Wheel Good Fun!

Winners Oscar Redman and Dan Pybus Cross the line the win the main race

THE Redman and Pybus domination of a traditional Ponteland event continued in 2013.

Dan Pybus, 15, and Oscar Redman, 16, won the wheelbarrow race, which covers part of the Ponteland Village area, for the second year running.

Their time of seven minutes and 17 seconds in windy conditions meant they once again beat their fathers, Andy Pybus and Alan Redman, into second place. Alan and Andy won the event between 2007 and 2011. Brothers Andrew and Duncan Robertson were third.

The ladies winners were Rebecca Powell and Mel Jarvis (10 minutes 23 seconds) and first to finish the junior race were Becky Tinnion, aged 14, and Lois Daniel-Black, nine.

The New Year’s Day event, organised by Ponteland 41 Club with support from Ponteland Rugby Club, takes place over a mile-long course which starts and ends at the Blackbird Inn and hundreds of spectators came along to watch the races.

Local businessman Philip Jackson once again took on the role of Lord Mayor of Ponteland to start the proceedings.

One of the organisers, Andy Anderson, said: “The event gets more popular each year and we had to invest in extra barrows for Tuesday’s races. Thanks go to the local businesses that provided the prizes.”

In the region of £400 was collected on the day for good causes.

Source: Morpeth Herald

NEW YEAR'S DAY WHEELBARROW RACE IN PONTELAND

There they go again!  Alan Redman and Andrew Pybus won the wheelbarrow race, starting from the Blackbird Inn, for the fifth year running.  Where is the competition?  There were only 5 wheelbarrows racing this year and there was no snow to put off possible entrants.   Last year there was six inches of snow overnight which made for a tricky race.  And to emphasise the superiority of the winners' families their sons, Oscar Redman, 14, and Dan Pybus, 13, won the Junior race.

The Lord of Ponteland for the day, Philip Jackson, who looks superb in the role, clanged his bell at noon to start the gruelling race and about ten minutes later the winners were coming down Thornhill Road at speed to be greeted by the biggest crowd for years.  Lots of news and greetings were exchanged as everyone seemed glad of an excuse to come out and mingle and cheer on the competitors.

The Blackbird Inn hired some Scottish drummers and a piper to amuse the crowd who could also refresh themselves with mulled wine and a variety of food.  The Ponteland 41 Club and the Rugby club who organised the event raised £440 for charity.
By Muriel Sobo

New Year's Day Wheel Barrow Race in Ponteland

Six inches of snow on New Year’s Eve could not stop seven pairs of determined lads pushing each other in wheel barrows around the North Road in Ponteland. Forget rumours that this is a remnant of an ancient tradition. It is the utterly pointless wacky activity so loved of English people. It is the chance to blow away the excesses of the previous night and arrive totally knackered at the finishing line.

The hundred odd spectators had an invigorating walk, greeted many friends and helped local charities with their generous donations. The event started from the Blackbird Inn and this year, to the accompaniment of snow showers, they served up Punch and hog roast in buns. The event was organised by the 41 Club and promoted by Ponteland Rugby Club. And by the way, the winners were Andy Pybus and Alan Redman. Almost boring since they have now won it for three years. Where’s the opposition?

By Muriel Sobo

Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race 2010

This event has been run annually for many years on 1^st January at 12noon.

The tradition of the race goes back to the 14th Century when, in a severe winter, the Lord of the Manor encouraged locals to go out into the surrounding countryside and forage for food and fuel.

Last years race was won by Andy Pybus and Alan Redman.

The wheelbarrows are provided by the race organiser. Each team consists of two people, one person in the barrow and one pushing. They are expected to change over halfway round. The race usually lasts about 12 minutes.

The race starts from outside the Blackbird Inn on the North Road. The barrows are pushed up the North Road to Thornhill Road then down Thornhill Road to the finish beside the Blackbird.

A junior race is run from the shopping precinct on Thornhill Road to the finish while the main race takes place.

We have lost track of the Silver Salver trophy for the winners and would welcome its return. Prizes are also given for the first ladies' team and the junior race.

It is traditional that the race is started by the Lord of Ponteland, who is elected for the day.

The Ponteland 41 Club, with the help of Ponteland Rugby Club,  has organised the event for the last few years. Contacts: Race Organiser – Jonathan Goodwill tel: 825859, Chief Marshall – Andy Anderson tel: 871844.

Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race 2009

Large Crowds turned out at the annual Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race to watch Andy Pybus and Alan Redman slide across the finishing line in first place for the third year with an excellent time of 7mins 20secs.

In the junior race Daniel Brown and Connor Hayley were victorious, closely followed by Mark and Andrew Richardson and Jack and Sam Long. Daniel and Connor are both also previous winners of the junior race.

For more information about the Wheelbarrow Race visit the Wheelbarrow Race Page at Ponteland Online main Website

Photographs are courtesy of Alastair Ruffman of Ponteland Photographic Society

Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race 2006

The snow of the previous week with temperatures of -12 degrees were forgotten on New Years morning, as the warm, dry weather drew huge crowds to Ponteland for the Annual Wheelbarrow Race.

The crowds were so large that the start of the race was delayed as competitors had difficulty reaching the start of the race with their wheelbarrows.

Local businessman Jonathan Goodwill was the “Lord Mayor” for the day, and started the main race prior to the under 14’s race.

The main race was again won by Marcus Welch of Riding Mill. This year he was partnered by his brother James, as his partner of last year, David Jefferies, was unavailable. Last year it took them 7mins 33 secs to complete the course. This year they did the same course in 7mins 16secs.

Local boys Daniel Brown, and Connor Haley (top pic below) were the winners of the Junior race.

One addition to this years race that was warmly received was the provision of hot drinks and bacon sandwiches by the Blackbird Inn.

Ponteland Wheelbarrow Race 2005

The traditional New Years Day event, was again a fantastic success attracting a large field of entrants and visitors from near and far.

Organized by the Ponteland Round Table with the support of staff from Zurich Financial Services, and regulars from the Blackbird, a bucket collection raised £793.42. Zurich Financial Services then doubled this, with all proceeds going to the “Tsunami Disaster Fund.”

Blackbird Inn manager, Lorna Calder, a key figure in the event said "with it being a little bit warmer, it was the best turnout in years".

Round Table Chairman, Mark Been, who was appointed “Lord Mayor of Ponteland” for the day, as the Church Clock strikes Noon, started the Race.

This year the event was won by students David Jeffries of Alnwick and Marcus Welch of Riding Mill, who were first over the line in the admirable time of 7mins 33 secs. each receiving a winners tankard, and the prestigious Silver Salver presented by Ponteland Parish Council.

David and Marcus, having finished third in last years race were determined, despite nursing hangovers from the excesses of Hogmanay, to do better, and are now looking forward to defending their title next year.

Ian Browell and Ewan Ellis claimed a gallant second place, and are to be watched in next years race.

In the under 14s Race, Geraint Ellis and Josh Browell, younger brothers of Ian and Ewan headed the field over the shorter distance. Watch out for them next year in the Adult Race! The boys received Vouchers to use in the Metro Centre, as were the other prizewinners, to which thanks must go to Mr. Ron Woodman of the Metro Center.

First women over the line were Lucy Vickers of Norfolk and Lucy Cowen, both girls aged 18. "Everyone else was so far ahead, we lost sight of them" says Lucy, however they received the biggest ovation from the near 1000 crowd, who cheered them home, perhaps this typified the spirit of the race more than anything else.

The Race is rumoured to date back 700 years, with each two-person team running the 1.1 mile race, with one person in the barrow at all times.

Round Tabler Jonathan Goodwill, who collects the wheelbarrows every year, reminds us the event would not take place without the kind support of GREENHAMS, who provide them without charge.

Ponteland Round Table and The Blackbird Inn, wish to thank all those who turned out to support, sponsor and participate in the Race.

Ponteland Round Table raises thousands of pounds for clubs, organisations and charities, and are holding a Sportsman’s Dinner on Thursday 27th January 2005, those interested in a table should contact Paul Makepeace on (01670) 738111.