Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - some of the new SAVE CONWY PARKUN group after their meeting last Saturday morning at the RSPB site at Conwy. 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 voted the second most popular parkrun in the world, with tens of thousands...

Dear Conwy parkrun community, We wanted to update you on the work going on behind the scenes to get Conwy parkrun back up and running.  It has been fantastic to see, from our Facebook page, the Conwy parkrun community enjoying their Saturday mornings at other parkruns, far and wide – but it would be even better to have everyone back in Conwy. We wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the progress we are making. As you know, the work on the path between the RSPB nature reserve and the railway bridge forced us to pause our parkrun while the path was resurfaced. It’s great to see that this work has been completed on time, and it does look fantastic. Unfortunately, at the same time that this work began, we were made aware of concerns from parkrun HQ regarding the adequacy and safety of our car parking. This has meant we must address these concerns before we are allowed to restart. The RSPB car park has been identified as being too small for an event that continues to grow in ...

*Pictured above - Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton both won their age cats. Visiting athlete smashed the female course record at Penrhyn parkrun, plus other results and reports... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Penrhyn Castle parkrun attracted 317 entrants last Saturday including visiting athlete Sara Ismail-Sutton (Durham City Harriers), who was not only the 1st finisher overall, but she also smashed the female course record on her debut in 17.45. Despite the cool and blustery conditions Sara beat all her male rivals with ease, and was eventually followed by  Aidan Thomas  in 18.30, and VM60 veteran  Graham Bale  (Plymstock RR), who gave Aidan a hard chase in 3rd spot in 18.33. Quite remarkably, the first three female finishers were all debutants, and with Sara taking the top-spot overall, the 2nd female place was taken by  Anna Patrickson  (City of Salisbury), in 21.56, with  Patricia Ronksley ( Stragglers), 3rd in 23.09....

Kinmel Bay FC draw with the League leaders. NWCEFL 24/25 Premier Division 15 Mar 25 at St Asaph. CPD Y Glannau (2) v Kinmel Bay FC (2). Report and photos by Barry Griffiths. A cold sunny dry day on the excellent St Asaph Leisure Centre under referee Karl Berry, where Glannau opened the score from a Steven Kirk penalty in the 19th minute of play.  Bay captain Chris Jones scored the first of his two goals when assisted by Sean Sheridan who equalised the score in the 26th. Daniel Price assisted by Steven Kirk took Glannau into the lead just at the start of the 2nd half. Bay was awarded a penalty mid-way through the 2nd half which the Glannau keeper Bradley Wright saved, and so Bay was behind until the very last moment of injury time when Chris Jones scored his second with a blistering drive assisted by Tate Walker. *Y Glannau now lead the table with 50 points to KBFC 3rd place on 41. With Cerrigydrudion losing 2:1 to Pheonix the Cookson Cup final will be KBFC v Penmaenmawr. ...

*Pictured above - Jonathan Kettle who was the first NWRRC member home. Another fast and well attended event at the Conwy parkrun swamp! Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another good turn-out at Conwy parkrun last Saturday due to a large number of visiting athletes, but the conditions underfoot were horrendous once again, with another swamp-like 5k course for the 300 plus entrants. Despite the waterlogged and challenging route, the first twelve finishers all dipped under the twenty-minute mark, with SW20 runner  Andrew Moore  the first man home with a new PB of 16 minutes and 27 seconds. The second placed finisher was visitor VM40  Aaron Saxton  (Manchester Tri Club), who was pleased with his debut time of 17.41, with fellow VM40 athlete  Frazer Slade  3rd with another PB of 17.52.  The first two female runners were both teenage visitors, with JW15-17  Cara Scott , the first lady in ...

One in Four Working Age People in the UK Have Some Form of Criminal Record...plus confirmation of the new No 1 best seller. Latest news updates from MOJUK - Miscarriage of Justice, and confirmation that John Morris's new book about the Clydach Murders has just reached No 1 in the Amazon charts.       Don Hale Blog: NUMBER ONE BEST SELLER/Force of Evil: The Clydach . .. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025/02/force-of-evil-clydach-murders-by-john.html?spref=tw  *Read about more fascinating true crime and true story books: https://amzn.to/4k6KOym      =============================  Miscarriages of JusticeUK (MOJUK): NEWS HEADLINES.   =============================  *One in Four Working Age People in the UK Have Some Form of Criminal Record  *CCRC: Twelfth Man’s Conviction Involving Corrupt Police Officer Referred to CoA  *Bloody Sunday Murder Accused Soldier F to Stand Trial in September  *Shooting of IRA Men to be Ref...

*Pictured above (l-r): Ben and  Sarah Hudson with Mike Hayton. Road Running trio at the Ruthin 10k.   A trio of NWRRC members competed in the Ruthin 10k road race on Sunday and the pick of the team was Sarah Hudson who was 34th overall, the 3rd female finisher, and she was also 2nd in her F40 age category in 47.37.  And to add some extra icing to Sarah’s performance, she finished just ahead of her husband  Ben , who was 37th overall, and 5th in his M40 cat in 48.08, whilst master veteran  Mike Hayton  enjoyed another good run, and he was 102nd, and 4th in his M70 cat in 63.24. Sarah Hudson later confirmed:  “Great fun this morning running the “lumpy” Ruthin 10k, and over the moon to have come 3rd lady in 47.37, and to beat Ben!”   *Kevin Higgins also ran in the 5k race and he finished in 50th place in 28.48 in his first race since last September due to injuries.

Kinmel Bay beat the freeze and scored nine goals North Wales Coast East Football League 24/25 – Premier Division 11 Jan 2025 Kinmel Bay FC (9) v CPD Bro Cernyw (0):   Report and photos by Barry Griffiths. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com One of the few matches to be held during the freeze and fortunate to be able to get a slot on the G4 at Colwyn Bay. Despite the score a match played end to end with skill and energy.    I had some photo difficulty with light and my poor technique but submit some photos to convey the atmosphere and action.   Well attended game with 6 of the KBFC team officials present and all 5 subs brought into the match.   For the Bay goals which were all fought with determination we have: Min 5 Charlie Jones his first of 2 goals this time assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 7 Sean Sheridan first of his 3 in the match this assisted by Joshua Parry. Min 18 Jordan Bellham first of his 2 this assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 19 Sean Sheridan assisted ...