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Next Week

Next Tuesday, 21st October we will be meeting on Glenside (near the bandstand), in Saltburn - Click HERE for Map.

Please be ready to set off at 6:00pm.

Please check the WhatsApp group for any updates.

Click HERE or on the image to view the New Winter Schedule.

 

 

Website Annual Fees

As indicated recently by Len Small in his email of 27th September, the annual website, as well as the Domain Name, fees are due this month and Len has urged me to post a 'Gentle Reminder' to anyone who has yet to contribute. You can do so by contacting Len and he can indicate the best method to pay him. The suggestion is a contribution of £5 per person and, hopefully, if enough funds are collected then we should have enough to pay next year's feed as well. Thanks to anyone who has already contributed.

November Monthly Thursday Walk

November's monthly walk will take place on 6th Nov a will be led by Alan Burton. Here are the details: -

This walk will be circular, starting at 9.30am from Hawnby, and will be led by Alan Burton. We have permission to park in the car park of The Owl Hotel, grid ref. SE543898 (I mentioned that some of us would be coming in for refreshments afterwards). The distance is approx. 14.5 km (9 miles), however a ‘shortcut’ reducing this by 2.5 km could be taken in the latter part of the walk if necessary. The route is undulating in parts, but nothing steep. The terrain is mainly on tracks and paths through fields and woods, with a rougher section of open moorland for about a mile, and a small amount of road walking on quiet roads. This walk can’t match Dave T’s last walk for excitement or historical significance, however the scenery is splendid, Alan Burton.

The Sad Loss of Another Much Loved Smelly - Peter Hymer

We remember Peter Hymer whose kind heart

touched the lives of everyone

who knew him.

Peter passed away at home on 11th September,

leaving behind cherished memories and lifelong friendships.

 

 

 

 

 

Danby NiteNav Results

Sixteen people turned up in Danby on a beautiful sunny evening for a run / walk on the moors. I deliberately picked an area that was very runnable/walkable and not overtaken by the bracken and heather and with route choice options.

Click HERE or on the image to view the NiteNav results.

As this was the last of the summer series click HERE to reveal the final positions

 

2025 Tom Ellerton Uphill Mile & Fell Challenge Results

The 2025 running of the Tom Ellerton Uphill Mile & fell Challenge race took place on Tuesday 19th August with 25 competitors.

The image shows the NYMAC and Smelly Helly runners at the end of the race.

Click HERE or on the image to view the full results.

 

 

 Teesside Airport Thursday Walk Photos

Several Photos taken by Terry Coupland during the March Thursday walk, organised by Keith Wilson can be viewed by clicking HERE or on the image to view the photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smelly Helly Christmas Cards

Rather than exchange Christmas cards within the group, this SmellyHelly members decided to donate the money which would have been spent to a  charity and the charity chosen was Parkinson’s UK where a fellow SmellyHelly, Keith Wilson, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a few years ago. Since being diagnosed Keith has worked tirelessly with Parkinson’s UK to not only raise funds but also give talks on his experience of living with the disease and especially his work with virtual reality devices that can  increase dopamine levels in the person using one. At the Christmas lunch for the Thursday walking group Bob Howe on Behalf of all SmellyHellys handed a  sum of £300 to Keith for the benefit of Parkinson’s UK.

Click HERE or on the image to view a larger photo.

 

 

 Flatts Lane Park Run

On March 2nd 2024 twelve Smelly Hellies provided the volunteers for the Flatts Lane Parkrun. The roles undertaken were timekeepers, bar code scanners, issuing finish tokens, tail walker and course marshals. The twelve are shown in the photograph.

 

Click HERE or on the image to view the full sized photograph.

Keith Wilson's Challenges 2023.

On April 11th this year (2023) Keith Wilson was featured on BBC Morning Live as part of World Parkinson’s Awareness Day. In addition there is an independent film company in the latter stages of production of a short film intended for entry to various award categories. A number of Smellies helped out in the filming of an orienteering sequence at Bank Foot.

Keith has a new sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/keith-wilson29 and thanks everyone for their support over the last year.

The BBC programme can be found at: -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001kzp4/morning-live-series-5-11042023

Peter Barron’s report on the programme can be found HERE

Smelly Helly Strava Club Created

I have created a new Smelly Helly Club on Strava as I know that many of you use Strava. I have made it a closed 'invite only' club so it can remain accessible by only ourselves. We can share our runs, bike rides and NiteNav routes. Here is the link; - http://www.strava.com/clubs/smellyhelly, Bill.

2025 Monthly Walk Schedule

Month

Leader

Start/Finish

Time

Any relevant details

Walks on the first Thursday of each month unless stated otherwise.

09 January 2025

Ken Wilson

Great Ayton

09:30am

Parking by the river opposite the Buck Inn.

 13 February 2025

Len Small 

Danby Lodge 09:45am Parking in Danby Lodge CP.

06 March 2025

Keith Wilson Teesside Airport 09:15am start at the plane spotters lay-by on the A67 (GR 384142). See full details above.

10 April 2025

Mick Power

Rosedale 10:00am Park Rosedale Bank Top GR SE 721 947. Post Code YO18 8SE.

01 May 2025

David Allison      

 05 June 2025

Steve Hutchinson Helmsley 09:30am Start from the Square. 12 miles with stop at Ampleforth.

 03 July 2025

Bob Howe Gilling West 10:00am  

 07 August 2025

Rob Wilson Durham Finchale 10:00am Park at Durham Park & Ride on A690.

 04 September 2025

John Wood Egton Bridge 09:00am TBC Park Egton Bridge old coal yard. Walk to Whitby & return by train (3:57pm)

 FRIDAY

03 October 2025

Dave Thompson Grinton, Swaledale 10:00am  

 06 November 2025

Alan Burton Hawnby (The Owl) 09:30am Meet in The Owl Hotel car park. SE543898

11 December 2025

Steve/Len      

This the latest information to date, for the walks. Please feel free to update me so I can fill in the blanks. Please let me know if the information above is incorrect.

Monthly Summer Cycle Rides 2025

Month

Leader

Start/Finish

Time

Any relevant details

Rides on the third Thursday of each month unless stated otherwise.

17 April 2025

Terry Coupland Ingleby Mill CP 10:00am To Thorpe Thewles.

15 May 2025

Bref O'Rourke Runswick TBA

CANCELLED

 19 June 2025

Dave Thompson Keilder 10:00am Circumnavigation of Keilder Reservoir

17 July 2025

Mick Power Square Corner 10:00am Details to follow

Now Friday 

22 August 2025

John Wood Blakey Ridge 10:00am Meet at Layby just south of the Lion Inn. Route - Farndale, Hutton Le Hole, Rosedale Chimney.

 18 September 2025

Trevor Symonds Sutton Bank Visitor Centre 10:00am Details above.

This the latest information to date, for the walks. Please feel free to update me so I can fill in the blanks. Please let me know if the information above is incorrect.

Remembering Tom - 9th April 2019

Several photos taken, while we were all remembering Tom at Bankfoot, by Bref O'Rourke and Peter Hymer can be found by clicking HERE or on the image.

 

 

 

Celebrity Status

On Saturday 8th June 2019 Ray Stevenson completed the Swaledale marathon. Given Ray's age this was a great achievement but even more this was Ray's 40th completion of the event. The very first Swaledale marathon took place in 1979 where Ray took part as a runner and has competed in and completed every one since - an astounding achievement. As a memento Ray was presented with a hand-thrown, personalised, pottery set. A couple of photos can be viewed HERE.

Well Done Keith

On Sunday 16th June 2019 Keith Wilson took part in the Durham Coast Half Marathon from Seaham, Co. Durham. The course is entirely off road, it is extremely challenging and very scenic. It is characterised by gently undulating sections along the cliff top coastal path interspersed with challenging descents and ascents through a series of denes.

Keith had a fantastic run and won the Vet 60 category being presented by a lovely trophy/memento as well as an unusual butterfly medal.- well done Keith.

Click HERE or on the image to view a photo of Keith with his 'winnings'.

Dave's Last Munroe 2017

Congratulations to fellow Smelly Helly Dave Thompson who completed his final Munroe on 30th September which was Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond). He was accompanied on the ascent by 30 colleagues mainly from Swaledale Outdoor Club, family members and other Smellie Hellies (Wai and Julie Cheung, John Smith, Bob Howe, Terry Coupland, Mick Murphy and Len Small), and of course Dave, did not lead the party down the conventional path for the descent but straight down the nose which revealed magnificent views of Lochs Lomond, Long, Fyne, Katrine, Arklet and many other smaller Lochans. Then afterwards Dave treated the party to a three course meal with Haggis, Tatties and Neeps as the main course in Crianlarich. It is rumoured that Dave is not sure if it will The Corbetts or The Wainwrights next. Watch this space......

A few photos from the day can be viewed HERE or by clicking on the image

Bref's Progress (Update from Bref) March 2017

This section has now been converted to a Report and can be viewed by clicking HERE or on the image.

Due to the generosity of the Smelly Helly gang we were able to give a substantial donation to James Cook Hospital after Bref's successful prostate treatment.

Click HERE to view a copy of the acknowledgement from James Cook Hospital.

Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon

(extract from an email from Mick Garratt, from LAMM)

The LAMM is a 2-day mountain marathon event that takes place each year in the Scottish Highlands. Watch the film of our magical event on the Isle of Jura in 1997 and remind yourselves of that wonderful weekend - a 45 minute film in 2 parts at:   Part 1  &  Part 2

Remembering Tom, Tuesday 31st March

On Tuesday night we all met up after our walk and run to remember Tom with a toast and a few photos of the night - to see the gallery click HERE (or on the image). Here are a few words from Tom's widow, Elayne: -

I'm very pleased the weather turned out so 'clement' for the night, you really are a hardy bunch, and I hope the malt kept you warm. Thank you for the picture, (unfortunately there was only the one, but you did send it six times!). The daffodils do look great, it was a splendid idea to plant them there. Many thanks to you all for including us in Tom's remembrance night, we both feel very privileged to share these special moments. Good luck with the season's events & hope the Boro continue to prosper, Regards Elayne.

Remembering Tom - Planting Yew Trees

Hi Bref, what a great idea and wonderful thing to do, I so appreciate you sending me the pictures, a huge thank you to you all, Tom would love this, our garden is full of 'shrubs' now grown to trees that we planted to mark memorable occasions including a large yew that he was very fond of so nothing could have been a better choice. The daffodils would be great too as I fear the blue bells I put in, sadly don't appear to have survived. Please say a big thank you to all concerned with a special mention for Barney, you really are the very best of friends that anyone could have.  Very best wishes and kind regards, Elayne. 

Click HERE or on the image for photos.

Celebrity Status.....

It’s not often a Smelly becomes a celebrity, but Dave just wants his 2 minutes of fame in his lifetime ! ! !

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (The LAMM) is a unique 2 day adventure race set in a remote corner of the Scottish Highlands. In 2014 we celebrated the 20th anniversary of this gruelling challenge by making a short documentary about what makes this one of the 'must do' races for mountain runners across the world. The film was shot on location in the North-West Highlands of Scotland by The Coldhouse Collective.

Click on the image to view the video on an external website and HERE for the LAMM Website.

Mandale Newsletter, Summer 1999

Many of our SH's were members of Mandale Harriers before joining North York Moors AC. Mandale used to produce a regular newsletter for their members.

Ian Macpherson has one and brought it to the Christmas Nosebag for publication on our website. I have scanned the newsletter so you can view it by clicking HERE or on the image. Enjoy.

Smelly Summer of 2012

Fame at last! Courtesy of Wai a few of us have made it on to YouTube.

During one of our Tuesday night runs from Great Ayton Wai videoed much of the run and has placed an edited clip on YouTube

Click on the image to view the video.

 

Gerald (Ged) Webster

On Friday 8th February 2019, we said goodbye to our dear friend and fellow 'Smelly Helly' Ged Webster who sadly passed away. He was always the life and soul of our post-run and walks in the pub always washed down with a couple of pints of Guinness. We were usually all doubled up at the expense of some very dubious and dodgy jokes, usually giving Mark a 'run for his money'.

We will all miss you Ged - Rest in Peace mate.

Memories of Ged (Words by Chief SH Scribe Bob Howe)

How will we remember Ged?

                        Ged the Joker

                        Storyteller Ged

                        Happy Smiling Ged

                        Ged the Runner

                        Ged with the neat line in headgear

                        Guinness drinking Ged

 I think the answer is ALL of These, but most of all Ged the truly nice guy and good friend.

We all miss you pal, but we’ll never forget you.

I have assembled several photos with Ged, mainly during the Thursday walks, Bill. Click HERE to view them. A couple more photos taken at a NYMAC Lakes weekend have been added.

Jon's Olympic Torch Leg

Jon Williams' Olympic torch-carrying leg is in Hartlepool on 17 June sometime after 14:30. Here is the latest from an email from Jon: -

"I've had confirmation today of my Olympic Torch input. I will be carrying the torch in my wheelchair, hopefully pushed by Shelly on Sunday the 17th June in Hartlepool on Middleton Road (B1276) near Addison Road bus stop to Lancaster Road. The post code for Addison road for Sat navs is TS24 8DG. We are guessing that on Sunday morning there should be parking in the adjacent streets. But the nearest large car parking facility is Asda on Marina Way, which is only a few minutes walk away.  I am due to take over at 11.42am, though I guess this is a rough timing.

Don't feel any pressure to come along, but it would be nice to see people if they would like to . I do feel very privileged to be doing this and would like to say a big thank you to those people in Clok who nominated me."

It would be great if we could send up some support from our Smelly Helly friends.

For more details of the event click HERE

Photo Gallery of Jon's Olympic Relay (Courtesy of Bref) - Click on Image

Tom Ellerton

31st July 1953 - 3rd April 2012

Sadly on Tuesday evening, April 3rd, our good Smelly Helly friend Tom Ellerton passed away shortly after the beginning of our walk at Bank Foot at the very young age of 58. He was a great friend and companion to all of us in the Smelly Helly group and will be greatly missed by us all.

Some kind words from Tom's wife, Elayne: -

Katie and I would like to thank you all very much for taking the time last night, to show us where Tom died on Tuesday.

We are grateful to all concerned for the heroic efforts to save him and we were comforted that he knew he was not alone and that Amy was with him in his last conscious moments. We were touched by the obvious depth of affection for him and sense of camaraderie within the club.  We discovered a sense of peace from seeing he was in such a beautiful place at the last and we hope you will allow us to buy you all a final pint on Tom’s behalf.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held in All Saints Church, Northallerton at 12 noon on Friday 13th April, following a private family service at the crematorium in Darlington. After the service at All Saints Church, there will be refreshments at the Golden Lion Hotel in the High Street.  We would like to extend a warm invitation to all who knew Tom to attend.

Please would you be so kind as to pass this email around the rest of the club.

Kind Regards,

Elayne Ellerton.

Any more photos of Tom would be much appreciated to add to Tom's gallery. Please send any to Bill.