Scrooged! This Christmas

Just a few lines as we all have better things to do than read about me and my ramblings - I hope!
Working at home, I tend to have the telly on - for news, sport, Jeremy Kyle !  Over the past couple of days I have noticed that the Charles Dickens classic has been 'done to death'.

First one I saw was the Kelsey Grammer ' all singing, all dancing ' version.  Now, I like the bloke in Cheers and his spin -off 'Frasier' but he can't sing!
He couldn't even get away with the Rex Harrison ' talking and singing thing' that he did in, well, all of the films he did that required singing.  Story was fine and a few good one-liners.  there was also a bit of 'star watching' as a fair few of the cast were familiar faces to the British TV screen.  But, and this is the point where I couldn't have sat and watched it, EVERYTHING was sung! get right on your nerves after about 15 minutes.

Next, on the same day I have you, Patrick Stewart in almost a word-for-word version of Christmas Carol.  this was well worth a watch -even when you expected him to say: "computer, pause hologram".  Not that I am an expert on Dickens or even this story, but I did like the way it kept close to the feeling of the book.  I know this because I downloaded the book to my new tablet FOC as a try out and started to read it.

Missed the Muppet's Christmas - although I did catch Alan Shearer on MOTD with more hair on his chin than his head along side ' that bloke who was an average footballer who danced a bit and has become a BBC favourite' name escapes me. Probably doesn't count!

Not long before the classic Alistair Sim version of the story ( Christmas Caroll not MOTD).
That one has all the atmosphere and great acting but the one I am looking forward to is the Bill Murray version, which, if you have ever worked in the media (Mirror group take note) the characters are all too familiar!

Anyway, enjoy the festivities and I will write a bit more in 2013 as I have a nice few 'things' coming up.  as they say: WATCH THIS SPACE  

Big Ride makes a difference

One of the areas we at Durham Big Ride look at is the impact the event has on the wider community.  To this end we have a trophy we present to groups or charities who take part in the events to further their money or profile.

This year the recipient of the Bramwell’s Business Challenge trophy is Taylan’s Awesome Son-Rise Journey.

David Horsley was on hand with some of the volunteers to take hold of the trophy recently and was very pleased to accept it on behalf of the group.

Please read the story below that gives a nice view on the charity.

Around 6 years ago our son Taylan was diagnosed with having severe Autism. At that time Taylan was finding it really difficult to relate to the world going on around him......he was unable to communicate his needs & what is normally an easy transition from toddler to little boy was a complete up-heaval for our little man.

We never gave up hope that things would somehow improve as the years passed by. Around the end of 2009 while searching for help to make Taylan's life more tolerable we came across the Son-Rise program. This organisation has high levels of success bringing children through their state of autism. After attending a seminar in the UK, we were totally convinced by what we had seen, and like every other set of parents, we wanted our child to fulfil his potential. Without special intervention, Taylan’s future is extremely limited. The success rate of the Son-Rise program instils hope in us for his freedom from this condition. It is difficult for us to understand fully the issue of autism and reversing it in Taylan, but we are diligently trying to do so for the sake of his future.

I n October 2010 we set up a playroom in our house and we started on the son-rise program. In January 2011 I went to London for a week of start up training with Anita, Taylan's school 1:1 worker. From then until now we have worked on the principals of son-rise with Taylan and some fantastic volunteers that work with him.

We have witnessed so many changes in Taylan's life that we had only dreamed about until we started this program, all of which you can read about on his web page.

www.helpingtaylan.co.uk or search on facebook for Taylan's awesome Son Rise journey.

 

We all had a fantastic day at the Durham Big Ride and The Beast and thank you for reading about our very special boy.
Lucy & David Horsley

Brian, receives recognition for being a ‘spoke in a wheel’.

A postman from Chester-le-Street has been given the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his service to a charity he founded 16 years ago.

Brian Milner, who along with a friend and fellow postman David Patterson BEM, founded Gateway Wheelers disabled cycling group, in 1996

Brian received his medal from the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sir Paul Nicholson at a low key ceremony at Durham County Cricket Club recently.

“It was a great honour to meet Sir Paul and to receive the medal in my home town with good friends and family around.” Said Brian

“The British Empire Medal (BEM) was revived this year to reward community and voluntary work and so it is a double honour to be one of the first to get the medal for my work with Gateway Wheelers.”

Sadly, the co-founder passed away in 2004 and because of this, the group were even more determined to continue their work with riding for all abilities:

‘When David passed away it was a big loss, but we all rallied together, took on the challenge and have continued the charity’s success,’

Indeed, the group, based at Durham Cricket Ground, has a vibrant group of cyclists who enjoy getting out on their bikes most weekends.

Brian received his BEM for, Services to Gateway Wheelers and Royal Mail but is quick to say that it is very much a team effort with the group:

“When I first received my letter it took a few days for what I had been awarded to sink in. At the end of the day I’m just one spoke in a big wheel at Gateway Wheelers and without the support of my family and volunteers none of this would be possible not forgetting Sarah our amazing development officer

Not to be left out of a glamorous tea party down at Buckingham Palace, Brian has been assured that he will be invited down next year.

“I have been told that, because I have been given my honour ‘at home’, I will be invited down to London to meet others and hopefully the Queen!”

Current Mayor pays visit to ‘former Mayor’

A pub in the middle of Durham had a visit from the latest Mayor of the City to help pull a pint or two.

Cllr. John Wilkinson, current Mayor of the City, is helping to keep alive the name of one of the most notorious of his predecessors and helping promote a local business as well.

Cllr Wilkinson’s predecessor, Cllr Les Thompson, was one of the first to pull a pint at the John Duck pub in Claypath,  and has set the ball rolling for future Mayors to do the same:

Licensee  Andy Hughes is more than happy to see the latest Mayor come in to lend a hand:
“We named the pub after the Mayor of the City from 1680 and it was a gesture from us to invite the Mayor at the time of our opening  Les Thompson to help the launch.  As the Mayor changes every year, we felt it right to invite the current holder of the office to see how we are progressing.”

Andy added that the pub is looking to help local businesses all the time:  “We are very much a traditional pub in as much as we try and get our beers and real ales from local breweries.  This works well for both us and the brewers where we have built up a great working relationship with a number of them in the area.”

John Duck, Mayor in 1680, has a dubious background.  Indeed, there is not a lot known about his upbringing or his parents.  Legend says that he was walking along the streets of Durham when a Raven dropped a gold coin at his feet.  This was the start of his wealth – although there is evidence that he was not always on the right side of the law.

What is known is that he became one of the wealthiest men in Durham and had a mansion on Silver Street (now in City Centre) and later became Lord Duck of Haswell. 

“After working hard to establish ourselves as a pub to come and relax in during the summer months, now we are gearing up to the very busy time of the year starting with the Food Festival later this week.” said Andy

More about the John Duck pub can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/john.duck.581

Great North Weekend and all that!

Isn’t it always the same?  You wait for the Great North Run weekend to come along and, before you know it, it has gone for another year!

It is always a busy weekend as far as the press / snappers are concerned but add to that the cream of the Olympic medallist and you have a ‘picture fest’ to rival any of the previous Great North Run weekends.

It was very nice to see Mo back up in Newcastle after one of the busiest times he can remember.  Talk about a career- changing week for the lad! Best of all, he’s still the same nice, quite lad who was so please to see one of his old running mates from Sunderland who came trackside to see him at Friday’s press call.  Mo and Malcolm Husain used to run together as juniors and try and keep in touch, so it was nice that they got together to chat about old times and just ‘stuff’.  

From a personal point, it was very nice to see Greg Rutherford up at Gateshead too.

Greg and I have ‘bumped’ into each other at various tracks across the UK and Europe for more than 10 years and so it was nice to have a real chat as only two gingers can do! Out of the sun!

“I have never done so much TV and stuff” he said “That’s something to do with the medal you won in London” was the obvious reply from yours truly.

It was very nice for Greg to grab Gold in London.  He has had his fair share – and someone else’s share, of injuries and bad luck during his long jump career.

I could go on but to finish with them both, they are still nice blokes who are enjoying the results of some very hard work: not just for the past couple of years but a lifetime of dedication and commitment to their particular discipline.

For the event, Gateshead riverside was awash with sunshine, colour and spectators. All three and the top athletes involved with the events made the 2012 Powerade City Games a great success once again.

Next day and the weather was a little cooler, ideal for the people running the 13.1 miles that is the Bupa Great North Run.

You can read here http://www.greatrun.org/News/NormalNews.aspx?nid=8243

about the races with both the Men’s and Women’s races going right down to the last few yards which was great for TV and the spectators who braved the wet to see the race from the roadside.

Wilson Kipsang, who I spent a week with down at London Marathon earlier this year, was up to form and looking good for what I think could be a unique treble.  London Marathon, Great North Run and New York Marathon all in the same year. Wilson is funny, very good with the media and runs very fast and I can see him being the person to watch for a few years to come.

As I said at the top, this weekend goes too quickly but is always a great weekend.

BUPA GREAT NORTH RUN TIRUNESH DIBABA CONTESTING FIRST EVER HALF MARATHON

Three-time Olympic gold medallist Tirunesh Dibaba after her latest 10,000 metres victory in last month's London Games will turn her attention to winning the Bupa Great North Run on September 16.

Dibaba will make her debut over the distance in the World's greatest half marathon race from Newcastle-to-South Shields where the elite elite includes reigning Olympic and World marathon champions Tikki Gelana and Edna Kiplagat.

Her appearance in the IAAF Gold Label Event is a clear indication that the 27-year-old Ethiopian after highly successful track and cross country careers now intends switching her attention to road racing inlcuding a possible marathon next spring.

Dibaba has limited experience of road racing mainly having competed over five kilometres in recent years but in a rare outing over 15 kilometres in 2009 she set a World record 15K (8 mile) 46 minutes 28 minutes in Nijmegen.

Now Dibaba is taking the first step forward to emulating the achievements of her cousin Derartu Tulu the World's greatest ever women's distance runner who after her transition proved her legendary status with wins which included the Tokyo, London and New York City Marathons.

"Tulu was also a winner a winner of the 25th Anniversary Bupa Great North Run seven years ago so just as she followed in her footsteps at Olympic and World Championships level, Dibaba has another target to aim for," said Peter Riley, the race's elite athletes man.

"I'm sure although it is the furthest Tirunesh has ever competed over she will adapt to 13 1/2 miles quite easily and after resting before returning to training following her Olympic exploits where she also claimed the 5,000m bronze medal will be fully prepared.

But it is going to be a great challenge for her to win particularly with Gelana, Kiplagat and Jerotich who are also experienced half marathoners taking part and let'sa not forget Jo Pavey who always gives everyone a race fore their money."

Pavey will be joined in the race by Freya Murray the first Briton to finish in the Olympic Marathon while Portugal's Jessica Augusto the Bupa Great North Run winner in 2009 is also returning.

Tyneside firm taking on the world with major contracts

Tyneside based sports travel and tour operator Nirvana Europe Ltd, based in North Shields are set to complete a very successful 2012 with two major contracts in the sports travel industry.

Headed by MD Ken Morris, the company has been building its reputation for over 10 years on the international triathlon scene, making sure elite athletes as well as participants get to and from the event City safely - so all they have to worry about it doing well in the event.

“For over a decade Nirvana Europe has been the Official Travel Partner to British Triathlon, taking Elite and participant level Great Britain teams to Championship events all over the world, including Canada, Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand and China.” Said Ken, “and it was a great compliment to us and the work the whole team do when the Governing Body of the sport, the International Triathlon Union announced, in July, that Nirvana Europe will be the Official Travel Partner to the World Triathlon Championships, in London next year.”

The World Triathlon Championships is a huge event with over 5,000 athletes expected to compete.

To give the company, who employ ten full time staff, a further boost in this year of sport, Nirvana Europe signed a contract with the European Triathlon Union, making them the official travel partner for the European governing body.

“It was at a very apt time to sign the contract with the ETU” said Ken, “It was less than 24 hours after the Brownlee brothers were winning Olympic Gold and Bronze medals for Great Britain.

This success has brought the sport right into the public eye - watching as well as participating which can only be good for us.”

Renato Bertrandi, ETU President said “It is the aim of ETU to develop long term relationships with premium partners and Nirvana Europe is one of those partners.”

Nirvana Europe are also the Official Travel & Accommodation Partner to the Bupa Great Run Series, including the Bupa Great North Run and specialise  in taking  sportsmen and spectators to major sporting events all over the world.

“We are very proud that our team based on Tyneside is now receiving worldwide recognition as the World’s leading multi-sport travel company.” Said Ken.

The agreement will run until the end of 2013 and will see Nirvana provide  a consistent standard of cost effectiveness and excellence in travel and  accommodation to the European Triathlon Union.  Nirvana will also provide access to information through muli-lingual web pages to assist customers with their booking.

For more information on Nirvana Europe please contact Ed Tutty Communications on 07947348058 or info@etcomm.co.uk

http://www.nirvanaeurope.com/

www.etcomm.co.uk

S A D riders up for the challenge

Three riders are ready to take on the Durham Big Ride this weekend and at the same time help out stray dogs in Durham area.

Raising money for Stray Action for Dogs ( S A D), based at Deerness kennels in the City are  Alan Cutting and Helen Pinkney who work at the kennels and Mark Tallentire.

Durham Big Ride will see around 1,000 people take to the roads this Sunday (Sept. 2) and raising thousands of pounds for various charities and worthy causes.

The Durham Big Ride features three, ten and 25 mile routes that are set up to enjoy by everyone.

Alan, who is manager at the kennels is happy that all the money raised is going to the dogs: “ We have quite a bit of money from our friends and through the justgiving site and when the two local firms said they would pay for the ‘S A D Team’ t- shirts we were very pleased indeed. It means that we will be seen by all of the people there and who we are riding for.”

Helen, Alan and Mark with Rosie from the S A D Kennels 

 “The shirts sponsors, Fat Buddha restaurant and Workwear Express, will also be helping with donations to the cause”. Added Alan.

The Durham Big Ride starts at 9.30am. Some places will be available on the day, but organisers are advising people to sign up in advance at durhambigride.co.uk

The Beast, the ride’s 50-mile route, will take place 9am on Sunday, September 9.

To sponsor the Stray Action for Dogs team, visit https://www.justgiving.com/durhambigride-carolynbudd

Big Energy Making a Big Difference to Renovations

Big Energy has made a BIG difference to the lighting on a major renovation up in Northumberland that should see the running costs of lighting up this fabulous home cut by around 50% in the years ahead.

The Sunderland –based LED lighting supplier was on hand when Charlie Holt, owner of Little Warwick was undertaking a major refurbishment on the historic property site of Milecastle 28, Hadrian’s Wall.

“With a complete renovation, I had the chance to spec new lighting. I wanted to choose LED for energy-saving. And, from a design-perspective, it was great to work with experts who could source to compliment our architectural styling – we wanted a modern look, but substantial (which you don’t get with halogen ‘dazzlers’). We ended up with something tailored in manufacturing.” Said Charlie after inspecting the lights in all of their glory.

Although Big Energy was confident in meeting their clients exacting brief, other contractors were not so sure: “My electrician was sceptical, but they were won over by the results. And, our visitors have been well and truly ‘wow’d’. Of all the praise we’ve had for the place, the lighting has really been noticed. It’s a bright light, but not a harsh light.”

Gordon Angus from Big Energy, who supply low-energy LED both locally and nationally said they were more than happy with the end result at Milecastle 28:

“We knew Charlie had an exact plan as to how he wanted the area to be when it came to the lighting.  We also knew that, not only could we supply what he wanted but that the running costs will be significantly cut using the state-of- the art fittings we have put in place.  We are confident that Charlie will save in the region of 70%  on his energy bills over the coming months”.

Big Energy is looking to expand their work this year bringing low-cost energy to work places and commercial areas across the country. “It is quite simple really” said Gordon “we supply lights and fitting at a competitive price and the customer keeps saving via their energy bills for years to come”.

Big Energy has worked hard to develop their reputation for supply good quality, state the art lighting that gives great light and great savings for commercial properties, social housing or private dwellings. 

Why am I doing the Durham Big Ride?

Just one of the many reason why people get on their bikes in Durham in September

Around 6 years ago our son Taylan was diagnosed with having severe Autism. At that time Taylan was finding it really difficult to relate to the world going on around him......he was unable to communicate his needs & what is normally an easy transition from toddler to little boy was a complete up-heaval for our little man. We never gave up hope that things would somehow improve as the years passed by. Around the end of 2009 while searching for help to make Taylan's life more tolerable we came across the Son-Rise program. This organisation has high levels of success bringing children through their state of autism. After attending a seminar in the UK, we were totally convinced by what we had seen, and like every other set of parents, we wanted our child to fulfil his potential. Without special intervention, Taylan’s future is extremely limited. The success rate of the Son-Rise program instils hope in us for his freedom from this condition. It is difficult for us to understand fully the issue of autism and reversing it in Taylan, but we are diligently trying to do so for the sake of his future.

I n October 2010 we set up a playroom in our house and we started on the son-rise program. In January 2011 I went to London for a week of start up training with Anita, Taylan's school 1:1 worker. From then until now we have worked on the principals of son-rise with Taylan and some fantastic volunteers that work with him.

We have witnessed so many changes in Taylan's life that we had only dreamed about until we started this program, all of which you can read about on his web page. www.helpingtaylan.co.uk or search on facebook for Taylan's awesome Son Rise journey.

This September Taylan, Mum and Dad  are travelling to Autism Treatment Centre of America to complete  our intensive training. this will give us and subsequently our volunteers the relevant skills to reach our end goal for Taylan.

 

To financially aid this trip we've had various fundraising events, such as a 80's/90's disco, Race Night, Coffee Mornings, Car boot sales, a sponsored bike ride, a Karaoke night and a pamper party.  We now have a team of 11 people doing the Durham Big bike ride and 3 people completing the Beast. All of these lovely, kind people will be getting sponsorship to help with our fundraising. We also have Angela Robertson running the Great North Run for us. If you are able to help in any way please go onto our website and get in touch.

Have a fantastic day at the Durham Big Ride and The Beast, thank you for reading about our very special boy.
Lucy & David Horsley

Not long to Go...

Dear All,
Well, we are just about there! Just a matter of a couple of weeks now before the 6^th – and best – Durham Big Ride and Beast get underway.
With all the excitement about cycling this year: the Tour de France win of Bradley Wiggins, the success of the GBR riders in the Olympics, we have seen a few more people interested in the event - but the more the merrier!
The majority of the numbers have gone out now to the good people who have signed up early – but there is still time!
We may be getting close to our limit so I would suggest that you sign up as soon as possible and not to ‘try your luck on the day’. There may well be some numbers left on the day but no guarantees.
Well some good news for us at HQ in that a great business based in Durham has come on board as a partner. Whitfield Building Services, who took part in last year’s event, were so impressed with the whole event that they wanted to be a part of it.
We have worked with Kevin Whitfield, the MD of the company, and branded up the Little Ride as ‘in association with Whitfield Building Services Gas Care UK’. For those who don’t know, the Little Ride riders are the ones that cheer the main group out of the gates before having a great time in the parkland around County Hall playing all sorts of games around the three mile course.
So it is a big welcome to them and we hope that the partnership continues in the coming years.
After some requests for an official photographer for the event we have enlisted the services of Ragsdale Photography:

Ragsdale Photography will capture your achievement of finishing the Durham Big Ride. They will take your photo with your medal in the finish area and, what’s more, you will be able to purchase your photo and take it away with you.

Images are printed onsite to a size of 8 inches by 6 inches and are put into a mount. Price of photos are £8.00 each or two for £15.00. Images will also be put on their website and can be purchased from there as well.

The stand will be along the finish line – just after the collection points of the t-shirts and goodie bags.

Hetton Hawks, the cycling club that have been great supporters of DBR since it started, have changed their challenge for this year.

They will be bringing along some rollers to have a competition for everyone. It will be a ‘sprint’ on the rollers and there will be a couple of prizes on hand for the winners.

Finally, when you come to the Big Ride on the Sunday, look out for Mark Tallentire from the Northern Echo. He tells us that he has been working hard to make sure he can enjoy the event and see all that this great event has to offer. Mark will be riding for Stray Action for Dogs (S A D) who look after stray and abandoned dogs in the Durham area.

Finally, if you have any questions please look at the website: www.durhambigride.co.uk there is lots of information about the event on there as well as application forms. So, keep watching facebook and twitter for last minute news and information about both days.

All the team at Durham Big Ride look forward to seeing you soon.

Durham City firm gets on board Durham Big Ride.

Whitfield Building Services have put their name to the Durham Big Ride after taking part last year!

Kevin Whitfield took part in the 25 mile ‘fun ride’ that takes riders out to the Northwest of the City and was bowled over with the organisation and the people taking part.

“We came along after hearing about the good time friends had doing the Durham Big Ride” Kevin said, “We were so impressed with everything that went on during the day that we made a decision to get more involved with a great community event in Durham City.  We always want to get involved with the City community and this is a fabulous opportunity to do just that”

Whitfield Building Services have decided to team up with the Little Ride, where the youngsters get the chance to ride around the parkland at County Hall while at the same time getting some cycle tips from Alan Kennedy from Durham County Council Road Safety Department.

Colin Wilkes, Event Director was more than pleased with the addition of another local business:  “More than anything else, the Durham Big Ride gives youngsters the opportunity to be involved with a mass participation event, something that doesn’t happen too often.  To have this recognised and supported by Whitfield Building Services is a great boost to us at Durham Big Ride.”

Durham Big Ride takes place on Sunday September 2 with 3, 10 and 25 mile routes.  The following week, the 50 mile Beast takes to the roads.  For more information log onto

www.durhambigride.co.uk or info@durhambigride.co.uk

Mayor of Durham to give a hand to Heel & Toe

The Mayor of the City of Durham is looking to help one of his chosen charities this year by encouraging people to sign up and ride for them in this year’s Durham Big Ride.

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Durham, Councillor John Wilkinson has Heel & Toe as one of the causes he is supporting in his year of office. 

Councillor Wilkinson said "I chose Heel & Toe as one of my deserving charities because of the skill and hard work of all staff and volunteers of this local children’s charity as they offer free conductive education to children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and other motor disorders. The charity not only helps the children in their care but aids their parents too.  An organisation which treats each child as a special individual deserves anyone’s support".

Heel & Toe have just recently moved into offices in Durham City but have taken part in the Durham Big Ride before.

Colin Wilkes, Durham Big Ride, Mayor of Durham John Wilkinson and Doug

Long from Heel & Toe

Doug Long, Charity Manager said: “Heel & Toe are always looking for ideas and ways of, not only raising money, but to raise our profile and the work we do.  The Durham Big Ride lets us do both of these and we are more than happy that the Mayor of the City has chosen us in his year in office. 
The event is our 'local' and we have people training for the day in September, despite the weather, and we will all have a great time!”

Durham Big Ride, now in its sixth year, is going from strength to strength and is looking to have more cyclists then ever joining in the two rides that make up the event.

Colin Wilkes, one of the Directors of the event is confident of a fun day out for all:  “As previous years, we will have a great number of people using both the Durham Big Ride and The Beast not only to get a little more fitter and to enjoy a day out on bikes with family and friends but also to raise money for their own particular worthy cause.  We positively encourage all riders to think about using the day to raise the profile of a charity just as Heel & Toe have done.”

The Durham Big Ride this year is on Sunday 2 September and starts and finishes at Durham County hall.  The Beast is a week later and starts from Sniperley Park and Ride to the west of Durham City.

Entries are £17 per adult with £5 for children.  All information can be seen on the website: www.durhambigride.co.uk with any charities wanting to take part should contact the event on info@durhambigride.co.uk for details.

Gedanken and NHS team up for another year

Gedanken, the Sunderland based counselling and coaching company, has extended their contract with South Tyneside NHS for another year.

David Cliff, MD of the personal development company sees it as a continuation of a lot of hard work in previous years:  “South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust and Gedanken have a great working relationship and we will continue to work together for the benefit of the community.”

The contract will see Gedanken continue to offer out of hours counselling to groups and individuals across the PCT’s area which covers Boldon, Whitburn South Shields and Jarrow.  This service has seen several hundred people and offered help with anxiety, bereavement, depression, anger and stress problems.

David Hambleton, Director of Commissioning Development, Sean Halliday Business and Contract Manager South Tyneside and David Cliff, MD Gedanken Ltd. PIC Ragsdale Photography

Penny Davison, Senior Business and Contract Manager and Sean Halliday, Business and Contract Manager South Tyneside PCT are pleased to augment the local NHS services with innovative skills honed in the industry care sector and offer real patient choice in the treatment people receive. “The Gedanken service works in a true collaboration with our local trust and demonstrates what can be achieved in a true public/private partnership with a company with a strong sense of social responsibility. Patients have responded very positively to the Gedanken service.” Said Sean.

South Tyneside PCT is one of many varied clients Gedanken serves: “There isn’t a “typical” client or company we work with.  Gedanken provides Coaching, counselling, mentoring, and conflict resolution. We also develop managers and director’s through personal development programmes that help companies develop their people potential and grow business”.  Said Mr Cliff.

Gedanken company slogan is “Keeping the humanity in a business world”. And as David puts it: “Ultimately we are about serving people and strengthening the human resources in the North East. This means caring for those in the community who need support and assisting companies in flexible ways to foster growth and job creation.

David started the company 6 years ago after a successful career in both public and private sectors.

Pounding The Streets - AGAIN!

Here is a thing! It is something that I have noticed in the past few months and I think it is a sign of the ‘comradeship’ of runners is starting to slip if not slide into the world of I- pods and running to my beat that is on my headphones.

Let me explain.

I have, for a few weeks now, have started to run, albeit at a pace that is in keeping with my age.  Let me state that there should be no fears for any of the Olympians that I know – even the older ones – about their place in London 2012.  The real reason that I have got back out on the roads is that the 32 inch waist has gone and never to return and the 34 inch is creeping out and out.

So trotting round the sea front in Sunderland is a great place to get back into the swing of things and there is not only me who thinks that way: and this is where it starts to go a bit wrong.

When the world was in black and white and I was pounding the roads, when your run route crossed another, you would give the fellow struggler a breathless “hello” and a wave of your hand without breaking stride. Not any more it seems!

I have seen a fair few people running up and down the prom but very few actually acknowledge fellow runner never mind say anything.  To an old man like me, it gives you something else to think about when you see other runners coming towards you.  You get ready for the breathless words of encouragement but none come, not even eye contact (something that is just as good when you are on the last part of your route).

Today, being a Bank Holiday Monday, was a nice day for a run and there was a fair few people around so I decided to look at the fellow runners and here is what I found.

The very serious runners probably from a club in the area, seem to look up and say something or a wave if they are in ‘the zone’. 

At the other end of the scale is the ‘ I am getting a bit fitter to do the Race for life / local 10k / the doctor has told me to lose a bit of weight’. Again these people are happy to see someone else struggle and so they have a tendency to smile and ‘hello’ as they pass.

The middle grounds are the ones who seem to be the unhappy ones.  They tend to be the ones who are ‘working’ towards a new PB at this year’s Great North Run or Edinburgh marathon or the like.

They also tend to be the ones who have their I-Pod strapped onto their arms and their heart-rate monitor on the other arm and a GPS telling them exactly how far they have gone today and add it to their computer based diary.    They are so wrapped up with their music that keeps their BPM up or their run rhythms on 12 minute mile schedule that they are oblivious to anyone else in their eye line.

 Nothing wrong with these runners and if that is what gets you on to you PB or enjoy your running - great.  But one of the best bits of this running lark is the people who you met while you are out training for whatever you are doing it for.  So remember, next time you are out for a jog, keep an eye out for fellow joggers.  A wave makes the run go a little bit easier.   

 

Manchester run and all that..

Finally back from a great weekend at Manchester for the Great Manchester Run and the City Games.

If you ever get the chance to see the City games up close, go see it! You will then see how fast these people actually run.  They need around 50 metres to slow down and they still crash into the snappers stand at the end. And the pole vault - just incredible!

For my part we had a very good photo on Friday taken on the track as it was getting built! A good bunch of the top runners were there and got into the spirit of the occasion – donning hard hats and ‘spanners’ helping with the build.

On Sunday morning, bright and very early, the sun didn’t come out but the first time in a while the ground was dry and there was no forcast of rain so happy days all round.

With some 20 plus snappers around the start, the place had a nice buzz about it with the likes of Joe Corrigan and Bobby Charlton starting one of the many waves of runners.  They were more than happy to talk to the media and have the snappers set up a ‘start’ shot on the podium.

There was, as usual, a fair smattering of celebs around. Tony Audinshaw (?) – Bob from Emmerdale – was on good form both with his running and his rapport with the crowd and media. Tony is a great guy and a bit quick on his feet when it comes to road races. In his Leukaemia research gang, brought together by Ken Lomas, are some actors from TV and theatre who run at various pace but all have a lot of fun.  It would be wrong of me not to mention Chris Chittel, - Eric Pollard- who is still pounding the streets and is seen as the ‘Daddy’ of soap star runners.

Others around were, in no particular order: Nell MacAndrew, turning into a ‘running friend’ of mine, who was running with her mum who was doing Manchester for the first time.  Peter Hook, he of New Order, was part of a great group running for Christies- local hospital in Manchester.  He looked a bit tired until he mentioned that he had been giging all week but loves the run. 

40,000 runners later we moved onto the City Sprints.  Lots of top class sprinters on a track they all agreed was a great concept and should be in other major cities – especially in the USA!

The ‘HURDLE GATE’ has been well covered but just to say it is the first time I have seen / heard of this happening and I have been  watching and covering athletics since the early 90’s.  But lets not take away from what an excellent event this is and credit should go to Manchester Cuty Cuncil and the organisers Nova who put on a great show.

CHAMBERS OPENS EUROPEAN OUTDOOR SEASON IN POWERADE GREAT CITYGAMES MANCHESTER

Great Britain's number one sprinter Dwain Chambers will make his first outdoor appearance of the year on European soil when competing over 150 metres at the Powerade Great CityGames Manchester on May 20.

Chambers faces a testing outing in Manchester competing against American Walter Dix, last year's IAAF World Championships 100 metres and 200m silver medallist, Trinidad's Richard Thompson the 2008 Olympic 100m runner up and fellow Briton Marlon Devonish.

The quality of the line up at the innovative street meeting, taking place on a purpose built straight track, will see the quartet eyeing Usain Bolt's world best performance of 14.35 seconds - set at the inaugural meeting in 2009.

With Dix believing he is in shape to attack the USA record of 14.51sec that Tyson Gay achieved at the Manchester event a year ago, Chambers could challenge the British best performance of 14.87sec in what should be a speedy encounter.

That record belongs to ageless veteran Devonish who thrives on "street dash" races posting that time in Manchester's sister event, the Great North CityGames in NewcastleGateshead last September.
 
Chambers was recently cleared to compete at this summer's Olympic Games after a British Olympic Association (BOA) regulation banning former drug offenders from representing Team GB was overruled by a binding decision announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

That ruling has refuelled the ambitions of the 34-year-old Londoner who is currently warm weather training in Jamaica and revealed earlier this week after the CAS decision he will concentrate on home soil chasing an Olympic 100 metres medal.

The meeting will also see the USA's Sanya Richards-Rossin action, she is expected to be one of the biggest challengers to take away Christine Ohuruogu’s Olympic 400m title at the London Games

Richards-Ross was stunned when beaten into third place after Ohuruogu produced an unstoppable sprint finish down the home straight in Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium four years ago.

Now her Olympic build up will see the 27-year-old superstar compete over 200m in a line up which includes Czech Denisa Rosolova the reigning European Indoor 400m title holder and Nicola Sanders who was second behind fellow Brit Ohuruogu over one lap at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.

MAKAU TO FACE GEBRSELASSIE IN BUPA GREAT MANCHESTER RUN

Reigning world marathon record holder Patrick Makau, after his shock omission from Kenya's Olympic Games team, will compete at the Bupa Great Manchester Run on May 20.

Makau will go head-to-head with Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, whose world record he broke by 21 seconds at last September's BMW Berlin Marathon, with a time of two hours three minutes 38 seconds.

The African superstars will be part of a 40,000 strong field in the IAAF Gold Label 10k race, which Gebrselassie has won on four previous occasions, and for the last three years following his first success in 2005.

Makau who, despite his credentials, was left out of the Kenyan side for the London Games in August after failing to finish in last month's Virgin London Marathon with a minor injury, is determined to rebuild his career, with Manchester a starting point.

"I went to London knowing I was already in the team for the Olympics. I therefore was not going to push myself to finish the marathon," the 26-year-old , who had originally been pre-selected, stating he was not bitter towards Athletics Kenya about his exclusion, told reporters.

"Olympics come only once in four years. Ethiopians have been training for it since January. That is a whole seven months. My recovery period is four months, and that is why I wasn’t going to run hard in London last month.

"I sacrificed a lot of races since last year for the sake of Olympics, but all that is now down the drain."

Paul Tergat, who preceded Gebrselassie as world record marathon holder and is a former Bupa Great Manchester Run champion, admitted he was shocked by Makau's exclusion from Kenya's team.


He believes Makau made the right decision to drop out in London when troubled by a leg injury which he felt would hinder his Olympic preparations and it was wrong all three candidates had to run so close to the Games.

"The selection was done in good time and the athletes selected are capable of winning medals. But they needed Makau in the team, because Olympics training is a different ball game," said Tergat, a legendary Kenyan runner.

"I was shocked that Makau is not in the team after the announcement last year that he would get a wild card to the Games after he broke the world record in Berlin."

Tergat, sending out a warning his nation's representatives will be under severe pressure, added: "I have watched Ethiopians this year and I know they can beat us in Olympics, given their longer training period."

The highly experienced two-time former Olympic 10,000m silver medallist emphasised: "We are not doubting their ability, but asking them to recover and train in three months is expecting too much in too short a time and we may not get the results that we may desire from them."

The Bupa Great Manchester Run will be celebrating its tenth staging this year after being first staged in 2003 as a legacy to the City's magnificent hosting of the previous year's Commonwealth Games

KAWAUCHI AGAIN FALLS TO THE TACTICS OF AFRICAN RIVALS

Report by Dave Martin at the MetroGroup Marathon Dusseldorf

Japanese amateur runner Yuki Kawauchi again fell to to the tactics of his more experienced  African rivals when finishing eighth at the MetroGroup Marathon Dusseldorf on Sunday.

Kawauchi fell out of contention after being dropped just after the halfway point in a race  won by Ethiopia's Seboka Diriba Tola in a course record time of two hours eight minutes 27 seconds.

The contest went almost to the wire, Tola beating  off the challenges with a final kilometre split of 2min 48sec to win by six seconds from Duncan Koech while his former Kenyan countryman Abraham Kiprotich now representing France third in 2:08:35. 

Kenya's Agnes Jeruto on her marathon debut enjoyed a much easier competition before claiming the women's title also with a course record performance of 2:25:49.

Belarusia's Nastassia Staravoitava reduced her personal best by over seven seconds to claim second place in  2:27:24 with Melkam Gisaw of Ethiopia lowering hers to 2:27:50.  

For Kawauchi it was another frustrating day.Once again he fell to the the uncompromising racing ability of east African athletes which he first encountered when although not a professional athlete, he represented his country at last year's World Championships in Daegu.

"The pace was up and down from the start and then they made a strategic break with lots of pace at the halfway point," said the 25-year-old full time civil servant who will return to work on Tuesday immediately after landing at Tokyo airport.

 

Kawauchi whose appearance saw several hundred Japanese living in Dusseldorf watching the event, added: "I came here to race against them and try and understand and learn more about their tactics.

 

"It didn't work out for me. But again it was a great experience and the spectators on the course offered great encouragement."    

 

There was disappointment for the host nation's Jan Fitschen and Anna Hahner who were chasing Germany's Olympic Games qualifying standards of 2:12 and 2:30.

 

Fitschen off the pace even before 10 kilometres dropped out at 245km. Hahner 22, on her marathon debut produced a great performance placing sixth but missing the qualifier by just 14sec.