parks have been sold to property developers who want to turn it all into housing.

So not only do we loose 450 jobs and a landmark building, we also loose one of three major attractions to the borough and a major part of our social infrastructure. We gain a lot more people living here with less social facilities to keep them occupied, thats a lot of people with nothing to do and a loss of money coming into the borough.

It should not have turned out this way, the Stow has a class reputation. From its welfare concern for the dogs themselves to the facilities on site and the quality of the racing, it was seen as the top track in the country. Through all the ups and downs of its history it has never run at a loss, but the owners have reduced prize money and wages to maintain their profits. The staff and the dog owners have come to fore with a welfare organisation, help and assistance for the greyhounds, the owners care for retired dogs through their help group. The on-site facilities for customers are good, if a little dated, it has long been known for a great night out, with coach parties turning up from all over London and beyond. Without a doubt the Stow has been a a great draw to the borough bringing in much needed visitors and money and providing social opportunities and jobs for the boroughs population.

But with the owners loss of interest in the sport they have chosen an easy way out to make a fast buck. Its the easy way to make money for no effort with the existing high demand for housing, but it pays little regard for the people who have supported the owners and sport for years past. They did not offer the site to anyone in the sport to allow the continuation of the stadium, they went for the easy option. In simple terms their greed has led them to sell

But all is not lost, the downturn in property prices and an offer from anther property consortium who have a commitment to the stadium and want to turn a good night out into a modern unforgettable experience could keep the sport and jobs in the borough. In the mean time the staff and dogs are being treated like commodities passed from hand to hand with little concern about their welfare or future, if the stadium closes it will inevitably mean the

destruction of many dogs as the other stadia are full and cannot take more dogs and the staff face the scrap heap.

Support the campaign to keep the stadium, Save Our Stow, go to the website www.saveourstow.co.uk , and bookmark it. Sign both the local petition ( download it and take it up and down your street) and the online petition to the Prime Minister, write to your MP and local councilor , ask for a change in the planning situation. And watch this space for further developments.

Most importantly get yourself down to the Stadium for the march and rally on Saturday the 16th of August for 12 o-clock and march to the Town Hall, make your voice heard, bring your dog make a noise. Download the poster and print it for your window tell all of your mates to come.

Download the SOS petition here and return completed forms to: 13 Mark Avenue, Chingford, London, E4 7NR ( by 15th August if possible) .

Download the SOS A4 poster here and put it in your window, .

Download the "grab the money and run" A4 poster here and put it in your window, .

Thanks to Katherine Green for her photographs. Katherine has wonderful set of photos on her website recording the staff, the buildings and greyhounds called"last days at the dogs", which we hope will not be for some time.