On Easter Monday, 22 April 2019, 125 participants took part the special diamond celebration of Scalby Charity Walk in aid of Scarborough Dial-A-Ride.
The sun shone at 10:30am as the first walkers consisting of people aged 65 years plus or those with young children were set off in theatrical ‘Stepping Out’ style by Paul Robinson, Artistic Director from the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
The next walkers set off by age handicap at 10:40 (45-65) and 10:50 (18-44) with late registrations at 11:00 and 11:05. The first resident man back was Mr Kenneth Martin of Scalby who arrived back at 11:48 a.m. Mrs Nicky Grunwell of Scalby was the first resident woman back at 12:09 a.m.
The fastest resident times were achieved by Mr Harry Butterworth of Burniston, aged 15 , who achieved a fantastic time of 1 hr 7 minutes, and Ms Katie Rawnsley of Scalby with a time of 1 hr 12 minutes.
Each participant was presented with a special 60th anniversary medal, kindly sponsored by Boyes Department Store.
Fancy dress was on display with walkers dressed as the different pubs on route: The Three Jolly Sailors; Red Lion; Blacksmiths Arms; and Oak Wheel, plus family T Shirts, Black Tie and even a Frank Sparks look alike in billycock hat, waistcoat with carnation buttonhole and walking stick. Frank ‘Sparky’ Sparks was the founder of the walk which started life as a bet between him and some younger people in 1959.
As part of the birthday celebrations, special archive film footage was show of the walk from the 25th anniversary in 1984 and film from early 1960s set to a Beatles soundtrack. In addition, newspaper articles from previous Scarborough News editions were on display, together with a new, permanent, written and framed explanation of the walk painting that hangs in the Nags Head, Scalby.
During the prize giving ceremony that was held at 4:00 pm in the Nags Head, the winners were presented with their trophies by past organisers and participants, including Margaret Scarfe (44 walks), Tim Tubbs (son of the late Canon Chris Tubbs – 35 walks), Mike Sedman (holds course record 58½ minutes achieved in the 1960s) Alan Bruce, Bob Gibbons, Geoff Dove and Richard Grunwell.
Jamie Wallis, Chairman of Scalby Charity Walk, said: “This year’s walk has exceeded all expectations. We anticipated more numbers due to the anniversary, but combined with fine, warm weather we had a fantastic day and 125 taking part has been amazing. We’ve had people from all over the country – even Ireland – all of whom have a family connection to the area and we would really like to thank them for making the effort to support this special tradition.
I am delighted that we have raised the amazing sum of £1,600 for Scarborough Dial-A-Ride and we are enormously grateful to all those who have donated and sponsored. We are particularly grateful to St Nicholas Lodge of Freemasons, Scalby Methodist Church and Matthew Powell”
Scarborough News Report: Dial A Ride to get new minibus thanks to Scalby Walk’s ‘magnificent donation’
| Name | Class | Trophy | Time | Presented by | |||
| Mrs | N | Grunwell | First Resident Lady | Winner Trophy | 1:29:18 | Tim Tubbs | |
| Mrs | K | Martin | First Resident Man | Parker Cup | 1:18:45 | Mick Sedman | |
| Mrs | K | Rawnsley | Fastest Resident Lady | Castle Cup | 1:12:20 | Margaret Scarfe | |
| Mrs | H | Butterworth | Fastest Resident Man | Crystal Trophy | 1:07:55 | Mick Sedman | |
| Mrs | J | Rodger | Fastest non-Resident Lady | Barrie Milner | 1:17:00 | Geoff Dove | |
| Mr | R | Sedman | Fastest non-Resident Man | Erskine Cup | 1:06:00 | Alan Bruce | |
| Mrs | M | Cullingworth | Oldest Resident Lady | Gladys Wilson Cup | 1:54:15 | Margaret Scarfe | |
| Mr | B | Beaver | Oldest Resident Man | Rocky Fisher Cup | 1:59:12 | Bob Gibbons | |
| Mrs | J | Rodger | First Non-Resident Lady | Peter Walton Shield | 1:17:00 | Richard Grunwell | |
| Mr | M | Sedman | First Non-Resident Man | Sam Skilbeck Shield | 1:18:45 | Tim Tubbs |
