Saturday 8th August saw the Annual “An Afternoon at the Races” afternoon, hosted by the District Grand Prefect R. W. Bro. Brian Alan Ward and his Wife Toni get under starters orders
As always, the weather was exceptionally kind, as can be seen from the condition of the grass! This year, with temperatures in the high 20s, the going was definitely “Firm/Hard”.
The event set-up begins several days before, with many helpers making the event such a success. Thanks go to them all, and you know who you are!
The first of the 128 guests booked in to attend started to arrive just before midday making this the best supported event to date. At approximately 12.30 Brian welcomed all of the early birds and reminded them that the first race would be placed under starters orders at 1pm giving them all plenty of time to buy their lucky race day card and raffle tickets.
Just before the first race got underway Brian explained to the assembled racegoers that the format for the day would be to hold four races before breaking for lunch. Following lunch, the last three races would get underway and the day would end with the presentation of certificates and medals to the lucky winners and drawing of the all-important raffle.
The first race The Invictus Chase, sponsored by the Invicta Council 54 was won by Mrs. Pam Lowe riding “Getting Nowhere”. Clearly a very misnamed horse
The second race, The Cathedral Gallop, sponsored by the Canterbury Council 65 was won by Mrs. Gail Pluckrose riding “Mia’s Magic”.
The third race, The Bromley Cup, sponsored by the West Kent Council 66 was won by Mrs. Linda Mitchell riding “Dancing Queen”, the bookies favorite, and despite a steward’s inquiry that the winner was the District Grand Prefect big sister the result stood.
Just before the fourth race got underway the winner of the lucky race day card was drawn and was presented with a bottle of vintage Port donated by W.Bro. Terry Dodd.
The fourth race, The Hartley Handicap, sponsored by the Hartley Council 74 was won by W.Bro. David Waters on “Dear Boy”
A ploughman’s lunch was then served by Toni who was ably assisted by Jacqui Youngs and Christine Upton. 20 baguettes, 8kg of cheese, 4kg of Paté, 200 mini quiches, 2 large jars of home-made pickle, countless bowls of salad, tomatoes pickled onions and olives were consumed with gusto.
Following lunch, the fifth race, the Hop-Pickers Challenge sponsored by the Paddock Wood Council 88 got underway and was won by W.Bro. Archie Torrance riding Marvellous Maggie. It has to be noted that at this stage it was realized that the dice being used did not contain a number six. This was hastily rectified and a fully loaded dice was used thereafter.
A short break was taken for those still slightly peckish to eat cake prepared by Toni.
When the sixth race, the Ashford Shield sponsored by the Ashford Council 99 got underway the cake laden jockeys came under starters orders. The eventual winner was W.Bro. Derek Wilkins riding White cliffs.
The final race of the day the Cross Channel Stakes sponsored by the White Cliffs of Dover Council 210 got underway and was won by Cyprus Sid ridden by W.Bro. Geoff Whale the Deputy District Grand Prefect.
The winners were then presented with a certificate, medals and a cup and congratulated by the District Grand Prefect R.W.Bro. Brian Ward
The penultimate task of the day was for the District Grand Prefect to thank all those who had contributed prizes to the raffle and to ask his granddaughter to draw the first ticket. When the last prize had been awarded, he then went on to thank all those who had helped organise the day and to thank everyone for attending and making the afternoon such an enjoyable event.
His final, and most enjoyable task, was to announce what the event had raised for worthy causes, but before revealing this he took he time to detail some of the worthy causes that had benefited from the £3,027 raised from the 2025 event. The D.G.P then stated that he had no expectations of raising anything like this amount and was astonished that the generosity of all those who had attended the event and the councils and individuals who had sponsored the event he was absolutely delighted to reveal that the sum raised was a staggering £3,072. “Stop the Press” a late donation of £28 has brought our new total up to £3,100
Since this event has started in 2023 the District has raised just short of £10,000 for worthy causes. This is undoubtedly a testament to the support that the District gets from its members and their families and friends. The event is now so popular, that the decision has been taken to hold it again in 2027, so keep an eye out for the literature coming out in the new year!
Finally special thanks must of course go to Toni, without whose support the District and the D.G.P. would be diminished.