As part of a planned programme of social events the Abbey Lodge Events Team put together a Race Night at the Hall on Saturday, 3 February, 2023 which was enjoyed by young and old alike.
The Lodge membership embraces a wide demographic with the younger end having young families to look after and entertain. So what could be better then some 20th Century technology that masquerades as a grass race track across which horses (and sometimes camels) race to the finishing post.
Before the race meeting commences race-goers can by a horse on the race card. The horses move according to when their coloured ball is drawn out of a canvas bag. This is where the children come in for they are tasked with taking the bag around the race-goers who draw the balls out in their turn. Much heckling and cajoaling takes place as each race proceeds
Each of the six races has a sponsor who provides a winning prize to the person owning the winner.
Supper was served after the fourth race and consisted of either lasagne or cheese and onion pie obtained from Beeches Butchers.
The following races encountered not so much a curved ball more of a star ball which meant the horse with the number next drawn out move one space backwards. This really did have an adverse affect on the speed of these races for the star ball came out all too often!!
From the ticket profits, the bought horses on the race card and the betting that took place around £250 was raised for worthy causes.
And everyone had enjoyed themselves so much they all lingered around and missed the start of Match of the Day!!
