Thanks Nicijay, good to hear of Steves progress
Ed

It is great to hear anyone thanking the marshals who do such a brilliant job.I have to visit Nobles Hospital 2 or 3 times a week for physio and today I called in on ward 11 where I was for many weeks and also ITU whereI was totally out of if for about 6 weeks.I simply took them all some tins of choccies and biscuits.After all, what can you do to thank people who have looked after you so well? I did a short interview on Energy FM today, expressing my concern at the possible lack of marshals due to the dreadful treatment of the female Chief Sector Marshal at Waterworks ( many of you know who I mean) . We must not let do gooders prevent us from doing what we love, so we must begin to encourage volunteers for next year.
Great to heat that Steve is making good progress.It will take time and he will have to be patient, very difficult for a racer,but he will get there

Well said Hilary. You guys who marshall are fantastic, we spectate and each year marvel at what you all do. Two of our closest friends are marshalls (Ballagarey) and love what they do, but as you say we have "do gooders" out to spoil the dedication of all these people. I'm not brave enough to marshall myself but do help out by putting out signals for friends who race. Keep up the good work.

Can anyone enlighten me?

What 'do gooders' and why would anyone want to stop the marshalls marshalling?

What have I missed, surely the racing could not continue without all the marshalls and other helpers who give so freely with their time not to mention money! Keep up the good work I say

Following the accident on the mountain at the end of the TT, there was an attempt to blame the sector marshal for what happened to the people involved.
This, if successful,would have made it impossible to recruit people for this voluntary but essential work. However, this folly was overturned.
I'm not sure what do-gooders were alluded to, but perhaps over zealous health and safety people.
The last couple of years have been very difficult for marshals and for those who organise safety and marshalling.
Roger and Jan Hurst will be hard to replace, but marshals do this work for love of the sport, and I am sure they will still turn out when needed.
I must say, yet again... we need every marshal we can get, and if you have not already done so, VOLUNTEER NOW,and get your training this winter.

I know this is, to put it mildly, a sensitive subject, but if spectators and marshals were allowed to be standing or sitting in an area where a crashing motorcycle was going to be heading straight for them, who is responsible? In the days when the TT had a different level of recognition the course was subject to FIM inspection, with riders' representatives having their say, and there should be an equivalent today. If not, or additionally, there should be ongoing stringent checks that nothing can be improved, nothing has been missed. The most knowledgable people should be involved in this, including sector marshals, travelling marshals, organisers and riders, and then must take the blame if they have got it wrong. I do not feel that flinging police enquiries around is appropriate - at least not until after an inquest, which would identify any possible culpability. Flinging mud around and muttering in closed rooms is never appropriate.
Marshalling at a major motor sport event is not a day out for babies, kids, uncles and aunts, grannies and grandads, with picnics and chairs and tables, programmes at the ready to mark down the results. That is what spectators do, and I believe that the riders that risk their necks should expect that every possible thing has been done, by a professional team, to minimise the risks to them, and to what they could cause in the event of an accident.
Although there has been a lot of muttering about the TT course licence for racers, it is more in the cost and detail that this looks wrong. it does seem right that riders should be able to show that they are fit and qualified, not just turning out for the most challenging races anywhere with nothing to show that they have the wide and current experience to safely take part. This means racing elsewhere, whether it be on Irish road circuits or mainland short circuits, and is no different to how we used to get and maintain an International licence back in the old days.
It is sadly true that it must be difficult to find sufficient marshals with similar experience, if for no other reason than costs for them in getting off the Island several times a year. IMHO, this level of qualification should be the minimum for senior marshalling roles.

I think it would be irresponsible of us to open this argument up in the light of the impending inquest.
Let's wait and see what that says.

helen - I accept what you say. I have been so concerned that I put things badly that I have had to get up to do an edit!
Rather than remove all my comments (although should you feel that they should be, I would not disagree!) I would just like to add that I am concerned that marshalling may be the final factor in any demise of the TT. Any group of volunteers is going to have a wide spectrum of abilities, dedication and so on, and I am sure that the vast majority of the TT marshals are everything they should be, and more, but when it gets to the point of appealing for more to step forward, there is the danger that standards could drop - numbers becoming more important than quality.
Let us hope that the due process happens soon, and is thorough, honest, and public.

No problem, Peter. You make several valid points.
Anyway,I must be off... today is my training day as a marshal. Without this Incident Manager Certificate... valuable and recognised all over... I cannot be a marshal.

Peter,

I think its fairly typical of you that you felt the need to edit yur comments.
As Helen said, you made some valid points.
We must none of us feel afraid to say what we think here, especially those of you who marshall, ride, and have ridden.
The thing that separates this website from... the other one...is that it is supported by genuine knowledgeable folk with opinions worth hearing.
Of course, we should have a care for the feelings of friends and family of the bereaved and injured.
As for Hilarys comments about how to show gratitude.....I agree its impossible. After I left my local hospital following my treatment, I simply popped in with a box of chocolates. They went down well!
The medical staff dont expect thanks, but we mustnt forget too.

Many thanks to, among others, Glen Corlett, for excellent marshal's training today. Gets better all the time. Certs presented by their good customer, Barry Wood!

The man of the moment

Glen Corlett................what a star :!:

He was the medic first on the scene of Steve's accident, there in 20 seconds, how fantastic is that

I'm sure it's thanks to Glen that Steve's spinal injuries were not worse. The superb handling of him at the scene made all the difference, a million thanks to Glen and his team as well as all the marshalls

He's an excellent trainer too!

A quick update

Steve went to see the spinal specialist on wednesday, they took some more xrays and the news was all positive.
Steve was most disapointed they didn't tell him he could go and get on a bike! :cry:
The xrays were very clear and only L3 vetebrae has a visible chunk, which is wierd to see but all is healing nicely.
He has to continue to be careful and keep his body brace on, another appointment in 4 weeks where hopefully they will tell him he can take off the brace and take a bath!
Then he will be slowly weaned off the brace around the house and start physio for his back.

Great to hear this sort of news. Keep at it Steve!

Another quick update

Steve has decided to take his body brace off every night and GET A BATH!!!!!! YIPEE
no more bed bath! Apparently it feels a bit wierd to lie down in the bath after so long.
The dog is pleased to go for a walk with his owner again but muddy fields are not really the place for Steve as he found out........flat on his back and covered in thick mud!! OOPS
Next Dr appointment is 19/12 and hopefully he will offically be allowed to remove the brace then!

Roll on 2008, we need a better year.

Yipee...............Steve can take off the brace now when ever he wants to, physio can start on his back........thats booked for tomorrow!!

No need to operate as the vertebrae are looking good, back to see the spinal Dr again on 20 Feb and then he should get the all clear to race again.

He's a happy man today

Hope you all have a good christmas and roll on 2008 and a better year!!
Thanks to everyone for all the support and good wishes we've had it's much appreciated.

Brilliant news... two pieces of good news in one day...(see Malcolm's thread) I'm already having a Happy Christmas!
Here's to a happy, safe, fast 2008.

Thanks for the update Niki.
Best wishes to you and Steve for Christmas and 2008

Update
Steve went on a track day at Oulton Park recently and said he is more comfortable on his bike than off it..........there's a surprise!

The physio told him at the last visit that it would take 18 months to 2 years to get him right.........the reply.............you've got 6 weeks mate!

He visited the spinal clinic again on wednesday (20/02) and the news continues to be good. I snitched on him for going on his bike, the doc said to make sure he has a back protector on. Steve asked if his spine was as strong as before the accident now and the doc said "you've broken what god gave you" which Steve took to mean he can go racing again...............I despair...........more sleepless nights for me when the season starts. I think he's recovered so quickly because the thought of missing any racing would make him cry so he's back to work to pay the race bills and has several offers of bikes to ride and a lovely new classic built.

Fingers crossed for a better season.