Today at the kind invitation of the Darwen Gala Committee, the team attended as we do every year, this years 47th Darwen Town Gala, principally to provide standby rescue cover for the Darwen Gala / Darwen Tower Fell Races.

The Gala itself took place on the fields adjacent Bold Venture Park, where a huge variety of side shows, charity stands and local organisations set up their displays, including a climbing wall, food stalls and fairground rides.

Attractions on this warm and ultimately very sunny day included ‘The Mighty Smith Strongman Show,’ Accrington Pipe Band, A Gala Parade, and Land Rover trips to the moorland viewpoint of the Jubilee (Darwen) Tower provided by the Red Rose Land Rover Club Limited.

The Fell Races organised by Darwen Dashers Running Club, commenced with the first of many Junior Races at 12.15hrs, with seven young competitors in the Under 8s, four in the Under 10s, one in the Under 12s and three in the Under 14s.

The Senior Race started at 14.30hrs and took in a course over a 3.7 mile route on Darwen Moor, including Jubilee (Darwen) Tower, starting and finishing in Bold Venture Park.

Sixty two competitors took part in the Senior Race, with all bar one finishing the course.

On hand from the team to cover the races, were eighteen team Call Out list members and all four of our Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulance vehicles.
Thankfully our services were not required with the races passing without incident.

The team is grateful to the very kind donation of £50.00 received today at the Gala, from the Darwen Gala Committee, who have supported us over a great many years now.

We also received an impromptu £1.50p donation from a runner in the Senior Event, as thanks for what we do.