Whitby Civic Society Race Night

Whitby Civic Society introduced a new venture into this year's programme. As a change from our usual monthly meetings with a speaker we decided to hold a race night at The Salmon Leap at Sleights on Friday, 2 November.

Mine host Adrian served a two course dinner during which over 80 members and friends (many of whom came from distant homes to attend- a good excuse for a weekend in Whitby!) could watch the first two races. Committee members were kept busy selling tote tickets and there was lively conversation and cheering on the horses even though they could not hear this support from the screen.

Each race was sponsored by a local business or individual and many also donated prizes, some of which were presented to the 'owner and jockey' of each race and others given as raffle prizes.The evening was an excellent opportunity for potential and existing members to get to know each other and relax as well as raise funds for the valuable work the society does in the community.

Barry Atkinson, the Chairman,welcomed everyone and thanked those who had helped in many ways to organise the event.

Special thanks were due to sponsors including Cross Butts Stables Restaurant and Quayside Fish Restaurant in Whitby, Junella Fish Merchants from Middlesborough, Atkinson Smith Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers (Doncaster) and Eskdale Fisheries, Radfords Butchers, Netherby House Hotel. The Magpie Cafe, the Whitby Catch, Bagshaw's Cafe, and Trenchers gave vouchers, Junelle Fish Merchants donated 2 1/2 kilos of peeled prawns, Eagle Turnery has produced a decorative wall plaque, the Steam bus offered 2 Family tickets, Tom Broderick gave the book, "Image of the Tees", many members and associates donated bottles of wine or spirits and the winners of the last race gained Sunday lunch for 2, courtesy of Greens Restaurant.

Barry also thanked his wife, Chris Whitlam,Richard Barron and Betty Bayliss for a lion's share of the preparation, Betty was so committed to the venture that she turned up on crutches, only one day after surgery, to see everything to fruition.