Many thanks to Nia for the following (I can only second her thanks to the Wakes organisers, who are putting so much work into the smooth running of the Week. Each year I enjoy Wakes more than the last, how do they do it?):
Finally the weather was on the side of the children as they all gathered on a beautifully prepared race track (well it had been until Sunday evening and then the moles got to work… ). The crowd were in fine vocal form and the children put in final practise sessions and honed their techniques for the wheel barrow and 3 legged races.
As in previous years it was always going to be difficult to spot the winners without TV aided photo finishes, so there were numerous spotters on the final tape to ensure that the first 3 over the line received the all important brown envelope and that everyone else was placated with a sweet. Many of the children had been told that if they wanted to go on the fair they needed to win money to pay for it so there was a lot at stake as the children lined up and waited for Dennis to utter the `GO` word.
The first few races were neck and neck with mole hills and loose footballs causing a few casualties. The U5s race is usually dreaded by parents as offspring cling to their legs. Sid dealt with this by propelling Jack through the air for the first 20m with a gentle push in the back. Those with elder siblings had been waiting for this moment for years and had been trained for the sprint finish.
The ride on race was a dilemma for those taking part. 2 wheels or 4? Normally a bike is the winner but the surface gave the scooter the edge as Will E powered his way to the finish line.
The sack races demonstrated a variety of styles and techniques. The no shoes, 2 footed jumps became the preferred option as children who have obviously been genetically modified bounced Tigger like down the track achieving heights and distances that left parents gazing in awe.
The Over 11 races demonstrated that it is not about what you wear but how you wear it. Was it Amy or Melissa who won? Do Bev and Roger even know?
The skipping race was going to be a challenge with the luminous that Brian seemed to be continually uncoiling. The girls demonstrated an elegance of balletic quality as they seemed to float down the track. The crowd were quiet in appreciation until Jane H stumbled onto the track obstructing a skipper in his prime.
The 3 legged races next proved that It’s a Knock Out is still alive and well in Parwich. Knobbly knees, months of practise and planning, old pairings revived and knot tying skills remembered from the Boy Scout days resulted in skilful demonstrations of running or hopping or crawling as the children resorted to anything to get to the finish line!
The potato race raised the old question of `1st or 3rd potato to be picked up first`? A survey of winners has shown that it needs to be the 3rd potato needs to be the 1st…….
The egg and spoon race showed those children who have the speed and the calmness combined with a steady hand. Not a common attribute of the average 8 yr old boy but the girls managed with finesse as they strutted down the track with hand on hip and egg firmly on spoon. A dropped egg 2ft from the finish line lead to a tense stand off for 1st place and a difficult decision for the judges but all ended well.
The finale is the wheel barrow race where old playground scores are settled. Hatchets are buried as the desire to win the brown envelope unites teams. Large noses plough furrows through the ground as the pushers force the wheel barrows ever faster to the finish line. The obvious winners here were those with horses who have the upper body strength so next year they will be in demand as a partner!
A fantastic night was had by all. Many thanks to Brian and Dennis and their band of helpers. The children were fantastic and demonstrated many sporting qualities. This was a night of English sportsmanship at its best and there are a few tennis players and footballers being paid a lot of money who could do with learning from the attitude of these children.
PARWICH.ORG 
Nia, I love this post. Do send in more!
Good one Nia! – as past egg & spoon champion (New Mills Cubs sports day circa 1971) I can only marvel at how the discipline has been refined over the years.
I’ve just sat and read the write up of yesterday’s sports night and laughed out loud all the way through. Can Nia cover tonight’s Hill Race too or would she be forced to be running and writing at the same time? She’s a mother of four – I’m sure she could manage that one small piece of multi-tasking!
Yes, please Nia, write and run at the same time – you’re always telling us how good you women are at multi-tasking ;o)