Mr Castles (stoned)

Many thanks to WCR stalwart John Dowden for the following:

Yes it is true.  Our former organiser of the Welsh Castles Relay, Alan Thomas – Mr Castles himself - is about to be stoned. An explanation is due...

I recently went up to see Jean, Alan’s wife.  With the support of her family, Jean appears to be coping well following Alan’s sad death.  During our conversation Jean mentioned the fact that she and the family were looking for a way to commemorate Alan’s life. 

Alan being presented with a very special award at Cardiff Castle in 2010 - his last WCR as Race DirectorI mentioned to her that the Welsh Rugby Union were advertising that they were about to place some new square granite stones at the Millennium Stadium.  Each stone allows for a personal engraved message to be written on it.  Jean seemed enthusiastic and said she would discuss it with the family.

Examples of these stones can be seen on the path known as Millennium Walk or Legend’s Walk.  This is located starting at the Millennium Plaza by entrances six and seven of the Millennium Stadium.  In the daytime, if you walk under the West Stand with the river on your left you will see the stones engraved with the names and messages of famous rugby players, personalities and individuals.

Jean and the family have now ordered one of the granite stones for Alan.  The engraved message will be;

ALAN THOMAS   MR CASTLES

PROUD AND WELSH

When the day of installation is known we will be informed.

John Dowden

Bed-time reading...

The 2012 WCR Reference Book is essential reading for all taking part in or supporting the Castles Relay. Electronic copies have been distributed to Team Captains and should be cascaded to all team members.

A pdf version can also be downloaded HERE (1.6Mb pdf file).

WCR veterans will see that we have revamped the Reference Book for 2012 in an attempt to make it a little more user friendly. Many thanks to Graeme Donnan, Ian MacDonald and of course Dick Brewer for all your hard work here.

Please also keep an eye on the 'Race Pack' page of the WCR web site for the latest versioin of this and indeed all other documentation in the lead-up to the race.

Squad Registration Deadline

Hi everyone - 5 weeks to go!

A gentle reminder that Team Captains must register all squad members including reserves on the on-line WCR Race Registration system by the 15th of May. 

You can register as many runners as you like (provided they are club members needless to say) so there is no need to wait until team has been 'selected'.   If you are having technical issues please email johnv.upstone@btinternet.com

Disclaimer forms signed by all squad members must also be returned to the Race Registrar (Amanda Thompson) no later than the 25th of May.  Runners will not be allowed to run unlesss they have submitted a signed disclaimer form.

WCR 2012 team line-up

Details of those teams who have been successful in gaining entry to the 2012 WCR can be viewed here. Congratulations to everyone who will be taking part this year. This letter has been sent to all Team Managers who gained entry.

As ever, demand for places exceeded availability and so we adopted a mix of automatic selection and a draw to determine who gets to run. Teams selected included all those who applied last year but lost out in the 2011 ballot (Penny Lane Striders, Prestatyn RC, Wilmslow RC and Telford Harriers), those well placed in the final 2011 results (the majority of teams qualify this way) and any non-UK entries received.

In 2012 we see the return of old friends Haarlem Globetrotters from the Netherlands, and welcome a new team, Team Thuringia from Germany. 

We hate doing the ballot but can’t think of a better way– it took place on Thursday the 15^th March at our WCR Committee meeting (John the Chairman's house) with the help of a brave 12 year old who had the unenviable task of pulling the names out of the bag (Richard and me chickened out). Deepest commiserations to those who were unsuccessful and many thanks to everyone who applied.

Beware the ides (idles?) of March

Many thanks to all Team Captains who have already submitted their entries for the 2012 WCR.

For those that have not, please put your skates on as the deadline for entries is almost upon us (FRIDAY THE 9TH OF MARCH !!)