Tilda and me are running the Oxenhope Straw Race again this year in memory of my dad Ray Lingard, to raise funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands Cancer Hospice here in the village.

The charity means a lot to our family as it helped provide care for my dad three and a half years ago. This will be the fourth year we’ve done the Straw Race and the second year we’re doing it with our friends Rob & Melly Race.

For the uninitiated The Oxenhope Straw Race is the best part of three miles, run in pairs in fancy dress carrying a 20kg bale of straw & drinking a pint of beer in each of the five pubs along the way.