Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show Still Seeks Dynamic Manager

Grasmere Sports and Lakeland Show is still seeking the perfect replacement for Deborah Black, who successfully oversaw the renaissance of  the event post-pandemic, but who is set to retire in December 2023, having delivered her third compelling event.

Deborah Black will be retiring from her role of Sports and Field Manager as of December 31, 2023 and it is proving hard to find someone to step into her shoes.  As a result, the deadline for applications has been put back to the end of June 2023.

Whilst Deborah has already arranged all of the trade stalls for 2023, booked most entertainers and made many of the arrangements required, one thing she will hopefully be assisting with, is the briefing of her successor. Given her knowledge, she will be helping review the applicants and the hope is that the show will find someone with the required qualities and the belief in Lakeland life that is so fundamental to success in the position.

The successful applicant needs to have organisational, computer, delegation, financial and people skills, as well as a full driving licence and the capacity to both work alone and in a team.  They must be as adept at managing online ticketing as they are at planning and organising the events programme, complying with all health and safety legislation and recruiting volunteers, officers, judges and sponsors.  

However, Deborah has her own take on what is needed.  She says, “The next manager needs to have a lot of common sense, good administrative skills and a great sense of humour.  They must be a good communicator and able to connect with people from all walks of life and they should be resilient, happy to embrace challenges and take pride from the fact that they are the lynch-pin within the most prestigious sports event in Cumbria.

“The hours are flexible but 12-hour shifts in June, July and August are often necessary.  The time needing to be devoted slackens off in other months. Although, at the peak, the manager has to demonstrate total commitment, day in day out, they can always draw on the organisational skills of people passionate about their own individual areas, be that fell racing, hound trailing, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, field events or catering.  In this regard, the Show manager just needs to be an adept co-ordinator, bringing all of these individuals together for the delivery of a sensational spectacle.”

Deborah will be on-hand to answer any questions that prospective candidates for the role may have and will still be in situ until December, to assist with any handover. This transfer of knowledge is something few job applicants can enjoy.

“I jumped at the chance to manage Grasmere Sports’, knowing what an iconic event it is within the Lake District calendar,” says Deborah.  “If you respect the area, its history and traditions, this is the role for you. The people you will meet are extraordinary and the memories that a successful day on the field provides are absolutely going to be with you for life. What other job provides that?” 

Details of the role are available at www.grasmeresports.com and it is being advertised in community publications too.  The closing date is now June 30, 2023, giving applicants plenty of time to get in touch with Deborah and find out more.                                                 

Ends

Editors notes

Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show is an iconic event taking place in the heart of the English Lake District on the August Bank Holiday weekend. Its long historic roots date back to 1868 and it is renowned for its fell running, hound trails and Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling competitions, as well as being a fantastic family day out.