The run from Dennis Knoll this week was lead by Jess and Michael. At least one group was inculcated into Dark Peak esoterica, with a visit to the Bus Stop. There was some scrambling and visits to rocks… here, there & everywhere.

Photo (Alenka B): The Bus Stop

Volunteers

We are still in need of a volunteer to take the younger group next Sunday.

This term

Great Whernside

English Junior Fell championships racing.

Jon C writes:

Another excellent event at Great Whernside. Super runs by Olivia, and by Ben and several other brown vests seen on the fell.

It was the quickest race so far, but Stan and Ralph thought probably the toughest with its straight-up-and-down format, definitely no easy going sections. Think they had good runs, not seen results yet, they were pleased anyhow. Nice scene as always.

Probably worth incorporating some elbow strengthening work into our training sessions from the sound of it

Dark Peak Results

Photo (Ben W): Stanley, Ralph & Olivia

Championship Standings

The Championship standings are now getting some updates, although Great Whernside is not in there yet Fell Junior web site.

Jack Bloor Fund

Joe Woodley from our club won the Jack Bloor race at Ilkley at the beginning of the month. He should be seen as a very worthy winner of this race, as he has on several occasions benefited from a training grant from the Jack Bloor fund.

The Jack Bloor Fund was established in 1985 to commemorate the life of Jack Bloor. The Fund awards grants to young sportspeople from Yorkshire who want to improve their physical and/or technical skills in any recognised outdoor adventure sport. For example, the fund has supported individuals engaged in rock climbing, fell running, orienteering, sailing, cyclocross, kayaking and mountaineering.

The fund supports anyone under 26 years, who lives in Yorkshire and belongs to a Yorkshire club or NSGB (National Sport Governing Body). Up to 50% of the total cost is available, with a maximum of £300.

Examples of fund applications:

• Selected for an international competition
• Want to improve their skills in the outdoors
• Training for a competition
• Embarking on an expedition
• Doing an outdoor skills course

https://www.jackbloor.co.uk/fund/

The annual Jack Bloor Races are held on Yorkshire’s iconic Ilkley Moor. All monies raised supports the work of Jack’s memorial Fund.

http://www.jackbloor.co.uk/application-for-a-grant/

Behind the scenes

Its the Dark Peak AGM coming up. This coming year is the last that I will be standing to the post of Junior coordinator.

There are a lot of different strands to the work that I do for the section. I get some input from key individuals, but at the moment, the club only has one post for the whole Junior section – that could easily be changed.

there is one, very notable exception – Club Welfare Officer is a different role. That is very ably fulfilled by Helen Elmore. Equally, that role is club wide, not just Juniors.

If anyone wants to take on one of these aspects, that would be great.

Junior Coordinator

This is the official role that we have, in line with parent body guidance (as the minimum). everything else that gets done is in addition to this.

The role is a club-wide committee role. The key aspect of that is gaining committee agreement to the choices that are made about the functioning of Juniors. As we have a very limited (read “non-existent”) constitution and rule book, this can take some getting to grips with. It specifically includes contact and agreement with Treasurer and (Senior) Membership Secretary. Both of whom provide great help and support in relation to their areas.

During Covid, there has also been a huge amount of work on rules, administration, record keeping and compliance – no wine and cheese parties, or birthday cake ambushes here! Who knows what this winter will bring?

Run coordination

By far the largest single obligation is to schedule the Sunday runs and to make sure we have enough people to lead the groups. This is a substantial undertaking in its own right.

Membership

The membership database has to be maintained and updated annually. The really critical piece here is ensuring that everybody is appropriately registered for Championship races – mistakes can cause individual’s exclusion from results; heart breaking for those involved.

Blog

The blog gets written weekly in term time. However short I think I am of material, I always seem to write more than the minimum.

Results

Now that racing is picking up again, the results is a significant role that really could do with a dedicated “Junior statistician”. The club routine is to record all Fell race results run by registered club members. Junior races fall to the Junior Section to administer.

Someone with responsibility for just this, would be a great gift to the club.

Next term

we’ve some volunteers for next term, but please sign up via this sheet to what you can lead, or support.

Wild camp

The Wild Camp still needs an organiser. We can change the date to suit an organisers preferences.

Next week

As above – Next week is the last of the half term; Odin Mine / Mam Tor. O11 leaders are Helen E & Graham. U11 doesn’t currently have a leader. I can’t do my usual and fill the gap, because I’m away.

Lewis

Phot (Alenka B): is there anyone in there?