Thursday May 6th will see the somewhat belated commemoration of local athlete Tom Hulatt's achievement of finishing third in Roger Bannister's famous first sub four minute mile race at Iffley Road, Oxford, 50 years ago. Tom's village of Tibshelf is recognising this achievement by dedicating a mile stretch of the Five Pits Trail as the "Tom Hulatt Mile". The mile will be identified by two marker stones, with suitably inscribed plaques, in coal measures sandstone, kindly donated by the National Trust, and with the full approval of the Derbyshire County Council. This event is the culmination of initial approaches made to the Tibshelf Parish Council several years ago by Tom's long time friend Cyril Leason, another local athlete from nearby Pilsley.
The Derbyshire County Council was subsequently contacted by Tibshelf Parish Council, and a meeting with the Countryside Rangers , and the authors of the book, Peter & Paul Stanley, eventually took place. This meeting coincided with the inaugural meeting of the Tom Hulatt Commemoration Committee in November 2003. From then on, events have gathered pace and the result is the celebration at Tibshelf on 6th May 2004, the main event being the dedication of the Tom Hulatt Mile. The monument at the Tibshelf end was to be unveiled by His Grace the Duke of Devonshire. However the sad passing away of his Grace this week has meant that alternative arrangements have had to be made. At very short notice, the Chairman of Bolsover District Council, Councillor Syd Patrick has kindly agreed to officiate at the ceremony. This will take place at 6.00 p.m.
The ceremony will be followed by an athletic event on the Tibshelf School sports field, supplemented by musical entertainment and a fireworks display.
ATHLETICS EVENTS.
6.00 p.m. Fun Run down the Tom Hullat Mile and back to Tibshelf. (Overall return distance; 1 Mile)
6.45 p.m. Junior Schools relay (Over 1 Mile. Invitation only)
7.00 p.m. Under 13s boys and girls mixed mile (invitation only)
7.15 p.m. Under 15s boys and girls mixed mile (invitation only)
7.30 p.m. Open Mile mens and ladies. Club Athletics
7.45 p.m. The Tom Hulatt Commemorative Ladies' Invitation Mile
8.00 p.m. The Tom Hulatt Commemorative Men's Invitation Mile
There will be a full entertainment programme throughout the evening with performances by soul band, Soul River, performing arts from Directions Theatre Arts, and Katya a young female vocalist. Richard Spinks of Peak 107 FM will host the show. The evening's events will conclude with a Firework Display at around 9.30 p.m.
A parallel event has been organised at the Pilsley end of the Tom Hulatt Mile by Cyril Leason.
Chlidren from Pilsley Primary School Choir will entertain the spectators at Hardwick Hall which will be followed by a solo run from the Hall to the monument at Pilsley, by international athlete, Debbie Robinson of Tipton Harriers A. C. Three beacons will be lit at Hardwick Inn, Hardstoft Village Green, and at the Pilsley end of the Tom Hulatt Mile. This run will commence at 6.20 p.m. At 7.00 p.m., a run/walk from Pilsley to Tibshelf all the Tom Hulatt Mile will take place, to join the celebrations at Tibshelf.