Right, we're trying to sort out a day celebrating The song that made mi Ilkley famous. (if the link does not work it is because it is a link to this site, so how do I do internal links?)

We have three possible things which probably should be done on one day.

1. A talk about Thomas Clark and his hymns, the oft told tale of a chapel trip to Ilkley Moor that resulted in a lost hat, and new words to a Clark hymn. It would be nice to have the hymn sung.

2. Have an event at, or above, White Wells later, with maybe a short walk in between. I like the idea of a competition involving the throwing of hats (bring you own hat). Maybe one for distance; one for accuracy; and perhaps one for the best hat finding dog.

3. A duck supper, along with a new, specially brewed beer named for the occasion.

There would have to be at least one attempt at a communally sung 'On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat' as well.

I have talked to possible venues. Anyone eating duck would obviously have to pay, but the rest could be low cost, possibly free.

Any thoughts?

What a lovely idea. NOt the sort of thing I'd actually get involved in, but warms the cockles of one's cockles to know its going on...

Would you like to give the lecture in a chapel? If so, I think I might be able to help.

It's a dreadful song and whilst I used to find that the very mention of the town anywhere in England used to lead to anyone over a certain age breaking into song, as I approach old age, I am relieved to find that the reaction is a blank expression when I pinpoint my geographical origins by singing the chorus to that song.

Where have I been since I saw thee? 5 miles from Leeds Bradford Airport works better for me.

mcnab wrote:
It's a dreadful song...

I half agree with you, McNab, but for me it's the addition of "Where the ducks fly backwads" et al that really grates - the tune (yes, IMOR, we know it's Kentish) is fine by me, though.

As for the idea, it sounds good if enough folk are prepared to get involved.

Bradwan wrote:
Right, we're trying to sort out a day celebrating The song that made mi Ilkley famous. (if the link does not work it is because it is a link to this site, so how do I do internal links?)

We have three possible things which probably should be done on one day.

1. A talk about Thomas Clark and his hymns, the oft told tale of a chapel trip to Ilkley Moor that resulted in a lost hat, and new words to a Clark hymn. It would be nice to have the hymn sung.

2. Have an event at, or above, White Wells later, with maybe a short walk in between. I like the idea of a competition involving the throwing of hats (bring you own hat). Maybe one for distance; one for accuracy; and perhaps one for the best hat finding dog.

3. A duck supper, along with a new, specially brewed beer named for the occasion.

There would have to be at least one attempt at a communally sung 'On Ilkley Moor Bah Tat' as well.

I have talked to possible venues. Anyone eating duck would obviously have to pay, but the rest could be low cost, possibly free.

Any thoughts?

What a brilliant idea, Bradwan.

Dwile flonking under a different name and music with it.
Regarding the Kent connection Oggit, I'm not bothered seeing
as I used to live in the other county of the White Horse. Maybe
the reason Yorkshire never beats Kent at cricket has something
to do with the curse if the infernal song. Now that's something you
never thought about is it?

Perhaps you could thow in a couple of Roman soldiers. If you want a recipe for roast duck there's an excellant one here - pongproofkippers.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

mcnab wrote:
[quote]It's a dreadful song

Hmm, lyrics possibly, but it's a grand melody? I quite like the 'send up' version composed by Eric Fenby, Delius's amanuensis, 'Rossini on Ilkla Moor'. It's great fun if you like a warm-blooded version.

Imor wrote:Regarding the Kent connection Oggit, I'm not bothered seeing as I used to live in the other county of the White Horse. Maybe the reason Yorkshire never beats Kent at cricket has something to do with the curse if the infernal song. Now that's something you never thought about is it?[/quote]

County Championships.

Yorkshire - 30

Kent - 6

Yep, you nearly had me there, IMOR.

I have talked to a few top people and had a tip or two.

A James Bond hat on the stand competition is one brilliant idea. We would obviously need a hat stand, but it would be grand to have folk throwing their hat across the White Wells well and trying to get it on the stand. I would obviously have to have a hook or net to get any out that fell in. It probably is not practical, but it is a lovely image.

In terms of distance throwing the easiest way would be for everyone to line up at the end and throw their hats towards Ilkley. We all then walk down the hill to find our hats, the furthest being the winner.

It would not take many people to organize this, but it would need a more than me.

It would also need permission from the tenants at White Wells and the Countryside Section.

There's no point in doing it at White Wells if the couple can't, or won't, join in. They were keen when I talked to them earlier in the year about hosting an event, but the talk was only in general terms. I will try and get up there on my next pie showing trip tomorrow (5th).

I had not thought about the Countryside Section. I do not think we need permission (unless Wilful throwing of a hat. is against the by-laws?), but I would willingly inform for politeness sake if needed. I'll talk to you about it soon.

Bradwan wrote:
I have talked to a few top people and had a tip or two.

........ "the furthest being the winner."

It would not take many people to organize this, but it would need a more than me.

Certainly someone with a tape or one of those clever laser devices much loved by estate agents who never did manage to acquire the skill needed to read a distance on a tape measure;

if certain members of our forum participate in the celebratory hat throwing competition I anticipate fervent childish arguments about which hat is the furthest and some petulant boot stamping if the umpire disallows a 'winners' claim!

My vision is that the hats are thrown towards Ilkley aiming at a given mark (the Crossbeck Rd/Wells Rd junction for instance), we all walk down to find our own, and the one that is closest to mark wins.

So that is one throw each. I am not measuring, or installing a rope and pulley hat lift so people can have best of three. Any argument will result in a three month ban by THIF (Throwing Hats International Federation) from all offical hat throwing contests.

Hat hounding on the other hand would need a stopwatch and a line to throw beyond. Dog owner gets countdown, throws hat (beyond mark or it is a fowl throw), dog brings hat back, owner gets hat and holds it aloft, watch stopped.

After a delegation visited Ilkley we are pleased to report that White Wells are happy to host the Hat Throwing Championship 2009.

Extensive fact finding has resulted in doubt being raised about the furthest hat fling event, due to the ocean of hat eating bracken.

The disused weather vane however would be an ideal target for aimed hatting.

The well room is suitable for an indoor Bond hatrack event as well.

The provisional date is Saturday 10th Oct. around midday/early afternoon.

Following a committee report, the governing body responsible for hat throwing events (formally known as THIF (Throwing Hats International Federation)) has decided to change its name to better reflect its role. Henceforth it is to be known as the Transnational Institute For Fomally Thrown Hats Associations, or TIFFTHA for short.

Will there be handicaps for differently shaped hats, otherwise my trilby
will not fare well in competition with more aerodynamically shaped headgear?