Molly Wrestles With Reporting Challenge and Follows in Great-Grandad’s Grasmere Sports Footsteps

A strange case of serendipity occurred at Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show on August 27, when it was discovered that a young reporter had unknown connections to the event.

In advance of the show, Grasmere Sports had launched its very first Young Sports Reporter contest – a challenge for which it recruited youngsters on the day.  These children, selected at random, were provided with a notepad and pen and given the brief of either reporting on the sporting action or giving an overview of the entire occasion.

One such young reporter was Molly Haigh, aged 10, who was visiting the show from her home in Hertfordshire, along with her sister Lauren (aged 7), and parents.  

Molly happily accepted the brief, despite also being busy competing in the Under 12s fell race and watching her sister compete in a sprint race. 

Her entry was judged, alongside the others, and was deemed the best entry on the day.  A delighted Molly was presented with the Young Sports Reporter trophy, by Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show Chairman, John Hibbert.  Taking to the podium, she celebrated her win like a true Grasmere champion.

At that point, Molly’s mother, Lucy Cope, revealed that the family had a very strong connection to the event.  Molly’s great-grandfather, Richard Greatorex, who came from Arrad Foot near Ulverston, actually won the Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling world championship at Grasmere Sports, back in the 1930s.

Although the family have photos showing that achievement, they are uncertain as to the actual date that this happened and hope someone will be able to provide more details.  Richard’s daughters were Poppy Cope (nee Rachel Greatorex) and Diana Sanderson (nee Greatorex).  Poppy – Lucy’s mother - sadly passed away seven years ago and Diana now lives in Market Harborough.

Molly says: “I am so happy to win this trophy.  I enjoyed writing the story about my day at Grasmere Sports and it was exciting to get on to the podium.”

Lucy Cope says, “We had a great day at Grasmere Sports and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  It’s a strange coincidence that we have another winner of a trophy at Grasmere in the family but a very nice one.  Hopefully, we might also find out more about Molly’s great-grandfather’s achievement.”

Deborah Black, Show and Field Manager at Grasmere Sports, says: “We had absolutely no idea of this family’s connection to the Show but it’s a fantastic thing to have discovered.  We loved Molly’s story and hope we can now complete the story about Richard Greatorex’s win here.”

Anyone with information to pass on to Richard and Molly’s family can do so by emailing manager@grasmeresports.com

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.