Turkeys safe for a week!

The weather took its toll on Saturday and again on Sunday with no play at all, but we can report on a winning combination by Mytton Fold Golf Club members in the Maxitours Competition at Dunham Forest Thursday last week.

Tim Maxwell writes: ''The ever present pairing of Richard Palmer (11) and John Farnsworth (21). These guys have not won together for a couple of barren years and were delighted to see their fair share of putts fall in on the excellent Dunham greens. They scored an amazing Maxitours record 27 points on the back nine. Well played chaps-great golf!'' The 27 points included three birdies and a two on the eleventh hole.

Re-arranged Turkey Shoot Date

This has been re-arranged for this Saturday 12th December - 10am Shotgun Start.

Men's competition is a Stableford competition 16 holes 75% of your 8/9th's summer handicap (Handicaps published on notice board).
Prize table for men from first to tenth place. Ladies separate Stableford Competition.

If you entered the competition for last week, you will be automatically entered for this week's date. If you did not enter last week and wish to play, please contact the Golf Shop to make a booking. Anyone who cannot play on the new date, please also advise the Golf Shop.

Presentation Night: a Night to Remember

An entertaining evening awaited Mytton Golf members, family and friends at the annual presentation night.

All celebrated the great and the good of Mytton Fold, who collected their hard won trophies from this year's competitions.

Excellent farewell speeches from retiring Captains; Mick Bryan and Ann Almond. It was with great pride they presented a cheque for £3087 to East Lancs Hospice, well done to everyone that has contributed to the Charity this year.

We wish all the best to Nick Avino and Tarja Wilson, in their year in the spotlight as Mens' and Ladies' Captain. Their first Captains' task was to announce next year's charity; Anxiety UK. A collection box will be in the bar for your sand and water incursions in the coming year, please give generously for your errant shots. 

Nick revealed that for the coming season there will be a new trophy up for grabs: the ''Birdie Trophy'' to be won by the player with most birdies achieved in the competitive season.

Well done to all of this year's Board Winners.

* Steve Worrall - Pros Winter Series

* Steve Worrall / Steve James - Captains Drive in Millennium Trophy

* Richard Palmer - Founder Lady Captains

* Wyane Ivinson - Pharman Cup

* Richard Palmer - Founder Captains Trophy

* Angus Barr - Queens Jubilee Cup

* Jan Van Boeckel - Frank Hargreaves Memorial

* David Hargreaves - Frank Hargreaves Memorial Seniors

* Ray Standring - Cavalier Putter

* Wayne Ivinson - Captains Prize

* Gary Ashton - Presidents Trophy

* Matt Oakley - Roger Osliffe Memorial

* Craig Hall - Bill Almond Memorial

* Frank Hindle - Bill Almond Memorial Seniors

* Carole Maher / Mick Bryan - Mixed Doubles Champions

* Ray Standring / Dave Griffith - Mens Doubles Champions

* Gary Aldred - Matchplay Champion

* Matt Oakley - Champion of Champions

* Matt Oakley - Order of Merit

* Chris Chadwick - Club Champion

* Brenda Griffith - Founder Lady Captains

* Brenda Griffith - Lady Captain's Trophy

* Brenda Griffith - Queens Jubilee Cup

* Brenda Griffith - Ladies Single Champion

* Tarja Wilson - Lady Captains Drive In

* Brenda Griffith - Frank Hargreaves Memorial

* Carole Maher - Bill Almond Memorial

* Brenda Griffith - Order Of Merit

* Katie Maher - Frank Hargreaves Memorial

And finally...

Licensee Mick Mahon, stalwart scorer at Whalley Cricket Club, has been announced as the Captain Elect for 2017. Bookies favourite for this year was Brenda Griffiths, who was announced as Ladies Captain Elect.

Clodagh upsets the Plodder's (Late risers at least)

With the weather forecast issued for the weekend being so poor from lunchtime Saturday, it was the early risers who profited from the clear skies with Steve Korab (11) securing first place with a level par 32 points. Much travelled pair of Keith Fitzhenry and Garry Davies scored 31 points with Keith going further on the last six to take second place. With conditions deteriorating during the morning, four members carded ''Waterlogged Cards''. Sunday saw Malcolm (green-keeper) having to wade across the 10th in his wellies.

In the winter pairs, some mouth watering scores saw John Welch (14) and Wayne Iverson (4) record 40 points - a real splash when some greens were partially under water. This edged out Richard Greaves (18) and Gary Aldred (10) into second on 39 points. Third came new Captain Nick Avino (14) and partner Martin Holden (11) with 37 points.

Whalley Pickwick Night

Thursday 3rd December 2015 saw the 27th Whalley Pickwick night held in the village between 6 and 9pm. Preston North end footballer Joe Garner, who hails from Whalley, and charity worker Naomi Eastham from Billington, officially opened this year's celebration.

Kiki deVille, who featured on BBC's The Voice in 2014, was also on stage show-casing her vintage swing / blues style voice. As well as being part of Will-i-am's team in the hit series, she has also performed at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Ribcaged Productions performed a mini-panto on stage while other attractions included a reindeer and barrel organs.

Now in it's 27th year, the festival is held in the Ribble Valley village and attracts more than 5,000 people who enjoy the attractions and stalls that line King Street,

This year's stalls featured a range of festive treats including, decorations, festive wreaths and mulled wine.

Accrington Pipe Band and Darwen Brass also preformed in the village. Whalley Old Grammar School was open, to allow visitors to browse the Local History Exhibition, including Jean Lord's special model display of how the main street looked in Victorian times.

For more details, please visit www.whalleypickwick.org.uk

Boing Boing Baggies

Like father, like son! Not only did he impress in 2015 at Mytton Fold Golf Club but Craig Hall then invites his father, Adrian, a West Bromwich Albion FC fan (like his son) and a member at Waterfront Golf Course, Rotherham (playing off a 25 handicap) who ends up winning Captain Mick Bryan's day out at Dean Wood Golf Course with 39 points. Last season, the Baggies won little away from the Hawthorns; this season, just like Adrian, has seen the Baggies win away at Stoke, Aston Villa and Norwich; and now Dean Wood Golf Course!

Always great entertainment Mytton Fold Golf Course Captain's Day, Mick Bryan used this last event of his year to bring great frivolity to his three playing partners and the watching masses. His play from the tee with his driver is usually reliable but an eye-watering TEN YARDS at Dean Wood will be remembered and noted for future opportunities!

The Captain dug deep to present some great prizes, the best received was for Kevin Shanley who recorded a creditable 21 points on the front nine holes. So pleased with his win, he was still regaling in his success in the Whalley Chip Shop on Saturday evening!

Many thanks to the Captain for organising the event and prizes .... and for remembering his Captain's Green jacket!

Aviva Tour of Britain boost for Ribble Valley

Ribble Valley and Pendle held Stage Two of the Aviva Tour of Britain cycle race in September and it has been reported, the local economy was boosted by £2.1 million.

Pendle and Ribble Valley Borough Council's worked together to bring Stage Two, to the Ribble Valley, which began on Clitheroe and finished in Colne on September 7th.

Local businesses reaped the benefits according to an independent analysis which was carried out on behalf of SweetSpot, organiser of the Tour.

The report highlights that an estimated 180,000 spectators attended the event, with 25% coming from outside the North West.

Other findings include:

• 91% described the race as 'very enjoyable' and gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
• 67% of spectators were inspired to cycle more often.
• 38% came with their families
• day visitors spent an average of £45.66 per group and overnight visitors spent an average of £72.24 per group on food and drink, entertainment, local travel, shopping and other activities.
• 11% of visitors stayed overnight.

Tour organisers have described Stage Two as 'having the most exciting finishes of all this year's stages', and was broadcast in 129 countries worldwide.

Ribble Valley featured in the local, regional and national media, national cycling magazines and on local and regional television and radio.

Ribble Valley Borough Council leader Stuart Hirst said: 'The Tour of Britain was an ambitious undertaking by Ribble Valley and Pendle Councils, and our respective communities pulled out the stops to make the event a success.'

'The event attracted a spectacular number of spectators and showcased the two boroughs to a national and international audience.'

'As these figures show, we are reaping the benefits in terms of a significant encomic boost and indications are that there have been repeat visits to our two boroughs from spectators, as well as visitor enquiries from across the world.'

Christmas in Numbers

This festive season will see us Brits consume more than 6,500 tonnes of Christmas pudding across the country in November and December, 500 times the weight of Big Ben, and this is just in hotels alone!

Britain's leading purchasing company Beacon, have found consumers will be served around 507 tonnes of turkey every day during November and December, alongside 9.9 million chipolatas and 500 tonnes of stuffing. In addition to the traditional festive turkey, hotels are also expected to serve more than 312 tonnes of fillet steak a day, showing that turkey may not always be the most popular choice.

Just Christmas week alone, this equates to 3,550 tonnes of turkey, 69.6 million chipolatas, 2,18 tonnes of fillet steak and 350 tonnes of stuffing. Joining turkey and fillet steak on our Christmas menus this year is pork, which saw a rise in popularity last year by 1.9%.

I wonder how many sprouts the kitchen need to peel?