Displaying items by tag: Sport
KIBWORTH RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
1923 - 2006
The Kibworth Rugby Football Club was established when a number of rugby enthusiasts met in St Wilfrid’s Institute, Kibworth, on 13th December 1923. The meeting agreed to form a Rugby Club in the village, the Club would be known as the Kibworth Rugby Football Club. The shirts would be black along with navy blue shorts although the kit soon became all black. The first game was arranged for Boxing Day 1923 but there is no record of the opposition or the result. The first recorded fixture was played against Wigston ‘A’ on 2nd February 1924. Several fixtures were played up to the end of April that year.
The 1924-25 season saw regular fixtures played against Belgrave Juniors, Aylestone Athletic, Kettering, Syston with a total of 28 fixtures played during the season. The pitch was in a boggy field (now Brookfield Way, Kibworth) known as the ‘Floodies’ and accessed through a gate adjacent to the Railway Bridge on Station Street. The changing rooms were situated at the rear of the Old Swan Public House.
During the third season the Club won the Leicestershire Junior Cup beating Highfields Medway in the final that was played at the Leicester Tigers Welford Road Stadium.
The Club moved into the next decade with a healthy financial and playing strength; after a few years the Club was able to field two teams and appoint a coach. The Club moved to a new ground at the Old Recreation Ground in the village (this was possibly the Smeeton Road Recreation Ground which is very close to the Old Cinema) and utilised the Old Cinema as changing rooms. (The Old Cinema is now the Kibworth Scout Hut). During this period the club became more established financially with the playing strength increasing. The social side of the Club also started to flourish with the first club dinner held in1938.
With the outbreak of the Second World War rugby along with most other sport, was suspended.
It was not until 30th January 1950 that a number of former Kibworth Rugby Football Club players got together and decided to revive the Club. A playing field in Fleckney Road, Kibworth was utilised and changing rooms were again located at the Old Cinema. The first game was away against Old Wyggestonians on Saturday 23rd September 1950 which Kibworth lost, however the remainder of the season went very well with the only loss being the first game.
As the years passed with the Club flourishing a decision was made to relocate the Club to Market Harborough for the 1957/58 season. The club played at the Little Bowden Recreation Ground with changing rooms at the Three Swans Hotel and later at the Collegiate School. Wellingborough Rugby Football Club were the first opponents to play at the new venue. The Club continued to prosper and during the 1958/59 season a 3rd team was formed and match fees were introduced. The Club faced problems with the availability of the Little Bowden Recreation Ground having to play some games at Bowden Hill. The Club began negotiations during the 1960/61 season to use a rugby pitch at Gores Lane, Market Harborough, which culminated in the building of a Clubhouse and changing rooms at Gores Lane. The first fixture at the Club’s new home was against Wellingborough RFC on the 7th October 1962.
The move to Gores Lane propelled the Kibworth Rugby Football Club forward, fielding three senior teams with a Colts team following in 1963. The new facilities enabled the Club to become an integral part of local rugby and the social side of the Club’s activities also expanded. To cope with the growth of the Club an extension to the Clubhouse was built. Kibworth Rugby Football Club progressed into the next decade as a very successful enterprise
The 50th anniversary of Kibworth Rugby Football Club’s foundation was marked with a game against their first opponents, Wigston, in April 1973.
The next major step forward was the Club’s purchase of the Gores Lane ground, from the Symington Company of Market Harborough which was completed on 13TH March 1980. This enabled the Club to increase the facilities with a second pitch and an extension to the changing rooms completed in 1985. The new extension was opened with a game against Wellingborough RFC on 20th October of that year. The Club expanded its playing strength and was fielding four teams plus a Colts side and started planning the introduction of a mini/junior section.
In 1988 a major transformation of the Club began when negotiations with McAlpine Builders commenced culminating in the sale of the Gores Lane ground to the McAlpine Company in 1989. Kibworth Rugby Football Club moved to a new ground in Northampton Road, Market Harborough. The new ground had three pitches, floodlights and an impressive clubhouse and changing rooms. These excellent facilities were opened on 15th October 1989 by the President of the Rugby Football Union followed by a game against an international XV.
Kibworth Rugby Football Club continued to flourish in their new surroundings as it progressed into the next decade eventually fielding six senior teams, Colts and a mini/junior section. The success of the club continued into the new millennium, however a major change to the club was on the horizon.
2006 saw the demise of the Kibworth Rugby Football Club when the members voted to change the name of the Club to Market Harborough Rugby Union Football Club.
Acknowledgements
Market Harborough Rugby Union Football Club
Memories of Kibworth by Joan Spain
The Great Kibworth Run Part 2

Age 8 to 11
1st Girl and winner Elise Tear 0.17.13
1st boy and 2nd Anthony Markley 0.17.14
Age 7 and under
1st Boy William Adams 0.18.45
The race was held on Sunday 28th September 2003 in memory of Dr Richard Warner who served as a GP in Kibworth and died in 2002 from kidney cancer. He was one of the original group who conceived the run and assisted in organising the first Great Kibworth Run. His widow, Dr Jo Warner, donated the Richard Warner trophy to be presented to the winner of the half marathon and also joined the Run Committee. The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research was the Run’s Charity and the response from competitors and spectators was quite outstanding.
The 2003 race replicated the first event with the addition of a 1/3rd marathon course with the aim of encouraging runners who could manage the shorter distance and also the timing of the fun runners. This necessitated a new course for the 1/3rd marathon which followed the ½ marathon route to the Saddington reservoir turn where the routes split and the 1/3rd marathon turned left and re-joined the 1/2 marathon route at the Gumley X roads. A Great Kibworth Run website had been developed to widen access to the event and enable entrants to download entry forms.
A total of 706 runners entered the three races and the number of runners registering ‘on the day’ exceeded expectation to the extent that medals for some ½ marathon and fun runners ran out and had to be presented at a later date.
RESULTS
½ Marathon
Winner Stephen Gale 1.15.09
1st Female and 25th Sandra Grimes 1.32.22
1st Veteran and 10th Shane Edge 1.24.44
1/3 Marathon
Winner Tony Harrison 0.56.46
1st Female and 9th Debbie Marsden 1.05.18
Fun Run
1sy boy James Yarwood 0.14.24
1st girl Jessica Edge 0.16.3 9
Charity Donation: £32,220
Hope Foundation for Cancer Research

The 2005 run was held on Sunday 25th September following a similar pattern to the previous events with the addition of a power walk race which followed the 1/3 marathon course. The fun run had become popular and very competitive for children of all ages so the fun run timing range was increased to include fun run age groups, 7 years and under, 8 to 11 years and 12 to 14 years. Entries for the 4 races amounted to 780 with 157 entering on the day.
RESULTS
½ Marathon
Winner Rob Pullen 1.22.51

1st female, 1st female veteran and 12th Sandra Grimes 1.33.44
1st male veteran and 4th. Shane Edge 1.28.01
1/3 Marathon
Winner Brent Stevenson 0.53.53
1st female and 15th. Clare Turner 1.05.37
Power Walk
Winner Mike Spencer 1.50.05
First female and =2nd. Jane Thorpe 1.55.26
Fun Run Diane Render 1.55.26
Age 12 to 14
1st boy Zaccharie Tyler 0.13.57
1st girl and 8th Jessica Edge 0.15.20
Age 8 to 12
1st boy and 2nd Jonathon Monk 0.14.22
1st girl and 26th Alexandria Sloan 0.17.19
Aged 7 and under
1st boy and 44th. Joshua Ashman 0.18.10
1st girl and 129th. Louise Jones 0.23.44
Charity Donations:
Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway £5,100,00
The Hope Foundation £5,100.00
The run Committee decided that a proportion of the funds raised by the Great Kibworth Run would be used to support local community activities, with an emphasis on children’s groups, youth groups and sporting organisations with a maximum award limited to £500.00.
A small Committee comprising of one from the run Committee and three from the Kibworth and District Chronicle was formed to adjudicate on the applications.
Grants to Local Organisations: £
Kibworth Methodist Youth Group 240.00
South Leicestershire Mobile Toy Library 350.00
Kibworth Primary School Parent Teachers Association 500.00
Kibworth 3rd Brownies 500.00
CARE Shangton 500.00
Kibworth 1st Cubs 500.00
Kibworth Joint Recreation Committee 500.00
Toddlers (Mother and Toddlers) 500.00
ADS and Aspergers Support Group 500.00
South Leicestershire CVS 500.00
Kibworth and Smeeton Junior FC 500.00
Kibworth 1st Scouts 500.00

The 2007 run was held on Sunday 30th September 2007 following a similar pattern to the last event with the addition of a half marathon team race. With the Great Kibworth Run becoming financially stable 223 direction/information signs along with stands and stakes were purchased. For the first 3 runs signs had been borrowed from The Ivanhoe Runners.
581 entries were received by race day and a further 202 entered on the day. The weather was fine with competitors and spectators having an enjoyable event.
Race starter briefing runners before start

Fun Run start

Runners powering through Kibworth section

Medal hanging team at the ready
RESULTS
Half Marathon
Winner Sean Fenwick 01.12.41
1st Female and 5th Nicola Clay 01.19.44
1st Male Veteran and 4th Graham Stephens 01.18.57
1st Female Veteran and 38th Wendy Joy 01.34.08
1/2 Marathon Team Race
1st Male Team Kibworth and Fleckney Men’s A Time unavailable
1st Female Team Kibworth and Fleckney Ladies Time unavailable
1/3rd Marathon
Winner David Turvey 00.49.49
1st Female and 5th Sally Newman 00.54.37

1st female 1/3 Marathon
Power Walk
Winner and 1st female Toni Boa 01.20.34

Power walk winner approaching finish
1st male and 4th David Robbins 01.47.12
Fun Run
Age 12 to 14
1st Boy Stephan Ashman 0.17.44
1st Girl and 27th Lorna Grubb 0.21.26
Age 8 - 11
1st Boy and 5th James Hatton 0.18.40
1st Girl and 21st Emily Hollis 0.20.40
Age 7 and Under
1st Boy and 41st Kieran Ashman 0.22.57
1st Girl and 104th Jocelyn Parkes-Bowen 0.26.36
CHARITY DONATIONS
Hope against Cancer £2,300.00
(plus £1,000.00 raised by the Hope Team)
Age Concern (Leicestershire & Rutland) £3,300.00
Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Headway £3,300.00
Midlands Immediate Care Scheme who provide essential
medical cover during the Great Kibworth Run £500.00
Grants to local organisations:
Foxton Primary School, £200.00
Home Start £316.00
Laughton/Mowsley Cricket Club £425.00
Kibworth 1st Cubs £425.00
3rd Kibworth Brownies £425.00
Fleckney Mother and Toddler Group £177.00
Fleckney and Kibworth Running Club £425.00
Kibworth Playscheme £425.00
Sunflower Radio £425.00
Kibworth Primary School £425.00
Kibworth Primary School Parents Assoc. £425.00
Kibworth Centenary Brass £350.00
The 5th Great Kibworth Run was held on 27th September 2009 and once again held races to suit competitors of varied abilities and ages. A major innovation this year was the introduction of ‘on line’ entries thus saving considerable administration time. This proved very successful with 585 entering before there event. A further 223 entered on the day. To deal with the late entrants a separate reception desk for each of the four races was provided to register the runner and issue race numbers. Barney Haynes, who had joined the run Committee, donated a trophy, to be presented to the 1st female finisher in the 1/2 marathon, in memory of his late wife Sarah. The highlight of the day was the Fun Run where 245 runners crossed the finish line. These runners, aged from 1 to 56, some in fancy dress, made for a great spectacle. The 'Keep on Moving' team made up of over 30 adults with learning disabilities, many of whom had previously taken part in little or no physical activity, enthusiastically completed the 2-mile course to great cheers from the many spectators.

Keep on Moving Team
RESULTS
Half marathon
Winnert and 1st male veteran William Nock 1.18.23

Winner ½ half marathon presented with the Richard Warner frophy by Martin Corry (England and Tigers Rugby captain)
1st Female and 13th Beverley Gray 1.30.44
1st female veteran and 36th Angela Ladkin 1.39.42
Third marathon
Winner John Mulholland 0.57.09
1st Female and 11th Kathyrn Lovelock 1.05.34
1stfemale 1/3 marathon reaches the finish
Power Walk
Winner and =1st Sarah Thompson 1.48.16
Catherine Rich 1.48.16
1st male and 8th Michael Hemmingway 1.55.00
Fun Run
Age 12 to 14
1st boy George Bettsworth 0.14.55
1st Girl Emily Hollis 0.15.21

1st girl Fun Run 12 to 14
Age 8 to 11
1st Girl and winner Elise Tear 0.17.13
1st boy and 2nd Anthony Markley 0.17.14
Age 7 and under
1st Boy William Adams 0.18.45

Winner 7 and under fun run with Martin Corry
1st Girl and 4th Holly Coulson 0.21.44
CHARITY DONATIONS :
Macmillan Cancer Support £11,800
Grants to Local Organisations
The Well £250
1st Kibworth Cubs £300
Fleckney and Kibworth Runners £300
Harborough Expedition Scouts £250
1st Kibworth Brownies £250
Kibworth Theatre Company £300
2nd Kibworth Brownies £200
Kibworth Methodist Pre-School Nursery £150
Kibworth Tennis Club £250
Teddy Bears Play Group £300
Wilfrid’s Children’s Group £350
Kibworth Primary School Parents Association £350
Mowsley Primary School £350
Kibworth Pre-School Nursery £300

The 2011 Great Kibworth Run was held on Sunday 25th September following the format of previous events. The most popular races are the ½ marathon with 201 entrants and the fun run with 165 entrants. Unfortunately, some of the records of this run are not available.
Results:
Half Marathon
Winner Mark Powell 01.12.48
1st Female and 17TH Julie Lamb 01.29.10
Third Marathon
Winner Jamie Short 00.47.02
1ST Female and 12th Rachel Swan 01.03.09
Power Walk
Winner Dale Broughton 01.31.32
1st Female and 2nd = Sandra Ankers 01.44.34
Pauline Churchill 01.44.34
Fun Run:
Age 12 to 14
1st boy Oscar Trier 0.12.21
1st girl and 7th Charlotte Mathews 0.14.16
Age 8 to 11
Winner Henry Hopkinson 0.14.01
1st girl Olivia Hartley 0.15.09
Age Under 7
Winner Joseph Humphreys 0.15.08
1st girl Eliza Parsons 0.20.25
CHARITY DONATIONS:
Macmillan Cancer Support £11,600.00
Unfortunately, there is no record of the grants to local organisations.

The 7th Great Kibworth Run was held on 29th September 2013. The closure of the main route into the village by Network Rail to replace the Station Street railway bridge affected the usual road closures in High Street and Smeeton Road. However, with the co-operation of Leicestershire County Council and additional marshals the run was able to go ahead.
It was a perfect day gorgeous weather, large field of runners and lots of spectators made this Great Kibworth Run a big success.
RESULTS:
Half marathon
Winner Simon Allen 1.15.25
1st female Tori Green 1.26.20
1st Male veteran Graham Stephens 1.21.39
1st Female veteran Julie Lamb 1.31.51
Third marathon
Winner Jamie Short 0.47.52
1st Female Debbie Napier 0.56.44
Power Walk
Winner and 1st female Catherine Rich 1.41.49
1st male and 2nd Michael Hemmingway 1.41.55
Fun Run
Aged 12-14
1st Boy Ben Masser 0.11.29
1st Girl Tessa Rhodes 0.14.22
Age 8 to 11
1st Boy William Adams 0.13.13
1st Girl Alexandra Peet 0.14.13
Age 7 and under
1st Boy James Butcher 0.14.23
1st Girl Lucinda Thompson 0.17.20
CHARITY DONATIONS :
Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland £7,000.00
The winner of the age categories in the 2-mile fun run earned a prize
for the school they attend:
Lucinda Thompson, Kibworth C of E Primary School £1,000
William Adams, Kibworth High School £1,000
James Butcher, Old Mill Primary
School, Broughton Astley £1,000
Tessa Rhodes, Oakham School £1,000
EPILOGUE
The 2013 Great Kibworth Run, the seventh, became the last of the very successful Great Kibworth Runs. After organising seven bi-annual events, between 2001 and 2013, a number of the original organising Committee members had decided to retire. The Great Kibworth Run was unusual in that it was organised by a small Committee of local villagers who recruited volunteers to help on the day of the event whilst most other runs are organised by running clubs with far more resources. This put a heavy work load on the Committee members practically on the day of the event.
From the first run the event became a favourite fixture for many in the Kibworth area and attracted entries from as far afield as Scotland, the South of England and many places in between. Over 51,000 people, with ages ranging from babies in pushchairs to 70 years entered the seven runs which raised a total of over £110,000 for many local charities. The original objectives of the organising Committee were achieved but more would have been possible if the event had continued.
Although four people joined the organising Committee over the years, requests for additional people to join the run Committee, to keep the event going, were unsuccessful and regrettably the decision was made not to continue the Great Kibworth Run.
Prologue
The Great Kibworth Run was held on 7 occasions between 2001 and 2013 becoming a popular event for running enthusiasts and the local community. The run was born out of a desire by a small group of local running enthusiasts who in 2000 decided to organise a run in Kibworth with the objectives of:
- providing an activity, which would involve members of the local communities of all ages and abilities.
- raising funds for local charities.
The Great Kibworth Run 2001
A small Committee was formed to organise the first event and decided to hold a half marathon and a family fun run. The size of the task soon became apparent and advice was sought from the Ivanhoe Runners, a running club experienced in organising running events. Tasks included Affiliation to England Athletics, obtaining sponsorship from local businesses, selecting and measuring the routes, arranging a reception area for competitors to enter and receive race numbers, deciding the position of marshal points (65) and direction/information signs, water stations, start and finish areas, the timing of the runners.
The start and finish positions were located in the Kibworth High School (now Kibworth Mead Academy) grounds, off Smeeton Road, with race administration located in the adjacent Leisure Centre. The route for both runs required the closure of Smeeton Road from the High School to High Street and High Street for 1 hour to allow runners to use the roads safely. The road closure order was granted by Leicestershire County Council and necessitated planning diversion routes and road sign positions. The race route followed Smeeton Road to High Street, Meadowbrook Road, the recreation ground, the Kibworth Primary School grounds to return to Smeeton Road where the fun run turned towards the finish and the half marathon continued along the rural section of the course for the next 11 miles before returning to the finish line via Smeeton Road.
The first Great Kibworth Run was held on Sunday 30th September 2001. Entry forms were printed and made available for potential entrants. Volunteers were recruited for all the many tasks required on the race day to hold a successful event.
Completed entry forms were received and, along with those who entered on the day, total entrants exceeded 500. Of these runners most were local, 10 entrants in the Fun Run were 5 years and under and 5 entrants in the Half Marathon were 60 years and over. The event was a success and many letters were received from competitors praising the event.
RESULTS
Half Marathon
Winner Ishmaq Ahmed 1.14.51
1st female and 11th Sandra Grimes 1.28.21
1st male veteran and 4th Les Chesterton 1.24.58
1st female veteran and 22nd Nicki Wray 1.37.30
Fun Run
1st boy Eddie Glaister
1st girl Jessica Bridgewood
Charity Donation: £17,182
St Luke’s Hospital, Market Harborough,
Palliative Care Fund
How race day unfolded and the thoughts of one of the Committee members:
6.30 am The organising Committee meet at the Kibworth High School, at least the weather is fine. A lot of nerves, is it going to be successful?
6.40 am Two teams, one for Kibworth and the other for the villages on the route set off to erect route signs, 136 in total and water stations.
7.00 am Didn’t realise how much noise a mallet hitting a wooden stake made at this time on a Sunday morning, hope we didn’t disturb too many people.
8.00 am Return to Leisure Centre, it has started to rain, that won’t help. Thankfully only a short shower. All signs, stakes, tape and water stations in position.
8.30 am Start and finish area laid out. Runners’ reception area prepared in the Leisure Centre, all we need are some runners. Have much needed bacon sandwich.
9 am Three cheers! A runner has arrived to enter the event, what a relief, at least one competitor.
9.15 am More competitors arriving, looks promising.
9.30 am The place is a hive of activity, registered entrants arriving along with more entering on the day, weather still fine although it is a bit windy, things looking very promising.
10.00 am The Great Kibworth Run T/Shirt stall is doing an excellent trade. Entrants for the Family Fun Run arriving, there is a feeling of excitement about the place. It is going to be OK.
10.30 am Place is full of people, the warm-up session is about to start. All marshals for the road junctions and road closures on first half of the route in position. That’s a relief, we couldn’t hold the event without them.
10.45am Road closures in place making Smeeton Road and High Street a safe environment for the runners. Some of the fun runners are very young, glad we opted for road closures even though it was bound to cause some inconvenience to motorists. Plenty of spectators at the start and along the road into High St.
10.50 am Real air of excitement and anticipation, warm up sessions ends, runners asked to take their places at the start, half marathon at the front, fun run behind.
11.00 am Start whistle blow for half marathon runners.
11.01 am First rows of fun runners straining at the leash wanting to set off, shall we let them go now, no, it is too close to the half marathon runners.
11.02 am Whistle blows again, the fun run has started. Starter has to jump aside to avoid being overrun by 235 enthusiastic young runners who are so keen to get going.
11.10 am The leading runner is already flying past the High School entrance with a lead of at least 1 minute over the second runner. If he goes on at this pace he will be back before all the fun runners have finished. Good crowd of spectators cheering the runners on their way creating a great atmosphere.
11.15 am All marshals, a total of 65, now in position for the second part of the course, we owe these volunteers a big thank you, you couldn’t hold the event without them. It is no fun being stuck at a cattle grid near Gumley Cricket Pitch on a windy day for 2+ hours with a few cows for company, thank goodness it’s not raining.
11.16 am First fun runner approaches the High School having overtaken a number of the half marathon runners, he gets a terrific cheer from the crowd. Runners from both events pouring along Smeeton Road towards the High School where good work by the marshals ensures that the fun runners are directed to the finish and the half marathon runners are directed towards Smeeton Westerby and 11 more hard miles. Tremendous enthusiasm from the young runners some of whom are very competitive as they approach the finish. The crowd really appreciates the efforts of these runners.
11.35am All runners have cleared the road outside the High School, decide to lift the road closures 25 minutes earlier than anticipated. This eased the inconvenience to motorists.
12.00 pm Growing anticipation among the increasing number of spectators gathered around the finish area waiting for the leading runner to arrive. The team who will time and record the runners as they finish are in position along with medal presenters, stop watches, clip boards and medals at the ready.
12.13 pm Cheers from the spectators indicate the first runner is about to arrive. He turns into the High School towards the finish, there are no other runners in sight. Hope they haven’t taken a wrong turn.
12.22 pm Second finisher in sight and arrives to a noisy reception from the crowd. Steady flow of runners arriving at the High School to great cheers and encouragement, some horrified to find they still had to run around the football pitch before reaching the finish. One runner finishes then joins a friend who he accompanies to the finish and is timed again putting the results out of sequence and causing much annoyance to the timers.
1.15 pm The last runner arrives to a good cheer, he had run almost all the course with a leg injury, yet despite advise to give up, finished the run.
1.20 pm Presentation of prizes:
1.40 pm Runners and spectators begin to disperse, bit of an anti-climax but relief that the event was successful. Lots of praise from runners who really enjoyed the event.
1.45 pm Start to clear up, collect all the signs from the route.
4.00 pm All done, time for a pint at the Kings Head.
The Great Kibworth Run Part 2 includes winners and donations for the races every other year from 2003 to 2013 plus several photos!