FOR the first time in three years, teams battled it out over an inflatable obstacle course, during The Clique’s long awaited It’s a Knockout.
Some 18 teams took part in the Barnard Castle-based fundraising group’s family fun day on the Demesnes, cheered on by a sizeable crowd of spectators.
The last time the group, which raises cash for good causes in the dale, was able to run the event was in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and organisers were delighted with the turnout. David Harper, from the Clique said: “It has gone better than we could have hoped for.
“I think people having been waiting for something to come out to like this and we’ve had an awful lot of people from the town turn out.
“It’s been a great day and night out. The weather has been key to us. Some years it’s not always been kind, but it’s good to see so many people here.
“It’s like normality again. Speaking to people around the ground there is such a feel-good feeling. Everyone has got to learn to live again and it’s good to see so many people enjoying themselves.”
He added: “We have to thank our main sponsors JT Atkinsons, who again have supported us without question, and to Tilia Homes, who came onboard to sponsor the bands night.
“We really appreciate there are many other sponsors who have helped us in so many ways.
“It had put us back on the map fundraising-wise as we’ve not been able to do anything because of Covid, but even without funding raising we still managed to give out money to good causes.”
It was double celebration for the winning team, The Newly-Woods, who were presented with the Trevor Joel Memorial Trophy, as co-captains Dave and Shannon Wood, having got married the day before in Startforth.
After competition was concluded in the afternoon, spectators and competitors alike partied the night away, with music from four local bands.
