Contents
Coming Events: November, December & January
Attendance Scheme/ Club races – 2006 details:
Fell Races: Nov 06 to end Jan 07.
West Yorkshire Winter League 2006/7 season
WYWL 2006/7 season: 2nd Event at Temple
Newsam.
Chevin Chase 7 mile off road race.
Yorkshire, Regional and National Cross Country
Championships:
5th Annual Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap
Race: Sunday 17th December at 10am.
Keswick 2 Barrow 2007: Sat 12th May 07
Events in bold indicate a ‘club’ event which members are encouraged to run.
|
Date |
Event |
|
Sun 19 Nov 06 |
1st WYWL race
hosted by Idle. See below. |
|
Sun 29th Nov 06 |
Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am. |
|
Sun 3rd Dec 06 |
2nd WYWL race
hosted by LBT. See below. |
|
Fri 8th Dec 06 |
Christmas Do, 7.30pm. Idle WMC. See below. |
|
Sun 17th Dec 06 |
Sewage Works Surprise Club Handicap race. 10am. |
|
Tues 26th Dec 06 |
Chevin Chase race, 11am. See below. |
|
Sun 31st Dec 06 |
Auld Lang Syne Fell race. 11.30 am.
6miles/900’ from |
|
Sun 31st Dec 06 |
Jolly Holly
Jog 10k, 11am. Ripon. 1 lap multi terrain course. (No entries on day). |
|
Mon 1st Jan 07 |
Giants Tooth Fell Race. CS. 12 noon.
3m/400’ from Ogden Reservoir, Causeway foot. £3 on day. See fell
list. |
|
Sat 6th
Jan 07 |
|
|
Sun 7th Jan 07 |
3rd WYWL race hosted by Dewsbury. See below. |
|
Sun 21st Jan 07 |
Brass Monkey
Half |
|
Sat 27th
Jan 07 |
Regional Cross Country Champs, |
|
Sun 28th Jan 07 |
4th WYWL race hosted by Baildon (1pm). See below. |
Top 25 Club Races for 2005: Handicap/ Attendance Scheme - 10 out of 25 possible races to count. Please don’t forget to sign in the book each time you attend a club session (but only pay once per week) as each attendance at a club training session is worth 1 point and to be eligible for a trophy members must accumulate at least 30 attendance points during the year. Each attendance at a “Club” designated race earns you 5 points (see below). 50% of the required points must be achieved by attendance at training sessions.
|
Name |
Oct |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oct |
Oct |
|
|
3 |
5 |
10 |
12 |
17 |
19 |
24 |
26 |
31 |
Races |
Totals |
|
Adrian
Trevelyan |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
8 |
|
Alison
Garlick |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
Amnuay
Scott |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
Andrew
Moakler |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Anna
Lincoln |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
10 |
14 |
|
Chris
Booker |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Chris
Smith |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
7 |
|
Chris
Stubbs |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Claire
McConnell |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Dave
Currie |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
David
Lewis |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
David
Nicholson |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
Davina
Smith |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Gary
Naylor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
Hannah
Peacock |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Hayley
Atkinson-Windsor |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Ian
Fisher |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Joanne
Belcher |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
Judith
Wolstenhulme |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
2 |
|
Kay
Gambles |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
8 |
|
Lisa
Flesher |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
7 |
|
Lisa
Hall |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Martin
Burnside |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
6 |
|
Michael
Masleczko |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
Nick
Thorp |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
12 |
|
Peter
Hilliard |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Peter
Vickers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Phil
Routh |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
8 |
|
Richard
Lyons |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
4 |
|
Roy
Bradshaw |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
2 |
|
Sarah
Holness |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
6 |
|
Simon
Bellwood |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
5 |
|
Simon
Blackburn |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
7 |
|
Stephen
Wolstenhulme |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
Steve
Little |
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
Tim
Whitcombe |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
2 |
|
Tony
Blythe |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
7 |
|
Trevor
Hooley |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
5 |
|
Warren
Fletcher |
1 |
1 |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
|
20 |
18 |
23 |
17 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
12 |
22 |
30 |
184 |
Ana is the Octobers Attendance
winner.
The Club races for 2006, where points can be earned, are as follows:
|
Date |
Race Details |
Comments. |
|
February 12th Sun |
Liversedge Half Marathon, 12.00 noon. |
5 Idle vests at the
Liversedge Half. Jo 5th woman, Laura 2nd F45 and Jo,
Laura & Lisa got the team
prize |
|
March 12th – Sun |
Spen 20mile, 10am. |
8 of us braved the blizzard
conditions. M45 club record for Simon Bellwood, Female club record & 3rd
in |
|
April- Sun 2nd |
|
11 of us ran in extreme mud
for the BBW. Chris Stubbs was 14th overall. |
|
May – Wed 3rd |
John Carr 5k, Esholt, 7.30pm.
Fast, flat course. |
A busy event meant
only 14 of us got entries. Club records from Dave Lewis & Ana Lincoln. |
|
May 3rd - Wed |
Hare & Hounds Fell Race, Lothersdale 3.6m/690’. BS. |
7 Idle AC vests for this
local fell race. |
|
May – Sun 7th |
Leeds Half |
6 of the club entered
this local event. Including Dave Lewis who got sub 1.30 for the first time! |
|
May -Sun 14th |
Ripon 10m. Part of Black Sheep series. |
10 of us ran this scenic
challenging race including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 record with
1.06.54, Lisa Flesher with an F35 record in 1.12.40 and Richard Lyons who ran
sub 70mins for first time. |
|
May – Sun 28th |
Melmerby 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
7 members of the club ran
this 2nd race in the Black Sheep Series. Chris Stubbs broke the
M40 club record in 36.25. |
|
June- Sat 3rd |
Kirkby Malzeard 10k. Part of Black sheep series. |
7 at this lovely Saturday
afternoon race |
|
June 8th
– Thurs |
Bronte 5, 7.30pm. Hilly two lap course. |
8 Idle AC vests,
including Simon Bellwood who set a new M45 CR. |
|
June- 8th Thurs |
|
11 members race this
local event. Success for Donna and Hayley who were 1st & 2nd
women. |
|
June 11th –Sun |
Harewood House 10k |
Only Ana ran this local
event. |
|
June – Sat 24th |
Eldwick Gala Fell Race
3pm. 3m/300’ |
Unfortunately no –one
from Idle turned out for this local fell race. This could have been due to
the Idle Beer Festival the night before. |
|
July 1st – Sat |
Burn Valley Half. Part of Black Sheep series. 2pm. |
A baking hot day but 7 hardy
souls braved the heat! Ammie won some biscuits as a spot prize! |
|
July 1st – Sat |
|
Donna was 1st
woman past the post. Ian won the men’s race. |
|
July 12th – Wed
|
Stirton Fell Race |
Chris Stubbs & Phil
Routh ran this popular fell race. |
|
Aug 12th – Sat |
Arncliffe 4 mile Road race and/or 1.8m fell AS, 3pm. |
Donna 4th in
road, 2nd in fell, Ana 1st F50 road, Phill last in
fell. |
|
Aug 19th- Sat |
Burnsall 10m(2.30pm) road race and/or 1.5 m fell race. |
Ana ran this event. |
|
Aug 28th –Mon |
Spofforth 10k Trail. 1.30pm. |
Chris just managed to stay ahead of Adrian &
Richard , who retched over a fence at the end. |
|
Sept 10th- Sun |
Robin Hood Full & Half
Marathons 10.05am |
4 women in marathon, including Ana who ran her debut.
New club records in F40 & F50. Great runs from Peter Hilliard, Judith
(debut), Stephen, Julie (PB) & Suzanne in the half. |
|
Sept 24th – Sun |
Horsforth 10k, 10am. |
7 for this local race. |
|
Oct 15th -Sun |
Bridlington Half, 12 Noon. |
Trevor
set an M50 Club record. Nick ran a PB time. |
|
Oct – Sun 29th |
Holmfirth 15mile. 10.30am. |
Ana ran this hilly two lap course. |
|
Nov – Sun 5th |
Guy Fawkes 10mile 10.30am. |
Simon Blackburn led home the 8 Idle AC runners with a
71min pb. Pb’s also from Nick, Martin & David N.. |
|
Nov 26th Sun. |
Abbey Dash 10k, 9.30am. |
|
2nd Complete Runner X Country, Boddington Hall,
Men 9.5k
158 Chris
Smith 38.41
183 Steve
Little 40.07
Women: 5.5k
38 Hayley
Atkinson-Windsor 25.42
96 Lisa
Flesher 31.12
Holmfirth 15 29/10/06:
128 Lisa
Flesher 2.00.38 F35 CR
Ana
Lincoln 2.35.57 F50 CR
Shepherds
Skyline Fell Race, 4/11/06. 6.25m/1150’, Todmorden.
98 Chris
Smith 57.03
124 Phill
Routh 58.55
134 Warren
Fletcher 59.32
162 Tony
Blythe 62.11
212 Lisa
Flesher 71.10 There were
238 runners.
Guy Fawkes 10
5/11/06:
126 Simon
Blackburn 1.11.36 pb
201 Dave
Lewis
1.15.24
381 Nick
Thorp
1.22.32 pb
451 Martin
Burnside 1.24.52 pb
455 David
Nicholson 1.24.55 pb
458 Phillip
Twigg 1.24.57
700 Amy
Wright 1.37.43
804 Ana
Lincoln 1.45.16 There were 871
runners.
Please
note that many races require that competitors carry waterproof clothing, map
and compass for the competitor’s safety. Failure to comply with a race
organiser's requirements will mean that you will be barred from taking part in
the race. Competitors should arrive at races prepared to carry any or all of
the following equipment: Windproof whole body cover, other body cover
appropriate to the conditions, map and compass suitable for navigating the
course, whistle, emergency food (long races). This equipment is mandatory at
all Cat A Long and Medium races.
If this
is the first time you have considered fell racing select a race distance well
under the distance you normally run on the road.
If you
retire during a race you MUST notify the officials at the finish.
If you like the idea of fell
running and would like to have a go please speak to Chris.
All fell
races are given a grade indicating length and difficulty. Difficulty is
indicated by:
A, no less than 250 feet climb per
mile, not more than 20% on roads, at least 1 mile in length (NASTY);
B, not less than 125 feet climb
per mile, not more than 30% on roads (FAIRLY NASTY);
C, not less than 100 feet of climb
per mile, not more than 40% on roads and contain genuine fell terrain (NOT VERY
NASTY).
Length
is indicated by: L, 12 miles or
more; M, 6 miles and over but less
than 12 miles; S, under 6 miles.
SAT NOV 25th
KIRBYMOORSIDE FELL RACE. BM. 11am.6.5m/1600’ from Beckside Village Hall, Kirkby
in
SUN NOV 26th RIVOCK
EDGE FELL RACE. BM. 11.15am.
9m/1500’ Registration from Bridge Inn, Silsden. Nr Keighley. £4 on
day.
SUN DEC 3rd
SUN DEC 10th
SUN DEC 17th THE
STOOP. BS. 11.30
am. 5 miles/800’ from
SUN DEC 31st THE 13th
BRISCOE’S BREWERY AULD LANG SYNE RACE. BM. 11.30 am. 6miles/900’
from
MON JAN 1st CAPTAIN
COOK RACE. BS. 11am
5.5m/750’. Great Ayton,
MON JAN 1 GIANTS TOOTH. CS. 12 noon. 3m/400’ from
Ogden Reservoir, Causeway foot. £3 on day. Website: www.ogdenwater.freeserve.co.uk
SAT JAN 6th OVENDEN FELL RACE. BM. 11.30am 8m/1200’ from
NB: January fixtures taken from
FRA website. A full local fell list for 2007 will be available on our website
once 2007 FRA Fixture list is available.
Our home event in Buck Woods on 19th November saw
the start of the WYWL 2006/7 season.
We had a record 230 runners, including 76 women line up amongst the field of
runners from the 8 clubs. This included 34 runners from Idle AC. The new course of approx 4.5 miles
proved to be popular with most of the field. We received a lot of very positive
feedback for all aspects of the event but especially for the encouragement that
our marshals gave to all runners. Thanks to everyone who made it such a
success.
Ian
Fisher won the race, and there were strong runs from a few of male team,
especially from
Newcomers to the club showed
great promise too, with Andy, Nick, Philip & Julie all having creditable runs. The results
are as follows:
|
Men |
|
|
Vets |
|
|
Pudsey |
1328 |
|
Dewsbury |
458 |
|
LBT |
1268 |
|
LBT |
456 |
|
Dewsbury |
1250 |
|
Pudsey |
440 |
|
Baildon |
1142 |
|
St.Bede's |
425 |
|
Idle A C |
1080 |
|
Baildon |
423 |
|
Stainland |
1019 |
|
Skipton |
396 |
|
St.Bede's |
1012 |
|
Idle A C |
388 |
|
Skipton |
757 |
|
Stainland |
380 |
|
Women |
|
|
Overall |
|
|
Dewsbury |
283 |
|
Pudsey |
1577 |
|
LBT |
283 |
|
LBT |
1551 |
|
Stainland |
280 |
|
Dewsbury |
1533 |
|
Skipton |
264 |
|
Baildon |
1369 |
|
Pudsey |
249 |
|
Idle A C |
1324 |
|
Idle A C |
244 |
|
Stainland |
1299 |
|
St.Bede's |
244 |
|
St.Bede's |
1256 |
|
Baildon |
227 |
|
Skipton |
1021 |
The remaining fixtures for 2006/7 are as
follows:
Date Host
club Venue
2.Dec 3rd LBT
3.Jan 7th Dewsbury
Details of course to be confirmed.
4. Jan 28th Baildon Runners Tong
Park, Baildon. Note 1pm start
5. Feb 18th St.Bede’s Esholt
woods.
With the exception of the Baildon event (1pm start) all races will start
at 11am. Full details will be circulated
to club members prior to each event.
Whilst
the League does offer individual trophy positions, its primary objective is team competition. The five team scores are added together
to decide the following team trophies:
1st Combined Team, 2nd
Combined Team, 3rd Combined Team.
1st Male Team.
1st Female team.
1st Vets Team (combination
of male/females).
A club team is the first seven men to cross the line (which must include 2 vets), and the first three women (including 1 vet), in each event.
The
vets’ team is the 2 male and the one female counting vets added together.
Different
runners may score in different races - it’s just first past the post on
the day.
The
first Combined Team can enter the National Cross Country Final and the 2nd
Combined Team can enter the Plate Race at the National Final which will take
place at
Any questions please speak to Chris as he is not only Secretary of the WYWL but he is the only runner to have run all 70 consecutive races in the past 14 years (Davina has slacked and has only run 68!).
Hi Chris and Davina
Just wanted to write to let you
know how much I enjoyed being a marshal for Sunday's cross country. It
was just as nerve racking as being a runner!
I got to my pitch in plenty of time only to be surrounded by spectators. All
wanting to talk, all wanting to know where the best view point would be. Oh no
I thought, what if they get crushed in the stampede! One wanted to chat
to me and tell me his life story of when he was a runner 26 years ago. I
politely asked him to move back from the course path, and seeing his face once
the runners had gone past him, proved my point.... he would have been crushed!
Chris's words kept going through my head, straight down to next marshal and
turn left, this started to be a 'mantra' in my mind, but instead I only needed
to point, they would never have heard me they were going that fast,
though by the time the back runners got to me, I did manage to say it.
Right, they have all gone past me, who was the back runner, what did they look
like, need to remember!
Soon they were running past me again, from the back path, this time my mantra
was - "straight down this time: Chris ran past, still giving me
instructions! Jane Lewis was due to join me from her pitch, I couldn't see her,
but I could hear her as she walked up to join me!
The spectators, were shouting words of encouragement, it was really nice to see
really young children cheering their mums and dads on. Time stood still for a
while, where were the runners? This must be a long tough course!
Then there the runners were here again, Ian in the lead, but with a young
runner hot on his heels.
One spectator who I think may have been a coach was really encouraging his
team, ‘come on’ he shouted, you look fantastic, you are
running like a 'gazelle'. Jane obviously liked this expression and when the
next runner came through she also shouted, 'well done' you are running like a
'gazelle'. A bit of banter was exchanged and the coach said 'hey that's my
words of encouragement, you can't use that', so Jane not to be outdone, shouted
out to the runners, come on, up the hill, you're running well, you look like a
.............mountain goat! By this time I was hysterical, I'm really not sure
what the runners thought if they had heard!
Finally, the last runner came through, she was looking really dejected, but I
had to admire her, she had stuck the course and it was her first cross country.
So next time, my dilemma, do I marshal or do I run? Because I do now want
to try a 'cross country run'!
-Suzanne
Bairstow
The 2nd event
of the 5 races from our WYWL season is on Sunday 3rd December, 11am
at
Directions: from
the West head towards
From
the A1/M1 motorway line, come off at the junction signposted A6120,
Selby/Leeds, turn towards Leeds, depending whether you are coming from the
North or South, go straight over the first roundabout, Sainsbury’s on
your left, at the next roundabout take the second exit signposted Halton. After
¼ mile turn left in to
The
changing facilities on site are not
available for runners because of the number of football matches likely to be
played. Toilet facilities are in the main block next to the house, as is the
café. The coarse is an undulating one lap circuit of the park of about
four and a half to five miles and is a mixture of track, woodland trail and
path. Approximately 400 metres of the course is tarmac path, therefore spikes
are not recommended. The course also goes over two wooden bridges, although
these will be marshalled, athletes are reminded to take additional care when
crossing.
After the race there will be a short results presentation at the Brown
Cow Pub, which is at the junction of
The Chevin Chase entry forms are now available on Airecentre
Pacers website: www.airecentre-pacers.co.uk
This scenic off road race starts at 11am on Boxing Day from
Aireborough leisure centre, Guiseley. As it’s a really popular race I'd
advise sending entries in ASAP.
There are also copies at the club.
In past years we had runners in the all of the above races however whilst
we still hope to get runners in the
This year the dates of the 3 championship races are as follows:
1.
Yorkshire cross country championships: Saturday 6th Jan 06 at
2.
North of
3.
National Cross Country Championships: Saturday 10th March 07 at
Due
to the deadlines we therefore need to know names (to Chris) of anyone wanting
to run in any of these events no later than 5th December 06 along
with their payment. However whilst we’d encourage running in these events
we would encourage members to make their first commitment to the
This month we welcome Hannah Peacock. Hannah has been running with us for
a while but as a second claim member. However Hannah now joins us as first
claim, having recently resigned from her first claim club, and is keen to run
lots of races in her new vest! It’s great to have Hannah first claim.
We also welcome Rhea Hawkins. She has been encouraged to join a club by
her partner instead of running alone on dark nights. Rhea is a physio who is
keen to improve her current road race times. She is also keen to try running
off road. Welcome!
Friday 8th
December sees our 2006 Christmas Do at Idle Working Men’s Club. The fun
starts at 7.30pm. This year we offer you live entertainment as we’ve
booked local band, Idle Pop to perform for us. We’ll have a buffet and a
raffle. Please give decent raffle prizes (one decent prize per family would be
good!!) to Kay. You get all this for only £7.50 per person. Please pay
Davina. We can guarantee a great night out. The
As members may be aware December 02 saw
the start of a yearly tradition for Idle AC – the annual Sewage Works
Surprise club handicap race! The race is open to all
members and will be run as a 4 mile Handicap race from the Stansfield Arms Pub at Apperley Bridge, starting at 10am on Sunday
17th December 06. Fancy dress is optional but it all adds to the fun
and entertains passing motorists!! There
is a special annual trophy for the winner, which was won last year by
Jane Lewis (in a very fetching little Santa number!). Chris Stubbs finished in
second place with Richard Lyons in 3rd. Jane received the special
trophy, presented to her by Chris, at the presentation afternoon at the
Symposium with a hot buffet. After
last year’s brilliant bash we have secured the same deal at the same
price this year - £5 adults/£2.50 children (pay on the day). There
will be a list at the club. Please write down if you intend running and/or
attending the afternoon presentation at the Symposium (families welcome
–we are bringing Joe & Katie).
It’s been a few months
since a group of us “ran” the 40 mile challenge in the
Martin.
December is a busy month for us all, with the second cross country
fixture on the 3rd at
We were
exhausted. It had been an extremely hard weekend and week. Chris had spent most
of the Saturday in the woods, marking our cross country course, whilst I looked
after two toddlers who sought my undivided attention. Later Chris moaned that
his hands were dead as we chopped carrots at the cricket club. The Sunday passed
in a blur – welcoming 230 runners, running a cross country, then dashing
back to announce the results and help dish up the stew. Still no let up that
afternoon – a choice of inputting 230 names into a PC to produce the
results or entertaining 3 year old twins! We decided to take it in turns &
do a bit of each.
In the
end it’s all a huge success but very stressful, and we are tired for the
remainder of the week.
By
Friday night I’m a bit down.
I need a boost to aid my recovery. I go for a short run (really more
like a slow shuffle). I’m looking for inspiration. Something to make me
smile.
I know
the route to take – down Windhill old Road towards Windhill & back
via a quite side road. I know what I’m looking for, but am I too early? I
look at my watch ….its 24th November.
Then I
spot it. I find the thing to make me smile and to restore my spirit. The first
Christmas lights for 2006.
There’s
all the usual lights that I love, Santa climbing onto the roof, the Christmas
tree and of course the steam train that looks like its moving. I smile.
I’m
still exhausted but I’m happier now as I know that Christmas as
started. As the next four weeks
pass, I’ll see more & more lights as I’m out running. I’ll
search for the best ones so that I can take a group on the Christmas Lights run
on 20th/21st December. I can look forward to showing runners
the ‘main’ house on Swain House that is always amazing and that
raises money, via donations, for local charities each year. Running in December
is special.
I’m
in better mood after my run. I search the internet for Christmas Lights. I find
the Mousehole lights in
It
reminds me of the Mousehole Cat story which was inspired by the old Cornish
legend of Tom Bawcock, and which Chris reads to every class he teaches. When
the fishing boats were kept in Mousehole harbour for days by a raging storm, he
risked his life by taking out his boat to fish, so that the villagers did not
starve. When they realised that he
had gone, the villagers put a light in every cottage window, and stood on the
harbour wall with lanterns, providing enough light to guide old Tom back with
his catch.
‘….every
year, folk come from all over
Enjoy
the Christmas lights as you run this December. – Davina.
Visit: www.cornishlight.co.uk/mousehole-lights.htm
Read:
The Mousehole Cat by Antonia Barber & illustrated by Nicola Bayley.
Chris,
I won’t be able to attend Club sessions for a while as a result
of a
broken heart.
Laurence.
I read the email with a rush of overwhelming sadness, and
at once felt a sense of profound empathy with a fellow club member. I’m afraid that in that instant I
hoped another Club member wasn’t involved. I didn’t have my glasses on of
course, and on closer inspection the word “heart” in fact proved to
be “hand.”
I call this the “Pilchard Effect”. Short sighted people like me don’t
always actually see what words are, so our brains compensate by inserting words
into our view which fit with the apparent shape they are looking at. I first encountered it in a phone box
where, without my glasses, I was apparently presented with the instruction
“Insert coin or pilchard.”
Clutching my phonecard (remember those?) I was somewhat taken aback.
The central issue in my mind is of course
communication. It can bring us
great happiness; it can break our hearts.
Also it can cause confusion and annoyance if it is inadequate or
incomplete, or we misinterpret it.
At the Club we have developed regular and comprehensive methods for the
dissemination of information. Davina puts in huge efforts on the Idle
Gossip, which I know is widely read, and on the meeting minutes. I was always unsure about the meeting
minutes, thinking them a little turgid and tedious for people to want to wade
through. But I gave a copy to Clare
(“bouncy Clare” as Jo calls her?!) at the Wednesday run and she
said, “Oh they’re like the Gossip, I read the lot!” The same night
There’s a huge amount of regularly updated
information on the website, because of Davina and Martin’s regular
diligent efforts. Determined to
join in the fun, I have developed my own personal web page, which Martin has
kindly linked from the front page of the website, so I can quickly pass
information on to those club members who choose to visit it.
Unfortunately, however, communication is not just about
the dissemination of information – that is only a small part of it. After all what is the point of a
conversation where you speak all the time, and receive no response? Even I stop
for breath occasionally! At its
best communication should be a constant two way flow of information and
opinion, of empathy and support, which leads to the building of positive
relationships. In personal terms,
if someone withholds information, or fails to share their views, it leads to a
sense of distance and alienation from that person. Certainly the worst episodes
in my personal and running club life can be traced back to failed
communication.
Therefore it is imperative that we emphasise the
opportunities within the Club for two
way communication – and for the Committee that means direct feedback.
The first tool at our disposal as members is the Idle
Gossip. Not everyone wants to write
flowery prose, or even read it, but if someone contributes something it gets
printed. I try to edit it as little
as possible, to retain its integrity.
And it certainly doesn’t have to reflect Club policy. Perhaps the more controversial the
better!
Secondly it’s possible to email, write to, or speak
to a committee member. This will
result in a discussion at the next committee meeting, with a decision recorded
in the minutes.
Thirdly we have had an internet chat forum in operation
for some years. Not many
contribute, but more do look at it.
The one thing that handicaps the progress of the forum is ironically the
fact that so many members meet so regularly at training, and do that old
fashioned activity – talking to each other! In fact we are perhaps rare among clubs
in that in a typical week over half the total membership list will have
attended at one time or another.
Fourthly Martin can add items directly to the
“Latest Updates” section on the front page of the website. Soon too he will launch an online
calendar, so that with a click you can view the upcoming events for the club,
and you can even get things added.
So how do you make your voice effectively heard?
1.
Come
to the Club and say things.
2.
Write
something for the Gossip
3.
Visit
the forum and post a message
4.
Corner
a committee member and tell them what you think
5.
Ask
for something to be publicised on the website or the calendar.
6.
Come
to the AGM in April and stir things up.
If it’s really bad read the constitution on the website or in your
membership book and call a meeting.
My belief is that we are working towards completely open
communication – yet we may still improve. If you have ideas then tell us.
Unfortunately, however, however strongly you hold a view
it may not be shared. The Club must
run with the majority, however unpleasant that may be for individuals who feel
they are not being served. So the
opportunity for effective feedback may not mean you automatically get what you
want. In my experience, though,
it’s always worth trying – you never know what the Club will pick
up and run with.
I know only too well that rejection is painful, and can
lead to resentment. What else
indeed is the cause of a broken heart, if not a failure to gain a majority
decision? Yet in those moments when
I thought I had a member suffering from unrequited love, I still hoped that he would
recover eventually and return, a little older and wiser perhaps, to the most
important thing – just getting out there and running.
-Chris.