PREVIEW EVENING PROVES A GREAT SUCCESS

Martin Harris (standing) trying to get some early season tips from the panel of experts

The recent Point-to-Point Preview Evening held at Shires Farm Hawford, near Worcester drew a capacity crowd.

The organisers, who included the husband and wife team of Helen and Phil Needham from Kidderminster, Helens father Jim Callow and Worcester’s Graham Fisher were delighted with the attendance.

The profits were boosted by a Charity Auction where Auctioneer Robert Parry for G Herbert Banks was able to elicit maximum bids for a variety of items.

At the end of the evening the organisers were able to announce profits of at least £2,000 which will be presented to the Country Air Ambulance at a future date.

Although the evening went on longer than anticipated the audience were kept entertained by Leading trainer Tim Vaughan, Point-to-Point riders Claire Allen and David Mansell, Point-to-Point trainers Dick Baimbridge and Fergal O’Brien, leading bookmaker Mark Hill and Jumping For Fun editor Dom Bradshaw who had travelled down from Yorkshire.

The West Midland Point-to-Point calendar which was being sold for £5 also proved popular (contact helen@callowoils.com for copies) but the evenings biggest money spinner was probably a wheel barrow full of bottles of wines and spirits (estimated to be worth approximately £350 pounds).

There was an air of anticipation as the draw was made before an embarrassed Graham Fisher stepped up to claim the prize.

Fund raising activities are not yet over and the organisers plan to sell further copies of the Area Calendar at the Harkaway Club fixture at Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminister on Monday 28th December.

Due to Mr Fisher’s generosity they are also re-raffling the prize wheelbarrow at the same meeting.

One thing is for sure the next winner of this prize is sure to have a Happy New Year!