Don Hale Blog

  Conwy Half Marathon - last few entries remain... Race organiser Chris Yorke from RunWales has confirmed that only a last few entries remain for the end of season Conwy Half-Marathon set for Sunday  17th November 2024. So hurry now if you want to take part in this exciting event. https://www.runwales.com/e/conwy-half-marathon-8639 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Date:  17th November 2024. Start Time:  9:30am.   Run like you've never run before at the iconic, fast Conwy half marathon in  the capital of North Wales. Voted in the top 5 most scenic Half Marathons in the UK by Readers of Runners World.”  This GREAT Half Marathon now in its 14th year is a classic race on the calendar.” Has a start & finish near the quayside in front of the 700+ year old  Conwy Castle. 2018 Saw over 3,000 runners take part, many PB’s were achieved. The route runs along the road adjacent to the Conwy River as it proceeds towards Deganwy and the West Shore Llandudno,

*Pictured above - Harry Driscoll led the NWRRC team. Harry Driscoll led the Road Runners home at Conwy parkrun...plus other parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another bumper turn-out at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as a host of visitors enjoyed the mild conditions and the picturesque 5k riverside course at the RSPB Nature Reserve. Harry Driscoll  led home a team of just nine  North Wales Road Runners  due to members recovering from illness, injuries, or from last week’s Marathon Eryri.   Harry finished 12th overall out of 366 entrants, and he was 2nd in his SM20 age cat in 20 minutes and 16 seconds.  Sion Thomas  was 78th in 24.30, and  Richard Scamans  finished in 82nd place in 24.37.  *Sion Thomas (*above left), with Richard Scamans. Steve Bozier  had an easy recovery run in 27.33 in 151st place, and  Gwen Charlton  was 163rd and she claimed a new PB despite last week’s marathon efforts in 28.02, whilst  Danie

Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon (4).   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scottish mountain rescue author – George Bruce. This book to be featured on BBC TV.   *This book is now available on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/48AGX7y   Published by North Wales based firm :  www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk   Exclusive report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   My Love Affair with the Hills...: And 37-years of Mountain Rescue. *(*Above): Scottish mountain rescue member and author George Bruce. ABOUT THE AUTHOR - George Bruce:  George's book combined  with a unique television  interview about his exciting life and work is to be featured shortly on BBC TV, as George explains: I was interviewed by BBC recently for Simon Barnards programme Uncanny Interviews relating to my story of the Vanishing Cottage to be broadcast later this year so that should cause some interest in the Book.   I was born in Aberdeen and moved to Fort

*Pictured above - former Merseyside detective Steve Naylor . Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon (3).   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Former Liverpool based detective Steve Naylor:  The Phoenix City trilogy of crime novels.   *All three  books are now available on Amazon: Published by North Wales based firm :  www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk   Exclusive report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   About the author: Steve Naylor: Steve Naylor was born and raised in Liverpool. He joined Merseyside Police in 1983, spending the majority of his thirty-year career at every Detective rank in a number of operational and specialist investigate roles.  He reached the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent, retiring as the Head of Force Crime Operations. His expertise was in leading the investigation of murder, organised crime and serious sexual offences.  Since retirement, he now writes and delivers specialist training pro

Tom Owen and Son INDEPENDENT FAMILY-RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS IN LLANDUDNO Special promotional feature: https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Tom Owen and Son – Your trusted, family funeral directors.  Address: 11 Bodhyfryd Road, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 2DT Contact us 24/7 on 01492-860280. Email:  info@tomowenandson.com Website:   www.tomowenandson.com   Supporting you to celebrate them.   We are a family-run, independent community Funeral Directors situated in North Wales, serving Llandudno, Conwy and Colwyn Bay. With the help of our experienced team, you will be supported every step of the way, to create a unique final farewell, when someone close to you dies. We offer a fresh approach to funerals, centred around your needs and wishes.   Your trusted family funeral directors.  Supporting the community since 1930. *Professional and caring service *Direct Cremation Funerals *Headstones and other memorials * Pre-paid Funeral plans.   Tom Owen and Son are privileged to have been providing suppor

*Pictured above - Australian author Joy Bloomis. Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon (2).   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Australian author - Joy Bloumis:  The Storms You Walk Through: A Memoir of Roza Hamer.   *This book is now available on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3NxPcaH Published by North Wales based firm :   www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk   Exclusive report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Occasionally, within my role as a journalist, author, and general nosey parker, I come across certain individuals who have a remarkable background and an amazing story to tell.  Octogenarian Joy Bloumis, from Victoria, in Australia, is one such person, who has just published an incredible new book about a mysterious and dramatic episode in her life that finally reveals the facts about an amazing young woman’s daring journey just before, during, and after WW2, who is linked to a family member. Her determined quest for