A new fun event for the whole community called the Keswick Games was set to be discussed at a meeting of the town council last Thursday (April 18).
It was brought before councillors by Rob Nelson who was keen to stress that the idea was still in its infancy but should it find favour with members and the events committee then he hoped it would become a self-sustaining event year after year.
The plan is to stage the games at Townsfield, off Penrith Road, on Sunday August 18 and it is proposed to hold a competition between up to 20 teams of six competitors from local sports clubs, businesses or other groups. It will also involve a separate singles event for children.
Teams will be charged a fee to enter, provisionally set at £100, to cover costs and £2 for the single events for children. Approaches will also be made for sponsorship from local businesses.
There will be six events in the team competition and these will be an egg and spoon relay; team sack race; seven legged race; tug-of-war; 600m relay and an obstacle course.
The singles event for children would include a traditional egg and spoon race; 50m sprint race; sack race, skipping race, space hopper race; 200m run and an obstacle course.
Councillors heard that participants and spectators would be encouraged to walk to the event to minimise the impact on the residents of Latrigg Close. For essential vehicles, agreement has been reached with Travis Perkins for the use of its depot for parking.
Mr Nelson said that the idea behind the event had been welcomed by local sports clubs and other interested parties.
Cllr Steve Harwood has already recommended that the council supports the venture ahead of it being discussed by the events committee.
“It’s a brand new thing,” said Cllr Nelson. “Nothing has been done like this before and I think everybody is ready for this sort of thing.”
