DARK PEAK NEWS Winter 2012 - Dark Peak Fell Runners

<strong>Dark</strong> <strong>Peak</strong> News <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2012</strong> page 7From the ChairmanSadly there have been three deaths associated with fell races this year, all in differentcircumstances. There will be things to learn but individually maybe we should all be assessingwhat kit we carry so that we have half a chance of reacting if somebody is injured. We have tokeep a perspective, for in reality, these incidents over the decades are few and far between. Buthappened they have and learn we should. Most recently Daz Holloway of Pennine died duringthe Ian Hodgson Relay in October. He was known to several club runners at the sharp end,Matt Hulley, Mick Stenton and Ian <strong>Winter</strong>burn amongst them. It is right and proper that theclub remembers him as he was - our current Skyline V40 champion.In and around Sheffield we all cherish the minimalist approach we have to our club runs andraces. We should fight tooth and nail to keep this ethos but given the numbers we now get andthe spectrum of races, the club does need to settle on what we expect. We can and will investfurther in “personal responsibility” - in other words your safety is first and foremost up to you.If and how this relates to new runners and folk who turn up on spec again is open to morechewing of the cud. My view, as I mention above, is that in most of our races we need to becarrying a tad more kit and that the days and nights when we fail to count DPFR runners acrossthe start and finish line are, perhaps sadly, numbered.As I write, the club has just held its first EGM to answer any last queries and finally voteon the resolution to incorporate <strong>Dark</strong> <strong>Peak</strong>. Rob Moore, the club secretary, had received 57proxy votes and there were nearly forty people in the club hut, shivering away in sub zerotemperatures in the name of democracy. Every single vote was in favour. Those who did notvote, I hope you are with us. Rob and his colleagues now have some largely tedious Articles topen. It was agreed to include a “not for profit” element. If we have got things right then this isnot a momentous day as little if anything will change. It was remiss of me on the night not tothank Rob and his colleagues at Taylor and Emmet for all their time and ongoing efforts. AnnWatmore was also instrumental in getting this vote through in <strong>2012</strong> by forcing through thenotice and notifying us all – thanks Ann!The FRA magazine dropped on the doormat the other day. The usual fare, with JohnFleetwood, or was it Yiannis, having managed yet another impossible round. It was hearteningto see our women sprinkled throughout. Page 26 boasted a photo of Judith Jepson, ClaireOliffe, Nicky Spinks, Helen Elmore and Liz Batt, looking as pleased as punch, as they should,as the English V40 team champs. If you press on through the magazine Judith and Helen willperhaps be less than pleased as they gurn for the camera. Next the editor again finds room forNicky’s piece about her BG women’s record in the summer, and in the Results section towardsthe back Ruth Batty and Debbie Smith are seen, DPFR Olympic torch baton in hand, in frontof the Moot Hall before they go off at the start of their women’s team BG record. Our womennow have a momentum to match our men and long may it continue.Tom