Starting nice and early at 10:30am combined with hot summery weather, last Sunday was the perfect opportunity for locals to get out of the house and make their way down to the fun packed ‘Downham Games’ event!
Organised by the town council, Active Norfolk and Ryston Runners, the Downham Games on the memorial playing field gave children and adults a great chance to try different sporting activities.
Downham Market village games sports co-ordinator Frances Rayner said
“The day was a real success and something to build on for next year. All of the organisers were pleased with the turn-out, which saw 80 children and adults signed up for the athletics competition. With parents and their children taking part in the family fun sports it was a pleasure to watch people getting back to basics and having real fun together on what was a very hot sunny afternoon.”
There were five age categories – eight to 10 years, 11 to 13, 14 to 16, 17 to 39 and 40 and over – and each category was split into male and female groups.
All entrants received a medal on completion and there was a gold and silver medal in each category for overall winners.
“Medals were presented by Downham s Mayor Robin Pegg to all the winners and runners up in each category and every entrant in the athletics competition were given a medal to recognise their achievements” Says Frances Rayner.
She also added “A big thank you goes to Ryston Runners, without whose support the day would not have gone ahead, Peter Duhig for his enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise in setting up an event such as this and Amy East from Active Norfolk, who organised the tennis and archery taster sessions and ensured the event scoring went to plan.
“We really do hope that this event will be on next year s town event list and that we can build on what we achieved this year to make it bigger and better.” 
