Your eyes do not deceive you - this is Vicky in action at Combe Martin Amateur Boxing Club. Click on the 'photo and all will be revealed!
Your own copy of theclub newsletter ...
April 2009
With the arrival of spring and a busy summer ahead of us, I thought it was time for another newsletter. As you will see, it is filled with all sorts of “goodies,” from reports on a whole range of activities, reflections on the current state of the club and, of course, details of the busy summer diary.
I was delighted by the response to my appeals for contributions to this edition of the newsletter; not only does it save me a lot of trouble but it also means that I don’t get all the blame for whatever mistakes it might contain!
On a much more positive note, what better way to start than with a ‘blow by blow’ account of what goes on behind the scenes at the Braunton 10, from the Race Director himself, Micky Turner.
Events of the Race Directors weekend at the Braunton 10
Friday 23rd January
2pm collect keys from track official, then it’s off to Exeter to pick up the race clock arrive home at 5pm.Load car with paper cups, drinks containers etc. Evening check paper - work to mark out course.
Saturday 24th January
8-30a.m. Pick up Pat get to track 8-45 to meet Tom and Keith Rowe at track, Sort out signs, mark start and finish lines, then its off around the course to put up some of signs and check mile markers [this is Pats favourite part of the weekend as he has two hours to listen to Keith’s jokes which have accumulated over the last twelve months] arrive back at the track 11-30 time to check the clock and see if the boiler is working for hot water, leave track 12-00pm. Check rest of paper work in afternoon, kitchen float, permits and risk assessment etc.
Sunday 25th January
6-30 a.m. pick up Pat meet Keith at track. Light boiler before going around the course putting up the mile signs and the rest of the caution runners signs [more jokes] arrive back at the track 8-30am, load van with no parking cones and put them along the main road then its back to the club house to sort out registration table and notice board etc.
9-00 a.m. Ladies arrive to sort out and prepare kitchen, Carol and Liz arrive to do entries and Tim arrives to sort out marshals he informs me we have enough marshals [one worry over] but still need a few people to help out at finish.
9-30 a.m. Scaffolding for finish gantry has not yet arrived [don’t panic yet give it another 30 minuets, Athletes start to arrive, time to check if everyone has got everything, Carol has not got no change [where is Geoff] Van flashes passed the window scaffold has arrived followed a few seconds by Geoff with the float,
10-00 a.m. Time to sort out water containers and cups at the finish with the help of Susan. Ambulance not arrived yet [don’t panic yet] Get some more help filling the cups with Susan, Check to see if everything else is going to plan Referee arrives as do the Timekeepers. Queue for entries long but everyone’s coping.
10-30 a.m. Ambulance Arrives sigh of relieve as everyone’s here.
Just get two more people to help timekeepers and check clubhouse entries queue still long, kitchen busy, smoke coming from Fran's fingers as she types in the entries.
10-45 a.m. Give ambulance and the referee their paperwork and give athletes a fifteen minute warning, all athletes have now entered, Tim says all marshals are in position nearly time to start the race give athletes five minute warning.
11-00 a.m. Time to start the race.
All athletes are at the start give athletes some info on course flooding and muddy lanes in places etc.
Timekeepers are ready so we start the race as the runners disappear off the track a big sigh of relief only thing in the back of my mind now is that there are no accidents or errors on the course.
Time to pop over the shop to get a paper and back to the clubhouse for a coffee and something to eat. Check there is enough people to help at the finish and the put all the prizes in order of finishing. Someone shouts first runner insight [don’t know where that hour’s gone]. 1-00 p.m. All runners are in time to get all the results from Fran [Fingers still smouldering,] work out team and age group prizes find Tom and get the presentation of prizes under way. Prize giving over time for cup of tea and something to eat [not much left] and a yap and thank everyone for their help.
2-00 p.m. Everyone helps to clear up and go home all quiet just Pat and myself left to load my car and lock up and check everything is as we found it. THEN IT'S OFF TO THE PUB to reflect on the day beautiful weather and a record entry.
