Noticeboard ...
NO TOUR FOR 2009 ...
Press Release: 12th December 2008
The main committee of the Organising Team met to discuss the position of the
2009 event. The meeting heard that there were a number of factors against the
running of the event. These include other events running on the same weekend,
the loss of a significant stage commander and set up team due to one of the
aforementioned events and the resignations of a number of long serving key
personnel. In addition, the event cannot use the Portreath venue due to the
Ladies Driving Day being hosted by the Fire Brigade.
The BTRDA championship also
allows competitors to drop events and due to our challenging geographical
location the Tour has to be the most logical round for competitors to miss.
No matter how one looks at the budget for the event and in view of the current,
severe, recession the meeting decided that there were no factors which led us to
believe that we would attract more competitors than the 2008 event where
insufficient entries were received to even approach a “break-even” figure.
Consequently, the decision was taken to “mothball” the Tour and reconsider the
situation for 2010.
Roger Hargreaves, Clerk of the Course, said “this is a situation where a year
ago we anticipated being able to run the event in 2009. However, times have
moved on and due to the subtle championship changes, other events being so close
in the calendar, the reduction in personnel and the recession we can’t see a way
of running the event without losing money.
“Consequently, we have taken the decision not to hold the event in 2009 but to
reconsider the position for 2010. Clearly, we are frustrated not to be holding
the event which has been running for over 20 years in support of the Combined
Hospices but spending money now only to have to cancel the event in March is not
the way forward.”
However, the committee was heartened to hear of an event planned for the summer
of 2009 using an innovative format for which there was considerable support from
those present. There will be more information on that proposal once a team has
been confirmed and have met in the New Year – a date for that meeting has been
arranged.
ENDS
Further details from: -
Roger Hargreaves, Clerk of the Course
H: 01872 277320 M: 07743 022 517
Dave Brenton
H: 01326 375773 M: 07748 593 005
