101 uses for a mobile!

[Graham Breeze]

I don't see that time or numbers are relevant in this debate. Witness Golf or cricket. Major shifts (like recognising women) do have their impact but the underlying sport remains intrinsically the same no matter how many people want to do it....and they want to do it BECAUSE of the 'traditional' values the sport offers. It's the same principle as 'historical' preservation of fact. So called do-gooders are (successfully) trying to eradicate the teaching of the Holocaust for fear of offending Muslims without ever asking if Muslims are concerned about this. In our sport, the idea of embracing change because more (less well versed) participants are taking part is just as misplaced. People do fell racing because of its character: not because they hope the 'authorities' will dilute its character to make it safer/more acceptable etc etc.

Wheeze,

You are putting arguments in my mouth that I have not uttered and then disageeing with them eg where did your last sentence come from!

All I am saying is that eg in November 1973 there were 337 FRA Members.There are now over 20 times as many.

Sure, many of the 50 fell races around in 1975 eg Fairfield, remain the same classics. But many of the 700 new ones are not! How could they be? Fell running is not inventing many "new" Wasdales.

So when the new or changed elements have taken over and dominate the sport... please recognise it.

It reminds me of the steam locomotive "Flying Scotsman" epitomising the nostalgia for steam. Great. Except that after 80 years not one single piece of the original engine is still there.