Carlisle Youth Zone Charity Football Tournament

A full team with two substitutes consisting of Ricky, Robert, Jack, Jonathan, Michael, Ray, Steve and Stewart were mustered for this worthy cause at a six a side football competition at the Sheepmount last Monday night.

The event was again organised by System Group, and this time it was in aid of the Carlisle Youth Zone Charity and our drawn teams were M Sport, Carlisle Brass and Wm Armstrong. The theme being the World Cup, and we were drawn to represent Spain.

After a meet up 20 minutes before the off, the team and a small number of supporters chatted and discussed the team strategy – “Go Get Em”

Our first match was against M Sport where we lost 2-0 – playing into the sun wasn’t much of a help, and I do believe the final score could have been more in our favour had the “Boot” been on the other foot. The team came together towards the end of play, and Jack played a blinder in the nets!!

A lengthy break was in store until the next match, where we were up against Carlisle Brass. The toss was in our favour, and we played with the sun behind us – Not that this made any difference, but it did enable a great goal by Ricky to soften our defeat and the 4-1 final score. Another good showing by the team, and again Jack showed his skills in the net when not letting them in!!

The final game played was against Wm Armstrong’s, and a change of tactics was in order with Jack coming out upfront, and Ray taking up the nets. Again the toss was won, and again we played with the sun to our backs.

Two goals came our way courtesy of Jack and Steve, with some very near misses by Jonathan Miller (Twinkle Toes). One such miss sailed across the crossbar just as a spectator shouted out “Should av gone to Spec Savers mate” and this together with some very strange and nifty footwork by Michael (Angelina Ballerina) towards the end, helped earn their nicknames.

The final score was 4-2.

The whole evening was very entertaining, and the team put up a great show against all the odds. Another great showing by the David Allen organisation, and all for a very good cause.
Kevin C

Summer Festival at Carlisle Racecourse

On Saturday 3 July, our firm had a table in the hospitality marquee at the CFM Summer Family Festival at Carlisle Racecourse.

David attended along with Alison & Kevin, Linda & Tim, Chris Claux, Sarah Reilly, Julie Walsh and Colin and myself.

We all arrived at 4pm and were welcomed with a glass of bucks fizz. The marquee looked superb with chandeliers and special tables set out for each party of guests. We all had our own waiter assigned to our table for our drinks orders and our dinner was served at 5pm, which was a lovely 3-course meal.

The evening racing commenced at 6.55pm and there were quite a few winners from our table. Linda and Tim seemed to get some money back on each race and David quietly put some money on an outsider in the last race and cleaned up.

More nibbles arrived just before the main event of the evening, which was a live concert by Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blue Orchestra. They were absolutely fantastic and had the whole crowd dancing, plus guest vocalist (and a much slimmed down) Alison Moyet came on and did some of her old tracks.

After a couple of encores, we were treat to a spectacular firework display, which rounded off a great night.

John Baker and Karen Brownrigg from Carlisle Racecourse, had certainly organised the whole event really well from start to finish and it had certainly pulled in a huge crowd, whether it was families coming for an afternoon of entertainment or like us, having a great day of racing and enjoying the live music.

Julie Campbell

Richard Rose Celebration of Success

On Wednesday 30 June David and I were invited to a Level 2 Celebration of Success evening at Richard Rose Sixth Form College.

This evening was to recognise the achievements of particular students in the last year. We were greeted by Nigel Cannar, Assistant Principal at the Richard Rose Sixth Form College who was our host for the evening, announcing the awards whilst David presented the students with the awards.

The students had completed a course which had delivered a unique educational experience and it centred round a core qualification: WorkSkills and a further qualification in either Art, IT or Business. The core course taught the students a range of key skills needed for the work place, such as working with customers, being part of a team, interview techniques and other skills.

The qualifications earned were not the real achievement. The real achievement was that a group of young people were given the space, time, dedication and support to achieve something and reach their potential in the first of many things.

It was clear from being at the celebration evening that the students had gained a lot from this course and were extremely proud of their achievements. The smiles on the students faces as there names were called out was fantastic and they were then presented with an award from David. These students have achieved something fantastic in this last year and it was very emotional for the students, teachers and parents as their success was rewarded in such a fantastic way.

Many of the parents were thanking the teachers for everything which shows just what a difference this course and the teacher’s guidance has made to these students.

After the presentation we viewed the artwork which some of the students had produced and I have to say the quality of this work was absolutely brilliant.

This was a fantastic evening filled with pride and emotion for all those involved and I am sure these students will go on to achieve further success in their careers.
Alison Cartner