Monty's Bench Dedication
On Tuesday 13 July, the bench in memory of our late President Monty Munson was unveiled on a glorious evening in the presence of the vast majority of club members.
Our current President, Malcolm Render did a sterling job as MC and we’ve reproduced his words from the evening along with those of Bishop Helen-Ann for those who were not able to attend.
Malcom’s address
“Monty would have been overjoyed to see so many of his friends and fellow Ripon Runners gathered here tonight in honour of his memory. It’s extremely pleasing to see that includes some of the old and bold from the early years of the club and that many of you were able to wear your club colours as a mark of respect to him. I too managed to dig out my first Ripon Runners vest and after 35 years it still fits. That’s not entirely true, unfortunately, over the years my original vest has shrunk so much it’s now more than a little on the tight side.
Our guest of honour for the evening is Monty’s daughter Lynn, who is currently recovering from a recent hip replacement operation. Despite this problem, Lynn has still managed to attend and we are all immensely grateful for her presence. Its means so much to us to have a member of Monty’s family with us on such an occasion. Some of you will remember Monty’s son Tony who was also a club member and like his father a talented runner. Unfortunately, Tony is unable to join us, he sends his sincere apologises and best wishes.
I would like to introduce a Ripon Runner with a very different type of job, she is the Bishop of Ripon the right reverend Helen-Ann Hartley. When Bishop Helen heard about this evening’s event, she kindly offered to say a few words and give a prayer of dedication. Monty was a very modest and humble man and I have no doubt that the attendance of the Bishop of Ripon at an event in his memory would have absolutely “blown him” away. Our sincere thanks to Bishop Helen for her presence and contribution.
When Simon and I started looking for a site for Monty’s Bench the National Trust was not foremost on our list. To be honest we were not sure if we would receive a very positive response and any transactions with them were likely be long and full of official “red tape”. Nothing could be further from the truth; they could not have been more helpful or accommodating. I would like to introduce Chris Woods who is the local park ranger at Fountains, who along with his boss Justin Scully was responsible for finding a home for Monty’s Bench. Chris offered us a number of options in the park, including this beautiful location overlooking the lake and the entrance to the valley of seven bridges, Monty’s favourite training route. It’s the perfect spot and we are hugely indebted to Chris and Justin for all their assistance and hard work to ensure Monty’s Bench actually happened.
My appreciation also to our Club Chair Simon for all his efforts behind the scenes in visiting possible sites before approaching the National Trust and making the necessary arrangements. Without his help tonight’s event would not have been possible.
Monty didn’t begin running until well past his middle fifties, despite his late start he was soon running to a decent standard. At the age of 57 in 1985 he decided with his then running partner Cameron Weatherburn to form the first ever running club in the city and call it Ripon Runners. Monty was a hard trainer and by the time he reached 60 he was winning most of the over 60 vet prizes in the local area and beyond. His main rival was an Otley runner called Eric Smith who had run for Britain in the European Games back in the 1950s, they became good friends but would almost kill each other to get to the finish first. Monty’s favourite race was the London Marathon which he entered and trained relentlessly for every year. In his professional life Monty was a self-employed bricklayer, but as Rodney Mills his close friend would tell you it was never a good idea to employ Monty in the weeks before the marathon. Whatever the job he would disappear off site in the afternoon to park his truck at Hellwath and depending on his training regime would complete one, two or three circuits of the seven bridges route.
Monty continued to compete in races until well into his eighties and was still helping out at club events using his faithful old truck to deliver race signs and water until his late eighties. He was almost 93 when he passed away just before Christmas last year. During his time as President, he saw Ripon Runners grow from a handful of mainly male runners into the club it is today with almost 300 members. His concern in the early days was the lack of members, especially female runners, his aim was always to increase the number of members particularly ladies. Looking round the membership this evening, I believe he succeeded and can be justifiably proud of his achievements, few people in their lifetime manage to leave behind the kind of lasting legacy that Monty has left.
I would now like to ask Bishop Helen to carry out her dedication and prayers.”
Bishop Helen-Anne’s address and blessing
“Thank you for allowing me to participate in this bench dedication ceremony (and a particular thanks to Simon for your willingness to include me); it’s a real privilege and I extend my gratitude and acknowledgement to Monty’s daughter Lynn who is here this evening. As a relatively new member of the club, I have rejoiced in the magnificent spirit of welcome and encouragement, and the kudos ticks on Strava for my relatively modest runs from those far more experienced than I.
Running shapes and changes our perspective on our surroundings, and makes us aware of the miracle of our bodies. Ripon Runners, of which Monty was a founding member is a club that shapes perspective; through its real sense of community and positivity (and speaking personally perhaps this was no better illustrated for me than on leg 3 of the Ripon Ultra and that push up to the Swinton bivouac – I haven’t yet recovered!). This bench that we dedicate today, in Monty’s memory gives perspective on this beautiful place and our wider world; it’s significant that the bench is near Monty’s favourite run: the seven bridges. Soon the Fountains Abbey parkrun will start again and from this bench you have a great view of the runners making their way ‘single-file please’ (!) across the river and then the final leg to the finish.
A man called Paul who wrote letters in the 1st century to Christian communities and which are recorded in the New Testament used the imagery of athletic competition to illustrate his own journey in life. Here are some of his words; and these will be followed by a prayer of blessing for this bench, and a prayer of blessing for our running community.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.
A prayer of blessing and dedication for this bench:
Bless this bench that we dedicate in Monty’s memory and those who take their rest upon it.
Bless our giving and receiving.
Bless our words and conversation.
Bless our hands and recreation.
Bless our sowing and our growing.
Bless our coming and our going.
Bless all who arrive here and all who depart.
Bless this +bench, your peace impart.
And a prayer of blessing for our running community:
May you have cool, still nights
and the promise of clear, endless morning.
May the sun rise to greet you with open arms;
and the horizon bow deep beneath your feet.
May you always have water to quench your thirst,
Air to fill your lungs and joy to lift your heart.
May your feet carry you wisely
Swift or slow, towards home.
May you always have heart for your fellow travellers,
and the rhythm of the road to guide you;
May you know the sweetness of victory,
The sorrow of loss and the surrender of both.
Amen.”
Helen-Ann Hartley, Bishop of Ripon & Ripon Runner
Final words from Malcolm
“It’s my great privilege to ask Monty’s daughter Lynn to cut the ribbon and declare Monty’s Bench officially open.
Over time I am sure Monty’s Bench will become a treasured local landmark and a fitting tribute to a much-loved man who is remembered as the Father of Ripon Runners.
Lynn has asked me on behalf of Monty’s family to thank everybody at Ripon Runners for all their kindness and for everything the club had done in Monty’s memory.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your attendance this evening, I look forward to us getting back to our normal club evenings in the very near future. In the meantime, please keep safe and enjoy your running.”