Gorleston Fun Day

Raft Race, Tug of War, "Girl Power"

by Mike Read (with information supplied by Heather & Ivan Hardy).

This year's event took place on 31st July but the Truckers' involvement started the day before. Equipment for the day had been in used at Caister, to help to raise funds for the Little Acorns Respite Centre. Our own Tim, David, Colin and Amber organised reassembling it at Gorleston, helped by Heather and Ivan on refreshments.

After our team's triumph last year, as defending champions, their expertise was found a little wanting. Problems began before launching our raft. Nobody explained to Cruiser that the vessel is a boat and the idea is to propel it through water. It tends to be a bit slow on dry land especially with his not-inconsiderable bulk on board. In fairness, the opposition did look a bit profession. An extremely fit looking crew in a custom-built raft really did not give anyone else a look in. So, this year the Truckers were outclassed.

Our men's team was Marcus Hambling, Paul Mingay, Peter Mingay, Davis Land, David Yallop and Peter Wright (now known as "Deadweight"). All jokes aside; well done lads for taking part and being good sports.

Now for the ladies. Our team was Allison Hardesty, Fran Goodrum, Michelle Yallop, Kim Blaseby, Pauline Phillips and Nicola Postle. Like the Owl and the Pussycat, they sort of "went to sea in a sieve". Launching was not an elegant affair and having a hole in the hull didn't help. The local lifeguard team ably assisted launching and, with their help, the ladies completed the course. Unfortunately water was flooding in faster than it could be bailed out and getting the waterlogged vessel back on the beach was a case of brute force and ignorance. Dampened spirits were not helped by the weather. It was a grey day all round. Occasional showers and not a patch of blue sky to be seen only served to enhance the gloom. However, spirits were revived by our masterly dominance on the Tug 'o' War. It took most of the rest of the beach, working together, to stop our team.

Congratulations to our team whose strength and determination put all opposition to shame.

Robert Jenners, Kim Blaseby, Craig Apperley and Mick Newman are all completely bonkers. These four people, (recognised by being 8ft. tall with flat heads) all bungee-jumped and raised considerable sums for us and other charities. We all appreciate their bravery, but it doesn’t alter the fact that they are all barking mad. Seriously folks, the world is a better place for people like them.

So, the day went well. Apart from the money raised, public awareness of East Coast Truckers' Charity was increased. And the good news is that insurance problems have been overcome, so there will be a similar event next summer. Hoping for a better day weather-wise in 2006, as far as Gorleston is concerned, the only way is up (or down, if you’re a bungee-jumper).