Ambleside Sports in depth analysis.
The Chairman of the HTA replies to————-
On advice from the Chair the trailer who laid the starting end of the senior trail and who came under strong criticism from members will now “take stock” and contemplate whether it is worth taking a day of work for a uncalled for bollocking.
Therefore putting into serious doubt whether Rydal, Ings , Applethwaite and Kirkstone will continue., An idle threat , maybe ,but in reality it could happen.
And who could blame him, not me!
Lets start at the beginning – Ambleside has always been free entry for hound runners , therefore , immaterial of what the gateman says , you were entitled to free entry with your hound – if you paid you got your money returned, And as for spectators assembling on the finish , it’s been like that since time began you know what its like so why complain.
Behind the scenes — Due to a field full of stock , the gate , a water works metal spiked one, had to be opened and shut for each of the short trails, any volunteers ?Now , you have to find somebody , at extremely short notice to “man the gate “. And the trails manager was informed if nobody is found , the trail meeting will be cancelled. and up stepped Steve , who had just paid a fiver to come in. He spent the duration of the three short trails swinging on a gate. How many hound men would have volunteered? Thanks Steve – We owe you one!
An early phone call to the trail manager, the finishing end trailers hurt his leg and cannot lay the trail, a replacement is found. only one thing he has never laid the finishing end of the senior trail. On taking advice from his co- trailer who pointed out the trail from the “split” he completed it successfully. The Co- trailer is the one who allegedly didn’t know his own half!
Another complaint – visitors are not aware of the result . It has been policy for a number of years that the entry clerk provided a results board, this year there wasn’t one , there will be changes and a result board will be provided at all the shows and sport trails for the rest of the season. Also results were slow to materialise this will be rectified forthwith.
The length of the senior trail, due to a misunderstanding between the timekeeper and myself the shout of “Trail” was, at least , shouted three minutes early, therefore anybody timing from 25 minutes will be three minutes “out”.
PS . The trailer earns £25 an hour. Ambleside took 4 hrs= £100.
Paid £25 loss on day = £75.
