The Old Market Inn on Chapel Row in Douglas may be the smallest pub in the Isle of Man, but it is one with the biggest heart when it comes to supporting the Southern 100 Supporters Club.
Patrons of the ‘Market’ commenced supporting the Southern 100 Supporters fund in 2003, raising £290.00.
By 2005 they had topped the £1,000.00 and the total raised up to October last year stood at a magnificent £25,100.00!
Current Mine Hosts Colin and Cath produced the unique 2024 tee-shirt, which once again proved to be extremely popular being despatched world-wide, along with the other usual fundraisers and loose change donations and the Old Market ‘Regulars and Fans’ raised the magnificent sum of £3.000.00 for the Southern 100 Supporters Club.
Like most voluntary organisations there are people who ‘work’ tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure their favourite pastime, hobby, or sport (sometimes all three) thrive.
Within the Southern 100 Race organisation, one such person is Tricia Clague, who for the past twenty-three years has looked after the Race Control Hospitality.
However, since 1996 in the background, she has quietly worked away raising funds for the Southern 100 Supporters Club, which provides funds for purchasing safety equipment around the Colas Billown Course and assisting riders and their families when the need arises.
Tricia presented her latest donation amounting to £1250.00 to Supporters Club, bringing the total amount she has raised to £18,884.50 over the last 29-years.
Mrs Clague raises the money in various ways, making hand-made Greetings Cards, keyrings, decorating empty wine bottles along with other ideas that have been thought of over the years.
Tricia is indebted to mine hosts of The Old Market, Colin, and staff as they have her greeting cards and bottles on display and for sale at very reasonable prices!
Rachel Palmer, Club Secretary thanked Colin, Cath and their customers and Tricia for the excellent support over the last year, and said the club were deeply indebted to all involved in the fund raising. He also thanked them for their hospitality on the evening and gave a special mention to Cath Scott and Tricia Clague who kindly supplied the buffet which was very well received!
With this year’s donation of £3,000.00 the grand total raised by patrons and friends of the Old Market Inn over the past 22 years now stands at an amazing £28,100.00!
(Photo courtesy of Mark Falconer)