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

By Don Hale


*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/2025

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, and to help maintain this service to clubs and individuals. 


"The idea is for 50 companies in Conwy County to donate £100 per year, which will cover our short fall in finances. We are all volunteers, and I am desperate to keep Sport Conwy operating, and I would appreciate any help or support that you people can think of.


*See John's attached leaflet below: If you can help please contact:

hattonjohnd@gmail.com

caroline.jones@conwy.gov.uk


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

Milder weather and a half-term boost at many NW parkruns.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Martin Green with young rival Tom Vale at Conwy. Milder weather  and a half-term boost at many NW parkruns. Report by Don Hale .  Most photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   The milder weather last Saturday morning and the fact that it was half-term attracted plenty of visiting athletes to the various parkruns around North Wales, with numerous personal best times recorded.  Visting athlete Ed Slaughter  (Porthcawl Runners) was the first finisher at the  Llandrillo yn Rhos  parkrun with a fast dash of just 16 minutes and 42 seconds, and he led home two other equally talented and fast rivals and course debutants in  Martin Sutherland  (Woking AC) in 17.05, and  Alex Compton  third in 17.46. The first ten finishers all dipped under18-minutes, with another visitor in  David Withers  (Southville RC) taking the fourth place with a good run in 17.46, just ahead of  Simon Cole  (GOG T...
Read more

Update on Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun...Works on the promenade. Good to go ahead!

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of a previous parkrun at Rhos on Sea. UPDATE ON LLANDRILLO YN RHOS PARKRUN. Works on the promenade. Good to go ahead!  * Special report by event co-director Richard Peevor. (See below for details: donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 www.facebook.com/Ypromenadparkrunllandrilloynrhos After a stressful 24 hours for our event team and after Sharon and I, our two event directors have done a course inspection tonight we feel that we can go ahead safely on Saturday. For a period of approximately eight weeks two areas of the promenade that will have semi permanent kiosks built on them have been cordened off with metal fencing. They are essentially at each end of the Cayley embankment, one near the slipway approximately 400 m from the start and the second approximately 1000m from the start. Both areas are also obviously on the return leg of the parkrun course. The second area (as you can see in the first picture below), near the Rydal boat park should not cause any pro...
Read more

Kevin Higgins braved the Maltese heat to celebrate his 500th milestone run...plus hot pace for Stuart in Spain

By Don Hale
Image
Kevin Higgins (*pictured right) braved the Maltese heat to celebrate his 500th milestone run... Report by Don Hale .  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Two veteran North Wales Road Runners swapped their winter thermals for lightweight vests last weekend as they competed in different road races in warmer climates in Malta and Spain. Kevin Higgins  celebrated his 500th race for the club in the Sliema half-marathon on Sunday after battling with the heat, which unfortunately slowed his finishing time, but he was still pleased to record a memorable milestone. After the race he confirmed:  “I have been road running for the club for the past 35-years, and I finally hit my milestone of 500 races in Malta. It was quite hot, but overall, I was happy with my time of 2 hours,15 minutes and 31 seconds.  “I have participated in so many running challenges over the years, and my personal success is with winning some club championships and age categories, and by collecting and ach...
Read more

Mac McKechnie's fascinating Garden of Words books.

By Don Hale
Image
Special Coast and Country book review:  * Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 About the Author: Mac McKechnie, and his fascinating Garden of Words books... Mac McKechnie (*pictured above) is a Yorkshireman who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Now aged 75, he has the welcome luxury of time to return fully to his lifelong love of writing. Mac is an active Christian and serves as Pastor of his local church in Barnsley.  Mac's writing reflects a deep interest in human character, moral choice, and the quiet resilience that surfaces in times of crisis. He has written several books across a range of genres, with science fiction and Westerns among his favourites, alongside more reflective and character-led work inspired by everyday life.   *Check out Mac McKechnie's Garden of Words series of fascinating books from Coast and Country online:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/perryscope21/list/1KF7IALOO18JR?ref_=cm_sw_r_tw_ud_aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_...
Read more

The GOG Triathlon at Eirias Park on Sunday 1st March. Entries still welcome.

By Don Hale
Image
  The GOG Triathlon - Triathlon Dewi - GOG AQUATHON, will take place on Sunday 1st March at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 This exciting fundraising event includes options for both junior and senior athletes, and the cost is only £5.00 for adults, and just £1 for juniors. The organisers say it is ideal for beginners. JUNIORS:  *25K POOL SWIM and a 400M TRACK RUN. *150M POOL SWIM and a 2k TRACK RUN. *300M POOL SWIM and a 300M TRACK RUN. ADULTS: *150M POOL SWIM and a 2K TRACK RUN. *300M POOL SWIM and a 4K TRACK RUN.
Read more

The tough Nick Beer 10k race proved a great success once more with good numbers and a fast pace...

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above and lower - runners at the start of the Nick Beer 10k race as they depart Llandudno promenade ( *Photos by Don Hale ). The tough Nick Beer 10k race proved a great success once more with good numbers and a fast pace... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The annual Nick Beer 10k race proved a hit once more with a massive 967 athletes completing a tough course from outside Venue Cymru and around the Great Orme before returning to Llandudno’s spectacular promenade, where spectators gave each entrant a warm welcome on a rather cool and breezy day. Visiting athlete  Hamish Morton  (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) was the first finisher overall in just 34 minutes and 55 seconds, and he was the 1st MSen, but he was one of four elite runners who ran away from the main pack and they all dipped under the magic 36-minute mark.  *Menai T&F athlete Steffan Sayer (*above) finished second in the Nick Beer 10k. Steffan Sayer  (Menai T&F) was the r...
Read more

Author Mac McKechnie produces three new fascinating science-fiction books

By Don Hale
Image
*Prolific Yorkshire author Mac McKechnie at a book signing. Special Coast and Country book review:  Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 About the Author - Mac McKechnie. Mac McKechnie is a Yorkshireman who lives in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Now aged 75, he has the welcome luxury of time to return fully to his lifelong love of writing.  Mac is an active Christian and serves as Pastor of his local church in Barnsley.  His writing reflects a deep interest in human character, moral choice, and the quiet resilience that surfaces in times of crisis.  He has written several books across a range of genres, with science fiction and Westerns among his favourites, alongside more reflective and character-led work inspired by everyday life. Exodus: Escape From Earth: The Trilogy -Paperback. By author Mac McKechnie. *EXODUS: This is the first book in the Escape from Earth trilogy.  This is the link to the book on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3OxDQq...
Read more

The fascinating life and works of Scottish crime and thriller writer Jack Duncan - businessman turned author.

By Don Hale
Image
  *Pictured above - the popular thriller writer Jack Duncan The fascinating life and works of popular Scottish crime and thriller writer Jack Duncan - businessman turned author. Special Coast and Country book review:  Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Featuring Jack Duncan.  Businessman Turned Author! https://www.jackduncan.co.uk *This is a link to all Jack Duncan’s book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kXB8Hk I am a ‘bon viveur’ and enjoy life. I have been fortunate during my diverse career to have been able to pursue my hobbies including motor racing, sailing, flying, travel, fine dining and the Arts, whilst still maintaining a very strong work ethic. My career began as a Scots Guards Officer, during which period, I gained my ‘wings’ as an Army helicopter pilot flying for the Brigade and for the United Nations for five years of my Service. I also hold civilian qualifications as a Fixed wing, Seaplane and Commercial Helicopter Pilot.  I hold va...
Read more

Welcome to parkrun North Wales - an exciting new initiative from Dave Munday.

By Don Hale
Image
Welcome to parkrun North Wales Dave Munday launches an exciting new online site for NW parkrunners. Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   This an exciting new initiative from the well-known, popular parkrunner and local  athlete Dave Munday, who is ready to provide a regular summary of all North Wales parkruns. He explained this week:  " This is the site I am using for the round-up of all 17 North Wales parkruns, stats on numbers attending etc.  "The parkruns are continuing to grow in North Wales, and this group is for regular local parkrunners and visitors to our wonderful events throughout the region.  "Weekly stats and information will be shared, but please use it to tell your own parkrun journey, achievements and milestones, and also to connect with other parkrunners." *For more details please check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739
Read more

SPECIAL Coast and Country book spotlight - Yorkshire Author Mac McKechnie - DAISY - One small dog, one big heart, and endless mischief -

By Don Hale
Image
*Mac McKechnie's dog Daisy is shown above. Special Coast and Country book review:  * Run in conjunction with:  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 *Prolific writer and author Mac McKechnie (above) at a book signing. About the Author: Mac McKechnie (*pictured below) and his unique invitation to read all about Daisy:  One small dog. One big heart. Endless mischief . Meet Daisy - a fiercely clever, squirrel-chasing, slipper-chewing Sheltie-Poodle cross with a nose for mischief and a heart full of love. From her first day in a three-storey house (with far too many stairs) to life on an allotment, in care homes, and beside her human Mac through illness and recovery, Daisy's world is full of chaos, cuddles, and chicken treats. Told from Daisy’s witty and loyal perspective, this delightful memoir is a humorous and moving journey through one small dog’s big impact on the people who love her.  Whether she’s flunking her first therapy dog exam or reigning over her garden kingdo...
Read more