An exciting proposal to stage a new Keswick Games event at Townsfield cleared its first hurdle to becoming reality as it received support and financial backing from Keswick Town Council.
Town councillor Rob Nelson is behind the plan for the “fun event for the whole community” featuring traditional sports and games, but admitted that it was initially his wife’s idea which they had discussed in the car going to a Haven holiday park in the north east.
The plan is to stage the games at the park 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.
Mr Nelson said that approaches had been made for sponsorship from local businesses and he had received a positive reaction from them
There will be six events in the team competition and these will be an egg and spoon relay; giant team sack race; seven legged race; tug-of-war; 600m relay and a five-piece inflatable 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.
He said that Townsfield was chosen as the venue “because we never use it” and it provided a “big flat surface” covering 310 square metres. Cllr Nelson said that there would be a “massive” scoreboard erected and teams would be able to check their progress during the event along with a beer tent and stage.
Among the organisations already expressing an interest in taking part was Theatre by the Lake and Keswick Ministries and offers of help had been received from various organisations including Keswick Lions, Keswick Rotary and Keswick Round Table.
Cllr Nelson said the winning team would win a trophy inscribed with the names of those in the successful squad of six and there would also be individual trophies and slate medals.
Councillors heard that there were likely to be cost implications – buying the egg and spoons for instance – and agreed to back the event to a maximum of £2,000 and review that sum should it be necessary. The event will also be brought before the town council’s events committee.
Members of the town council gave the event their unanimous approval with Cllr Jean Murray declaring it “a brilliant idea”.
“I want this to be self-sustaining from here on in,” said Cllr Nelson. “I am hoping to get this money only once.”
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.
