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

By Don Hale don hale blog

*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!

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed on all posts

Most popular posts

Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals - SAVE CONWY PARKRUN GROUP FORMED.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above - some of the new SAVE CONWY PARKUN group after their meeting last Saturday morning at the RSPB site at Conwy. *Blogstory about the SAVE CONWY PARKRUN campaign on the NWNW back page. Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals  Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The future of Conwy parkrun is currently under threat after Welsh Parkrun officials have decided to impose new changes to this picturesque 5k course, which include plans for a different start area on Conwy Cob, with alternative car parking arrangements. This parkrun has been out of action for about twelve weeks due to construction work on part of the course for a multi-million-pound cycle track, but just as runners were preparing to re-start their activities, they have now been hit a series of interventions, restrictions, and demands on the event organisers by parkrun officials who have continued the suspension of this popular event. Just a few years ago however, this event was vo...
Read more

RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run on 28/9/25.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
RLNI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run Sunday 28th September 2025 Join Us to Support RNLI Llandudno! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2025 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for our  first-ever charity run ! 🏃‍♂️  5km Run  – Open to all ages and abilities 👟  1km Fun Run  – Perfect for children and newbies to running This exciting event is the first of its kind hosted by  RNLI Llandudno , and  your support will make a real difference . Every step you take and every pound you donate helps our volunteer lifeboat crews continue their vital work— saving lives and keeping people safe along the beautiful North Wales coast . 🌊 Together, we can make our shores safer. 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! Description :  A fast and flat course for both distances. The race starts and finishes on Llandudno Promenade, close to the Lifeboat Station. Entries are limited to...
Read more

Six of the best for Wynn and two golds for Juliet at the Yate T&F championships..

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Some race action photos above from the recent Welsh Masters T&F champs at Yate. *Pictured above - the Pocket Rocket - Juliet Sidney who won two gold medals. Six of t he best for Wynn and two gold for Juliet at the recent Welsh Masters T&F champs at Yate... Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Well done to Wynn Howe for a tremendous effort in winning six medals from six events at the recent Welsh Masters T&F champs at Yate, and to Juliet Sidney for her golden double in the sprints. One Welsh Masters athlete however raised a very important point to me by saying that no one has bothered to send in a report about this important event, Unfortunately, this is a common problem that I have had ever since becoming involved with WMAL. There is plenty of pre-publicity but little or no results and reports sent in for publication, so come on lads and lassies, don't be shy, let the website know about your efforts! Chris Pruski, the reco...
Read more

Fast times and NW championships medals at the Llanrug 5k midweek race.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the NW 5k championship race at Llanrug. (*photos courtesy of Will Ash (Bill Scriven). Fast times and NW championships medals at the Llanrug 5k midweek race...results and medal winners. *Report by Don Hale.  *All photos courtesy of Will Ash (Bill Scriven). https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   There was a very good entry for the Llanrug 5k race in midweek with some fast times recorded over a challenging course with the first 17 athletes all dipping under 18 minutes. This well organised event was also run in conjunction with the  North Wales Regional 5k championships  and overall it attracted over two-hundred elite, club, and varied ability runners from across the area and beyond. Gwion Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the overall race winner in 16 minutes and 7 seconds, with Gwion’s club colleague  John Davies  2nd in 16.44, and  Dave Bus Hughes  (Eryri Harriers) 3rd in 16.59. The first three female finishers all repre...
Read more

Hot, humid and windswept at Nova’s Prestatyn parkrun...plus other parkrun results round-up...

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Carla Green from NWRRC was the first female finisher at Nova. Hot, humid and windswept at Nova’s Prestatyn parkrun...plus other parkrun results round-up... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com It was a very hot and humid despite a very strong and blustery wind at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn last Saturday, with a generous attendance of some 255 mixed ability athletes and walkers, who all braved the refreshing sea breeze and sandy atmosphere. Two male visitors and course debutants grabbed their places in the top three as fast finishers with  Aaron Dodwell becoming the first male runner home on his debut in 18.44, with  Dafydd Montgomery  2nd in 19.17, and debutant  Harry Brewster  3rd on his debut in 19.30. The first female finisher was  Carla Green  (NWRRC), in 14th place overall, and she also won her VW50 age cat in 21.34. Prestatyn RCs  Lisa Lines  claimed the 2nd spot in 22.33, with  Sali Wheway  3rd with a new ...
Read more

Parkrun round-up plus news of Carla and Kevin on the road...

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above - Elizabeth Driscoll and her dog Winston at Penrhyn Castle parkrun. Parkrun round-up plus news of Carla and Kevin on the road Report by Don Hale. Penrhyn photos by Michael Finnie. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com    *Carla Green (*above left), with Kevin Higgins. Carla Green  from NWRRC ran well in the Swansea half marathon on Sunday and she was 521st out of 5,729 entrants. She was the 94th female finisher in a chip time of 1.31.42, and her club colleague  Kevin Higgins  travelled to  Port Sunlight  on the same day to compete in two races and explained: “ Double header this morning in  Port Sunlight races . First a 5k and then a 10k straight after it. Two great races. Great course and an extra medal for completing in both races. My times were: 5k in 28 minutes 50 seconds, and 59 minutes 33 seconds   in the 10k.” *Action (*above and below) from the Penryhn Castle parkrun. Parkrun round-up *Penrhyn:   Chris Turner  (Er...
Read more

Longest Day for NW athletes who ran ten different parkruns in a day for Cancer charity.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above left - Daniel Huws and Dave Munday - after completing their incredible 50k charity challenge to help fundraise for Cancer charities, and (*below), the start of their campaign. Longest Day for NW athletes who ran ten different parkruns in a day for Cancer charity... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   On the longest day of the year, last Saturday 21st June, two athletes completed a tough Cancer Charity challenge, by completing ten 5k runs on ten different parkrun courses within fourteen hours! Daniel Huws  and  Dave Munday  first began their incredible marathon fundraising event for  MOVE Against Cancer  on Yns Mon, at Newborough Forest at 6am, and they finally finished their gruelling day on home soil at the Nova Prestatyn course at about 8pm.   They were all run on genuine, varied and undulating 5k parkrun routes within North Wales, but as all the events started at 9am, obviously they could only run in one live ...
Read more

Three gold medals for father and son at the Welsh Masters T&F Championships.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
    *Steve and Dave Gardner (*above) collected a hat-trick of gold medals. Three gold medals for father and son at the Welsh Masters T&F Championships... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Super veteran Dave Gardner won two gold medals at the WMAL Track & Field Championships at Yate on 8th June, with his veteran track star son Steve, also striking gold following a great performance in the 800m race. The talented North Wales Road Runner won the javelin event and his V85 age cat with what is expected to be another Welsh record and claimed another prestigious gold medal in the shot competition. His son Steve was also on top form, and he won a gold medal in the 800m race. After the event Steve confirmed : “My dad won two gold medals at the weekend, winning the javelin, and most likely extending his current Welsh V85 age cat record with a throw of 16.13m pending ratification from Chris Pruski at Welsh Masters Athletics.  “His second gold ...
Read more

Welsh Masters and UK Masters Open Track and Field Competition at Avon/Yate & District AC in June 2025.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
  Welsh Masters and UK Masters Open Track & Field Competition...8th June 2025... Attention all Welsh Masters Athletics members and all UK Masters for the next major masters track and field events. Introduction by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co,uk   The Masters Open will be held for the third consecutive year on Sunday the 8th of June at the Yate Outdoor Sports Complex, BS37 7LB.   DATE & TIME 08/06/2025, 10:00   REGISTRATION DEADLINE 30/05/2025, 23:59 VENUE NAME Yate Outdoor Sports Centre ADDRESS Broad Lane (Behind Brimsham Green School) CITY & COUNTRY BS37 7LB   Yate, United Kingdom ORGANISER Yate & District Athletic Club   All athletes must be 35 or over on the day of competition and entries will be on a first come, first served basis. Any entries from athletes aged under 35 will be rejected and we look forward to welcoming you when the time comes.    Para athletes are welcome to enter thi...
Read more

Public response to Conwy Parkrun's statement about recent behind the scenes activity.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
Response to Conwy Parkrun's potentially controversial statement about the latest behind the scenes activities... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Following the statement issued by Conwy parkrun officials on Thursday afternoon, it would now seem that their comments have attracted widespread controversy, confusion and much anger, with many volunteers and regular runners and supporters, demanding to air their personal views in response. This feature contains some varied reactions etc:   *I have therefore included a link and a copy of the parkrun statement from 29/5/25 which appeared on my blog, and on the Conwy Parkrun’s Facebook page from yesterday. And in addition, I have also included – in the interests of fairness and accountability – the latest updated statement from Conwy parkrun officials, which seems to have attracted further controversy and debate, together with the pubic reaction:   *This is a link to the original statement on my blog from Conw...
Read more