Longshaw Sheepdog Trials

Longshaw Pastures were blessed with sunshine yet again for the Longshaw race 2011. We hoped for around a hundred runners, finally sending a magnificent 146 starters out which caused a slight problem as we only had ~120 entry forms. Also, Accelerate managed to advertise the start time as 11.00 in their Gritstone series, although it was changed to 10.30 a year ago to fit in better with the sheep racing – thanks guys!

Everyone seemed to enjoy the race, families and friends enjoyed the Sheepdog Trials, the food, the stalls and the Longshaw Bar.

We had three sponsors this year, Accelerate as mentioned above and James Fulton & Son, Sheffield’s premier Electrician and purveyor of fine chutneys, jams, fruit cakes for prizes.

The third sponsor was the National Trust who were very generous this year. In addition to giving us the usual permission to run on Hathersage Moor, the National Trust gave us 100 thermal mugs and £100 in NT vouchers as prizes.

I can’t mention all of the volunteers who helped on the day (Registration / Marshals / Course flaggers / Road Crossings / Results / other stuff), but special thanks are due to Hilary for organising me, Graham Revell for the computerised results, Andy & Mandy Moore for sorting the injured (broken toe & elbow) runner and his vehicle out and to Mike and Dave Arundale for doing the road crossing on the A625 again.

3rd September was also our club Chairman’s 50^th birthday which was celebrated in style. He was last seen in his new flat cap sitting outside the Bar drinking Abbeydale Deception whilst watching one man and his dog mumbling Ooh Arr and come bye to all and sundry. Birthday cake & real ale, the food of champions!

Jim and Hilary