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Peak District Farming > editorial and features > event reports > Flagg's race day - behind the scenes
Flagg's race day - behind the scenes Flagg Races 14 April, 2009 at 1pm: Flagg Moor, A515 (5 miles south of Buxton) Easter bank holiday weekend means relaxation and a slower pace over a 4 day period, apart from the great and good at Flagg Moor preparing the point to point race course. Given the chill wind and inevitable rain, it takes a committed type of volunteer so peakdistrictfarming.co.uk took time to meet some of the team on Good Friday 2009.  Flagg racecourse HQ is the ‘green shed’, coupled with various point to point fences, these are the only permanent reminders in the village of the annual racing event. It's 9am and a small group of helpers gather & equipment arrives, brought by Andrew and Ross Chester, a local sheep farmer. Within minutes they’re casually and efficiently organised by site manager, Nigel Clayton, relaxed with roll-up in hand. High peak committee members begin planning for Flagg races in September and preparation on-site begins two weekends before easter weekend. Despite the extensive amount of work to organise the event, Nigel says the site is cleared by early evening on race-day & they decamp to the local freehouse ‘cock and pullet’ in Sheldon. The treasurer Paul Spencer-Austin, moved to the region from Warwickshire and, as a high peak supporter, has been treasurer for a few years. He deals with funding and we talk about sponsorship. He thinks the economic climate has effected them because there’s no main sponsor this year. However, he points out that local businesses support advertising in the race card & races. He’s positive that point to point supporters and competitors are unaffected the downturn. It's good to see a local food hero 'white peak farm butchery' taking a page to promote their traditional butcher's shop. Paul Dunn is clerk of the course he has to hand over control on the day to a team of 6 jockey-club endorsed stewards; it’s his job to make sure things are orderly to hand over on the day. We discuss local suppliers and contracts. This year catering and bar facilities come from a company in Nottinghamshire. However, they’d encourage and welcome any local businesses that wanted to apply for the contract next year.  So if you know a caterer or publican that can run an outside bar contact Ryk Turner by email rturner@aturners.com.The steeplechase fences require a specialised company Willis bros, from Malmesbury to handle maintenance. They are industry experts in fence building and top clients include Badminton, Sydney Olympics, Cheltenham and 2012 Olympics. Spruce is sourced from the forestry commission in Goyt Valley to make the fences look more ‘inviting’ and provide cover for the horses as they often brush the fences as they jump. It’s good to see some local recycling.. Last but not least, lets remember that Flagg’s racecourse relies on goodwill from many farmers in the village. The race card acknowledges 8 local family farmers and Middleton estates for their support; recognising that the point to point wouldn’t take place without them. Photos: Nigel Clayton site manager, relaxed and efficient; Clerk of the course Mr Paul Dunn next to HQ (the green shed) below(l-r): Messrs Andrew & Ross Chester, fencing; Mr Paul Spencer-Austin (treasurer), getting to grips with barbed wire; younger helper Mr Will Denniff    Key facts 14 sponsored fences and walls Over 1km of temporary fencing Hunting enables horses to compete in the races because they must complete several day's hunting to be certified Thanks to the farmers: Mr & Mrs Ardern, Mr & Mrs Campeau, Mr & Mrs Edge, Mr Lomas, Middleton Estates Ltd, Mrs M Mycock and Mr & Mrs A Mycock, Mr Percival, Mr & Mrs Poole. If you'd like to supply flagg races outside bar or catering for next year email rturner@atturners.com for details For action photos from the day click here to see : star's photo gallery |
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