The Banana was Beaten!
Saturday 21st June dawned damp and gloomy with cloud shrouding the hillside. Not the ideal conditions for the Darrens Dare challenge walk, Darrens Dash fell race and Beat the Banana fun run. A trial run above the Darrens at 8:00am revealed that visibility was down to 20 metres in places. As a result extra signs were placed, extra marshalls were hurriedly recruited and pre-event safety briefings were bolstered.......but the 'show' did go on!
Nine determined local ladies and 2 who'd travelled from North Wales were not going to be put off by the weather and had set off by 10:00am to tackle the inaugural challenge walk with great elan. Before they'd returned runners were arriving from near and far for the 3rd Darrens Dash running event. Despite the weather, 54 hardy souls took up the challenge and all succeeded in their quest. This year's fun run had an extra attraction - a running Banana! Twenty children turned out to beat the banana around the 1 and 2 km courses.
A great atmosphere prevailed and the bouncy castle, bran tub and BBQ proved very popular alongside the much talked about tea and cakes (courtesy of the ladies from Clodock Church). Some excellent raffle prizes tempted many to try their hand with some local success stories. Runners and walkers commented on the quality of the courses and the warmth of the welcome.
As runners staggered towards the finish line they were cheered on by a considerable crowd of locals, family and friends. Several local runners (of all ages) surpassed themselves and achieved very credible performance in both events. All the efforts of the runners / walkers, the stewards / marshalls and organising team were worthwhile, because the event succeeded in its aim of raising funds for the World Cancer Research Fund and Longtown OEC Bursary Fund. More than £900 was raised which will be split between the 2 charities.
The event could not have taken place without generous donations in cash and kind from the following sponsors:
Community Times
Northamptonshire County Council
Mr and Mrs Price
Black Mountain Mineral Water Company
Sunnybank Wines
Beeline Printing
Clodock Church
Hopes of Longtown
Country Tastes Ltd
CleanMy Ltd
Waitrose
Mills Whitcombe Wine Ltd
D.C. Smith Garage
Up and Under
Longtown School
Rowlestone Farm Ice-cream
The Crown
G P Haines Ltd
Steve Maddox Ltd
The Forge Garage
A big thank you too to all the marshalls, stewards and volunteers who gave their time to help us run another successful event.
The date for next year will be Saturday 21st June 2009.
Mike Fawcett
Head of Centre
Longtown O.E.C
'Friends of Longtown OEC' launched at centre Open Day on Friday 11th July
Six different schools from Northamptonshire, Herefordshire and Dorset (representing Primary, Secondary and Special Education) joined the local community and a Corporate group for the centre's summer Open Day. The visitors enjoyed taster sessions in Orienteering, Kayaking, Rock Climbing and Team Building as well as the opportunity to tour the centre grounds and facilities.
A new organisation, the 'Friends of Longtown OEC' was launched at the event with the aim of enriching and enhancing outdoor learning opportunities for young people from Northamptonshire, Herefordshire and other parts of the UK.
Parents, past pupils who are now adults, teachers, business users and members of the local community are all encouraged to join the Friends and provide support in any way they can.
For more information see document below or contact us
Friends Launch Letter (Word format 2542kb)