History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve - page 10
Image details
| Corps | RPC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Books |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | History of the Wolds Wagoners Special Reserve |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1988 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | Yes |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1908 |
| Late date | 1983 |
| Transcription |
I ANNUAL DRIVING COMPETITIONS I n order to maintain the interest and enthusiasm for the Wagoners Special Reserve, driving competitions were held annually at several East Riding agricultural shows. As the Reserve ({row in size and the competitions heeame more popular, it was umwuiy lo hold local eliminating tests, hul I he finals always t o o k p l a e e In t h e neighbourhood of Sledmete, (he home of the Sykes family, York Dale made an excellent: assembly ground, as the main mm IN from York, Driffield, Maltoi.i and Pickering converge there close Co Fimber Station, and as the teams taking part in the rally came from every part of the Wolds, it was a strategic centre. In July, 1913, the competition at F i m b e r was a t t e n d e d by Brig.-General F. W. B. Landon, C.B., (Director of Transport and Movements at the War Office), accompanied by Col. Phelps, A.S.C., from York. Upwards of a thousand people were on the 8 ground, and between forty and fifty splendid teams competed that afternoon. At the conclusion of the gathering, the prizes were distributed by General Landon. The principal competition took the form of a driving test as carried out in the R.F.A. and A.S.C., but with a definite time limit. The course was a figure of eight, including four gates and a number of posts. The movement was carried out at the trot, and the pairs of heavy horses, harnessed to farm wagons, were ridden postilion fashion. As these farm horses were not accustomed to moving out of a walk, the competitors had to exert considerable skill in 'ride and drive' or as it was affectionately known, by another name used by the Wagoners 'Fart and G a l l o p ' . Another competition was one in which a foreman and fourteen drivers took part. They had to take the wheels and pole off a farm wagon, then at a given signal replace the wheels and gear and yoke a pair of horses. One driver then took his team and wagon to a marked point, while the remainder of the men ran along with the wagon gathering up and loading a number of 12-stone sacks. The team first accomplishing this task properly was adjudged the winner. It was a case in most instances of farm competing with farm, and village with village. One frequently heard the remark, "Cowlam's going to win", "Wharram has a chance", "Middleton's doing well", all these remarks showing that the reputation of farms and villages rather than those of the drivers was at stake. A gold challenge cup went to the master of the winning team in the driving competition, and other valuable prizes, both in trophies and money, were given, the latter to the three best teams of horses turned out. At the conclusion of the 1914 competition the prizes were presented by Lady Sykes. In an appropriate speech thanking Capt. Sykes for all his hard work in raising a thousand wagoners, Sir Mark Sykes emphasized the rapid growth of the Corps and referred to the wonderful efficiency of its members. |
| Book number | R0397 |