You can tell this is the start, everyone's clean (Pic: Simon Kirk) |
One of our favourite events, one which marks the end of the summer season and where you can always be guaranteed a good time, is no more. Land issues between the organisers, land owners, English Nature and Somerset Nature Conservation couldn't reach an agreement and it's a sad day that this great event will on longer feature on calendar.
Organiser David Moore fills us in:
"It is with great regret that I have to cancel Cheddar Challenge. The decision has been forced upon me by the Somerset Nature conservation and English Nature who in their wisdom have decided that I do not look after the SSSI, which is part of our cross country route, sufficiently well enough for them to grant me permission to continue the event even though we are part land owners.
I owe Bardon aggregates a debt of gratitude for their unstinting help and permissions that they have granted me over the last 19 years. As a contentious business, within the AONB, SSSI, and SAC they have annually allowed me to run the event successfully and have helped to create an annual mountain bike event that was loved, appreciated and well attended over the last two decades.
Cheddar Challenge was the end of season race and if you ever attended any of the DH and XC races five years ago, and before, you will remember the hedonistic and crazy vibe that we created. Especially the bar each night where we had memorable parties that must be imprinted on some of your memories.
There are too many people to mention who were who helped over the years but you know who you are and I would like to say a big thanks to all of you because without your unstinting help I would not have been able to pull these races off. Also big thanks to all the competitors who supported us and enjoyed Cheddar. There are thousands of you and I have to say you were all fantastic and I hope that if you are in the area you will come and stay with us and try to experience that unique Cheddar vibe only from a different perspective.
There may be a chance that I can persuade another “famous” organiser to take over the reins of Cheddar Challenge. It may mean changing the name, but the idea at the moment and it is only an idea, that we use this venue as a base and run either a marathon from here or a multi lap relay. This could be over 12 hours or indeed 24. Nothing has yet been sorted but again keep an eye on the website etc.
In my view, and it is my view, this is an almost ultra right wing attitude where you have people making some, not all, decisions without appropriate consultations and again without enough research. My apologies to anyone from these departments who are reading this but its best you know how we feel. You certainly did not achieve good relations by wrecking Cheddar Challenge in this way.
I shall be returning all the entries money we have received to date. This decision has been made as of this date, the 30 July, so we shall get it in the post to you in the next couple of days.
Finally it only remains for me to say that I hope to see you at any future events we host here at Cheddar and once again thanks for all your support in the past.
If you have any constructive comments please send them to me at david@broadwayhouse.uk.com. Regards and Take Care. David Moore."
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