Get your running shoes on and join in local races

TORIES who cancelled plans to hold their annual dinner at the National Coal Mining Museum have found another venue for the event.

Dewsbury Conservative Association cancelled after the museum near Grange Moor came under fire from left-wing activists who said the choice of venue was an insult to former miners and their families – with the Tories widely blamed for the decimation of the British coal industry.

The £35-a-head dinner will now be held on Saturday, March 10, at the Tetley’s Stadium, home of the Dewsbury Rams Rugby Club.

Association chairman Mark Eastwood said that following the publicity surrounding the cancellation of the original event, the association has been “inundated with bookings for the dinner from Conservative members within and outside the constituency who want to show their support’’.

Commenting on the new venue, he said: “We are delighted to be supporting our local rugby club who do so much good work within the community, but like most sports venues, need finance to upgrade their facilities and to improve the team’s chances of being a success on the pitch.”

The guest speaker at the dinner will be newly-appointed work and this year.

The organisers of five local races have joined forces to raise money for causes in the South Huddersfield area, including Birdsedge First School.

The first race of the season is the Windmill 6 on March 18, an undulating six-mile road race around the wind turbines on the top of pensions secretary Esther McVey – who reportedly received a great deal of personal online abuse following her recent promotion to her role as a Cabinet minister.

Mr Eastwood said in the light of this abuse and the threats of violence which led to the cancellation of the previous event he was now asking Labour’s Batley Spicer Hill.

The route is an anti-clockwise loop around the turbines and taking in the breathtaking views across Huddersfield, Wakefield, Penistone and surrounding areas.

On June 9, the series is back for The School Run – an off-road race around Summer Wine territory.

The Toss O’Coin is on the calendar and Spen MP Tracy Brabin and Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff to speak out.

He said: “I call on the Labour MPs for Batley and Dewsbury to publicly support our right to hold a private event without fear of intimidation and threats of violence from hard left Labour party activists towards venue staff and guests.’’ for July 15 – a six-mile loop from the pub of the same name across to Birdsedge and back.

The final two events take place in September, starting with the Shepley 10k on the ninth and the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ race on September 29.

For more information go to www. trailandroadseries.co.uk