Newsletter January 2012

The Society is based in Much Wenlock. Its aim is to encourage and promote Sport and the Live Arts. The Wenlock Olympian Games are held in July each year. Twenty two events were included in the Games programme in 2011. Complete results of the 2011 event are shown on the WOS web site here.

The annual Live Arts Festival for students of school age is held in March and has competitions in music and creative writing.

Membership of the Society is open to everyone and WOS welcomes new members. The Annual General meeting and members meetings are open to visitors.

2012

One of the most frequently asked questions is “Are you doing anything special for 2012 as it is Olympic year?” The answer is “Yes we are.” We are adding a number of new and exciting events to the Games Programme.

One of the new events for the 2012 Olympian Games is the Wenlock Olympian Walk

The Marches group of the Long Distance Walkers Association (LDWA) is organising two challenge walks are over the weekend,of the 21st/22nd July both as a modest tribute to the foundation of the Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850,and their direct contribution to the birth of the modern Olympic Games and also in celebration of the 40th birthday of the LDWA.

Each walker has a choice of a route of 50 miles – to be completed in 20 hours, or 100 miles to be completed in 40 hours over a figure of 8 course rightly centred on Much Wenlock. On the Saturday all the walkers will set off to the Stretton Hills to climb the Lawley, skirt the slopes of the Caradoc and head for Craven Arms for a well earned refreshment stop. They will then cross the Corvedale, climb Abdon Burf and make their way back to Much Wenlock via Wenlock Edge. The 100 mile walkers will then – having had a meal and a brief rest – set out on the Eastern loop that will take them to Bridgnorth along the Severn Way, explore the Worfe valley, the industrial heritage of Coalbrookdale and climb the iconic Shropshire hill of the Wrekin before heading back to Much Wenlock.

This is not a race – although runners are welcome and it is anticipated that the fastest runner will complete the 100 mile course in about 21 hours- but a personal challenge of stamina, endurance and navigation skills. Entries opened on the 1st January and the 200 places were full in 9 days with 125 entrants attempting the 100 mile route. Walkers and runners are travelling from as far afield as St Andrews in Scotland to Newquay Cornwall to take part and include top international mountain runner Adrian Donnelly from Pontesbury who has competed in Ultra events in the Alps and Pyrenees and Derbyshire Tri Athletes Mark Jacob and David Acklam who have competed in the Copenhagen Iron Man – and also include many Shropshire men and women attempting their first 50 or 100 mile walk.

Further details can be found on the event website http://www.sproson.com/wow/

Wenlock Olympians Success in Cross-country.

As we come into 2012 Wenlock Olympians Athletics Club celebrates their renewed success.
At the end of 2011 in driving rain, at Bridgnorth, Wenlock Olympians finished second behind Telford in the Shropshire Young Athletes Cross Country League, which had entries from nine clubs this year. In the four races of the league they regularly got out over 30 runners across all age groups and gained four individual medals and four team medals as well as second place overall. The U11 Girls team completed the season in 1st place, with U11 Boys, U15 Boys and U17 Girls teams in 3rd places. Isobel Boden achieved individual silver in the U11, and Greg Jones (U11) and Zoe Partridge (U17) achieved bronze in the league events. Arthur Charlesworth achieved an individual bronze in both the league and County Championship. The U15 Boys also achieved 2nd place in the Shropshire County Cross Country Championships this week. Arthur Charlesworth, Zoe and Amy Partridge have been selected for the County squad.

The club is also doing well in the Shropshire Sportshall League, with eight Under-11 and ten Under-13 and Under-15 athletes selected to represent Shropshire at regional events for the National Sportshall League.

The Wenlock Olympians Athletics Club

The club caters for athletes 8 – 16. Our emphasis is on enjoyment of athletics with the opportunity to compete. We compete in local leagues and provide opportunity for a wider range of competition for older athletes. The Club meets at the Leisure Centre in Much Wenlock. Check for new training times for the winter season.

New members are always welcome. The first session is free to see if you like the activities.

We are also looking for coaches who would like to assist with field events. If you have an interest in the sport and would like to be involved please contact us. The club will meet UKA costs for coach training. Contact: Linda Dadswell (01952 882848)

If you are an older athlete and would like to be involved with the club we offer senior affiliation. There are informal training sessions for all levels of athlete arranged to suit the needs of members.

For further details contact Ian and Linda Dadswell (01952 882848).