1000 Miles “West”

Man-miles Complete – 1236

Man-miles To Go - 0

This is NOT a reference to some obscure point in the mid-Atlantic, but to the target number of man-miles that the Stalwarts of Denton West Cricket Club hope to clock up as we walk from West to all 13 away games in the JW Lees Lancashire County League.

Jacko and Mullers are committed to doing them all, 106.5 miles each (according to the internet).  The other 800 or so miles we hope to achieve by persuading, cajoling, or if desperate, conning other Stalwarts and friends into joining us.

We start on April 24 2010 with a “stroll” to Cheetham Hill and finish on 4 September  when we hope to get a mass crew to don fancy dress (cricket themed) and walk to Roe Green (near Worsley).

We again ask for your loyal and kind support and hope that you will give generously (remember to tick the Gift Aid box if you are eligible and deprive the tax man !!).

OR

If you want to get involved in the walking and fund-raising contact Phil (Jacko) Jackson through the club.  The walks vary in length so you can match your level.

Your previous benevolence has helped the Stalwarts to raise over £10,000 in the last 3 years – more than we ever dreamed when we started out.  2007 saw the Lancashire League tour of the grounds. In 2008 we suffered humiliating defeat in a challenge Twenty20 cricket match against Local Amateur Footballing Legends. The end of season walk from Woodbank provided a great end to a great season in 2009 for West.  I am sure this year's 1000 Mile "West" will provide some equally memorable moments. 

Completed walks

   4th September Roe Green (11.7) - As Frank Sinatra once said "And now the end is near....".  So came the morning of the Roe Green walk.  Weather set fair and a good crew expected.  Bacon & egg butties provided by Mayney went down well and an early morning cuppa set everyone up for the big one.  Needing a mere 89 miles to achieve our target of 1000, we had the numbers to crack the milestone early.  26 set off, Stalwarts through and through including 3 season debutants - Jean Rogers, Stalwart veteran Stevie Melling & West Legend Steve Robinson .  Most wore some form of cricket apparel but the plaudits for attire went undoubtedly to Grindy - obviously confused in attempting to be an overseas cricketer, the headdress made me think he had got Tendulkar and Sitting Bull confused (wrong sort of Indian !!!).  Senior members Chair A.U. & Avesy led by example.  Hyde Road appeared to me to have shrunk, as in quick time we approached Ardwick where we paused and celebrated the 1000 with a glass of fizz or amber nectar.  Our attire drew both puzzled looks and comments as we passed through central Manchester and began the long haul up the East Lancs.  Here we did suffer our first casualty of the season as an unfortunate Bobby Derbyshire damaged his knee.  Stiglowndes managed to get him in the support vehicle but later medical examination revealed that Bob had fractured a bone in his knee which will require a serious operation. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing Bobby a speedy recovery and best wishes to himself and Paula.  However, the extent of Bob's injury was not at this time known and Pete Smith was able to leave the support vehicle and come on as a Super Sub.  We were now in two parties and the advance group headed for a quick refresher in The Cock, their journey nearly done.  The slower majority were a little behind schedule and getting strung out.  A.U. was feeling his feet (and his age) but was quietly determined to complete the course. We re-grouped as we left the East Lancs and made our final arrival at Roe Green about half an hour behind our original schedule.  But we had done it.  Our quest was over, but not the fun.  Roe Green had been alerted to our efforts and were perfect hosts.  Their Club donation of £50 and individual donations help boost our funds.  They had set up a barbeque, which Super Sub Smithy & Hestonlowndes had funded, all contributions for the food then went into the charity pot.  A big thanks to Roe Green.  And so we watched an impressive West display on the field, ate well and drank copiously in a fitting end to our season long marathon. The cast list today : Jacko, Mullers, Jonesy, Barney, Nige, Henners, Derby (ret. hurt), Joanne, Carlos, Graeme, Big Chief Grinds, Tori, Dave Bennett, Jane, Mattie (top junior), Gill, Avesy (respect), Micky Jean & Izzy Rogers, Mike Stanley, AU (respect), Julie, Remo, Mayney, Robby, Stevie Mellings, & Super Sub Smithy.    This will not quite be my final word as I will update the amount raised as it becomes finalised and I will add a few reflections on the whole caboodle.  Thank you one and all for being a part of this.          

   15th August     Denton (1.8) - 17 set out on our shortest walk as summer finally came  back.  This brief hop saw 4 debutants, Debbie 'Stanley', Paul Maynard, and the long suffering partners of Jacko and Mullers - Jenny & Jacqui.  Juniors were again well represented by Amber, Ben & Mattie Lowndes, and Mattie (Scholsey) Senior.  Regular stalwarts and guests were Jacko, Mullers, Nige, Henners, Derby & Paula, Mark Healey, Mrs Lowndsey and Mike Stanley completed the main party.  However, late soloists (anti-social, unable to read a clock or just plain confused ???) were to swell the already impressive total.  Dave Bennett ploughed a lonesome furrow before the battle for third place in the mileage charts took shape.  Firstly Jonesy arrived, and then, after an anxious wait by the gathering crowds, Barney stormed onto the ground and ensured no ground was lost.  Joanne & Jen then doubled their daily mileage with the return journey as did arch-rivals Barney & Jonesy.   

   7th August     Prestwich (9.3) - an overcast start saw 10 walkers set out.  Lowndesy, Seno & Macca have all played a few games for West over the years, but on this day it was their fairer (& better !!) halves who turned out to represent the Stalwarts.  For Joanne and Jane it was there 2nd effort of the season and for Gill a debut.  Also first timing was Antony Joyce.  Grinds turned out for his 2nd whilst the 5 most prolific mileage gatherers, Jacko, Mullers, Jonesy, Barney & Nige completed the lineup.  A good pace was set, a downpour of biblical proportions hit us as we neared Prestwich.  Blisters also intervened and left Gill to bravely hobble the last couple of miles.  The upgraded clubhouse at Prestwich provided a pleasant resting place as we waited for the delayed start to the match.  On foot or by car Prestwich always remains one of our favourite venues.  A trip to Armstongs chippy is enought to get the Stalwart saliva glands flowing.  Prestwich CC have always been most supportive of our charitable efforts and again were most generous and donated £50.00 from the club.  Big pat on the back for you all at Prestwich !!    

    31st July        Woodhouses (6.0) or "The Woodhouses Gallon" as it had become.  I am sure when (Si) Lowndsey volunteered for to prepare a full cooked breakfast for those venturing on the "Gallon" walk he was imagining 6 or 7, perhaps even as many as 10.  So when the estimated number settled around 30 he had his work cut out.  However, this true Stalwart rose to the occasion and produced enough bacon, sausage, black pudding ,egg, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns, fried bread and toast to sate even the most sturdy of Stalwarts.  Topped off with a pint (or a cuppa) what better start to the day.  32 walkers left West at about 11 o'clock, Grindy as a late arrival caught us up in Abbey Hey.  There was little chance that this group would stay together all the way but our first separation came with the disaster of the Hare & Hounds in Abbey Hey not being open, especially gutting as we had sorted an early start by pre-arrangement. Some of the group continued on the original schedule and made for the Kings Head in Droylesden, where the "Galloners" doubled up, whilst the rest took a detour to The Railway in Fairfield before re-uniting the group at the Kings. The Strawberry Gardens and The Railway (Droylesden) also proved equally welcoming before we headed cross country.  Using the public footpath across Brookdale Golf Club provided a minor hindrance for those with buggies but willing hands, teamwork and the ruination of (Pete) Smithies back overcame this.  On arrival in Woodhouses, the juniors, understandable bored of pubs made their way straight to the ground, whilst the Galloners completed numbers 6 & 7 at the Dog & Partridge and the Woodhouses Gardens.  Here, quiz maestro Barney again held court and entertained with his own brand of mind bending music lyrics quiz.  So the group finally came together at Woodhouses C.C. where the last official pint of the day was consumed.  There may have some subsequent free-style drinking, but a great day was had by all.  What amazed me, was not the beer monsters whose presence was expected, but the number of those for whom a gallon of ale held no real attractions.  This resulted in a diverse and varied group from Izzy Rogers (age 4) thru Chair Al Urmston (age 70 -ish), with most ages and attitudes in between represented. 33 walkers on the day (plus 1 on Sunday - see below) and a total 204 miles, a GREAT DAY.  AWESOME !!  The walkers on the day were Jacko: Mullers: Chair AU: Avesy: Henners & Carlos: Derby & Paula: Dave Bennett: Barney: Graeme Cairns: Tony, Lanita, Luke & Kieron Auld: Spud: Smaley: Stan (Rathbone): Arran Suthy: Woody: Ian Welsby: Julie "Mrs Skinner" Kennelly: Joanne & Mattie Lowndes: George Hunt: Tom Corbett: Cameron Pugh: Mike, Podge & Izzy Rogers: Mike Stanley: Smithy (P): & Grindy.  Footnote:  Steve Bradshaw walked to Woodhouses the following day for the Cup Final so is credited with the miles and became our 34th walker.  

     18th July        Denton St Lawrence (2.3) - Playing Our Joker.  Having got marginally behind in our quest for 1000 miles, a policy decision was made to include the Lancashire Knock-out game at DSL.  A really great crew was mustered including Stalwarts, 2nd Teamers with no match, Club juniors, families, friends, and a representation from DSL.  Kieron Auld (age 4) and Jessica Senior (age 3) became our youngest walkers and a huge thanks to all 42 who took part.  In no particular order, apart from that in which I scrawled ... Jacko: Mullers: Tony, Lanita, Antonia & Kieron Auld: Nige & Amber Williams:Tinks and Jack Tinnings & Mark Selby: Henners: Barry & George Hill: Gazza, Jane, Scholesy and Jessica Senior: Ben and Mattie Lowndes: Ian & Harry Welsby: Luke Melling: Mike Batty (Junior): Mark Anderson: Ian and Chris MacAllister:Mark & Phil Healy: Dave, Cheryl, Charlotte & Rebecca Jones: Brian & Jon Remo: Keith Kirwin: Arran Sutherland: Woody: Mick and Antony Rogers: Dave Bennett: and Jonesy.  Apologies for any missing surnames or mis-spellings !!  

     17th July        Glossop (8.8) - A damp start did not bode well for the eight doughty souls braving the weather.  Jacko & Mullers were joined by now regular stalwarts Nige, Henry, Barney and Jonesy.  Also making their debuts for the season were Tunny and Sul (Mullers Junior).  The drizzle soon turned to rain and only Gene "Tunny" Kelly remained dry(ish) as he attempted eye surgery on the rest of us with his brolly.  Barney Gasgoyne again played quiz master and tested our limited powers of recall with yet another music quiz. The drizzle had turned to rain as we approached Hyde, but as the sun came out through Godley we happily stripped off the rainproof outer layers.  This respite was brief.  From Hattersley onward the famous Mottram Monsoon season struck and we were again drenched.  The prospect of a refresher at a local hostelry loomed large, but the devastation of the pub trade left us high and dry.  Nige was even getting pub status reports from the horn tooting first teamer Skinner who had recently passed en route in his car.  Finally, we arrived in central Glossop and the first open pub.  Suitably refreshed and another pub later, the rain had stopped and we made our way to the ground to see an entertaining 24 over bash where West prevailed against the league leaders.   

     3rd July         Thornham (10.9) - No bar to welcome us, not easy to get back from, Thornham was a low key day with Jacko and Mullers being joined by Barney & Jonesy.  Good encouragement was to be had on Windsor Road from the Treasurer driving passed, less so from erstwhile walker Nige who sped passed shouting something about his muffins. The Gorton Heritage trail again was our early route and Barney Gasgoyne was again quizmaster testing the TV & film knowledge of the others.  Mullers proved a sci-fi anorak ('though not a trekkie), Jonesy was surprisingly and embarrassingly well genned up on the soaps and Jacko was also there.  A good pace was set and apart from a brief stop for Barney to be photographed at  the legendary Embassy Club (Bernard Manning was definitely a candidate for doing a bit more walking!).  Thornham was reached in a creditable 3 hrs 30.  The stalwarts joined some of the players, not on Henman Hill, nor on Murray Mound, but on Bezza Bulge to watch Mike Berry lead the boys to a comprehensive win.  

     26th June     Denton St Lawrence (2.3 or 4.6 for 'return' walkers) - Another short one saw 13 of us leave West for this minor jaunt, dressed appropriately on a hot day for the beach.  Amber again represented the juniors and did her 2nd walk but the star of this show was Isobel (Izzy) Smale our youngest ever walker at just 5 years old.  Also a special mention for Jonny Remers, ex-West now a DSL player, walking before playing for their firsts. Present with Jacko (doing his best impression of Maurice Gibb or was it one of Chas and Dave) and Mullers (he of the awful shorts) were Mark & Phil Healey, Nige, Brian Remers, Alan Aves, Adie Smale, Derby, and Jonesy.  Nige, Derby and Mark completed the double when they walked the return journey with Henry & Carlos Urmston walking back to West.  Lowndsey (senior) also made a vital and telling contribution with his tea-time bulk shipping order to Matt Cole's chippy in Bredbury.  Buoyed on by the home team's good performance on the day, the DSL fans were happy to dig deep and gave generously when confronted by a dead Bee Gee with a collecting tin - thanks DSL. 

     12th June     Dukinfield (3.8) - One of the shorter walks saw disappointing numbers due to a few late pull outs.  However, a hot day, the promise of cold pint en route had everyone in good heart.  Leaving West with just five, the Wirral Wanderer again joined us as we were on Hulme Road.  Sue "Mrs Tinks" Tinning made her debut as a stalwartess and was a rose 'mongst five pretty knarley thorns.  Jacko, Mullers, Nige, Derby, Jonesy and Sue were granted the dubious pleasure of a "chance" encounter with the Grindle (heading hopelessly in the wrong direction and in a car - don't think he's quite got the idea yet !!).  We also were treated to some welcome raucous passing support as the First XI passed en route, a rare occurrence as motorways normally mean they travel a different route.  Sue's flip flops did not prove a problem and we arrived marginally after the start due to a slightly overlong pub stop.   

     5th Jun          Irlam (14.2) - the one that Mullers and Jacko feared the most.  The prospect of over 14 miles on this A57 slog was not helped by the promise of overbearing heat.  However, Jacko's daughter Tori and Barney's inclusion meant that it was not just the 2 of us leaving West.  Having got halfway up Windsor Road spirits were further lifted as the late starting "Wirral Wanderer" Kenny Jones jogged up to swell the numbers to 5.  Barney, who we now suspect is the genetically engineered offspring of Ann Robinson and Magnus Magnussen, produced a music lyrics quiz to entertain the troops.  So extensive was this that we finally exhausted his questions as we neared Eccles.  Tori was left somewhat bemused witnessing her dad (and the other accompanying old men) turning into a quivering wrecks as they struggled to place lyrics by Iggy Pop and Ian Dury, all written long before Tori herself was born.  With some hazy cloud cover keeping the temperature below the anticipated burning, the miles were racked up at a good pace and confidence lifted as we passed the M60 at Barton.  In a car, at this point you think you "are there".  Not so on foot !! Muller's pessimistic warnings proved true and the last 4 miles were tough and deceptively long.  Destination was achieved in a creditable 4 hours 30.     

     29th May      Stand (10.3).  A gang of twelve, inspired by Henner's birthday and the prospect of a Chippy stop at Armstrongs, home of the JUMBO cod swelled the numbers.  A wet start and the promise of a lot of rain and not much cricket did not dampen the spirits.  Jacko & Mullers were joined by Nigel Williams, Henry Urmston & Phil Healey all making their 2nd appearance. Stalwarts from previous years - Bobby Derby, Barney & Carl Urmston - made their season debut, whilst Mark Dale, Kenny Jones, Paul Carter and Graeme Cairns officially joined the Stalwarts ranks for the first time.  A cameo appearance by Mark Healey (credited with the first 2 miles) set us off along the Gorton Heritage Trail.  Light rain and showers persisted but Barney came up with an extensive World Cup quiz to help pass the time.  A brief halt to the rain as we went through Cheetham Hill raised the hopes of seeing our firsts battle with high fliers Stand.  However, the rains came again, and a policy decision was made to call at Armstrong's chippy en route rather than risk waiting till later as play in the cricket was looking a distant prospect.  Good time was made and refreshemnt taken half a mile shy of the ground with little prospect of play.  Boosting the Stand CC beer sales for the day we stayed in their club until our fears proved true and play was called off without a ball being bowled.  The tram into Manchester got Bobby & PC all excited as they had never before experienced this wonder of modern technology.  Our visit to Sinclair's in Shambles square was then curtailed with the breaking news that the 2nd team had managed to get a Twenty over game under way at West.  So, well fed, well watered, and well wettened, we did get to see some cricket as the 2nds completed a narrow victory.  Our best day of the year to date !!

     9th May        Flowery Fields (3.4 miles).  Six walkers joined Jacko & Mullers to enjoy the sunshine on this stroll to Flowery.  Our stars were our youngest recruits, Amber Williams and Chloe Urmston, both just 11 years old.  Also joining the party were Nige Williams (fresh from his first XI recall at Woodbank the day before, making the first appearance in the firsts with his twin lads Jamie & Jordan), "Henry" Urmston, Phil Healey (completing a Healey Family Weekend) and Dave Bennett.

     8th May        Woodbank (14.4 miles). Jacko and Mullers are joined by Matt Healey & Lauren Collins.  Completed in just over 5 hours.  Sore feet, tired muscles and joints as we predominantly walked uphill and into a stiff headwind.  I admit there were times on this one when I doubted my own sanity in agreeing to Jacko's madcap idea  !!   

     24th April     Cheetham Hill (7.3 miles) - a low key start, just Jacko & Mullers do this one in 2 hours 15 mins.

Please remember to visit this site again, EVEN if you have already given, as I intend to keep it updated with progress reports and pictures.  For now are a couple of pictorial reminders of previous years

MANY THANKS FROM ALL AT DENTON WEST CRICKET CLUB       

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