But for Viv Anngow, it was horses - especially horses that won races - that were behind his continued attendance.
Mr Anngow was at Forbury Park on January 27, 1961, and clearly plenty of times in the interim, at a club that general manager Paul Knowles said had benefited from the decision to spend 20,000 to install electric lighting.
Mr Knowles said it was significant the club had managed to last as long as it had.
"It was definitely forward thinking 50 years ago," he said.
The lights were used about 20 times a year, and were particularly important for picking up winter racing.
Mr Anngow (85) was a member of the club in 1961, went on to become a committee member, served two terms as president of the trotting club, and turned up last night for the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the lights.
He did not have strong memories of the night the lights went on, but was clear about why the club had been a part of his life for so long.
"It's just a love of horses," he said of his continued attendance.
And Mr Anngow's passion should last into the future, he said, with his daughter, grandson and great grandchildren all involved in racing.
