And that statement may signal the end of all races over UU land.
Read PBR rule 19 properly - we failed to comply.
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And that statement may signal the end of all races over UU land.
Read PBR rule 19 properly - we failed to comply.
This rule 19?
19 Every single gate must be closed. Teams observed not closing gates will be instantly disqualified. Do not assume that the team behind will close the gate. Even if it means closing a gate on an approaching team......close it !
We have had complaints from farmers and United Utilities rangers in the past so please ensure you follow this rule.
Is the idea of marshalling a gate to ensure it gets closed at each pasing or that the opening does not lead to loss of livestock through it? Semantics or reality? It seems this gate was 'unoffically' marshalled by the tog nearby as he stated no livestock passed through.............
I hate this countryside arsiness..fell races cancelled for shutting of gates but a bunch of chavs dropping litter and ruining the countryside when camping and the summer and nowt. Cant wait to get out of this place after uni and move to another country with more logical mountain folk
In the races I'm involved with (and I'm sure Lefty and the PBR have the same or similar issues) we have regular pre and post race meetings with the parties involved which can involve Local Council, Parish Council, Landowner, Tenant, Local Businesses, Police, residents.... and also provides feedback from the participants and officials.
In these instances some of the parties involved come from a position of supporting the race as it brings publicity to the area, brings some business in and perhaps generally as they see a sporting event as people doing something positive and so themselves adopt a positive approach to it.
Some parties come to the table with the aim of finding a reason to block the race.
When an issue arises, there is dialogue about how an acceptable way to resolve that issue can be worked out. The resolution is put in place and carried forward with the agreement of the parties involved and if it works effectively carried forward to future events, but back to dialogue if it doesn't to see if the matter can be resolved in a more effective way.
Some matters may be beyond finding a practical resolution - but I wouldn't put the PBR gate issue in that category.
1. Action taken against teams breaching this (and other) rules would put a strong disincentive as would a ban from future events.
2. Sweepers would be a further measure that would ensure agtes were left closed after all runners had passed.
3. Marshalls - in place to ensure that the particularly sensitive areas were 100% attended to at all times.
With 1000 teams, if £5 per team was levied, I daresay that a local scout group or other voluntary group would marshall the key areas for a donation.
I would hope that Stagger has got it wrong on the UU Ranger and that UU and the landowners are just frustrated, partly at the PBR but perhaps as they have to deal with such matters 365 days a year.
They would demonstrate their integrity and sense of what is decent by engaging in dialogue and seeking a sensible and workable solution to the problem at hand.
I would imagine that it may also be a factor that Lefty has had a gutful - being a RO has many rewards, but also many frustrations and can leave you thinking "Never Again"!!
No,I agree Staggers post helps no-one,but this act by UU has angered an awful lot of Fellrunners and I think as events unfold over the next few days your constant reference to the rule book will leave you increasingly isolated.
Seems that UU were looking for an excuse to refuse future permissions. Also seems that some of the runners handed them that excuse. Still, it's over with now and in the emphasis must be on building bridges. The Hobble and The Calderdale Hike both go through that gate.
We can shout insults at each other like town drunks at closing and exaserbate the situation, or alternatively pull our pants up and move on and work out how we can best secure future events.
BTW, that gate is very much on my patch , I run and bike around there regulary and have never known the gate be left open under normal circumstances.
You are free to think what you will JD but it seems to me that The Grump's observations, along with those from Chris Knox, Margaret Chippendale, Morgan Williams,... are amongst the more sensible posted on this subject: although, when you exclude the usual rants, there is not much competition.