Bev Leale Memorial Poker Run 2010.

Poker Run - History

The England III annual Poker Run is held to commemorate the life of Bev Leale who transferred to Heaven I on 30^th September 2005.

(Click on the picture above to visit the Bev Leale Memorial page)

In the few short months before her death, Bev received care and support from staff of the Herriot Hospice Homecare based at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton. Bev was eternally grateful for this care. To show the chapter’s gratitude for caring for our dear sister, England III hold the Poker Run as a donation event to raise much-needed funds for the hospice.

The Poker Run is held on the Saturday of the annual England III rally and the winner is presented with a prize and has their name and chapter/organisation engraved on the Bev Leale Memorial Shield.

 The Poker Run is also open to those travelling by car, and the route and stops are designed to accommodate this. That way you can have the whole family take part in a fun day out.

Rules;

1. Present your control sheet at each stop and you will receive a card. The value of that card will be marked on your control sheet and the sheet initialled.
2. Each “Hand” will cost you £5. You can buy as many “Hands” as you want. You will receive 1 card at each stop for each control sheet you have bought.
3. At the final destination (Ushaw College), as well as the 5^th card, you will have the opportunity to “buy” 2 replacement cards at £1 each in an attempt to better your hand. (You MUST discard the same number of cards, prior to being “dealt” your new cards.)
4. The winner will be presented with a trophy (to keep), and have their name engraved on the Bev Leale Memorial Shield (the shield is retained by Blue Knights England III).
5. The values used to determine the winner will be based on those shown below.
6. In the event of a draw, the winner will be chosen by a simple draw of cards (Aces High).
7. All applicants enter this event at their own risk.
8. In case of emergency during the run contact ***** ****** on ***** ****** immediately. Remember this IS NOT A RACE! The purpose is to collect your hand of cards & arrive SAFELY at the final destination.
9. The nominated charity for this event is Herriot Hospice Homecare – registered charity number 1053609.

By signing the Master Control Sheet you acknowledge the above rules.

For entrants of the Poker Run the day begins with registration at Ushaw College between 9 and 10 am on Saturday 29th May.  See here for the college website and a map if required: Ushaw College.

At 10.15 there will be a blessing of the assembled bikes and riders, conducted by Blue Knights England III Chapter Chaplain, Roz Hall. (There may be press and media coverage of this event).  The Memorial Ride will then depart Ushaw College at 10.30 am prompt.  (Note: no fuel stop is planned; please have a full tank prior to arrival at the college, although the entire route is <100miles.)

Poker Run – Route;

Depart Ushaw College en route to Auckland Castle.

Auckland Castle - Stop 1: 20 minutes (ETA 11 am)

Eight hundred years ago the See of Durham, the most powerful Diocese in the North, established Auckland Castle as a hunting lodge for the Prince Bishop.  Then virtually monarchs in their own kingdom, the Prince Bishops held military, economic & political power in addition to their ecclesiastical authority.

Auckland Castle, placed above the Rivers Wear & Gaunless and some 10 miles south west of Durham, was no mere country residence. The town that grew up around the Castle took its name from the resident of the Castle. Over hundreds of years the Castle was expanded until it became the official residence of the Bishop in 1832.

This historic building continues to be the Bishop’s official residence as well as the administrative centre for the Diocese and a notable tourist attraction, open to the public from Easter Monday until the last Sunday in September.

The Bishop’s Deer Park, in 800 acres of parkland, countryside where the Prince Bishops once hunted game, has interesting deer shelter or Deercote, built by Bishop Trevor in 1760.  This has a grassed quadrangle with shelter in the arcades for the fallow deer which used to roam the park.  The tower formerly had an upper room where the Bishop and his guests could rest from their hunting.

Bowes Museum - Stop 2: 20 minutes (ETA 12 pm)

      Purpose-built in the 19^th century by John & Josephine Bowes, the Museum is a hidden treasure; a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale, with a wonderful story to tell.  The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine & decorative arts.

The diverse collection of paintings, porcelain, marquetry, etc, spans three floors of the building, however it is the 230 year old Silver Swan that is the best loved object in the museum.  An English silver automaton, bought by the Bowes in 1872, the life size model is still in working order and operated at the museum on a daily basis – a truly unique attraction.

Richmond Station Yard - Stop 3 & Lunch: 1 hour (ETA 1 pm)

The Station is a beautiful restored Victorian railway terminus - no trains though! Situated beside the River Swale, under the Norman Castle and Georgian alleys of Richmond, it has become a major tourist attraction.

Within the Station you will find a bustling cafe/restaurant (open 14 hours a day), a two-screen cinema showing first-run movies, an art gallery, a heritage room full of classic railwayana, a micro-brewery, an ice-cream parlour, a cheese maker, a fudge maker and a jam maker.

Opened in 1846, passenger services ceased in 1968. In 2003, after a chequered history, the building was taken over by the newly formed Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust, with the aim of restoring it to its future splendour and making it once again a focal point of the local community.

The railway stations on the Eryholme-Richmond branch line are rare in that they were designed in a Tudor style by architect G. T. Andrews. The exuberant architectural style of the early railway stations reflects the desire of the railway companies to promote their new form of travel as a high status experience.

As late as the 1950’s, 13 trains a day arrived from, and departed towards Darlington. The line survived the Beeching cuts mainly thanks to the military use of the sub-branch line to Catterick Garrison.

Before the line was closed the station was included in the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, it is a Grade II listed building.

Please note: In order to avoid delays, a lunch menu will be made available at the time of registration at Ushaw College.  Provided you make a selection at that time, lunch will be ready upon arrival at Tan Hill.

Brancepeth Castle - Stop 4: 20 minutes (ETA 3 pm)

The earliest surviving stone part of the castle probably dates from the 12^th century but it was enlarged by the Neville family in the 13^th & 14^th centuries, much of which is still visible despite major 19^th century restoration. The Nevilles were a very important northern family whose estates included Raby & Middleham Castles.  Although responsible for the victory of the English over the Scots at the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346, following an unsuccessful catholic revolt in 1569 all estates were lost to the Crown.

Over the next 4 centuries the castle passed to various aristocratic families until, during the First World War, the British Army took over the castle as a hospital, which later became the Regimental HQ of the Durham Light Infantry until 1962.

Following a short spell as a research station for Pyrex/Joblings, the Castle was saved from demolition by the Dobson family who continue to own it. The current owner loves the castle with a great passion and, with help & support from family & friends, has saved the castle from almost certain destruction; providing a wonderful cultural centre, famous for its craft fairs, concerts & outdoor theatrical performances.  By letting out many of the rooms, she has created an interesting community of creative & eccentric tenants.

Ushaw College - Memorial Ride Ends (ETA 4 pm)

Upon return to Ushaw College, the final card will be drawn, and the opportunity given to purchase additional cards.

The winner of the Poker Run will be announced at the evening function of The Sanctuary Rally 2010, hosted by Blue Knights England III.  This will be followed by a cheque presentation to Elaine Clarke, representing Herriot Hospice Homecare, of the funds raised from the Poker Run.

Blue Knights England III welcome anyone who would like to participate in this event, but we ask that you note and respect the following;

The event is intended as a group ride, NOT a race.  It is an opportunity to take part in a leisurely journey, with some magnificent scenery and photo opportunities, while raising funds for a worthwhile cause.

The group will be led by England III Ride Captain, Richard Jurecki, and will adopt a staggered formation (unless directed otherwise), and the 2-man drop-off system will be used.

Entrants taking part in cars will be requested to drive at the rear of the group, but in front of the “sweeper” (England III President, Jim Gardiner).

While we can accommodate late arrivals at Ushaw College to register for the event (prior to 10 am) we ask that, if possible, you express prior interest by e-mail to our Ride Captain in order that we can gauge final numbers.

Blue Knights England III do not make any profit from this event – the charge levied (£5 per “hand”, and £1 per extra card at the end) all goes to the nominated charity, Herriot Hospice Homecare.

Lunch is pre-ordered prior to departure from Ushaw College, but payment is made direct to the Station Café, Richmond Station, on arrival at that destination – England III makes no charge for this service.