Originally Posted by
Tindersticks
In its original format The Generation Game hosted by king of show business Bruce Forsyth was essential viewing back in the 70’s. The highlight being the ‘conveyor belt’ where prizes pass by and the contestant is quizzed on how many items can be remembered.....the trademark of the show is that a cuddly toy is always among the prizes.
Like the late Sir Bruce, Blackstone Edge race organiser Kev Shand deserves praise for his longevity. It really is commendable for any organiser to still be putting on a race after 36 years....and I bet Mr Forsyth would’ve loved a Kev Shand prize giving. It’s the stuff of fellrunning folklore....it’s essential viewing, it’s like the Generation Game being played out in a barn on the outskirts of Rochdale....who ever said there’s no glamour in fellrunning?
Right here goes, let me see how many I can remember: pan and brush set, a dozen eggs, tin opener, wine, Guinness, biscuits, big bag of hula hoops, multi-socket adaptor, a saw, popcorn, orange cordial, fire lighter, a frisbee, bubble bath, gents shower set, a flask, paper plates, kitchen colander and more besides. The team prizes were packs of Wagon wheels for the men and bunches of grapes for the ladies.
I think I’ve done pretty well there, but there was one glaring absence..where was the bog roll?
The bog roll is a Kev Shand prize giving equivalent of the Generation Games cuddly toy....like the toy, everyone remembers the bog roll. I managed to win a prize and looked high and low for the iconic roll....”Kev, where’s the bog roll”.... I asked with a sense of apprehension in my voice....”oh no, I’ve forgotten it”....I felt deflated....imagine if by some miracle England win the World Cup, now try and comprehend the sense of pride that Harry Kane would feel whilst holding the cup aloft...well my World Cup moment would’ve been holding the bog roll aloft in the cow barn...shattered dreams down the pan.....oh well, ‘roll on’ next time.
Many thanks to Kev, you are a fellrunning stalwart....as always, “it was nice to see you, to see you nice”.
Congratulations to Andrew and Annie from Tod Harriers on their wins....“Didn’t they do well?”.