Forty Veteran athletes from Morpeth Harriers turned out in
support of their super fit colleagues at the clubs annual
Grand Prix 2007 Presentation Night, held at the Joiners Arms
in Morpeth at 7.30pm on Thursday 13th March 2008.

The event which is sponsored by Tony Woodcock Planning Consultants
was hosted by Tony himself, along with his wife Pam,
who has been a member of Morpeth Harriers for a good number of years.
They were pleased to introduce their guests of honour, Ernie Slaughter and Jim Alder MBE.
Two nights earlier at the Morpeth Harriers AGM, Ernie had bowed out as the clubs President,
a post he has held for around 23 years, and Jim had taken over as the clubs new President
after all his many and long remembered years of service both as an outstanding athlete,
and as a Coach and Club Committee Official.

Ernie has now taken up the role as Honorary President which means
he will be more of a background figurehead, and although he intends to
cut down his workload as a Club Official, he will still be around to
give sound support and advice when required.
Both had agreed to make the presentations,
and Ernie opted to present the Womens awards,
which meant he ended up with all the lovely kisses.
Jim had dashed back over from Monkton Stadium
in Jarrow to present the Mens awards.

Before the awards took place Pam Woodcock paid tribute to all those
who had turned out to give support to the event on the night,
she went on to thank the clubs Press Officer and Webmaster,
George Patterson and Hudson Stoker for their efforts in promoting the event,
both in the Morpeth Herald, and on the Website, and paid particular tribute to the
quality of the Website and all the work carried out to promote the club.

Pam was very passionate about the Veterans Grand Prix, because she
recognised it as the only event within the club that gave everyone within
the Veteran age spans the opportunity of competing on a level playing field,
and she was delighted that it had once again been well supported
over the 15 chosen events throughout the year.
She thanked Ernie and Jim for turning out to support their night.

Tony Woodcock said he was delighted as sponsor to be associated with the event,
and felt that all those involved had competed with good humour,
the club representation had been good, and as a result the
Blue and White vest of Morpeth Harriers had been worn with distinction.
This led on to the presentation of awards

WOMEN (Presented by Ernie Slaughter)
1st Sue Calvert.
2nd Michelle Woodley,
3rd Jane Blackett,

MEN (Presented by Jim Alder)
1st Paul Waterston,
2nd Richard Driscoll,
3rd Gordon Dixon,

After the presentation Ernie Slaughter gave special mention to the
fact that nearly forty people had turned out on the night,
this had heartened him because of the recent poor turnout of
Seniors for major events, and that it had indeed been a pleasure to be present.

A special presentation was then made by the sponsors to Les Thain
for his long term organisational skills in relation to the Grand Prix.
Les was now stepping down from the role.
Unfotunately he was unable to be present so
Chris Dentice accepted the award on his behalf.

On behalf of the Club, George Patterson, the Press Officer,
thanked Pam and Tony for their continued support to the
event, and hoped that their support would continue,
and also praised them for the splendid buffet they had provided.

Finally Pam and Tony thanked the Landlord George
and the team at the Joiners Arms for their support and help.

The Veterans Scene

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