Don Hale Blog

  Huge crowds and a record number of entrants at Llandudno Lions Boxing Day charity swim and dip. Introduction by Don Hale. Comments by Ian Turner. Top photo by    It was a bright sunny day with a bracing and very cool wind for a record number of colourful costume wearing swimmers and dippers on Llandudno Promenade on Boxing Day morning, who then braved the freezing sea temperatures to help raise thousands of pounds for local and other deserving charities. MC Ian Turner  kept the packed crowds well informed throughout the morning as usual, by updating everyone about this exciting event, which attracted many hundreds of people from miles around just to watch the mad dash into the waters.  It also turned out to be yet another grand occasion that had been sadly missed over the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions, but this year it certainly returned with a major splash! *Ian Turner (*far right) with Llandudno Lions Club members and fundraising charity officials at the Boxing Day sw

Eight GOGs tackled the Conwy Christmas Eve parkrun. Special report and photos by Don Hale.   Eight members of the GOG Triathlon club took part in the special Christmas Eve parkrun last Saturday and claimed four podium placings including one age cat win, and three second spots. Andy Jones  was the first club runner back in 30th place in 21.50, with  Andy Brazier  next home in 58th place and 2nd in his MV55 cat in 24.03.  Bryn Phillips  also claimed 2nd place in his MV40 cat in 25.45, and he finished 87th overall.  Steven Owen,  however, was hot on Bryn’s heels in 88th place, and both shared the same finishing time. Nicola Tomlinson  won her VW40 age cat in 94th place overall in 26.18, and  Gary Jones  was 102nd in 26.49. Teenage student  Caitlin Owen  made a welcome return from her studies at Cheltenham and enjoyed a muddy but festive run back on home soil in 123rd place in 27.43, and she also claimed the 2nd spot in her respective SW18 age cat, with  Wayne Roberts  finishing 163rd in 3

Bananaman finished ahead of the bunch at Conwy’s Christmas parkrun - plus double win for Stuart and Joe at Ruthin. Special report and festive photos by Don Hale. It was a unique experience at Conwy’s Christmas parkrun last Saturday when Bananaman, aka local athlete and Durham University student Morgan Kendall became the first runner back wearing a bright yellow costume and finished just thirteen seconds ahead of the chasing bunch! The teenage prospect initially dominated the 5k event but in the end nearly let it slip, and only won by the skin of his teeth, as he was pursued by several other similarly talented youngsters, who were enjoying a festive break. The parkrun also turned out to be a very colourful and joyous occasion and attracted 230 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, with the majority dressed in special Christmas outfits Morgan   Kendall   (*pictured top of page) , won his SM18 age cat with a new course PB of 17 minutes and 36 seconds, with  Matthew Baker  2nd wit

The Annual Lions Club of Llandudno Boxing Day Sea Dip is back for the first time since 'Lockdown'. Please go along for 11:30am on Boxing Day to support the Lions, the swimmers, and the two great charities the club are supporting this year. *The start of a previous Boxing Day Sea Dip - photo courtesy of Greg Robbins & Llandudno Lions Club. Ian Turner (*pictured left) previews the Boxing  Day Dip:  The Annual Lions Club of Llandudno Boxing Day Sea Dip is nearly here. This year 'Swimmers Registration' will be on the promenade in the gazebo's by the old Lifeboat slipway.  If you, or anyone you know, will be taking part this year, do please make sure you register before going into the water. Registration is FREE. The club needs to know how many swimmers are going in so the RNLI and St John Ambulance volunteers are aware of numbers. The two main charities nominated by the Lions Club of Llandudno to benefit from this years Boxing Day Dip are ' Ty Gobaith/Hope H

  BILLY – the Bright Blue Ball - a Welsh  children's adventure story for Christmas... The first in a series of fictional short stories by Don Hale. BILLY  – the Bright Blue Ball - a  Welsh  children's adventure story for Christmas... The first in a series of fictional short stories by Don Hale. BILLY woke with a start to the sound of a small boy tapping a coin on the shop window. As he slowly opened his heavy eyes, he could see someone staring back at him. It was unnerving. Billy was in the far corner of the window.  He felt rather uncomfortable and was perched on a soft pack of coloured plasticine, which was at precisely the same height as the boy’s eyes. Each day at exactly 3.30pm, this very same boy passed by the window with his mother on his home from school. It was an old-fashioned toy and gift shop in a small village on the Llyn Peninsula.  The window was a magnet for children of all ages. It seemed like an Aladdin’s cave in 1959 packed full of goodies. It had everything