2010 CHARITY HORSE AND CYCLE RIDE
SATURDAY 1 MAY

The third Horse and Cycle built on the success of two previous years. Most of the Club, in many cases with their families, were involved before the event and also on the day in planning, admin, route planning, signposting, marshalling, refreshments,  traffic control and the myriad of tasks involved in such an event.  You will spot many familiar faces in the photos further down the page.

The dedicated website at  www.horseandcycle.co.uk in the  hands of Peter Clayton drew a huge number of visits and visitors were able to download sponsorship forms, routes and posters. Ken, Peter and Malcolm were responsible for masses of posters and giant banners which went up throughout the area to raise awareness and encourage people to visit the website and to take part on the day. 

There was a rush to sign up at 9 am and after the main start at 10 am many more riders were leaving at their convenience over the next hour or so. The final count was 189 riders, horse and cycle which included about 50 horse riders. This was an increase of 50% on 2009.   Disappointingly the 'income' on the day, although over £2,000, was virtually all from the minimum entry fees and and there was a distinct reduction in sponsorship money on the day.  However, over the next few weeks the sponsorship money came steadily rolling in and we are hoping for a total of about £5,000 to divide between the chosen charities,  Gift of Sight, Rose Road and Naomi House. (See the 'Charities' page for more information.)

There was a lot of work but good fun. We also gave a lot of people an enjoyable and interesting day out in the forest and it was noticeable how many thanked us, praising the arrangements and the marshalling. Well done all involved and thanks also to Copythorne Scouts for supplying and erecting marquees and Cycle World, our generous sponsors          JR.

PHOTOS MAINLY BY RAY DAWES with additions by Alan Blair, Arthur Page and John Robinson.

The Explorer Scouts at work on the Friday evening putting up the reception tents.
 
Preparing in the Reception area. Can you spot Dave Smith's 90 yr old Mum?

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Marshall's briefing
 
Notice the family resemblance?

Desmond Swain MP with President Alan and then about to set the first batch of cyclists off.
No - he did not even mentioning the election to take place a few days
later but was probably making ritual signs in an attempt to hold the expected rain off.


 

Some of Arthur and Elizabeth's enthusiastic family ready for the off.

At the Canadian War Memorial watering and snacks site  (thank you Sainsburys).
Some of the cyclists above are from The Fortune Centre, which we have supported,
led by Justin Bloomfield.
More pictures at this rest point below.





 
 

President Alan with the first rider home. 
Desmond Swain followed him closely and is seen above recovering in the reception tent.

Sunnyfields barbequed and sold their produce throughout the day and virtually sold out. 
They donated a percentage of their takings to the charity fund.

Two tired helpers about to leave for home