Ebor Welcome to Yorkshire Festival at York Racecourse
Whilst providing security is a serious business when you are providing a safe and secure environment for 80,000 plus visitors to the York Racecourses Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, it doesn’t mean the security officers and stewards cannot enjoy themselves. At York Racecourse the atmosphere is infectious and the security staff are not immune.
The atmosphere generated by the knowledgeable horse racing enthusiasts is enhanced by the many first time visitors and those who enjoy the food, drink, music and ambience at, what many people believe is the world’s most welcoming racecourse. The security staff are an integral part of the experience, ensuring that the entry phase is smooth, racegoers are welcomed, professionally assisted with directions and general information and necessary procedures such as searches are carried out with speed, thoroughness and courtesy.
The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival is 173 years old this year, and although the Ebor race is itself hugely popular, the meeting also includes the Nunthorpe and Gimcrack Stakes also attracting attention throughout the racing world.
The Security Officers and Stewards role involves a good deal of multi-tasking and customer service skills, where racegoers spend time in one of the many bars, enjoy a meal in first class surroundings in one of the many restaurants or a snack from one of the numerous concession stands.
Those wishing to place a wager are amply accommodated by the onsite bookmakers or the Tote. Many will wish to tour the racecourse taking in the sights and sounds near the weighing room and parade ring, the Frankel statue and the other historical aspects of this truly great sporting venue. Throughout this the security staff remain vigilant, assisting and guiding the public at the same time looking for and pre-empting those issues that may interfere with the majority enjoying themselves.
As racing ends the band strikes up and those fancying a dance around the bandstand strut their funky stuff, sometimes stylistically often hysterically invariably in good humour. Others start their journeys either home or to finish off their day in the City. The Security staff ensure that they are directed to the appropriate buses or taxis before closing the bars and securing the venue.
Our Chairman Mick Lee was the first contract Security Officer to work at York racecourse 35 years ago with a team of six, he still carries out the team briefing at the start of each raceday and acts as advisor to our managerial and supervisory team overseeing up to two hundred colleagues per day.
Constant staff working closely with Police, St Johns, NHS, animal welfare, racecourse management, staff and officials are part of the team that make the Ebor the unqualified success that it is.
But there is more, racing starts at York in May with truly great meetings through till October.
If you visit have a great time, can’t wait to come back and cannot remember seeing a Security Officer, we have achieved what we seek to achieve. If you are in any kind of difficulty we are there to assist you... CONSTANTLY.
