Grasmere Sports and Show 2013

There is an old Grasmere saying “It always rains on sports day” and quite often it does, however this year was different. I always draw back the curtain on Sports day morning with trepidation to see what the weather is like. This year I was greeted with early morning sunshine, and the promise of a beautiful day.

Waiting to Wrestle

Visitors had arrived from Scotland, they had visited the Sports before but never seen it on a sunny day. We set off early as we wanted to see the Sea King Helicopter arriving on the field. These are the helicopters you see in the Lake District helping the Mountain Rescue teams.

Here comes the Sea King Helicopter

It flew over the sports field and circled several times before coming in to land.

Sea King coming in to land

It stayed on the field for quite some time and people enjoyed getting up close to it. Later in the day it did a simulated rescue with Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team.

Sea King almost landed.

Previously in this blog I have written about the history of Grasmere Sports, and also about the different sporting events, but there is another part to the day.  It is a family event with fun for everyone. This was obvious by the amount of competitors in the children’s races. Maybe we were watching the Fell Runners of the future.

Children’s Races

And you can’t have a good sports day without the old favourites like the sack race.

Grasmere Sports Sack Race

Meanwhile , the four legged members of the family were having their own event.

Pet Dog Competition

On another part of the field there was Juggling fun. Think the parents were enjoying it as much as the children!.

Juggling Fun

But for me the highlight of the day was the tug of war. After various bouts it was decided to have a Vegetarians versus meat eaters event. The Vegetarians won!

Tug of War

Around the field, more entertainment in the form of Grasmere’s own storyteller Taffy Thomas, a Herdy Knitalong, stalls from Made in Cumbria, featuring among others the very talented Lake District photographer Nina Claridge. There was also an interesting Tea Company based in the Lake District called New Leaf Tea Tasters. As anyone who knows me knows, I love tea, but I bought something i’d never seen before. A China green tea called Tiger Leaping Flower Burst. Look away now anyone who knows me as you may be getting it for Christmas. You put the tea ball in boiling water and …..

Tiger Leaping Flower Burst

As the name says, it turns into a flower. Tastes good too.  Time for a last look around the stalls before concentrating on the events.

Swallows and Amazons

We liked this little display by The Arthur Ransome Society. Good to see the Wordsworth Trust and Windermere Reflections there too.

Practice Mountain Rescue

Meanwhile up on the fellside LAMRT and the Sea king helicopter were in action again.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling

One of the most popular events is the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.

Checking in Senior Guide Race

However my favourite has to be the senior guide race.

Starters Gun Senior Guide Race

To see the runners stream up Butter Crags really is one of the most amazing sights.

There they go

The atmosphere in the sports field is unbelievable.

Heading uphill

It is a real feat of athleticism and has to be seen to be believed.

Who will win

And first over the line for the 9th time in a row …… Rob Jebb.

Winner Robb Jebb

The race between second and third place was incredible and all credit should go to both Simon Bailey and Sam Tosh. Fantastic stuff1

Grasmere Senior Guides Race Winners

And let’s not forget the Ladies.

Ladies Winners Senior Guide Race Grasmere

So let’s let the Adamson Band play us out after a fantastic day at Grasmere Sports and show.

Adamson Band

Time to get your diaries out. Grasmere Sports and Show Sunday 24th August 2014. See you there!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Trust Grasmere Gallop 2011

There seems to be a bit of a National Trust theme running through this blog at the moment, but credit where credit is due. First of all they open a much needed Information Centre in the village, and now they have brought back the much loved Grasmere Gallop to the village.

Grasmere Gallop 2011

The 10K Gallop was something that locals and visitors really enjoyed but was cancelled due to lack of funding. Step in National Trust and it was all go again this year.

Getting ready

With a forecast looking fair for the morning, quite a few last minute entrants appeared and about 300 people took part on what was a really beautiful Grasmere morning.

Heading for the start

A nice touch was everyone being led to the start at the bottom of Red Bank road by a piper, the sound of pipes drifting through the village. Then it was a pull up Red Bank with a welcome water supply at the top.

Grasmere Gallop view

Down to the lake shore at Rydal, then through the ferns they ran.

Running through the ferns

Some on their own and some in groups. All with one aim, to finish the race.

Grasmere Gallop runners

It didn’t seem to take long at all before the runners headed back into he village. Clusters of people clapping loudly as they passed.

Reaching the end

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the event and there was more to come. A teddy Dash for the under 5’s and a family run to follow.

Stop the traffic! Coming through.

On the Sports Field spectators were enjoying the various stands, including Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue and Made in Cumbria.

Gallop Runners

Not only were these runners having a great day out but were putting something back into the Lake District by supporting the National Trust.

Grasmere Gallop 2011

Back to the Sports Field and the final flag. From what I heard afterwards it truly was “a grand day out”.

Grasmere Gallop Finish

 

World Famous Grasmere Sports

One of the highlights of the Grasmere calendar is the world famous Grasmere Sports.

Senior Guide race Grasmere Sports

Set in a natural amphitheatre the surroundings for Grasmere sports are awe inspiring and the fells provide an ideal setting for fell racing and hound trails.

Grasmere Sports Field.

Earliest photos of the sports are by William Baldry who was also the village schoolmaster. He became the official photographer for the sports committee in 1872 and remained so for 20years. This is all the more amazing when you realise the first known photograph of the Lake District was taken by a customs officer, John Marsden in 1852 only 20 years before.

Looking down on Grasmere Sports field from Butter Crags.

Apart from records of horse racing in the early 17th Century first records of sports in Grasmere occur in 1852. These took place on the Moss. Next records are 1865 where in conjunction with the annual sheep fair they were held on Hudson’s Field which is near the Wordsworth Hotel (formerly the Rothay Hotel). The sports then moved to Pavement End to a field still known as “the old sports field”. Next Broadgate meadow was used and finally in 1919 the “shed field” which is the current home of the sports was used for the first time.

Old family photo of Grasmere Sports

The arrival of “Lordy” the late Earl of Lonsdale, a great sportsman and keen wrestler was a real spectacle. The Earl’s house party would travel from Lowther Estate in a fleet of bright yellow and black Rolls Royce across to Ullswater, over Kirkstone Pass and on to the sports field parking near the grandstand. It was a great social occasion as well as a sporting event. Nowadays it is not just Westmorland folk who come to enjoy the event but people from all over the world, some to watch, some to compete.

Fun in all weathers.

Grasmere folk optimistically say the weather is “allus fine for sports” however come rain or shine it still carries on.

Fell running in fine weather.

The highlight of Grasmere Sports has to be the Senior Guide Race. This is an event that has to be seen to be believed. From the sports field across the road, up Brackenfell to the summit of Butter Crags and back down in 12mins. 21.6 seconds. No wonder Joss Naylor tried to urge the organisers of the 2012 Olympics to include it. When the first runner appears back in the field the band play “Hail the conquering hero”, well deserved.

Wet weather fell racing.

The Guide race was first introduced in 1868. The current record was set by Fred Reeves in 1978 and Rob Jebb came very close in 2008 missing it by 10 seconds. The atmosphere in the sports field was electric. Anyone who beats the record will get £500 pounds from Pete Bland but so far his money is safe.

Reaching the summit.

One can only have total respect for these athletes. I have never been able to make my mind up whether it is best to watch from the field where a swarm of little ants thunder up the fell, or at the top to cheer everyone on.

Off they go. Start of the Guide race.

Another popular event is the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling. From time immemorial Grasmere lads had “wrestling bouts” annually after the Rushbearing.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.

To start the competitors must “tek hod” by linking their fingers together behind the back of their opponent. The match is decided by the best of three falls.

Wrestling at Grasmere Sports.

In former times the winners were awarded leather belts which were greatly prized possessions. Now the prizes are cups and cash payments. One condition of entry as a wrestler is the correct “fit-up” –  “a plush seat-piece” and a white vest. Some of the costumes are highly embroidered and one of the most amusing things are seeing the judges inspecting embroidered bottoms to award the prize for neatest costume!.

Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.

More recently called Grasmere Sports and Show to appeal to a wider audience, the sporting events will always be at the heart of it.This year children’s races  for 5-10year olds are being re-introduced after a lapse of nearly 10 years and the organisers are always looking for something new to thrill the crowds with. Mountain Biking was introduced in 1995 and is a popular event. Hound Trails, Dog shows, Paragliding, have all been seen at the show. This year there is to be (weather permitting) a display by the RAF Falcon’s Team and Mountain Rescue demonstration with a Sea King Helicopter. Stalls with all manner of goods, Craft tents, Grasmere Sports has it all. And of course you can get a hand stamp and leave the field anytime to explore Grasmere Village.

Late 20's photo of father in law at Grasmere Sports.

My father in law is now well into his 90’s however he was telling me the other day about travelling to Grasmere Sports from Barrow in Furness when he was a toddler. It is his earliest memory, he describes travelling in a pearly white coach with a canvas roof. It had been raining heavily and with a childs curiousity he poked the roof and water flooded over the sides soaking everyone!. And yes he will be visiting the show again this year, probably one of the few who can remember seeing so many.

Grasmere Sports 2011 will be on Sunday 28th August