09May2010

Beach Run 2 May 2010

It was fine but FREEZING on the Seahouses beach on the day and there was also a fairly strong wind blowing off the sea which really didn’t help. Cold, numb fingers aren’t very nimble or quick for putting up tents. We were convinced we would see icebergs floating by, it was that cold!

There were three of us huddled in a tent until the runners and walkers arrived to take part. 27 runners, 7 walkers and a dog turned up and were raring to go. 11 others registered, but unfortunately didn’t make it.

The run started promptly …it was too cold to stand around….and when everyone came back they said how much they’d enjoyed it. Personally I think they’re all lovely people, but all absolutely doolaly!  In fact anyone who runs for fun is as daft as a brush. Perhaps, then, that’s why I’m the shape I am………??????  Nevertheless, the Chin-Up team would like to thank you all for your dedication and invaluable support.  What would we do without you?

Everybody was a winner, but Matthew Bainbridge (32 mins 18 secs) and Sarah Pascall (40 mins 32 secs) were the first man and woman, respectively, past the post.  Well done!

Maureen Hardcastle

Chairperson

18Jan2010

Please Welcome Our Newest Patron

The Chin-Up team would like to welcome on board and express our gratitude to our newest patron – Squadron Leader Kevin Pinder BSc(Hons) MIET ACMI RAF.  We look forward to working with him and getting to know him better.

“For your information, I joined the RAF in 1980 as an electronics technician and served 19 years until taking my commission as an Engineering Officer in 1999. I have served at numerous UK bases as well as a tour in the Falkland Islands and 2 years in Cyprus. In 2003, I served in Iraq for 6 months and more recently in 2006/7 I undertook three detachments to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. I am currently serving at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire.”

18Jan2010

Santa Run 22 November 2009

The weather was very kind to us with blue skies and sunshine. The wind was blowing, but thank goodness, it didn’t rain. We were very grateful for that as the prospect of standing on the beach at Seahouses in the wind and rain just didn’t seem inviting at all!

 

55 people asked to be with us, but as 6 didn’t make it, so we started the run with 42 runners and 7 walkers, plus 1 dog.

 

Here I must apologise. After taking the time for the runners, clueless (who shall remain nameless to protect the not-so-innocent)  pressed the re-set button….and wiped all the times off. So please be kind when you send in your letters of complaint. Take into consideration her age, (she’s old and doddery) her addled brain, (confusion rules) and her inept handling of gadgets (no change there then)!

 

Nevertheless congratulations to Chris Barrett and Claire English for winning the Mens’ and Womens’ categories respectively and a very, very big thank you to all those who took part in the actual run and all those who gave their time so generously to ensure that we had a most successful day.


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13May2009

A Day at the Races

March 3rd, 2009 saw Chin-Up being part of its first day at the races.  The event was a three-mile Novices’ Handicap Chase supported by Furlongs Racing at Newcastle racecourse.  The day was cold but fair with an unfortunately low attendance.  Nevertheless, we all had a great day!

The winner was “Fiftyfive Degrees”, an eight year old gelding ably ridden by Graham Lee, owned by Mr & Mrs Raymond Anderson Green and trained by Pauline Robson.  Terry Scragg of Furlongs Racing most generously donated the prize money.

12Apr2009

Welcome to Our New Patron – Brendan Healey

We are so very, very pleased to welcome the well known artiste Brendan Healey as our latest patron. Brendan began as a musician playing keyboards in groups around his native North East. Most famously with the legendary rock band ‘Lindisfarne’. He then moved into theatre and was immediately snapped up by Andrea Wonfor, then of Tyne Tees Television, to present children’s television. Most notably ‘Razzmatazz’ in the seventies. Brendan still works in television and has written over forty signature tunes to date. He still plays keyboards with John Miles and writes with Brian Johnson of ‘AC/DC’.
He returned to theatre and spent many years either in rep, or touring alongside such stars as Penelope Keith, Toyah Willcox, Bill Maynard and Russ Abbot. Brendan has played everything from Shakespeare to comedy. He also played ‘Bernard’ in the West End production of Strippers.
He played ‘Tol Briston’ in the Emmy award winning ‘Black Velvet Gown’ and appeared in ‘The Girl’ and ‘Dinner of Herbs’, all Catherine Cookson films. He was ‘Eric’ in ‘Spender’, appeared in ‘Boon’, ‘Auf Weidersehen Pet’, ‘Crocodile Shoes’ and ‘Coronation Street’. Brendan also played the part of ‘Ray’ in the series ‘Badger’ with Jerome Flynn. He now has his own production company M.H.M. Entertainments producing pantomime and musical theatre. Brendan has spent the last ten years as a comedian, appearing as the guest comedian on the ‘Tom O’Connor Show’.