For a weekend in October, Widnes Masonic Hall was transformed into a lively hub of excitement as over 80 brethren, family and friends came under starters orders as they gathered for a night of virtual horse racing, under the control of Clerk of the Course Bob Williams.
Bob explained the proceedings for the night’s racing, declaring that the racing was for once immune from the weather and that it was less than a furlong without any hurdles from the grandstand to the bar; a remark that saw some punters break out into a wild gallop, whilst more senior brethren just trotted to the bar. With eight planned races, the first seven races having been generously sponsored by lodges and individuals, it was time to check out the form.
Each of the runners had been pre-purchased by brethren and their families as this gave them the opportunity of naming their own jockey; a linguistic nightmare when Bob had to announce each jockey prior to the race, especially as some owners had chosen jockeys names such as; Hugh Jarse, Chris P Bacon and Norma S’Nockers.
With four scheduled races prior to a planned break, the punters took stock of the horses and in a family atmosphere we saw grandparents teaching the kids how to place their bets, pick a winner and be a good loser! while friendly rivalries also blossomed as each race unfolded proving that it wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about sharing the fun, creating memories and bonding over the unpredictable excitement of virtual horse racing.
The large screen brought the thrill of the racecourse to life, as punters enthusiastically placed their bets knowing that win or lose, they would be helping their Widnes Masonic Hall and the board of directors plans for further development of the hall for the benefit of all its users.
Following the first four races, it was time for a well-earned break and some food. A special nod goes to the hall’s new caterers, Clarity Catering, who provided a delicious chicken curry, saffron rice, nan bread/chips and Indian salad, alongside Popcorn chicken and Chips for the children present. This kept everybody well fuelled and ready for the rest of the nights racing.
With some high-stakes bets, over-the-top celebrations and seriously questionable cheering techniques to win spot prizes for the most enthusiastic tables, the second part of the evening became even more raucous, especially when the race winners were announced and cries of “fixed” or “rigged” could be heard when the hall chairman and vice chairman both won races! Though they claimed they were just ‘lucky’, it didn’t stop the jeering when they collected their rosettes and owner prizes.
After seven races had been completed, it was time for Clerk of the Course Bob to conduct the auction to become an owner in race eight, the last race of the evening. This brought a frantic flurry of potential owners into the parade ring and once the last horse was purchased everybody settled down for one more chance to either make their fortune, reduce their losses or to lose even more dosh in support of their Masonic hall.
Race eight was a frantic sprint to the line with the winning owner Julie Bennett winning a bottle of Courvoisier Brandy and then stating that she hadn’t realised that her horse had won as she thought she had purchased a different horse! As the last race prizes extended down to the third horse and then random places in eighth, 11th, 13th and last also picked up prizes to make a lot of ‘owners’ happy
Following the racing, Widnes Masonic Hall Vice Chairman Andy Pope took the microphone to thank Bob for organising the race night, Lewis and Bryan Magan who ran the tote as well as thanking the caterers who had supported the event so generously by providing the food at cost price. Whilst Andy was concluding proceedings an oversized cheque miraculously appeared which when presented showed that the event with sponsorship and donations had raised the outstanding sum of £2,600, which when added to the hall’s development fund will go a long way to making improvements to the building.