Those of you who enjoy the racecourse, have you noticed the barriers leading towards the finish line? These are to 'encourage' us not to walk or run (as I do) where the horses run, to avoid 'damage' to the course. I know this as I have spoken to the head groundsman. What a cheek! I know that I have size 11 feet, perhaps if I was size 20 then they would have a point.....talking of damage to the racecourse...what about the TARMAC track they are building around the inner edge of the course?? In my opinion this will vandalise the racecourse. I wonder what Bishopthorpe Parish Council think?
Phil
Thanks for the information Phil.
I can't speak for the Parish Council as we have not discussed this matter and the racecourse is outside the boundary of Bishopthorpe but I can of course give my own opinion.
I understand that the course is leased by the Racecourse Authorities they have a safety responsibility to their official users i.e. the horses and jockeys. They are quite at liberty to try to discourage use of the course by not only your size 11 feet but hundreds of other feet - even up to size 20, if feet grow that big! - if they believe it is damaging the course in any way.
I also think I have read somewhere that the tarmac track on the inner edge of the course is to improve the safety of the drivers and passengers in the fleet of vehicles that tend to follow any race e.g. ambulance, doctor, vet etc. Again a Health and Safety issue.
Hopefully that gives a bit of an explanation - so next time you're running on the racecourse grounds it will have to be either on the outside of the race track or on the inside of the new tarmac track - suppose it depends how fit you feel that particular morning - think I'd tend to stick to the inside!
Stewart Harrison,
Chairman - Bishopthorpe Parish Council