Wharfedale TTT 2014
A weekend later than usual, thanks to the Tour de France, it was TTT time in Kettlewell again – this time with the added excitement of the Sunday races acting as the Yorkshire championships and being a counter in the English Junior Fell Championships. As ever, organising the weekend is only possible with support and help from a lot of people, both beforehand and on the weekend itself, from the Harriers and beyond. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for their help and support. If I’ve missed you off the list below, please accept my apologies – it’s not intentional.
The tents were put up on Friday by a crack team consisting of Paul Sharples, John Merrick, Jo Merrick, Andy Nicoll, Bob Dover and David Weatherhead. Thanks also to Steve Fry for picking up one of the larger tents on his way home before the event.
Phil Hawkswell and Heather Pearson organised the catering side and did a fantastic job with their team – Helen Cariss, Sue Whiteley, Helen Childs, Richard and Catherine Holmes, Alice and Eva Watson, and Joe Childs. They put in two incredibly long days and worked extremely hard serving everyone.
Sally Robinson, Bill Belcher, Barbara Carney, Bob Dover and Ruth Whitehead looked after entries, results, timekeeping and recording over all the races.
On Saturday, for the long fell race, Richard Thackray ran the course as sweeper, Alan Weight handled the kit check, and the following people marshalled: Alan Buckley, David Weatherhead, Simon Wright, John Crosland, Ray Conlon, Barry Peace, Ian Goodyear, Paul Sharples, Stephen and Linda Drake, John Capenerhurst, Robert Adamson and Graham Watson.
On Sunday, Andy Nicoll and John Merrick were in charge of the junior championship races along with their team of marshals – some of whom seemed to be in several places at the same time. Richard Thackray and Wayne King-Farlow acted as sweepers. Heather and Graham Maud joined the team to help handle the junior entries, backed up by Alan Weight and Rick Gilchrist to handle all the sticky labels.
After the presentations, and the famous chocolate throw-out by Dave and Eileen Woodhead, an awful lot of people mucked in to help break all the tents down and get everything packed away – this is the less than glamorous part of the weekend, so all help was very much appreciated.
Thank you to everyone in the club who baked and donated cakes to sell in the catering tent – the generosity and baking skills were truly overwhelming.
Last, but by no means least, a particular thank you to David Weatherhead who has really been co-organiser for this year’s event, and Sally Robinson who provided support before and during the weekend – it definitely would not have been possible without them!
David put in 2 long days on the Thursday before and Monday following the weekend to help me pick up and return all the kit to Guiseley, Mirfield, Skipton and Kendal in addition to his assistance over the weekend itself.
As was mentioned in the presentations, Rick and I are stepping down as organisers after ten years – we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in charge and we have met a lot of wonderful people through the TTT. Fold Farm, who have supported the event for many years, are re-opening the event field as a year round campsite with improved facilities from next year, but we hope that racing will continue in the fantastic Kettlewell countryside for many years to come.