One hundred punters from Northmoor, Standlake, Stanton Harcourt and Sutton enjoyed an evening of racing in Northmoor Village Hall on Sat 14th November, kindly sponsored by the NFU Mutual Witney Agency. Tickets were sold well in advance - for many this was a chance to be a racehorse owner for the night.The event was hosted by the MC Charlie Young, with assistance from Chris Naylor. Many bets were placed with Tony the Tote, the horses were loudly cheered on, and the lucky won money, bubbly and rosettes. Conditions were perfect for the horses that ran that night, which included those legendary thoroughbreds ‘Go Away Gravel’, ‘Hanson's Folly’, ‘Outrageous’, and ‘Bundless Boy’. The final race of the evening was won by ‘Hankey's Hero’, a firm favourite!
The hall was transformed with hay bales, saddles, tack and boots. Tables, linen and lighting were provided by local businesses & the atmosphere was fantastic There was a fish & chip supper followed by an array of wonderful puddings contributed by our loyal supporters, and the bar did a roaring trade all night.
Happy times at the ToteBesides all this, there was a Silent Auction with fantastic prizes such as a Day at the Races, a Formula 1 Visit & Accommodation in Spain, all generously donated by local individuals and businesses - the lots were listed as follows:
- Lot 1: Racing at Royal Windsor - 4 Tickets to any Race Meeting at Royal Windsor Race Course during 2010. Tickets kindly donated by Arena Leisure Plc
- Lot 2: Formula 1 at Silverstone - A Behind-the-Scenes look at the Force India Formula 1 facility at Silverstone for 4 people. A unique experience kindly donated by STL Communications Limited
- Lot 3: Introduction to Pilates - An offer of a Full Postural Analysis, a Basic Principles Session and 5 Public Classes at the new Bridge Street Mill Studio in Witney. Offer kindly donated by mbodies of Witney
- Lot 4: Dinner Party for 8 - A sumptuous 4 course dinner for 8 to be provided, prepared, cooked and served for you and your guests in your own home by Matthew & Emma Hare on a mutually convenient Saturday night. Fresh local ingredients will be used to prepare the menu agreed with you in advance. So sit back, relax and enjoy a fabulous evening: you just need to provide the guests, the drinks and the atmosphere. Cheers!
- Lot 5: Hine Cognac- 6 bottles of Hine Cognac 1984, Landed in 1987, Bottled in 2000. Kindly donated by David Anderson
- Lot 6: Large Black Leather Handbag - kindly donated by Aurora Fashions, Stanton Harcourt
- Lot 7: A Week in Denia, Costa Blanca, Spain - A week's free accommodation in a 3-bed penthouse apartment on the beach just south of Valencia any time from October until May, excluding school holidays. All we would ask is that the cleaning charge of £60 and a fully refundable deposit of £150.00 is paid. Kindly donated by Tessa & Sean Byrne
- To the individual race sponsors: Lansborough Lettings Witney; HB Saddlery; The Ark; Torchbox Ltd; Cotswold Dairy Equipment; Oxford Media & Business School; Smart Solar; West Oxon Motor Auctions.
- To Gary Allmond, Chris Clinkhard & Steve Good who generously provided the tables, lights, linens & bar; to Tony Meering for setting up and and managing the video & audio & to Stuart Cope for invaluable help with publicity
- To all our helpers: Charlie Young (MC) & Chris Naylor for running the evening; to John Bond-Smith for running the Auction Race; to the Blakeboroughs for running the Tote (helped by Louise Duncan & Mikki Meering); and to Lia Meering for taking the photos
- To everyone who made and brought puddings; to Liz and John Downes for running the bar; to Ella Cope & Julia Shelton for all their horsey paraphernalia; and to all the committee members who helped set up, helped on the night in the kitchen and on the floor, and helped clear up afterwards
