Don Hale Blog

Buster Crabb was author Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the real inspiration for his fictional character JAMES BOND. LIONEL 'BUSTER' CRABB was a drinker, a gambler, a womaniser and a lover of fast cars and gadgets. On top of all that, he was a spy, an acquaintance of Ian Fleming and the inspiration for James Bond. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 This latest book, BUSTER CRABB, published by the History Press, this is the fascinating story of Buster Crabb, the naval spy who disappeared in bizarre circumstances in 1956. Entitled -  Buster Crabb - Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the inspiration for James Bond,  was released in Spring 2020 - originally to coincide with the launch of the new Bond film - which was later delayed due to the Covid-19 restrictions. A British naval frogman and bomb disposal expert, Crabb worked directly under Fleming during the Second World War at Naval Intelligence and went on to conduct covert operations for both SIS and MI5. Elements from Crabb...

AN INCREDIBLE PERSONAL STORY ABOUT THE TWIN TOWERS’ ATTACK: *See the YouTube video and order the exclusive book about this dramatic event. https://youtu.be/xj17ZHGzuOM?si=g7dfW_CHftJWwDIQ 9/11 GROUND ZERO: ENGLISHMEN IN NEW YORK - AFTERMATH Don Hale reports on one of the world’s most dramatic terrorist attacks ever. 9/11 GROUND ZERO: ENGLISHMEN IN NEW YORK - AFTERMATH – BY DR SAM ALLEN. Now available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4egiLc0 Some years ago, I heard from Dr Sam Allen, a well-known, and highly-respected doctor and a global specialist on highly infectious diseases. I have known Sam for about 40-years, and we both ran for the same Derbyshire athletics club in Matlock, when I was editor of the local newspaper. Just a few weeks after I left the paper though, Sam became unintentionally involved in a daring rescue attempt to help the victims of the world’s worst-ever, and most horrific terrorist attack on New York. The following statement is from my original archived introduction t...

Destination Conwy – have a look this unique special promotional video promoted by Conwy Council in 2010 to encourage people to visit this unique part of North Wales. This is now available to view and for our current generation to examine and compare. Promoted by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Visit Conwy in North Wales: Now available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ue91Ra4ic9o?si=6vh07oqmx-4lVA9V via @YouTube   Flashback to about 15 years ago when Conwy Council produced a short promotional video  highlighting the many benefits of visiting this popular holiday destination... Take a fresh look at North Wales, could you pack all this into your last holiday destination? The all-new Destination Conwy , promotional video.  Visit us at http://www.visitconwy.org.uk

  South African puzzle book author Val Crowson publishes a fascinating new SEARCH FOR THE WORDS book...  And a special note from the author's daughter in law Mariska Crowson... Coast and Country online magazine promotion. 🧩  Can you say these WORDS really fast?     🐺  Wolf Flow   😴  Sleep Peels   🚚  Deliver Reviled   🏌️‍♂️  Flog Golf   🏆  Drawer Reward   🍰  Stressed Dessert   ⚔️  Raw War   ☕  Faced Decaf   🎨  Decal Laced   They might twist your tongue but in Val Crowson’s new wordsearch puzzle book, you can take your time to find them!  😉   Search for the Words is a fun and challenging wordsearch book created by South African author Val Crowson, designed to test your mind, improve your focus, and bring a smile while you play.     🧠  Perfect for puzzle lovers, teachers, book club readers, or anyone who enjoys a good brain workout!  ...

  South African puzzle book author Val Crowson publishes a fascinating new SEARCH FOR THE WORDS book... And a special note from the author's daughter in law Mariska Crowson... Coast and Country online magazine promotion. What do many retired teachers do when they finally have time for themselves? Some rest. Some travel. Mine? She wrote a book and not just any book.   💛 Meet Val Crowson , my mum, a lifelong teacher who turned her love for learning into something extraordinary: with her brand-new puzzle book called Search for the Words , now live on Amazon.   🧩  Inside are 200 unique wordsearch puzzles that do more than pass time, they train your mind, test your focus, and reveal a hidden answer once you have found every word.   Each puzzle has a secret waiting to be discovered... if you are curious enough to look.  😉  It’s such a beautiful reminder that creativity doesn’t retire, it evolves.  And Val has just proven it. 🌼   📚   Now a...

MENTAL ELF – Festive Fun Run. Sunday 30th November at 11am for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre. Put on your Elf hat and join our Festive Fun Run. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There are two choices to choose from: - A 5k Mental Elf, or a 2k Mini Elf.   Join us on Sunday 30th November 11am at Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn   Bay  for a day of fun and fundraising.  Walk, jog, skip or run while soaking up the festive spirit and supporting Conwy and Vale of Clwyd Minds. Together, we can go the extra mile for mental health! Mini Elf 2k Fun Run: A new event this year! Mini elves can join in the fun too with a 2km fun run packed full of all the jingling fun. A Free National Trust pass for every participant*   This year, Mind is partnering with the National Trust. If you take part or volunteer in a local  Mental Elf event, you’ll receive a free family access pass to National Trust sites! It’s our way of thanking   you for supporting mental health ...

*Pictured above - Sharon Hutchings (*second from the left) with her Welsh team colleagues. Competing in Masters athletics by an extraordinary Welsh field athlete Sharon Hutchings... Special  report by WMAL webmaster Juliet Sidney with Sharon Hutchings. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk I have been competing abroad since 2022 at the European Indoor champs, Braga. Restarting after having my left knee replaced in 2021 due to osteoarthritis.  During this time of recovery, I had a lot of thinking time, and I’d always regretted giving up athletics aged 25 as good shot putter, discus thrower whose pb’s were 12.24m and 33.50m with a highest British ranking of 6 for shot put aged 16. I started collecting all my old newspaper cuttings, British ranking books, memories and reminiscing about how much I enjoyed throwing in those days. During this time a good friend Ann Thatcher who was my friend and colleague at Newbury AC years ago mentioned masters athletics th...

Local Running Clubs come together to  supports Welsh Athletics' Own the Night campaign to make running safer for women this winter...SPECIAL FEATURE. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Unique report by Aaron Haggas - the run leader from Black Cloak Runners. A campaign aimed at making running safer for women by raising awareness and empowering communities to support female runners was launched this past Sunday with the Black Cloak Taproom hosting the North Wales Launch  Launched by Welsh Athletics, Own the Night is a national campaign, that confronts the truth head-on.   Running should feel free, safe, and equal but for many women, the reality is very different.  Every autumn, as the clocks go back and nights draw in, women across Wales face growing concerns about safety when running in the dark.    The campaign aims to: •  Raise awareness  of women's safety concerns when running at night or early mornings.   •  Empower women   to contin...