My awards night with Sir Michael Parkinson at a star-studded presentation event in London.

By Don Hale

*Sir Michael Parkinson (*above) with Don Hale OBE at an awards ceremony in London.

My awards night with Sir Michael Parkinson at a star-studded presentation event in London.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It was sad to hear of the loss of Sir Michael Parkinson this week. I was fortunate to have met Sir Michael, some time ago, and he was a keen follower of my former justice campaign. He presented me with a top award when I was Journalist of the Year for the first time in about 2001. I was on the top table with him at an awards do, we chatted about lots of things and afterwards, he presented my wife Kath with the table flowers. It was a great star-studded evening at some rather posh place in London. RIP Parky!

Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed

Most recent posts

Bright and beautiful for parkrunners at Rhos – plus NW round-up of results

By Don Hale
Image
*GOG Triathlon athletes Simon and Vicky Cole Bright and beautiful for parkrunners at Rhos – plus NW round-up of results Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   It was another bright and beautiful Saturday morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun, which again attracted numerous first timers and visitors, with many recording some excellent finishing times along this picturesque promenade route. Armon Williams  was the first finisher overall with an outstanding performance and a new course PB in just 17 minutes and 15 seconds, with  Jeremy Pena  second in 1814, and JM15-17 athlete  Eban Jones  third with a new course PB in 18.28. The ladies results quite amazingly confirmed that nine out of the first ten finishers all recorded new course PBs, with international athlete and top coach  Rhian Roxburgh  (GOG Triathlon) leading her rivals home (in 8th place overall) with a new PB in 19.37, an...
Read more

Please support SPORT in Conwy...John Hatton appeals for urgent support for top sports event

By Don Hale
Image
*John Hatton above - with Dame Laura Kenny - at last year's awards. Please support SPORT in Conwy...  John Hatton appeals for urgent support for top sports event... special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog The well-known, award-winning athletics coach and charity fundraiser John Hatton is appealing for urgent  help and new ideas to both  save and support Sport Conwy. With all the current cost of living problems to contend with, and a succession of funding reductions, especially in relation to sport, he has come up with an innovative idea that might appeal to local businesses, support groups, and community organisations to help keep Sport Conwy going! John explained: “I am on the committee for Sport Conwy, and we have been supporting local sports for 30 years, this year. However, financial cutbacks and grants that we usually apply for have been dramatically cut,  I have come up with a new scheme to fill our void in finances,...
Read more

Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor...

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - a very proud Karen Butler with her cross-country medal. Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Road Runner Karen Butler (*pictured right) won a prestigious silver medal last Saturday at the British Masters cross-country championships at Bangor. After her race, the NWRRC veteran athlete confirmed: “BMAF XC champs today in Bangor. Silver in my age group. Brilliant sunshine and a great 6k course, which suited me as there were lots of long up hills. Chuffed with the result!”
Read more

Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple!

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson after completing the Pulford 10k Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A North Wales ultra-distance couple took part last Sunday in what they described as ‘the most terrifying 10k race they have ever run!’ NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the  Pulford 10k race  on Sunday, which now has a very challenging cut-off time of just 50-minutes!  Ben eventually finished in 375th place in 43 minutes and 19 seconds, whilst Sarah was under extreme pressure to beat the clock but successfully ran home in 48.53. Sarah later explained:  “ I came 443rd out of 462. It’s a rapid race, and there were 399 guys who finished and only 63 women!  I can officially say that was the most terrifying 10k race I have ever run, with a 50-minute time cut off.  "It always used to be for sub-45 runners and they have opened it wider.. we got places after ...
Read more

Easter Bonnet Competion on the promenade organised by Llandudno Lions Club - Saturday 4th April at 2pm.

By Don Hale
Image
Easter Bonnet Competion on the promenade organised by Llandudno Lions Club - Saturday 4th April at 2pm. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Llandudno Lions will be holding their Annual Easter Bonnet completion on the promenade in Llandudno on Saturday 4th April at 2pm. There is NO entry fee and anyone of any age can enter with various prizes including Easter Eggs available. This event will provide fun for all the family. *Full details are shown on the poster above.
Read more

Fast runners dazzled in the sun at Llandrillo yn Rhos...plus NW parkrun round-up

By Don Hale
Image
*Rhos run director Dougie Graham at the front with some of the volunteers Fast runners dazzled in the sun at Llandrillo yn Rhos..plus some other NW parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   The bright sunny weather and a fast course attracted plenty of top club athletes to the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun last Saturday with five out of the first six finishers all recording times of under 18 minutes! James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher overall with a new course PB of 16 minutes and 29 seconds, with visitor  Armon Williams  second in 17.17,  Gareth Griffith  third in 17.27, and veteran  Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) a narrow fourth in 17.36. It was a similar story for the ladies with  Beatrice Cordingley  (Sale Harriers) taking the first female spot with an excellent run, and a new course PB in 20.00 (18th overall), with visitor  Lizzie Slater  (South Che...
Read more

BUILDING THE IRON - By author Geoff Lewis - Engineering adventure rebuilding Swansea with Ruston Bucyrus diggers

By Don Hale
Image
Special Coast and Country book review coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 BUILDING THE IRON - ENGINEERING ADVENTURE REBUILDING SWANSEA WITH RUSTON BUCYRUS DIGGERS                                         BY AUTHOR GEOFF LEWIS ENGINEERING ADVENTURE REBUILDING SWANSEA WITH RUSTON BUCYRUS DIGGERS - By Geoff Lewis. Price £19.64 Per Copy Plus UK shipping in protective wallet £4.85. **Orders can be made online via the link on the website shown below: TEL: 029 20867364     MOB: 07944 692695. https://www.diggerynook.com Hello and Greetings from my long ago days of boyhood; days of yore when machinery mechanics roamed the land fixing diggers, bulldozers, tipper trucks and anything else wot' needed fixin'. I have a story to tell of a different way of life; born into the war torn town of Swansea in 1943 and one of the most exciting periods in our countries exis...
Read more

Official 2026 Red Nose: Design-Yer Nose - on behalf of Comic Relief now available on AMAZON

By Don Hale
Image
Official 2026 Red Nose: Design-Yer Nose- on behalf of Comic Relief: Now available on Amazon: Just £2.50. *This is the link to your Amazon order:   https://amzn.to/4rIOrgv Visit the Comic Relief Store 4.5  4.5 out of 5 stars       (257)   |  Search this page   Amazon's Choice  60K+ bought in past month £2.50  £ 2. 50    Price history   Pay  £2.50  £0.00 for this order.  Get a £50 Amazon Gift Card upon approval  for the Amazon Business Amex Card.  Representative 37.6% APR Variable.  Amazon is a credit broker.   Tomorrow FREE Returns  Save 5%  on any 4  Qualifying items  |   Terms Size Name: One Size *This is the link to your Amazon order:   https://amzn.to/4rIOrgv   Style Name: Design-Yer Nose.  Sold on behalf of Comic Relief.  ·         100% of all profits go to Comic Rel...
Read more

England Masters Athletics Association - ENTRY FORMS/TIMETABLE FOR INTER-AREA T&F EVENT AT CORBY 7/9/24.

By Don Hale
Image
England Masters Athletics Association Inter-Area Outdoors Track and Field Challenge 2024 Rockingham Triangle Athletics Stadium, Jimmy Kane Way, Rockingham Rd, Corby NN17 2FB Saturday 07 September 2024 EMAA invites you take part in the upcoming outdoors Inter-Area Track and Field Challenge. Age Groups: M35, M50, M60, M70, W35 W50, W60, W70 Events: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000, 2000m Race Walk, 400/300 hurdles, 4x100 relays.  High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Javelin ENTRY FORM AREA CLUB: CLUB CONTACT NAME: ADDRESS: The entry fee is £175 and a bank transfer would be the preferred method of payment. Bank details: Eastern Masters AC (EMAC) Sort Code 30-96-17 Account Number 01909164 Reference: AREA CLUB INTERAREA (e.g. EMAC INTERAREA). Deadline to enter: 31 July 2024. Email entry forms and any questions to: Carey Hollick, EMAA Track & Field Secretary emacchairperson@yahoo.com EMAA...timeable: Don Hale Blog: Inter-Area Outd...
Read more

NEW Sequel to the amazing serial killer crime novel -Leading a Double Life - by William Austin Johnson.

By Don Hale
Image
READ ABOUT WILLIAM AUSTIN JOHNSON'S LATEST SERIAL KILLER SEQUEL NOVEL: donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 :  Leading a Double Life Two (Book 2)  exciting new paperback by William Austin Johnson. NOW available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/4awefr8 Synopsis: As a writer you somehow want to finish the story in your book with a good ending, but with this book I felt that I had run out of scenario’s to go on any further. Then one day out of the blue, a news story of a murdered family sparked my interest. I could not get this story out of my mind. So, as you can see from the title above. I was drawn back into trying to give these unspoken victims the justice that they deserved with the demise of Tony Fennel. To get the information that I needed on Fennel, of course, I had to go back to my old friend Mike Rodsinkski. Mike told me that he had missed me, and that he had several cases that he thought I could help him with. So came the scammers, the opportunist, a bent Police Officer...
Read more