View allAll Photos Tagged able
To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission:ABLE Awards, please visit www.pva.org/awards. Photo by Kristin Wienold. #MissionABLE Awards
Her hair is still wet from her straightening once its dry all the way i will be able to make it bigger i want volume!!! Danse on the show had BIG hair! I also cut another layer in her hair to help with the fullnes for when i style it better
Before Starting this Write up for the Days Events I want to say a Huge Thank You to all of the Marshals at Brands Hatch for the work that you do as without you We would not be able to Witness the Amazing Racing that takes Place Here Every Year.
During the Events of Saturday A Marshal Was Tragically Killed in an Accident on the Circuit. My Thoughts and Prayers are with The Family of the Marshal as well as Everyone Involved in the Incident.
Lets Keep Working Hard to Make Racing Exciting but also to work on the Safety Aspect of Both Spectators and Marshals at Each Event.
It was Time for the BARC To make a Very Special Return to Brands Hatch for the Annual BARC Club Car Championship Races. The Grids were looking to be Full up with lots of Action across both the Saturday and Sunday with Qualifying and Racing.
Lets See who's up First and Who can Take their Vehicles around the very Fast and Highly Paced Indy Circuit.
Brit Car Endurance Championship/Endurance And Praga Categories (Qualifying)
First Up was the Brit Car Endurance Championship Featuring a whole range of different cars from the Ferrari 488 to the Praga R1T. Thease two Classes of cars ran together during Qualifying so lets see who managed to take Pole Position for the Race on Sunday.
In First Place was (Tim Gray Motorsport and the Pairing of Richard Wells and Alex Kapadia) In their Praga R1T with a Lap Time of 44.675 and a Top Speed of 97.33mph. An Amazing Effort by Richard and Alex to claim Pole Position and start on the Front Row for Tomorrow's Race.
In Second Place was (CW Performance and the Pairing of Christopher Wesemael and Richard Morris) in their Praga R1 with a Lap Time of 45.128 and a Top Speed of 96.36mph. Another Incredible Drive from The Pairing of Christopher and Richard Claiming Second Position and Being Very Close to First in that Qualifying Battle. Fantastic Work.
In Third Place was (Team Praga Three Lions and The Pairing of Ash Dibden and Angus Fender) in their Praga R1 with a Lap Time of 45.365 and A Top Speed of 95.85mph. Very Close to Second Place Indeed with First, Second and Third place being a very hard Fought Battle for Positions. Fantastic work Ash and Angus.
A Very Exciting start to the Weekend with a Thrilling Qualifying Session and no doubt a Race to look forward to on the Sunday. Who will prevail and take the Checkered Flag? Only Time will tell.
CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic/Historic Thunder Saloons (Qualifying)
Next Up was the Edmundson Electrical Classics and The Historic Thunder Saloons as they Headed out for their Qualifying Session and with a Vast Grid of Historic Cars Such as Vauxhalls Fords and BMW'S this looks to be Another Spectacular Qualifying Session for the History Books.
Lets take a look and see who managed to get Pole Position and How Quickly they Managed to do it in.
In First Place was (Jason West) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Lap Time of 50.576 and A Top Speed of 85.98mph. Very Fast Driving from Jason and a Fantastic Effort to achieve Pole Position for the Start of The Race.
In Second Place was (Mike Saunders) in his Ford MK1 Escort Mexico 4700 with a Lap Time of 51.100 and A Top Speed of 85.09mph. Another Fast and Well Controlled Lap from Mike to put himself into Second Place after a very Quick and Brave Drive.
In Third Place was (Andrew Wilson) in his Holden Monaro 7000 with a Lap Time of 51.282 and A Top Speed of 84.79mph. Fantastic Driving from Andrew to Achieve Third Place.
A Very Wonderful Qualifying Session for the CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic/Historic Thunder Saloons with Three Very Quick and Eager Drivers all wanting to be First but at the End of the Day their can only be One Winner. Who will it be? Only time will tell.
CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Qualifying)
Next Up The Saloon and GT Championships and with More Escorts and Jaguars Heading onto the Circuit it was time to see what This set of Drivers could do and who would be able to claim Pole Position.
In First Place was (Malcom Harding) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Lap Time of 53.705 and A Top Speed of 80.97mph. A Beautifully Prepared Machine Combined with a Fantastically Brave Drivers makes for a Perfect Paring. Amazing Work Malcom for Getting Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Steven Goldsmith) in his Ford Anglia 105e 2600 with a Lap Time of 54.237 and A Top Speed of 80.17mph. Another Amazing Driver pushing His Machinery Hard and Coming Very Close to Malcom's Time. Amazing Work Steven.
In Third Place was (Colin Philpott) in his Jaguar XJS 4000 with a Lap Time of 55.165 and A Top Speed of 79.27mph. Still Keeping very Close to Steven in Second Place and Rightfully Defending that Third Spot on the Grid. Amazing Drive from Colin.
Another Set of Amazing Drivers all showing the Love and Passion they have For Motorsport and Racing. But who will be Brave enough to push to the limits and Defend their Position for the Race. We will Have to Wait and Find Out.
CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Race 1)
Its Time for The First Race of the Day and its for the JEC Saloons and GT Championship. After a Thrilling Qualifying Session Earlier its time to see who can Take Victory in the First Race.
In First Place and Taking the First Win of the Weekend was (MALCOLM HARDING) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Lap Time of 54.028 and a Top Speed of 80.48mph. Amazing Drive There Malcolm and Congratulations on Your First Victory.
In Second Place was (STEVEN GOLDSMITH) in his Ford Anglia 105e 2600 with a Lap Time of 54.645 and A Top Speed of 79.57mph. Incredible Drive there Steve with a lot of Determination and a Very Brave Nerve to take Second Place.
In Third Place was (COLIN PHILPOT) in his Jaguar XJS 4000 with a Lap Time of 55.295 and a Top Speed of 78.64mph. Well Done Colin A Well Deserved Third Place and an Amazing Drive for Third Place.
What A Race from the Saloon and GT Championship and with Another Race to Come on Sunday More High Speed Action can be expected then.
CTCRC Laser Tools Pre 93 & Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Next Up onto the Circuit was the Pre 03 and Pre 93 Touring Cars for their Qualifying Session and with some Fantastic Cars on the Gird it will be Interesting to see who Can take Pole Position and become the Victor of this Qualifying Session.
In First Place was (Gary Prebble) in his Honda Civic EG 2000 with a Lap Time of 52.971 and A Top Speed of 82.09mph. Fast and Committed rom Gary and a Beautifully Prepared Honda too. Well Done.
In Second Place was (AJ Owen) in his Honda Civic Type R 2000 with a Lap Time of 53.153 and A Top Speed of 81.81mph. Another Fantastic Drive from AJ Showing the Power of the Honda Engine and what it can do in the right hands.
In Third Place was (Don Hughes) in his Peugeot 306 XSI 2000 with a Lap Time of 54.013 and A Top Speed of 80.51mph. Another Super Lap from a Super Driver to Put himself into Third Place Behind the Two Hondas Awesome Work there Don.
A Brilliant Qualifying Session for the Pre 93 and Pre 03 Touring Cars. Well Done to the Top Three Drivers and Good Luck to all other Drivers Competing.
CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Pre 66 Touring Cars are Next Up and usually a Fan Favourite at Brands Hatch Amongst Spectators and Race Enthusiasts and Who Can blame them. From the Mini Cooper S to The Ford Anglia and Lotus Cortina they are truly something Special to witness Racing around the Track.
Lets See who came where and how this will Impact the Race Ahead.
In First Place was (Alan Greenhalgh) in his Ford Falcon 4727 with a Lap Time of 58.396 and a Top Speed of 74.46mph. Fantastic Driving Alan and a well Deserved Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Robyn Slater) in his Ford Anglia 1550 with a Lap Time of 59.353 and A Top Speed of 73.26mph. Very Well Done to Robyn and an Amazing Drive to Achieve Second Place.
In Third Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S with A Lap Time of 59.627 and A Top Speed of 72.93mph. Showing the Power of The Mini there Barry that's for sure What an Awesome Drive for Third Place.
What A Qualifying Session for the Pre 66 Touring Cars Showing some Awesome Machinery and Cars that Have Been Designed for One Thing Speed. Well Done to Alan Robyn and Barry Here's Hoping to see a Fantastic Battle Between all Three of you Come Race Day.
CTCRC Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Finally was the Turn of the Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars to take to the Circuit. With More Fords and Jags ready to take on the Track and see who can take that Final Pole Position of The Day.
Lets see how things Turned out on the Track
In First Place was (Mike Luck) in his BMW E21 320 with a Lap Time of 56.575 and a Top Speed of 76.86mph. A Very Fast Time and enough to take Pole Position Amazing work there Mike.
In Second Place was (Mark Osbourne) in his Triumph Dolomite Sprint 1998 with a Lap Time of 56.839 and A Top Speed of 76.5mph. Amazing Drive from Mark to put his Triumph right up there in Second Place and not too far Behind Mike in the BMW.
In Third Place was (Stephen Primett) in his Ford Escort MK1 2037 with a Lap Time of 56.867mph and a Top Speed of 76.46mph. Another Incredible Drive for Third Place and The Final Spot in the Top Three for Qualifying. Very Well Done Stephen.
A Thrilling Qualifying Session for the Pre 83 Touring Cars to round of a Very Busy and Long First Day of Qualifying. Lets see what Each Driver can do come Race Day and who will be able to Dominate and Take Home The Trophy for Their Classes.
Best Luck To Everybody and See You All Tomorrow.
I was able to sneak out this morning between breakfast and the beginning of our convention - here's a shot of the flora around the hotel (Disney Swan and Dolphin) - these were from the garden at the Swan.
Sorry I won't have time to comment on all my contact's great new photos - too much work today. I'll catch up soon : ) cheers, paul
Before Starting this Write up for the Days Events I want to say a Huge Thank You to all of the Marshals at Brands Hatch for the work that you do as without you We would not be able to Witness the Amazing Racing that takes Place Here Every Year.
During the Events of Saturday A Marshal Was Tragically Killed in an Accident on the Circuit. My Thoughts and Prayers are with The Family of the Marshal as well as Everyone Involved in the Incident.
Lets Keep Working Hard to Make Racing Exciting but also to work on the Safety Aspect of Both Spectators and Marshals at Each Event.
It was Time for the BARC To make a Very Special Return to Brands Hatch for the Annual BARC Club Car Championship Races. The Grids were looking to be Full up with lots of Action across both the Saturday and Sunday with Qualifying and Racing.
Lets See who's up First and Who can Take their Vehicles around the very Fast and Highly Paced Indy Circuit.
Brit Car Endurance Championship/Endurance And Praga Categories (Qualifying)
First Up was the Brit Car Endurance Championship Featuring a whole range of different cars from the Ferrari 488 to the Praga R1T. Thease two Classes of cars ran together during Qualifying so lets see who managed to take Pole Position for the Race on Sunday.
In First Place was (Tim Gray Motorsport and the Pairing of Richard Wells and Alex Kapadia) In their Praga R1T with a Lap Time of 44.675 and a Top Speed of 97.33mph. An Amazing Effort by Richard and Alex to claim Pole Position and start on the Front Row for Tomorrow's Race.
In Second Place was (CW Performance and the Pairing of Christopher Wesemael and Richard Morris) in their Praga R1 with a Lap Time of 45.128 and a Top Speed of 96.36mph. Another Incredible Drive from The Pairing of Christopher and Richard Claiming Second Position and Being Very Close to First in that Qualifying Battle. Fantastic Work.
In Third Place was (Team Praga Three Lions and The Pairing of Ash Dibden and Angus Fender) in their Praga R1 with a Lap Time of 45.365 and A Top Speed of 95.85mph. Very Close to Second Place Indeed with First, Second and Third place being a very hard Fought Battle for Positions. Fantastic work Ash and Angus.
A Very Exciting start to the Weekend with a Thrilling Qualifying Session and no doubt a Race to look forward to on the Sunday. Who will prevail and take the Checkered Flag? Only Time will tell.
CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic/Historic Thunder Saloons (Qualifying)
Next Up was the Edmundson Electrical Classics and The Historic Thunder Saloons as they Headed out for their Qualifying Session and with a Vast Grid of Historic Cars Such as Vauxhalls Fords and BMW'S this looks to be Another Spectacular Qualifying Session for the History Books.
Lets take a look and see who managed to get Pole Position and How Quickly they Managed to do it in.
In First Place was (Jason West) in his BMW E46 M3 3200 with a Lap Time of 50.576 and A Top Speed of 85.98mph. Very Fast Driving from Jason and a Fantastic Effort to achieve Pole Position for the Start of The Race.
In Second Place was (Mike Saunders) in his Ford MK1 Escort Mexico 4700 with a Lap Time of 51.100 and A Top Speed of 85.09mph. Another Fast and Well Controlled Lap from Mike to put himself into Second Place after a very Quick and Brave Drive.
In Third Place was (Andrew Wilson) in his Holden Monaro 7000 with a Lap Time of 51.282 and A Top Speed of 84.79mph. Fantastic Driving from Andrew to Achieve Third Place.
A Very Wonderful Qualifying Session for the CTCRC Edmundson Electrical Classic/Historic Thunder Saloons with Three Very Quick and Eager Drivers all wanting to be First but at the End of the Day their can only be One Winner. Who will it be? Only time will tell.
CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Qualifying)
Next Up The Saloon and GT Championships and with More Escorts and Jaguars Heading onto the Circuit it was time to see what This set of Drivers could do and who would be able to claim Pole Position.
In First Place was (Malcom Harding) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Lap Time of 53.705 and A Top Speed of 80.97mph. A Beautifully Prepared Machine Combined with a Fantastically Brave Drivers makes for a Perfect Paring. Amazing Work Malcom for Getting Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Steven Goldsmith) in his Ford Anglia 105e 2600 with a Lap Time of 54.237 and A Top Speed of 80.17mph. Another Amazing Driver pushing His Machinery Hard and Coming Very Close to Malcom's Time. Amazing Work Steven.
In Third Place was (Colin Philpott) in his Jaguar XJS 4000 with a Lap Time of 55.165 and A Top Speed of 79.27mph. Still Keeping very Close to Steven in Second Place and Rightfully Defending that Third Spot on the Grid. Amazing Drive from Colin.
Another Set of Amazing Drivers all showing the Love and Passion they have For Motorsport and Racing. But who will be Brave enough to push to the limits and Defend their Position for the Race. We will Have to Wait and Find Out.
CTCRC JEC Saloon & GT Championship & Burton Power BOSS (Race 1)
Its Time for The First Race of the Day and its for the JEC Saloons and GT Championship. After a Thrilling Qualifying Session Earlier its time to see who can Take Victory in the First Race.
In First Place and Taking the First Win of the Weekend was (MALCOLM HARDING) in his Ford Escort MK2 Zakspeed 2500 with a Lap Time of 54.028 and a Top Speed of 80.48mph. Amazing Drive There Malcolm and Congratulations on Your First Victory.
In Second Place was (STEVEN GOLDSMITH) in his Ford Anglia 105e 2600 with a Lap Time of 54.645 and A Top Speed of 79.57mph. Incredible Drive there Steve with a lot of Determination and a Very Brave Nerve to take Second Place.
In Third Place was (COLIN PHILPOT) in his Jaguar XJS 4000 with a Lap Time of 55.295 and a Top Speed of 78.64mph. Well Done Colin A Well Deserved Third Place and an Amazing Drive for Third Place.
What A Race from the Saloon and GT Championship and with Another Race to Come on Sunday More High Speed Action can be expected then.
CTCRC Laser Tools Pre 93 & Simply Serviced Pre 03 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Next Up onto the Circuit was the Pre 03 and Pre 93 Touring Cars for their Qualifying Session and with some Fantastic Cars on the Gird it will be Interesting to see who Can take Pole Position and become the Victor of this Qualifying Session.
In First Place was (Gary Prebble) in his Honda Civic EG 2000 with a Lap Time of 52.971 and A Top Speed of 82.09mph. Fast and Committed rom Gary and a Beautifully Prepared Honda too. Well Done.
In Second Place was (AJ Owen) in his Honda Civic Type R 2000 with a Lap Time of 53.153 and A Top Speed of 81.81mph. Another Fantastic Drive from AJ Showing the Power of the Honda Engine and what it can do in the right hands.
In Third Place was (Don Hughes) in his Peugeot 306 XSI 2000 with a Lap Time of 54.013 and A Top Speed of 80.51mph. Another Super Lap from a Super Driver to Put himself into Third Place Behind the Two Hondas Awesome Work there Don.
A Brilliant Qualifying Session for the Pre 93 and Pre 03 Touring Cars. Well Done to the Top Three Drivers and Good Luck to all other Drivers Competing.
CTCRC Poultec Classic Race Engines Pre 66 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Pre 66 Touring Cars are Next Up and usually a Fan Favourite at Brands Hatch Amongst Spectators and Race Enthusiasts and Who Can blame them. From the Mini Cooper S to The Ford Anglia and Lotus Cortina they are truly something Special to witness Racing around the Track.
Lets See who came where and how this will Impact the Race Ahead.
In First Place was (Alan Greenhalgh) in his Ford Falcon 4727 with a Lap Time of 58.396 and a Top Speed of 74.46mph. Fantastic Driving Alan and a well Deserved Pole Position.
In Second Place was (Robyn Slater) in his Ford Anglia 1550 with a Lap Time of 59.353 and A Top Speed of 73.26mph. Very Well Done to Robyn and an Amazing Drive to Achieve Second Place.
In Third Place was (Barry Sime) in his Morris Mini Cooper S with A Lap Time of 59.627 and A Top Speed of 72.93mph. Showing the Power of The Mini there Barry that's for sure What an Awesome Drive for Third Place.
What A Qualifying Session for the Pre 66 Touring Cars Showing some Awesome Machinery and Cars that Have Been Designed for One Thing Speed. Well Done to Alan Robyn and Barry Here's Hoping to see a Fantastic Battle Between all Three of you Come Race Day.
CTCRC Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars (Qualifying)
Finally was the Turn of the Shell Oils Pre 83 Touring Cars to take to the Circuit. With More Fords and Jags ready to take on the Track and see who can take that Final Pole Position of The Day.
Lets see how things Turned out on the Track
In First Place was (Mike Luck) in his BMW E21 320 with a Lap Time of 56.575 and a Top Speed of 76.86mph. A Very Fast Time and enough to take Pole Position Amazing work there Mike.
In Second Place was (Mark Osbourne) in his Triumph Dolomite Sprint 1998 with a Lap Time of 56.839 and A Top Speed of 76.5mph. Amazing Drive from Mark to put his Triumph right up there in Second Place and not too far Behind Mike in the BMW.
In Third Place was (Stephen Primett) in his Ford Escort MK1 2037 with a Lap Time of 56.867mph and a Top Speed of 76.46mph. Another Incredible Drive for Third Place and The Final Spot in the Top Three for Qualifying. Very Well Done Stephen.
A Thrilling Qualifying Session for the Pre 83 Touring Cars to round of a Very Busy and Long First Day of Qualifying. Lets see what Each Driver can do come Race Day and who will be able to Dominate and Take Home The Trophy for Their Classes.
Best Luck To Everybody and See You All Tomorrow.
To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission:ABLE Awards, please visit www.pva.org/awards. Photo by Kristin Wienold. #MissionABLE Awards
To learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission:ABLE Awards, please visit www.pva.org/awards. Photo by Kristin Wienold. #MissionABLE Awards
I was able to spend 6 weeks with Birute' Galdikas at her Camp Leaky in Borneo (Kalimantan). This is at Tanjun Puting Park, where we would either move young orangutans deeper into the forest, man feeding stations deep in forest, We would also here and at Camp Leaky assist in following orangutans during the day and taking data for her research, relocating young ones from Camp Leaky to Tanjun Puting Park a couple of hours by boat from Camp Leaky.
Day 2 of Mini Festival at Brands Hatch and after a Superb Day of Both Racing and High Speed Action on the Saturday Sunday Was Promising to be a lot of the Same but with even more Racing to Look forward too.
With 2 Races for both Miglia class and Dunlop Mini Sevens as well as Formula 3 The Days events were already shaping up to be One for The History Books with Multiple Fierce and Competitive Drivers from Saturday Looking to Improve and Win their Respective Classes.
Lets take a Look at what Will be Racing Today and see which of the Drivers can Push Hard and Aim for a Win in their Respective Class.
Dunlop Mini Challenges Supported by Mini Spares - Miglia (Race 9 Results)
First up onto the Track was The Dunlop Mini Miglia Challenge and after a Very Intense Qualifying Battle Yesterday (Aron Smith) Took the Pole with (Andrew Jordan) Second and (James Cuthbertson) in Third Place. Will all Three Men be able to Keep their Positions come the Race or will they start to fall down the order once Racing Gets Underway. Lets find out.
In First Place was (Endaf Owens) in his Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.221 and a Top Speed of 78.76mph. Fantastic Drive there Endaf who was Definitely not Afraid to get that Miglia Sideways as he Raced his Way through the Field to take a Dominant Victory.
In Second Place was (Andrew Jordan) In His Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.498 and a Top Speed of 78.64mph. Amazing Driving from Andrew Showing what a Fantastic Mini Racer he is as well as a Superb BTCC Driver as well using his Skills Learned from his BTCC Racing to Hold on for Second Place.
In Third Place was (Aaron Smith) in His Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.449 and a Top Speed Of 78.63mph. Awesome Work there Aaron Putting on an Incredible Display Of Driving Commitment and Skill to Keep 3rd Place and Take the Final Podium Spot.
What a Start to the Days Racing with Three Top Drivers Battling out for a Victory and Showing what they can do when it comes to Competitive Miglia Racing. What New Challenges will be Seen in Race 2 as each Drivers Gets Ready to do Battle once again and this Time who will be the one to Claim that All Important Victory.
Lets Find out
Dunlop Mini Challenges Supported by Mini Spares - Miglia (Race 17 Results)
In First Place was (Endaf Owens) In His Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.862 and A Top Speed of 54.862mph. Very Fast and Quick Racing from Endaf who was Pushing as Hard as he Could to keep the Gap wide Open and ensure a Victory. Amazing Driving
In Second Place was (Aaron Smith) in His Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.773 and a Top Speed of 75.23mph. Fantastic Drive there Aron Really Great Work and taking Second Place away from the Previous Second Place Winner (Andrew Jordan)
In Third Place was (Andrew Jordan) in His Miglia with a Best Lap Time of 54.913 and a Top Speed of 75.21mph. Another Storming Drive from Andrew to take Third Place this Time Well Done.
What Another Amazing Race will all three Top Drivers Pushing their Miglia's Hard and all wanting to achieve that 1st Place Finish. To all other Drivers out there Good Luck and Keep Pushing Yourselves to Work Harder and you will Achieve what it is that you so Desire.
Dunlop Mini Challenges Supported by Mini Spares - Se7en (Race 13 Results)
Dunlop Mini Sevens were next up onto the Circuit and with Cars that all Have a Very Colourful set of Liveries and Drivers Ready to go this Next Race was going to be One that would be a Fantastic Watch from either Paddock Hill or The Main Straight as the Minis would be Blasting Past at Nearly 75mph.
Previously Yesterday During Qualifying it was (Jeff Smith) who took the Pole with (Nick Fowler) in Second Place and (Spencer Wanstall) in Third Place with all Three Drivers being Separated by Less than Half a Second as they Crossed the Line to Finish Qualifying.
With Three Very Experienced Drivers at the Front and a Whole Grid of other Great Drivers Ready Lets see what Results this Race will bring.
In First Place was (Jeff Smith) in his Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 59.566 and a Top Speed of 72.29mph. Amazing work Jeff Pushing that Little Mini Seven to its Limits and taking First Place.
In Second Place was (Jonathan Lewis) in his Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 59.197 and a Top Speed of 71.91mph. Another Incredible Drive from Jonathan Keeping Hold of Second Place and taking Home the Spoils from the First Race.
In Third Place was (Nick Fowler) in his Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 59.688 and a Top Speed of 71.83mph. Fantastic Drive there Nick Racing Hard and Managing to Hold onto Third Place on the Podium Well Done.
Mini Racing is Really Turning out to be Very Exciting and Fantastic This Year with so Many Different Winners and Other Drivers working Hard to Keep their Cars is Running and Race Ready condition. A Big Congratulations to Jeff Jonathan and Nick for showing some Seriously Impressive Racing and to all other Drivers Taking Part and enjoying what They Love.
Lets Dive into Race 2 and See who Might make a Leap to 1st Second or Third and who will be able to challenge the Top Three Drivers.
Dunlop Mini Challenges Supported by Mini Spares - Se7en (Race 19 Results)
Race 2 Up Next and things were not going as Smoothly as Most Drivers would Have Wanted as they all Gripped their Steering wheels and Prepared for Battle The Heavens Opened and a Large Rain Shower Engulfed the Track and with already Dark Conditions now getting even Darker it was only a matter of Time before Visibility would be Very Difficult.
Who has the Nerve to Push Hard and Take The Victory and who will be Brave Enough to take Second and Third Place? Lets Find out
In First Place was (Joe Thompson) in His Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.615 and a Top Speed of 60.38mph. Extremely Well Driven there Joe Pushing Hard but keeping the Mini Under Control in Very Damp and Dark Conditions to take a Superb Victory.
In Second Place was (Mike Jordan) in His Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 1:06.801 and a Top Speed of 60.33mph. Amazing Drive there Mike Well Deserved and Driven too.
In Third Place was (Spencer Wanstall) in His Mini Seven with a Best Lap Time of 1:05.178 and a Top Speed of 60.32mph. Incredible Bravery from Spencer and to Keep that Car on the Track Must Have Taken some Incredible Skill thought the Entire Race.
What a Fantastic Finish to the Mini Sevens Racing Today at Brands Hatch with Multiple Different Winners on the Podium and Some Very Changeable Conditions it made for some Remarkable Racing and Brilliant Overtakes thought.
Congratulations to Joe Mike and Spencer on their Podium Places and Well Done to all Other Mini Seven Drivers for Braving the Conditions to put on a Race that Shows What the British Spirit of Racing is all About. Alex Issigonis would be Proud.
Formula 3 Cup (Race 12 Results)
Formula 3 up Next and with the Track being Mostly Dry before the Start of This Race Each Drivers was Ready to Push Hard and try to take the Victory from the other. Qualifying Yesterday Proved that even a Smaller Grid can still Make for some Intense Racing with Drivers such as (George Line) (Robbie Watts) and (Shane Kelly) showing some Incredible Speed and Capable Car Control thought the Entire Qualifying Session.
With Lots of Aero and a Very Fast set of Dallara F308 Engines Powering them Lets See what the Formula 3's Get up to.
In First Place was (George Line) in his F3 Dallara F308 with a Lap Time of 43.825 and a Top Speed of 96.55mph. Incredible Speed and Confidence shown from George behind the wheel of that Formula 3 showing that he was Almost Fearless and in a League of his own. Incredible Driving.
In Second Place was (Robbie Watts) in his F3 Dallara F308 with a Lap Time of 43.926 and a Top Speed of 96.39mph. Another Super Driver in Robbie Pushing Hard and Defending Second Place thought the Entire Race and Keeping George Busy on his Toes Most of the Time.
In Third Place was (Shane Kelly) in his F3 Dallara F308 with a Lap Time of 44.071 and a Top Speed of 95.88mph. Very Well Done there Shane Racing Hard and Keeping up the Pace with Both Robbie and George in Second and First.
What an Exciting First Race for the Formula 3 Drivers who are all Showing that they All Have the Nerve and Skill to Race Hard and Push where it matters. Congratulations to Stefano George and Dominic and Good Luck to All other F3 Drivers out there for Race 2 Coming up Next.
Formula 3 Cup (Race 21 Results)
With Race 2 About to Start all of the Drivers took off for their Formation Lap and Plenty of Water and Spray was seen Shooting up from the Back of Each Car and Having had the First Race take Place in Dry Conditions thease New Track Conditions would be Very Different for Each Driver and Driving Ability is a Must for Survival Out there. With the 5 Red Lights illuminated the Race Began but who would Finish and take Home The Victory. Lets Find Out
In First Place was (Stefano Leaney) in his F3 Dallara F317 with a Best Lap Time of 50.532 and a Top Speed of 84.71mph. Stefano is Really Proving to be a worthy Drivers to Drive in Formula 3 as Once Again his Sheeree Bravery and Fearless Nature was on Display once again in Conditions that Most other Divers would have thought Twice about Pushing their Machinery to Hard in. Congratulations Stefano.
In Second Place was (George Line) in his F3 Dallara F308 with a Best Lap Time of 52.738 and a Top Speed of 81.07mph. Fantastic Work there George Once Again Demonstraighting how to Race an F3 In Wet Conditions with Beautiful Lines taken thought the Corse of the Race and a Well Deserved Second Place.
In Third Place was (Shane Kelly) in his Dallara F308 with a Best Lap Time of 52.771 and a Too Speed of 80.96mph Another Very Brave and Quick Driver in Wet Conditions with Shane Really Defending Hard and Fast in order to Keep hold of that Well Deserved Third Place.
What an Astonishing Race with Winners in Stefano George and Shane all taking spots on the Podium and Hopefully One Day Having their Chance in Formula 1. Each Driver put on a Super Display of Driving Skill and Keeping their Cars at High Speed on a Wet Track is no Easy Feat. Well Done to all the Other Formula 3 Drivers too Keep Pushing Hard and Making sure you do Everything you Can To One Day Achieve That Victory.
Fastest Mini in the World (Race 11 Results)
Fastest Mini In The World was Up Next and this Racing Series Features Many Familiar Looking Minis and yet Each one has a trick up its Sleeve and that is that their Standard 1275gt Engines have all been Replaced with Engines from Cars that have Considerably more Horse Power. The Goal of the Race is to not Just Win but to also Prove to Everyone that You Have The Fastest Mini in the World.
With Qualifying Yesterday showing Very Quick Pace from (Bill Richards) in his Maguire Club Estate it was clear to see that The Drivers and their cars were in a completely different League to all other Racing Minis there that Weekend. Lets Find out who came First in the First Race and who took the First Title of Fastest Mini in the World.
In First Place was (Harvey Death) in his Austin Mini Cooper S V8 with a Best Lap Time of 51.294 and a Top Speed of 82.01mph. Fantastic Driving from Harvey to Push his V8 Mini to the Limit and take Home First Place and the Top Step on the Podium.
In Second Place was (Bill Richards) in his Maguire Clubman Estate with a Best Lap Time of 53.391 and a Top Speed of 80.15mph. Epic Drive there from Bill Pushing Hard and making sure to Keep Harvey Behind Him.
In Third Place was (Richard Billingham) in his Austin Mini Clubman with a Best Lap Time of 53.347 and a Top Speed of 79.91mph. Very Well Driven there Richard showing the Insane Horse Power thease Mini's have and how they Accelerate and Decelerate much Faster than a Standard Cooper S or even a Racing Mini Seven.
What an Epic Race and Display of Incredible Driving and Battling for the Victory of Fastest Mini in the World. Each Driver Held their Nerve and Push Very Hard Indeed which was Fantastic to see. Congratulations to our Race Winners Harvey Bill and Richard. Lets see what Luck Race 2 Brings.
Fastest Mini in the World (Race 16 Results)
In First Place was (Harvey Death) in his Austin Mini Cooper S V8 with a Best Lap Time of 52.256 and a Top Speed of 79.02mph. Another Fantastic Victory for Harvey who has proven to Have The Fastest Mini in the World and is Really Capable of Driving it as well. Congratulations
In Second Place was (Fabio Luffarelli) in his Mini Classic Saloon with a Best Lap Time of 55.949 and a Top Speed of 76.21mph. Amazing work there Fabio Fantastic to see such an Iconic Mini Out there but with a Twist by putting a Far more Powerful Engine under the hood to Have even more Fun with it. Amazing Build and Super Drive.
In Third Place was (Matthew Skidmore) in his Austin Mini with a Best Lap Time of 55.257 and a Top Speed of 75.71mph. Brilliant Drive Matthew Showing the Real Power and Driver Ability of a car Pushing right onto the limits all the Time.
What an Incredible Days Racing for the Fastest Mini in the World Showcasing Many Classic Favourites that Everyone Loves but with some surprises under each Bonnet. Congratulations to Harvey Fabio and Matthew for their Incredible Victories and Good Luck to all other Teams in the Series.
Mighty Minis & Super Mighty Mini Championship (Race 10 Results)
Mighty Mini's and Super Mighty Mini's were up Next and with a Massive Grid of Both Mighty and Super Mighty Mini's on Display This was going to be another Race that would be well worth the Watch.
From Qualifying Yesterday (Bobby Thompson) took the Pole setting a Very Fast Time of Just 1:00.205 Round the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit with (Ian Slark) and (Stuart Coombs) following Closely Behind in both Second and Third.
With So Many Different Drivers on the Grid and Plenty of Traffic to Navigate Through this First Race was going to be an Epic One to Witness.
In First Place was (Bobby Thompson) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.331 and a Top Speed of 61.14mph. Fantastic Work Bobby Racing at High Speeds and Pushing that Mini around the Circuit in Record Time. Congratulations
In Second Place was (Ian Slark) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.319 and a Top Speed of 61.13mph. Amazing Driving Ian Top Driver and a Fantastic Mini Racer
In Third Place was (Neven Kirkpatrick) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.426 and a Top Speed of 61.07mph. Well Done Neven a Really Well crafted Drive and a truly deserved Third Place.
What a Start to an Amazing Race with so many different Mini's taking to the track and Pushing hard keeping the top Three on their Toes the Entire Time due to How evenly matched each Mini is. Congratulations to Bobby Ian and Neven and See You all in the Final Race.
Mighty Minis & Super Mighty Mini Championship (Race 18 Results)
The Last Race of the Day for the Mighty and Super Mighty Mini's Championship and with a Very Tight Battle at the Top Between Bobby Ian and Neven which one of them will be able to take Home Victory for the Last Time today. Lets Get straight to finding out.
In First Place was (Neven Kirkpatrick) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:01.029 and a Top Speed of 70.35mph. Phenomenal Drive Neven Fending off Ian in Second Place and Keeping yourself up Front to Win and a Fantastic Way to End the Day with a Victory
In Second Place was (Ian Slark) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.756 and a Top Speed of 70.34mph. Another Brilliant Drive by Regular Ian Slark with Tremendous Car Control and Ability he Really is an Incredible Driver.
In Third Place was (David Kirkpatrick) in his Super Mighty Mini 1293 with a Best Lap Time of 1:00.991 and a Top Speed of 70.23mph. Amazing Work David Driving Hard and so Great to see Neven up there In First Place, Always Something to be Proud of.
And So that Ends the Days Racing for The Super Mighty Mini's and Mighty Mini's Racing, A Big Congratulations to Neven Ian and David on their Race Wins and also a Huge Well Done to all of the Other Mini Racers out there who Enjoy what they Do and show the World their Dedicated Passion and Commitment to Keeping British Racing Alive and Well.
Pre 66 Mini's (Race 15 Results)
Pre 66 Mini's were up Next and a whole Host of Classic Minis had taken to the track during their Formation Lap with Mini's from a By Gone Era that Showed Beauty and a Really Fierce Competitive Nature during the Pre 66 Category of Mini Racing.
During Qualifying the Previous Day (Ian Curley) Narrowly Beat Endaf Owens to Pole by just 0.254 with a Very Fast and Committed Lap Endaf Had to settle for Second Place while (Phil Brown)would take Third.
But today out of all three drivers who would be Brave Enough to challenge Ian and Endaf both Drivers who are very Competitive in their Racing and who both want to Win This One Race.
In First Place was (Endaf Owens) in his Mini Cooper S with a Best Lap Time of 58.026 and a Top Speed of 73.85mph. A Very Fast and Fearless Drive from Endaf who looked like he was Really Enjoying throwing that Mini Around in his Very Aggressive Driving Style. Congratulations Endaf
In Second Place was (Jeff Smith) in his Mini Cooper S with a Best Lap Time of 57.993 and a Top Speed of 73.84mph. Well Done Jeff an Awesome Drive and Keeping up with Endaf was no Easy Task.
In Third Place was (Ian Curley) in his Mini Cooper S with a Best Lap Time of 58.053 and a Top Speed of 73.32mph. Amazing Work Ian A Very Strong Drive for Third Place on the Podium.
What an Exciting Race for the Pre 66 Mini's with Both Endaf Owens and Jeff Smith Really Driving Hard and Defending both of their positions thought the Course of the entire Race. Also Well Done to Ian for Another 3rd Place Victory as Well as all other Drivers Racing.
Teekay Couplings Production GTI Championship (Race 14 Results)
The Teekay Couplings and Production GTI Championship was up next and with a whole Range of VF Golf GTI'S in one Race it was Going to be a Very Quick and Action Packed Race to Watch.
During Qualifying (Martyn Walsh) took the Pole with (Adam Hance) and (John Beale) in Second and Third Place Respectively.
With So Many Evenly Matched Cars Taking Part in the Race This was Really going to be About Driver Ability and Car Control to see who could extract that little bit more performance out of their Machine for a Victory.
In First Place was (Simon Hill) in his VW Golf GTI with a Best Lap Time of 56.824 and a Top Speed of 71.05mph. Amazing Driving Simon Pushing that VW to its Limits and Really showing off the Complete Understanding of Driver and their Car around the Race Track.
In Second Place was (Adam Hanke) in his VW Golf GTI MK5 with a Best Lap Time of 56.682 and a Top Speed of 71.02mph. Very Well Done Adam and a Really Spirited Drive from a Fantastic Driver to gain Second Place.
In Third Place was (Hendry Riley) in his VW Golf GTI With a Best Lap Time of 57.212 and a Top Speed of 71.01mph. Fantastic Work Hendry Driving the Wheels off that Thing and Taking Home Third Place.
What a Fantastic Starting Race with Plenty of Action and Drivers Working Hard at the Wheel and Thought the entire Race to try and Gain a Spot on the Podium.
Lets see what Race 2 Brings and Who May be able to Mount a challenge to the Top Three Drivers.
Teekay Couplings Production GTI Championship (Race 20 Results)
In First Place was (Simon Vercoe) in his VW Golf GTI with a Best Lap Time of 1:08.465 and a Top Speed of 62.13mph. What A Drive from Simon Vercoe Pushing that Golf to the Edge of the Track through Paddock Hill Bend and Making sure to Keep the Power on High thought the Entire Race for a Successful 1st Place Victory
In Second Place was (Hendry Riley) in his VW Golf GTI with a Best Lap Time of 1:08.886 and a Top Speed of 61.88mph. Amazing Driving there Once again Hendry for Second Place
In Third Place was (Simon Hill) in his VW Golf GTI with a Best Lap Time of 1:08.853 and a Top Speed of 61.81mph. Well Done Simon Pushing Hard and Making sure to Stay on the Podium Position for Third Place
What a Fantastic Set of Drivers and Race Cars all showing Different Racing styles and Lines but with Equally Matched Machinery. a Big Congratulations to Simon Vercoe Hendry and Simon for their Incredible Victories and Race Craft when out on the Track and Good Luck To Everyone Else.
Z Cars Racing & New Generation Production BMW Championship (Race 8 Results)
The Last Race of The Day and its the BMW New Generation and Z Cars Championship. With Many Different BMW'S Taking Part in this Race Speed Skill and Concentration will all be key Factors in Getting either a Win or a Podium Position.
During Qualifying on Saturday Chris Murphy took the Pole with Jack Wood Second and Edd Giddings Third. Three Drivers all with Many Hours of Racing Experience under their belt.
With The Race About to Start Lets Find out Who Will be The Last Ones to take First Second and Third Place on the Podium in Todays Racing.
In First Place was (Chris Murphy) in his BMW Z4 with a Best Lap time of 55.880 and a Top Speed of 75.95mph. Incredible Drive there Chris Taking the Win and Showing just how to Drive a Z4 BMW around the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit. Congratulations.
In Second Place was (Edd Giddings) in his BMW Z4 with a Best Lap Time of 56.481 and a Top Speed of 75.90mph. Amazing work there Edd with Some Incredible Driving and Keeping Pace with Chris Made for a Really Entertaining Battle.
In Third Place was (Matthew Dance) in his BMW Z4 With a Best Lap Time of 56.526 and a Top Speed of 75.16mph. Well Done Matthew Finishing in Third Place and Taking Home a Wonderful Victory.
And With that The End of Another Perfect and Incredible Days Racing comes to an End at Brands Hatch. The Mini Festival always knows How to Bring out the Best in both Drivers and Cars and Has a Real Atmosphere about the Love for the Little British Icon. The Spectators and The Raving Drivers a Like Really Cherish this Event and I Hope to see it and Document it Many More Times.
A Final Congratulations to Chris Edd and Matthew for their Superb Drives and to all Other Competitors Across the Entire Weekend for sharing their Love and Passion for Motorsport Helping to inspire the Many Different Young Talent's to One Day Achieve their own Racing Dreams.
See You All Again Next Year!
Hi there,
Able Kay just shared an Instagram video with you. Visit the following link to see it:
distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/9a7510ec31aa11e387c4220...
Ruthin Gaol (Welsh: Carchar Rhuthun) is a Pentonville style prison in Ruthin, Denbighshire. Ruthin Gaol ceased to be a prison in 1916 when the prisoners and guards were transferred to Shrewsbury. The County Council bought the buildings in 1926 and used part of them for offices, the county archives, and the town library. During the Second World War the prison buildings were used as a munitions factory, before being handed back to the County Council, when it was the headquarters of the Denbighshire Library Service. In 2004 the Gaol was extensively renovated and reopened as a museum.
The first House of Correction, or Bridewell, was built at the bottom of Clwyd Street, next to the river, in 1654, to replace the Old Court House, where able-bodied idlers and the unemployed were sent to work. Following John Howard's investigations into prison conditions the Denbighshire justices resolved to build a new model prison in Ruthin on the site of the old Bridewell. Work began in January 1775. In 1802 the prison had four cells for prisoners and nine rooms for debtors. By 1837 it could hold 37 inmates.[citation needed] The Prisons Act of 1865 set new standards for the design of prisons — as the Ruthin County Gaol did not meet the standards plans were drawn up for a new four-storey wing, and the new prison accommodating up to 100 prisoners, in the style of London's Pentonville Prison was built at a cost of £12,000. On 1 April 1878 the Ruthin County Gaol became HM Prison Ruthin, covering the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Merionethshire.
As far as is known, only one person was ever executed in the prison, William Hughes of Denbigh, aged 42, who was hanged on 17 February 1903 for the murder of his wife, his plea of insanity having failed. Another colourful prison personality was John Jones, known as Coch Bach y Bala – who was a kleptomaniac and poacher who had spent more than half his 60 years in all the prisons of north Wales and many in England; he twice escaped from Ruthin Gaol, first on 30 November 1879 when he walked out of prison with three others while the staff were having supper — a £5 reward was offered for his capture, which happened the following 3 January. On 30 September 1913 he tunnelled out of his cell and using a rope made out of his bedding he climbed over the roof of the chapel and kitchen and got over the wall; after seven days living rough on the Nantclwyd Estate several miles away, Jones was shot in the leg by one of his pursuers, 19-year-old Reginald Jones-Bateman. Jones died of shock and blood loss, while Jones-Bateman was charged with manslaughter, though the charges were subsequently dropped.
Most Haunted: Midsummer Murders filmed the series' 5th episode in Ruthin in which the team investigated a Victorian Era murder. Some of the places the episode was filmed in were the Old Gaol and the town library.
Ruthin is a market town and community in Denbighshire, Wales, in the south of the Vale of Clwyd. It is Denbighshire's county town. The town, castle and St Peter's Square lie on a hill, skirted by villages such as Pwllglas and Rhewl. The name comes from the Welsh rhudd (red) and din (fort), after the colour of sandstone bedrock, from which the castle was built in 1277–1284 The Old Mill, Ruthin, is nearby. Maen Huail, a registered ancient monument attributed to the brother of Gildas and King Arthur, stands in St Peter's Square.
The population at the 2001 census was 5,218, of whom 47 per cent were male and 53 per cent female. The average age was 43.0 years and 98.2 per cent were white. According to the 2011 census, the population had risen to 5,461. 68 per cent of which were born in Wales and 25 per cent in England. Welsh speakers account for 42 per cent of the town's population. The community includes the village of Llanfwrog.
There is evidence of Celtic and later Roman settlements in the area. However, little is known of the history of the town before the construction of Ruthin Castle was started in 1277 by Dafydd, the brother of prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. However, he forfeited the castle when he rebelled against King Edward I with his brother; Edward's queen, Eleanor, was in residence in 1281. The original name was Castell Coch yng Ngwern-fôr (Red Castle in the Sea Swamps). The Marcher Lord, Reginald de Grey, Justiciar of Chester, was given the Cantref (an administrative district) of Deffrencloyt (Dyffryn Clwyd, the Welsh for Vale of Clwyd), and his family ran the area for the next 226 years. The third Baron de Grey's land dispute with Owain Glyndŵr triggered Glyndŵr's rebellion against King Henry IV, which began on 16 September 1400, when Glyndŵr burned Ruthin to the ground, reputedly leaving only the castle and a few other buildings standing.
The Lord de Grey established a Collegiate Church in 1310. Now the Collegiate and Parish Church of St Peter, it dominates the Ruthin skyline. It has a double nave and boasts two medieval carved roofs. These days it is known for its musical tradition. It has a large choir of children and adults and a four-manual Wadsworth-Willis organ. Behind the church can be seen the old college buildings, school and Christ's Hospital.
A Ruthin native, Sir Thomas Exmewe was Lord Mayor of the City of London in 1517–1518.
The half-timbered Old Court House (built in 1401), on the square, features the remains of a gibbet last used to execute a Franciscan priest, Charles Meehan, also known as Mahoney. He was shipwrecked on the Welsh coast at a time when Catholicism was equated with treason – Meehan was hanged, drawn, and quartered in 1679. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987 as one of the Eighty-five martyrs of England and Wales.
During the English Civil War, the castle survived an eleven-week siege, after which it was demolished by order of Parliament. It was rebuilt in the 19th century as a country house, which has now been turned into the Ruthin Castle Hotel. From 1826 until 1921 the castle was the home of the Cornwallis-West family, members of Victorian and Edwardian high society.
In its 18th-century heyday as a town on drovers' routes from Wales into England, Ruthin was reputed to have "a pub for every week of the year". By 2007, however, there were only eleven pubs in the town. The public records of 23 October 1891 show 31 such establishments serving a population of 3,186; most have been converted into housing or shops. The Ruthin Union Workhouse was built in 1834.
The first copies of the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, were printed in what is now the Siop Nain tea and gift shop on Well Street.
In 1863 the Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen Railway, which linked in Denbigh with the Vale of Clwyd Railway (later part of the London and North Western Railway, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, and British Rail) reached the town. The route ran from Rhyl along the north coast through Denbigh and Ruthin to Corwen, before joining a route from Ruabon through Llangollen, Corwen and Bala to Barmouth. The railway and Ruthin railway station closed in 1963 under the Beeching Axe. The site of the station is now occupied by a large road roundabout (Brieg Roundabout) and the Ruthin Craft Centre, which opened in 1982, but was rebuilt and reopened in 2008.
Ruthin hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1868 and 1973. The Urdd National Eisteddfod visited Ruthin in 1992 and 2006.
The town's principal school is Ysgol Brynhyfryd (Brynhyfryd School), a comprehensive school for 11 to 18 year olds. Its Grade II listed building was built about 1830 as the home of local solicitor, before becoming in 1898 Ruthin County School for Girls. (The town's boys travelled five miles by train to Denbigh High School.) The school went co-educational in 1938, with feeder junior schools up to around six miles away. Building work in the 1950s and the early 1970s increased the number of pupils from 700 to 1000 in a few years, as the minimum school-leaving age rose from 15 to 16). In 2001–2002 the listed building became the Sixth Form Centre. The school's sports facilities, including the swimming pool, are used as the town's Leisure Centre. It also features a theatre and arts complex, Theatr John Ambrose, named after a headmaster of the school in the 1980s and 1990s. This was opened by the actor Rhys Ifans, a former pupil of Ysgol Pentrecelyn and Ysgol Maes Garmon in Mold, but brought up in Ruthin.
In 1574 Gabriel Goodman re-founded Ruthin School which was founded in 1284, making it one of the oldest private schools in the United Kingdom. In 1590, Goodman established Christ's Hospital for 12 poor persons around St Peter's Church on the square, and was Dean of Westminster for 40 years (1561–1601). Ruthin School is now a co-educational boarding and day school, with 227 pupils overall, 145 of them boarders in 2014. In September 2013, the school bought Ye Old Anchor, after its closure as a hotel in November 2012, and converted it into a boarding house for 30 upper sixth-form students.
Ruthin has daytime bus services on Mondays to Saturdays, with the last bus on most routes leaving between 5.30 and 7.30 pm. There is no service on Sundays or public holidays.[11] Routes serving Ruthin are Stagecoach 1 and 2 to Mold (1 via Llanarmon and Llanferres, 2 via Llanarmon, Graianrhyd, and Erryrys), X1 runs three times a day to Chester via Llanferres and Mold – frequency of the buses to Mold varies throughout the day between 30 minutes and 2 hours. Route X51 by Arriva runs basically hourly between Rhyl, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin, and Wrexham (Rhyl bus station is next to the railway station, providing Ruthin's most convenient access to the national rail network, while Wrexham railway station is a short distance from its bus station.) Route 55, by Llew Jones Coaches, operates to Corwen at intervals of 50–135 minutes through the day, with three buses extended to Llangollen, and two of these via Llangollen to Wrexham. Route 76, by M & H Coaches, runs six times a day between Denbigh and Ruthin via Llandyrnog, Llangynhafal, and Llanbedr DC; two of these also serve Llanfair DC, Graigfechan, and Pentrecelyn. Less regular services include a weekly route 71 on Fridays between Corwen, Cerrigydrudion, Ruthin, and Morrisons' supermarket in Denbigh, and route 72 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for Cyffylliog, Clocaenog, Bontuchel, Betws Gwerfil Goch, Melin-y-Wig, Derwen, and Clawddnewydd. Ruthin town has route 73, operating three buses a day around Ruthin on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Ruthin railway line and station closed in the 1960s. They had connected Ruthin to Denbigh and Rhyl to the north and Corwen to the south.
In 1858, it was intended to extend the Vale of Clwyd line from Denbigh to Ruthin, running alongside the race-course in the town park (now Parc-y Dre housing) to the Station Hotel. However the West family prevented the line crossing the Castle Park towards Corwen. The route was diverted to the north alongside the road to Wrexham and the Station Hotel renamed the Park Place Hotel. Opposite Station Road lies Railway Terrace, a row of Grade II listed buildings, built in 1864 with evidence of trains running in a cutting in front. The first sod was cut in September 1860 by Mrs Florence West, with an inaugural service starting on St David's Day 1862. To mark this, a song was composed with words by T. Ab Gwilym, music by B. Williams and published by Isaac Clarke. The line ran 6.75 miles (10.9 km), with stations at Rhewl and Llanrhaiadr.
The local football club is Ruthin Town. In rugby union, Clwb Rygbi Rhuthun/Ruthin RFC has several teams: 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, Youth, Juniors & Women's XV.
On 13 June 1981, Ruthin hosted the Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board, the body which determines the laws of football.
Facilities at Ruthin Leisure Centre on Mold Road include a swimming pool, sports hall and fitness suite. Llanfwrog Community Centre on Mwrog Street provides tennis courts, a golf driving range and bowling greens.
The first House of Correction, or Bridewell, was built at the bottom of Clwyd Street, next to the river, in 1654, to replace the Old Court House, where able-bodied idlers and the unemployed were sent to work. Following John Howard's investigations into prison conditions the Denbighshire justices resolved to build a new model prison in Ruthin on the site of the old Bridewell. Work began in January 1775. In 1802 the prison had four cells for prisoners and nine rooms for debtors. By 1837 it could hold 37 inmates. The Prisons Act of 1865 set new standards for the design of prisons – as the Ruthin County Gaol did not meet the standards, plans were drawn up for a new four-storey wing. The new prison for up to 100 prisoners was built in the style of London's Pentonville Prison at a cost of £12,000. On 1 April 1878 the Ruthin County Gaol became HM Prison Ruthin, covering the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire, and Merionethshire. As far as is known, only one person was ever executed in the prison: William Hughes of Denbigh, aged 42, who was hanged on 17 February 1903 for the murder of his wife, his plea of insanity having failed. Another prison personality was John Jones, known as Coch Bach y Bala – who was a kleptomaniac and poacher who had spent more than half his 60 years in all the prisons of north Wales and many in England; he twice escaped from Ruthin Gaol, first on 30 November 1879 when he walked out of prison with three others while the staff were having supper – a £5 reward was offered for his capture, which happened on the following 3 January. On 30 September 1913 he tunnelled out of his cell and using a rope made out of his bedding he climbed over the roof of the chapel and kitchen and got over the wall; after seven days living rough on the Nantclwyd Estate several miles away, Jones was shot in the leg by one of his pursuers, 19-year-old Reginald Jones-Bateman. Jones died of shock and blood loss, while Jones-Bateman was charged with manslaughter, though the charges were subsequently dropped.
Ruthin Gaol ceased to be a prison in 1916, when the prisoners and guards were transferred to Shrewsbury. The County Council bought the buildings in 1926 and used them for offices, the county archives and the town library. During the Second World War they were used as a munitions factory. They were then returned to the County Council and became the headquarters of the Denbighshire Library Service. In 2004 the Gaol was renovated and reopened as a museum.[15]
Most Haunted: Midsummer Murders filmed the series' fifth episode in Ruthin, where the team investigated a Victorian Era murder. Locations included the Old Gaol and the town library.
The Craft Centre had ten studios occupied by crafters who could be watched while they worked at glass blowing, ceramic manufacture, painting, furniture restoration, etc. The original Craft Centre was demolished early in 2007, and a new Craft Centre opened in July 2008 in a £4.3 million scheme, which contains six craft workshops, larger galleries and an expanded craft retail gallery, two residency studios, an education space and a tourist information centre, and a restaurant.
Nantclwyd y Dre (previously known as TÅ· Nantclwyd), in Castle Street, was built about 1435 by a local merchant Gronw ap Madoc. The building was sold to the county council in 1982, restored from 2004, and opened to the public in 2007. It contains seven rooms which have been restored to represent various periods in the building's history. Visitors can also observe a colony of Lesser horseshoe bats in the attic rooms.
Behind the house are two gardens, the 13th-century inner garden and the outer Lord's Garden, itself believed to have been part of a 13th-century developed castle garden. Restored in the 18th century, Lord's Garden is now itself Grade II listed. In December 2013, the council successfully applied for a grant of £177,600 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which will see Lord's Garden restored and opened to the public by 2015.
This is Ruthin's main park area, which includes a children's play area, a lake, walks and picnic area. A skate park was built in 2007 and a zip wire and trim trail added later. The River Clwyd runs through the park.
Gŵyl Rhuthun Festival was founded in 1994 and has been held annually since 1996. The festival is a week filled with events and performances held in various locations around the town, beginning with Ruthin Carnival. The pinnacle of the festival is the Top of Town event held on Ruthin’s historic town square on the last Saturday of the week.
According to the historian Peter Smith, "Until the 18th century most towns in Wales had many black-and-white houses (such as TÅ· Nantclwyd y Dre). Ruthin is the only example we have left. It should be carefully conserved, as the last memory we have of these towns." Seven Eyes is a Grade II* listed building of some importance, situated in St Peter's Square.
St Peter's Church is the parish church of Ruthin. It is in the diocese of St Asaph. Parts are as old as 1282.
The Myddleton Arms is also known as the Seven Eyes. It is said to have been built in the 14th century. The Dutch style design, long, steeped roof is attributed to Sir Richard Clough, an Elizabethan merchant. It has four tiers of dormer windows, each at a different elevation, known locally as the seven eyes of Ruthin. The property was acquired in 1595 by Sir Hugh Myddleton, who provided London with it first fresh water supply. The view of The Myddleton on the square is in fact of the rear of the building. The front looks out over the Clwydian Hills.
Formerly a confectionery and bakery shop rented by Thomas Trehearne, the property was owned by the Castle estate. The property also served as a chemist's shop and later as Dick's boot store. On 1 May 1898, Harris Jones took a lease of the property for 21 years as a draper, hosier, glover and dressmaker; he also sold oilcloths, linoleum and other floor coverings. The shop and house were put up for sale in the 1913 by the castle estate along with the Castle Hotel and the Myddleton Arms, which were purchased by William Owen. His lease expired in 1919 with Jones transferring to what is now Gayla House, where he converted the ground floor from residential to retail premises in 1923. The premises are now owned by the HSBC Bank.
Formerly the Beehive, this served for 75 years as general drapery and millinery shop. The exact date of the building is not known, but remains of timber framing with wattle and daub indicate that the building is very old. An advertisement claimed the building had been built before 1397. The main section of the building was demolished to make way for the bank. Ruthin Court Rolls refer to a man named Telemann in Ruthin and to a house "in the high St." The rolls record that in 1397, Howell de Rowell passed it on to John Le Sergant. Little is known of the family – possibly a retainer of Edward 1st or Reginald de Grey, probably of Norman French descent. On 24 February, Sergant transferred the tenancy to his daughter Sibilia. The property passed to the Exmewe family by the marriage of Sibilia to Richard Exmewe, their son Thomas being Lord Mayor of London in 1517. Little is known of Exmewe family.
Thomas moved to London, deciding to sell his Ruthin Estate of Exmewe House to a fellow mercer, Edward Goodman. Exmewe House or Nant Clwyd-y-Dre may have been the birthplace of Gabriel Goodman, as the family had connections with both properties.
Details of the next 200 years are unclear. It became the King's Arms in the occupation of John Price. It then became the Queen's Arms (during the reign of Queen Anne, 1702–1714). The property was purchased for £300 on 5 November 1718 by Robert Myddleton of Chirk. The property served as a chemist's through the 19th century until 1913. It was then sold as part of the Castle Estate sales in 1913/1919, for £1275 to Mr Lecomber, who in turn sold it to Barclays Bank, which modernised it to what can be seen today.
Now trading as the Celtic Hair Studio at 2 Well Street. Originally a public house, it was reputedly built in 1401, making it the oldest pub in Ruthin. Lewis Jones, in his 1884 "Handbook For Ruthin and the Vicinity", stated that the old property, formerly the Ruth Inn, had been adapted as a post office some 25 years before. It ceased trading in 1773. In 1850, the building was converted into a drapery, then becoming the town post office again until 1904.
The site of the present post office may have been a medieval Carmelite priory of White Friars, said to have been founded and built by Reginald de Grey and partly destroyed by the Reformation. De Grey also provided a large piece of land close to the castle known as Whitefriars. During the 1860s and 1870s the site housed the Queen's Head public house and a horse-feed chandler; both buildings were destroyed by a 1904 fire; the new post office was built in 1906.
Located at 33, 35 and 37 Clwyd Street opposite the gaol and now a florist, it was originally the Red Lion public house. In 1824 the hangman, Sam Burrows, was staying at the Red Lion on the night before the execution of John Connor, a highway robber. He gave a detailed demonstration of how he actually hanged a man, unfortunately the stool was accidentally kicked away and Burrows almost hanged himself. The public house ceased trading in 1905.
Now flats, the Royal Oak is one of the finest buildings in Ruthin, having three cruck frames, it is a Grade II* listed building.
At No. 65 Clwyd Street, this Grade II* listed building retains much of the medieval timber frame internally, the oak for which was felled in 1455 and 1456. Its original purpose is unknown, although it has a medieval arched doorway facing towards the 13th-century mill, and a 15th-century solar (private living quarters) with an open roof with cusped windbraces. It is said to have been converted for domestic use in 1586 and occupied by the Moyle family. A two-storey porch with glazed windows (previously described as a balcony) and internal timber panelling was added, possibly in 1655 when further alterations were made. The building was extensively altered in the 19th century, being converted partly into a shop. Porth y Dŵr originally formed a single building with No. 67 Clwyd Street (listed Grade II), and adjoined the medieval west gate to the town, which was demolished in 1786.
All buildings on Castle Street are listed by Cadw. These are the earliest settlements outside the walls of the castle. Some have burgage plots at the back, established by de Grey in 1283. The plots and linear arrangement have barely changed since their foundation.
While there were residential properties at the castle end of the street, commercial properties appeared at the end close to St Peters Square. The one exception was the pub Yr Iwerddon at No. 15. The house retains a name referring to its connection with Irish drovers attending markets and fairs.
Other establishments of interest include No. 1, now Boots, formerly the Raven Inn, which in 1560 may have been the birthplace of Bishop Richard Parry, pupil and master (1584) of Ruthin School. He was involved with Dean Gabriel Goodman and others in translating the Bible and prayer book into Welsh. The main contributor was Bishop William Morgan, but Parry's revision in 1620 became the accepted authorised version.
The Ruthin Royal Bowling Green used the Raven as their headquarters until the Cornwallis-Wests came to live in Ruthin Castle. The club met at the Raven for its annual and quarterly meetings. When competitions took place, the staff of the Raven would take "cwrw da" (good beer) to the players. With the arrival of the Wests, the bowling green laid out inside the curtilage of the castle forced the club to find an alternative green. The option accepted was the rear of No. 8 Castle Street "Gorphwysfa", then called the Constitutional Club, later renamed the Conservative Club.
No. 2. The Wine Vaults with a six-column Tuscan colonnade were 'known as the Black Horse in the 1820s. This is verified by the Welsh Office survey.
No. 7. Sir John Trevor House served as Totty's the Lawyers in the 1700s, later as an antique shop and tea shop, and finally as a private residence offering bed and breakfast accommodation. Sir John Trevor was Speaker of the House of Commons from 1690 to 1695, when he was dismissed for embezzlement. He was the only Speaker forced to resign, until the forced departure of Michael Martin on 19 May 2009.
"Gorphwysfa" was part of the Castle estate until sold off its owners in 1919. The Rifle Volunteer Corps founded in 1859 stored its armoury at the house until a drill hall was built in Borthyn in 1885. The property became the Conservative Club in November 1885.
No. 9, known as "Corwen", held the offices of Phillips the Attorney. It is now a private residence.
No. 11, Ardwyn, is a private residence on three storeys, formerly the offices of the attorneys Smarts.
No. 12, Plas-yn-Dre, cannot be dated accurately. It was rebuilt in 1823, as recorded by a stone above the front door. It housed the North and South Wales Bank. L. G. Thomas, prime mover in the founding the Presbyterian Church in Wynnstay Road in 1886, was bank manager and lived here.
Nos 16 and 18 are wooden-framed buildings with a 19th-century frontage. They formed part of the Castle estate sales of 1913 and 1919. They probably represent the first use of stucco in Ruthin.
The Old County Hall, now Ruthin Library, is a Grade II Listed Building in Record Street, originally named Stryd y Chwain (Welsh for Flea Street) due to its very low standard of living. The inferior housing was demolished to make way for the county court and much grander houses between 1785 and 1788. The present name reflects the storing of records from the assizes and shire hall. In 1860 it became the county court, with a portico added at that time. It served as an assize court and housed its records until the 1970s. The library opened in the early 1990s.
The police station is a Grade II listed building of 1890. Before it was built, the original one was housed in Ruthin Gaol. The new one gave convenient access to the courts. It contains four cells, which are no longer used, and a much reduced number of police officers.
Castle Mews, a Grade II listed building is now a shopping precinct. It dates back to the 15th century, with examples of wattle and daub just inside the building on the right hand side. Remodeled in the early 19th century, it became the Cross Keys coaching inn serving the Ruthin to Chester route, with a change of horses in Mold. It later became a temperance commercial hotel and was home to one of the three Ruthin Friendly Societies: groups of male workers of similar background who contributed small amounts on a weekly basis for insurance against injury and old age. At a later date it was the offices of Ruthin Rural District Council.
Nos 10 and 12, a late 18th-century family town house, is Grade II listed. It retained its late Georgian character until converted into today's boutique hotel and art gallery. The cellars are said to have been built of stone from Ruthin Castle. The building has had many uses: as a boarding house for Ruthin School until 1893, a doctors home, a family home, whose most famous resident was Cynthia Lennon, wife of John Lennon while their son Julian attended Ruthin School, a restaurant from the 1930s and a hotel. Today's hotel architecture and art have won several awards.
The Wynnstay Hotel And Wayfarer Wool Shop, two separate buildings, were once connected by an archway, through which coaches and horses entered to the rear of the properties, where there were stables. The present Wayfarers shop is shown in the title deeds as an outbuilding consisting of "an old saddle room, l with a room over and Gentleman's Convenience".
The Wynnstay Hotel, now a private house, is first recorded in 1549 and known for many years as the Cross Foxes, which formed the heraldic arms of the Wynnstay family, which originated from Wrexham. Its members boasted they could travel from Chester to the LlÅ·n Peninsula without once leaving their own land. It was an important coaching inn for Ruthin to Denbigh travellers and served the Ruthin, Mold and Chester Royal Mail service. The pub in its heyday had a bowling green and tennis courts, and a central porch demolished in 1969.
Plas Coch (also known as the Conservative Club) is a Grade II listed building of medieval origin and a former 17th-century town house. It was rebuilt in 1613 using red sandstone from the castle and became home to the castle Constable. The building has two storeys with attics and four large windows on each floor. In 1963 it became a banqueting hall owned by Rees Jones, who used to trade at the village hall in Llanfair. It became the Conservative Club in 1977, and having been slightly altered, now offers all-round function facilities.
The Spread Eagle recalls the coat-of-arms of the Goodwin family. Formerly an inn, records show it traded only from 1792 to 1915, after which it became a temperance hotel, then a retail shop.
Rose Cottage is a privately owned residence and a Grade II* listed building on the corner of Rhos Street and Haulfryn. It is listed as an "exceptional survival of a medieval cruck-framed hall-house of relatively low status, retaining its plan-form, character and detail".
Situated in the Corwen Road just past Ruthin Castle, Scott House was built 1933 to house the nursing staff of Duff House Sanatorium, which acquired Ruthin Castle and 475 acres (192 ha) of land for their private clinic in April 1923. The Grade II listed building set in landscaped grounds was later divided into flats.
Ruthin Town Hall is located in Market Street. It was designed by J. W. Poundley and D. Walker in the High Victorian Gothic style and completed in 1865.
Notable people
Ida de Grey (1368 in Ruthin Castle – 1426), a Cambro-Norman noblewoman
Sir Thomas Exmewe (ca.1454–1529), Lord Mayor of London 1517–18
Gabriel Goodman (1528–1601), Dean of Westminster, re-founded Ruthin School
Godfrey Goodman (1582/3 – 1656), Anglican Bishop of Gloucester.
Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon (1732–1802), politician and barrister, went to Ruthin School.
Joseph Ablett (1773–1848), philanthropist, purchased Llanbedr Hall in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd
Dorothea Eliza Smith (1804–1864), a botanical artist noted for painting South American fruit.
Daisy, Princess of Pless (1873 in Ruthin Castle – 1943), society beauty, wife of Prince Hans Heinrich XV von Hochberg
Wynn Edwards (1842–1900), American farmer and politician
Stanley J. Weyman (1855–1928), English novelist, lived in Ruthin for 33 years and died there.
Sir Henry Haydn Jones MP (1863–1950), politician, slate quarry owner, and owner of the Talyllyn Railway
Władysław Raczkiewicz (1885–1947), the first president of the Polish government in exile, died at Ruthin Castle.
Hafina Clwyd (1936–2011), journalist, town councillor, then mayor of Ruthin (2008–2009)
Cynthia Lennon (1939–2015), first wife of John Lennon, settled in Ruthin. Her son, musician Julian Lennon (born 1963) attended Ruthin School.
Robin Llwyd ab Owain (born 1959), author, poet, and Wikipedian, lives in Ruthin.
Rhys Meirion (born 1966), English National Opera classical tenor; taught near Ruthin
Actors Rhys Ifans (born 1967) and his brother LlÅ·r Ifans (born 1968) come from Ruthin.
Seren Gibson (born 1988), glamour model, attended Ysgol Brynhyfryd.
Sport
Eric Jones, 2019
John Challen (1863–1937), amateur sportsman, played first-class cricket and football
Charles Foweraker (1877–1950), football manager of Bolton Wanderers F.C. from 1919 to 1944
Eric Jones (born 1935), climber, skydiver and BASE jumper.
Doug Dailey MBE (born 1944), racing cyclist
Tom Pryce (1949–1977), Formula One racing driver
Eifion Lewis-Roberts (born 1981), rugby union player for Ruthin RFC, lives in Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd.
Rob Higgitt (born 1981), Scarlets rugby union centre, a former resident.
Neil Taylor (born 1989), footballer with 338 club caps and 43 for Wales, attended Ysgol Brynhyfryd.
Ruthin is situated on the River Clwyd, at the point where it enters the low-lying pastures of the Vale of Clwyd. The Clwydian Range lies to the east and the Clocaenog Forest and Denbigh Moors to the west.
By road, Ruthin is 8 miles (13 km) south-east of Denbigh, 12 miles (19 km) north of Corwen, 10 miles (16 km) west of Mold and 14 miles (23 km) east of Cerrigydrudion.
The nearest major urban centres are Wrexham at 17 miles (27 km), Rhyl at 18 miles (29 km), Chester at 23 miles (37 km) and Liverpool at 34 miles (55 km) to the north-east. Ruthin is skirted by villages such as Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Pwllglas and Rhewl.
Denbighshire is a county in the north-east of Wales. It borders the Irish Sea to the north, Flintshire to the east, Wrexham to the southeast, Powys to the south, and Gwynedd and Conwy to the west. Rhyl is the largest town, and Ruthin is the administrative centre. Its borders differ from the historic county of the same name.
Denbighshire has an area of 326 square miles (840 km2) and a population of 95,800, making it sparsely populated. The most populous area is the coast, where Rhyl (25,149) and Prestatyn (19,085) form a single built-up area with a population of 46,267. The next-largest towns are Denbigh (8,986), Ruthin (5,461), and Rhuddlan (3,709). St Asaph (3,355) is a city. All of these settlements are in the northern half of the county; the south is even less densely populated, and the only towns are Corwen (2,325) and Llangollen (3,658).
The geography of Denbighshire is defined by the broad valley of the River Clwyd, which is surrounded by rolling hills on all sides except the north, where it reaches the coast. The Vale of Clwyd, the lower valley, is given over to crops, while cattle and sheep graze the uplands. The Clwydian Range in the east is part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This part of Wales contains the country's oldest known evidence of habitation – Pontnewydd (Bontnewydd-Llanelwy) Palaeolithic site has Neanderthal remains of some 225,000 years ago. The county is also home to several medieval castles, including Castell Dinas Brân, Denbigh, and Rhuddlan, as well as St Asaph Cathedral. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod takes place in the town each July.
The main area was formed on 1 April 1996 under the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994, from various parts of the county of Clwyd. It includes the district of Rhuddlan (formed in 1974 entirely from Flintshire), the communities of Trefnant and Cefn Meiriadog from the district of Colwyn (entirely Denbighshire) and most of the Glyndŵr district. The last includes the former Edeyrnion Rural District, part of the administrative county of Merionethshire before 1974, covering the parishes of Betws Gwerfil Goch, Corwen, Gwyddelwern, Llangar, Llandrillo yn Edeirnion and Llansanffraid.
Other principal areas including part of historical Denbighshire are Conwy, which picked up the remainder of 1974–1996 Colwyn, the Denbighshire parts of 1974–1996 Aberconwy, and Wrexham, which corresponds to the pre-1974 borough of Wrexham along with most of Wrexham Rural District and several parishes of Glyndŵr. Post-1996 Powys includes the historically Denbighshire parishes of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Llansilin and Llangedwyn, which formed part of Glyndŵr district.
Researchers have found signs that Denbighshire was inhabited at least 225,000 years ago. Bontnewydd Palaeolithic site is one of the most significant in Britain. Hominid remains of probable Neanderthals have been found, along with stone tools from the later Middle Pleistocene.
In 2021 February, archaeologists from Aeon Archaeology announced a discovery of over 300 Stone Age tools and artifacts in Rhuddlan. They revealed scrapers, microliths, flakes of chert (a hard, fine-grained, sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline or cryptocrystalline quartz), flints and other rudimentary tools. An expert, Richard Cooke, believes the lithic remains belonged to ancient peoples, who while passing through the area, made camp by the river more than 9,000 years ago.
The eastern edge of Denbighshire follows the ridge of the Clwydian Range, with a steep escarpment to the west and a high point at Moel Famau (1,820 ft (555 m)), which with the upper Dee Valley forms an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley – one of just five in the Wales. The Denbigh Moors (Mynydd Hiraethog) are in the west of the county and the Berwyn Range adjacent to the southern edge. The River Clwyd has a broad fertile Vale running from south–north in the centre of the county. There is a narrow coastal plain in the north which much residential and holiday-trade development. The highest point in the historic county was Cadair Berwyn at 832 m or 2,730 ft), but the boundary changes since 1974 make Cadair Berwyn North Top the highest point. Denbighshire borders the present-day principal areas of Gwynedd, Conwy County Borough, Flintshire, Wrexham County Borough, and Powys.
Rhyl and Prestatyn form a single built-up area in the north of the county, with a population of 46,267. They are immediately adjacent to the Kinmel Bay and Abergele built-up area in neighbouring Conwy, and at the eastern end of series of coastal resorts which that also includes Colwyn Bay and Llandudno further west.
According to the 2021 United Kingdom census, Denbighshire's population was approximately 95,800. According to previous censuses, the population of Denbighshire was 93,734 in 2011 and 93,065 in 2001. The largest towns on the coast are Rhyl (2001 population c. 25,000) and Prestatyn (2001 population c. 18,000). According to the 2011 Census returns, 24.6 per cent stated they could speak Welsh.
Since the 20th-century demise of the coal and steel industries in the Wrexham area, there is no heavy industry in the county. Although most towns have small industrial parks or estates for light industry, the economy is based on agriculture and tourism. Much of the working population is employed in the service sector. The uplands support sheep and beef cattle rearing, while in the Vale of Clwyd dairy farming and wheat and barley crops predominate. Many towns have livestock markets and farming supports farm machinery merchants, vets, feed merchants, contractors and other ancillaries. With their incomes on the decline, farmers have found opportunities in tourism, rural crafts, specialist food shops, farmers' markets and value-added food products.
The upland areas with their sheep farms and small, stone-walled fields are attractive to visitors. Redundant farm buildings are often converted into self-catering accommodation, while many farmhouses supply bed and breakfast. The travel trade began with the arrival of the coast railway in the mid-19th century, opening up the area to Merseyside. This led to a boom in seaside guest houses. More recently, caravan sites and holiday villages have thrived and ownership of holiday homes increased. Initiatives to boost the economy of North Wales continue, including redevelopment of the Rhyl seafront and funfair.
The North Wales Coast Line running from Crewe to Holyhead is served by Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast services. Trains leaving Crewe to pass through Chester, cross the River Dee into Wales, and continue through Flint, Shotton, Holywell Junction (closed in 1966), Prestatyn, Rhyl, and stations to Bangor and Holyhead, which has a ferry service to Ireland.
There are no motorways in Denbighshire. The A55 dual carriageway runs from Chester through St Asaph to the North Wales coast at Abergele, then parallel to the railway through Conwy and Bangor to Holyhead. The A548 run from Chester to Abergele through Deeside and along the coast, before leaving the coast and terminating at Llanrwst. The main road from London, the A5, passes north-westwards through Llangollen, Corwen and Betws-y-Coed to join the A55 and terminate at Bangor. The A543 crosses the Denbigh Moors from south-east to north-west, and the A525 links Ruthin with St Asaph.
There are local bus services between the main towns. Several services by Arriva Buses Wales run along the main coast road between Chester and Holyhead, linking the coastal resorts. Another route links Rhyl to Denbigh.
Denbighshire is represented in the House of Commons by three MPs. The Welsh Labour Party lost to the Welsh Conservatives in the 2019 general election for the first time.
The following MPs were elected from Denbighshire in 2019:
Simon Baynes (Welsh Conservatives) in Clwyd South, first elected in 2019.
David Jones (Welsh Conservatives) in Clwyd West, first elected in 2005.
James Davies (Welsh Conservatives) in Vale of Clwyd, first elected in 2019.
Denbighshire is also represented in the Senedd by three members elected in 2021:
Ken Skates (Welsh Labour) in Clwyd South, first elected in 2011
Darren Millar (Welsh Conservatives) in Clwyd West, first elected in 2007
Gareth Davies (Welsh Conservatives) in Vale of Clwyd, first elected in 2021.
In 2019, research by UnHerd in association with the pollster FocalData showed that most people across the county support the British monarchy.
Some shots I was able to get when Mild High Club came for an In-Studio on Local Live during SXSW. These guys were a really cool band that you should check out.
Mild High Club:
Local Live:
www.youtube.com/user/KVRXAustin
Shot with Pentax k1000 (Busted Light meter) on Kodak Gold 200 film.
You are able to download your photo from the options on this page. I made two different sizes for each person. First one is a 4x5 ratio which works really well for social media like facebook and instagram. The second is a square crop that a lot of profile pic icons use, like on LinkedIn. I suggest downloading them at the largest size option. Please tag me for photo cred on either facebook or instagram using @jayburg480. I usually charge a lot more for my headshots and I spent a lot of time prepping and editing these, so any publicity that could help land me later jobs to make up for my loss would be very much appreciated :)
This is the main play structure at the Battle Creek playground. The rock structure is part of a free climbing structure.
Robert Stokoe (21 September 1930 – 1 February 2004) was an English footballer and manager who was able, almost uniquely, to transcend the traditional north-east animosity between the region's footballing rivals, Newcastle United and Sunderland. As a player, he won an FA Cup winner's medal with Newcastle in 1955. As a manager, he guided Blackpool to victory in the 1971 Anglo-Italian Cup final. Two years later, he led Sunderland to success in the 1973 FA Cup final, and followed it up with promotion from the Second Division in 1975–76.
Playing career
Born in Mickley, near Prudhoe, Northumberland, the son of a miner, Stokoe began his footballing career at Newcastle United, signing for them as an apprentice in 1947 and playing the first of 261 games, usually as centre-half, on Christmas Day 1950 against Middlesbrough, a game in which he also scored. The highlight of his 13 years at Newcastle was the 3–1 1955 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. After leaving Newcastle and joining Bury in February 1961, Stokoe spent a short time as a player, leading the team in an undefeated run to promotion, before making the move into management with the same club as player-manager the following season.
Management career
Stokoe took the post of player-manager at Bury in December 1961 which, at 31 years of age, made him the second-youngest manager in the Football League. He led them to the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1962–63. He retired from playing in 1964, staying on as manager for another year after which he moved south to take charge at Charlton Athletic from 1965 to 1967. He was manager of Rochdale from 1967 to 1968, followed by three separate spells at Carlisle United (1968–1970, 1980–1985 and 1985–1986).
Blackpool
Between spells at Carlisle, Stokoe managed Blackpool from 1970 to 1972. He was initially approached by the club in the summer of 1969, after the departure of Stan Mortensen. At the time, he declined, preferring to stay with Carlisle; just over eighteen months later, however, he became the ninth official manager in Blackpool's history.
With Blackpool relegated to the Second Division before he took over, Stokoe began to clear out the "deadwood" and rebuilt the side more to his liking. Stokoe agreed to sell Tony Green to his old club, Newcastle, bringing striker Keith Dyson in the opposite direction.
Before the departure of Green, Blackpool enjoyed a successful venture into Europe, winning the Anglo-Italian Cup in June 1971. In the league, meanwhile, the Seasiders finished in sixth place. This still was not good enough for the fans, however, who became disenchanted with life outside the top flight again, and the club's style of play under Stokoe was not to their liking.
Another successful run in the Anglo-Italian Cup the following season, when Blackpool finished as runners-up to Roma, kept the critics at bay, but the feeling around Bloomfield Road was that the 1972–73 campaign would be critical.
Stokoe's third season at Blackpool started well enough when, with the team reasonably placed for a promotion push and having stated that he intended to remain at the club for five years,[1] he left the club. He had been lured back to his native north-east by Sunderland.
Sunderland
Stokoe took over as manager of Sunderland on 29 November 1972 when they were fourth from bottom of the Second Division table after a run of just four wins in 18 games. Although his first game in charge was lost 1–0 at home to Burnley, the following week seemingly liberated players won 3–2 away at Portsmouth, starting a run of 32 games, with only five defeats. Just six months later, on 5 May 1973, having already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal on their way to the FA Cup final, Stokoe took the Second Division club to Wembley and defeated the cup holders Leeds United to secure Sunderland's first FA Cup title since 1937. Managed by Don Revie, whom Stokoe had opposed when playing for Newcastle United in their 1955 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, Leeds United were a team packed with international players and strong favourites to retain the trophy. However, Sunderland scored in the first half through Ian Porterfield and with the help of a memorable second-half match-saving double save from goalkeeper Jim Montgomery, managed to win 1–0. The victory was the first time a Second Division team had won the Cup in 42 years. Stokoe is remembered for his impromptu jubilant run down the pitch at the end of the game, complete in Mackintosh and his trilby hat, to celebrate the victory with Montgomery. A statue of Stokoe with his arms held aloft in celebratory mid-run now stands outside Sunderland's Stadium of Light. None of the Sunderland players had been capped at the highest level when they lifted the cup, though some were capped later. Sunderland finished 6th in the Second Division that season and narrowly missed promotion in the following two seasons.
In 1975–76, he guided the club to the Second Division title. He tendered his resignation the following season after they struggled in the First Division with a start of nine straight games without a victory.
Later years
In May 1978, Stokoe returned to Blackpool with the club in dire straits. Under the management of Allan Brown they had been relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history and were looking for someone who could rebuild the club. He guided them to a mid-table finishing position, and then resigned again before the start of the 1979–80 season.
There followed another spell with Rochdale (1979–1980) which ended with the club having to seek re-election to the League and spells with Carlisle United (1980–1985 and 1985–1986). He led Carlisle to promotion to the Second Division in 1982, and in the 1983–84 season they became promotion contenders before a poor run saw them finish 7th. He resigned in 1985, only to be reappointed and resign again seven months later.
Towards the end of the 1986–87 season, he was appointed caretaker manager of Sunderland as they struggled in the Second Division. They narrowly lost on the away goals rule, in the end-of-season relegation-promotion playoffs and were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history. His contract was not renewed and he retired from football. During his whole career as a manager he was never sacked by any of his clubs.
Death
After being unwell for some time with Alzheimer's disease, Stokoe was admitted to hospital in Hartlepool suffering from pneumonia and died on 1 February 2004 aged 73. The respect offered by both rival fan groups of Newcastle United and Sunderland was marked by their attendance at his funeral at the crematorium at Newcastle upon Tyne. The Reverend Neil Cockling, the Methodist Minister for Prudhoe, who conducted the service, told mourners: "He will be remembered by all as a real gentleman. Such was Bob's standing that we can see Sunderland and Newcastle here together today to celebrate his life."
Honours
As a player
Newcastle United
FA Cup winner: 1955
As manager
Blackpool
Anglo-Italian Cup winners: 1971
Sunderland
FA Cup winners: 1973
Second Division championship: 1975–76
The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England, and the eighth and current home to Sunderland A.F.C. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light is the ninth largest football stadium in England. The stadium primarily hosts Sunderland A.F.C. home matches. The stadium was named by chairman Bob Murray to reflect the coal mining heritage of the North East and the former Monkwearmouth Colliery site on which it stands. A Davy lamp monument stands at the entrance to reflect the coal mining industry that brought prosperity to the town.
As well as hosting Sunderland games, the stadium has hosted three matches for the England national football team, as well as an England under-20, an England under-21 and two England women's team matches. With an original capacity of 42,000, it was expanded in 2000 to seat 49,000. Its simple design is apparently to allow for redevelopments up to a capacity of 64,000. The attendance record at the Stadium of Light is 48,353 set on 13 April 2002, when Sunderland played Liverpool with the visitors running out 1–0 winners. Along with hosting football matches, the stadium has played host to performers such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Oasis, Take That, Kings of Leon, P!nk, Coldplay, Spice Girls and Elton John. The ground also holds conference and banqueting suites, the 'Black Cats Bar', and a club shop selling Sunderland merchandise.
Planning and construction
Following the release of the Taylor Report in January 1990, Sunderland was obliged to make plans to turn their Roker Park home into an all-seater stadium. Roker Park was a ground that mainly consisted of standing terraces, and if converted into all-seater it would have held far fewer spectators than before. Enclosed by residential streets on all sides, expansion was practically impossible. So, by 1991, Sunderland chairman Bob Murray had started to scour the local area for possible sites to build a new all-seater stadium.
The front-runner that emerged was a proposed stadium located on an area of land adjacent to the Nissan car plant. The 49,000 all-seater ground was labelled "the Wembley of the North" by Sunderland fans and would boast a capacity that not even Manchester United's Old Trafford exceeded until 1996. The plans did not come to fruition. Shortly after the plans were announced in 1992, Nissan launched an official objection, ultimately forcing Sunderland to abandon the idea. By 1995, the site of the Wearmouth Colliery, which had closed in December 1993, was identified as the club's preferred location for a new stadium. The area, on the north bank of the River Wear in the Sheepfolds district of Sunderland, was only a few hundred yards from Roker Park, and close to the centre of the city.
In 1993, Sunderland's planned new stadium was on the shortlist for Euro 96 venues, as England had been named as hosts of the competition in May 1992. However, it soon become clear that a new stadium in Sunderland would not be ready in time for the tournament.
On 13 November 1995, the Sunderland chairman Bob Murray announced that the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation had approved plans for Sunderland to build a 34,000-seater stadium on the Monkwearmouth site. Ballast Wiltshier plc, a contracting company that had built the Amsterdam Arena, was contracted to build the stadium at an initial cost of £15 million.[8] In June 1996, as the planned capacity rose to more than 40,000, construction work began. The capacity was revised again in early 1997, and the stadium was completed on time, with a capacity of 42,000. The stadium's design allows possible expansion of a further tier; completed expansion of the whole upper tier would produce a capacity of 63,000, although it is believed by some that the stadium can expand to a maximum capacity of 84,000, this would seem unlikely ever to be exercised.
The stadium was opened on 30 July 1997 by Prince Andrew, Duke of York, with bands such as Status Quo, Upside Down and Kavana playing. To celebrate the opening of the stadium, Sunderland played a friendly against the Dutch side Ajax, which was drawn 0–0.
The move did not happen without criticism. Famous actor and Sunderland supporter, often named in the media "Sunderland's most famous supporter", Peter O'Toole, said he wasn't as much a fan as he used to be since the team left Roker Park. Playwright Tom Kelly and actor Paul Dunn created a one-man play called "I Left My Heart at Roker Park" about a fan struggling with the move and what Roker Park meant for him - the play originally ran in 1997, and had a few revivals since.
The North Stand was extended in 2000 to bring the capacity to 49,000, costing the club a further £7 million, making the final cost of the stadium £23 million. On 18 July 2006, a statue of 1973 FA Cup Final winning manager Bob Stokoe was unveiled outside the stadium. At the end of season Football League awards, the Stadium of Light was named the Best Away Ground, with other contenders including Crewe Alexandra's Alexandra Stadium and Plymouth Argyle's Home Park. Sunderland celebrated the tenth anniversary of the stadium with a pre-season friendly against Juventus on 6 August 2007; the game was drawn 1–1.
Name
During construction, the stadium had not adopted an official name, and had been known colloquially as the "Wearside Stadium" and "New Roker Park".
The name was eventually revealed as the Stadium of Light at a naming ceremony on 30 July 1997, hours before the opening game against Ajax (0-0). Speaking at the naming event, Bob Murray explained the inspiration for the name came from the Coal mining heritage of the region and the stadium's Monkwearmouth Colliery site:
"For many years, miners at Wearmouth Colliery carried with them a Davy lamp as part of their working lives. Reflecting this tradition, the name allows the image of this light to shine forever."
To emphasise the fact, a statue of a miner's Davy lamp was located in front of the stadium's ticket office, adjacent to the stadium. The stadium name had been associated with the area since 1970 when it appeared in a Monty Python's Flying Circus episode Literary Football, which was hosted by a native of South Shields, Eric Idle.
The name initially drew mixed reactions from Sunderland fans many unhappy that the name was already associated with the home ground of S.L. Benfica. A film crew for the Premier Passions documentary series recorded the moment that Bob Murray faced Sunderland fans immediately after the naming with many expressing their disappointment. The similarity to the name of Benfica's home, Estádio da Luz, often anglicised to The Stadium of Light, has led to some visiting fans and reporters to erroneously assume that Sunderland's home was named after the Portuguese stadium. Murray responded directly to this in a 2017 interview with the Evening Chronicle, in which he said
"The Estadio de Luz in Portugal isn’t the Stadium of Light, it is named after the area – Luz. It’s like, say, Elland Road or Old Trafford. We are the only club whose stadium has that name, and it was because of the history of the region that I named it".
In the same interview, Murray revealed that shortly after the stadium opened he was approached by a representative of the Labour government asking if he would consider renaming the stadium after Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in September 1997. Murray refused the request as he believed the stadium should be named in honour of those in the region who had worked in darkness.
The 'Of Light' suffix became a recognisable part of the Sunderland A.F.C. brand, and was used in a number of other areas related to the club; the Academy of Light is the club's training facility and youth academy, the Foundation of Light is a registered charity affiliated with the club and the Beacon of Light is a sports and education centre, owned by the Foundation, which is adjacent to the stadium. The club's official magazine was called Legion of Light before it was discontinued in January 2017.
In March 2010, Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn announced the club were considering plans to sell naming rights to the stadium as a new way to boost income. The plans were shelved shortly after. The possibility of selling the naming rights was floated again by chief executive Margaret Byrne in 2013. Discussing the options of selling the stadium name in October 2018, chairman Stewart Donald said:
"I think the fans should have a say on whether they are comfortable with it. My gut feel is that even if we didn't consult with them, the vibe I get is that they aren't particularly attached to the name of the stadium. It's not a sacred thing like some of the other grounds."
Structure and facilities
The stadium is in the shape of a square bowl, and is separated into the West Stand, North Stand, East Stand and the Roker End (South Stand). The stands have all formerly had commercial names as part of sponsorship deals, e.g. the Vaux Stand (West), the Carling Stand (North), Fosters Stand (East) and the Metro FM Stand (South). The South Stand was renamed to the Roker End in December 2018, following a poll organised by the Red & White Army supporters club. The Roker End was the name of the stand behind the goal at the southern end of the ground at Roker Park.
The West Stand includes the Premier Concourse which is the name of the upper tier and a number of executive boxes. The North Stand also includes an upper tier, formerly branded the Strongbow Upper, which contained the exterior seating for the Black Cats Bar, an enhanced match-day experience with padded seating and an exclusive catering facilities and bar. When the away fans were relocated in 2012, the Black Cats Bar seating was relocated to the rear of the North Stand lower tier.
Within the stadium is a concourse, housing the turnstiles, emergency exits, food kiosks, bars and toilet facilities. The concourse allows uninterrupted spectator access throughout the inner stadium bowl, with the exception being a gap between the South Stand and the South West corner. The concourse is linked to the seating bowl via a series of access ramps. The South East corner of the stadium is designated as the Family Zone, and has family-oriented branding within the concourse, as well as entertainment such as PlayStation 4 consoles.
Away fans were seated in the west half of the South Stand when the ground opened in 1997, but in November 2011, the club announced that the away supporters' section would be moved from the South Stand to the North Stand Upper from the beginning of the 2012–13 season. However, the club announced its intention to move away fans back to the lower bowl in time for the 2023–24 season following a number of incidents.
The pitch is several metres below the level of the ground outside the stadium. The pitch uses a lighting system from Stadium Grow Lighting to ensure the grass can grow at any time of year. The device controls various aspects of the pitch, including exposure to light, temperature, water, and air, to make the grass able to grow in any conditions.
To the North East of the stadium stands the Black Cat House, a separate building which is the location of the Box office and club administrative offices. There is a large car park behind the West Stand and two car parks behind the East Stand, but match-day parking is permit only. Fragments of the iconic Archibald Leitch latticework, taken from the Main Stand at Roker Park, is used to separate parts of the Western Car Park. Wooden boards mimicking the Leitch lattice work were also added to the Roker End in 2019 as part of an initiative by the Red & White Army supporters group to bring a sense of identity to renamed stand.
The perimeter walls of the stadium incorporate a "Wall of Fame" feature, where names can be engraved into the bricks of the walls. The interior of the stadium holds a banqueting suite, which can seat from 460 to 600 people. The stadium also contains several conferencing suites, that can be hired for events. Quinn's Bar, housed in the West Stand, was named after former player and chairman Niall Quinn and includes memorabilia from the club's history. Originally it was available for non-match-day visitors, but has since become exclusive for match-day hospitality and event packages.
In 2004,The Centre for Light was opened by the SAFC Foundation within the Stadium. The £1.6m learning facility, built over multiple floors, included five learning areas supporting up to 120 visiting children per day. In 2015, Sunderland became the first football club in the world to open a sensory room within the Stadium - thereby allowing people on the Autism spectrum to watch matches in a sound-proofed environment. It was named the Nathan Shippey Sensory Room after Nathan's parents petitioned the club to set the room up. The sensory room provided a huge success, with the model being adopted at other clubs around the world. Sunderland opened their second sensory room in 2018.
In March 2018 it was announced that after the relegation to EFL League One, the Premier Concourse would be closed during the 2018–19 season, although it was temporarily reopened to accommodate a large crowd for the Boxing Day game against Bradford City and again on the final home league game against Portsmouth. After promotion back to EFL Championship, the Premier Concourse is permanently reopened.
Seats
The stadium was originally kitted predominately with red seats, the exception being a Sunderland emblem and the words "SUNDERLAND A.F.C" in white lettering on the East Stand, and the slogan "HA'WAY THE LADS" ("Ha'way" is a Mackem dialect equivalent of the Geordie word "Howay", meaning "Come on") in white lettering on the North Stand. A thin band of white seats also circled the top of the East and South stand.
Over time, sections of red seats become bleached by the Sun, turning them pink - which became a source of mockery from opposing fans. Sunderland fans petitioned the club to replace the seats, even noting on the inclusion of the faded pink seats in the digital replica of the Stadium of Light in the FIFA video game. In 2016, the club announced that a programme of seat changes would take place as part of a face-lift for the stadium's 20th anniversary. Sections of the East Stand were replaced, but further work stalled.
When Stewart Donald purchased the club in the summer of 2018, frustration over the pink seats (and the general state of the Stadium) came up frequently in his early engagements with fans. In June, Donald announced that he had purchased 31,500 seats and requested Sunderland fans to volunteer to help change them. The seat change took place in phases, with hundreds of volunteering fans joined occasionally by club officials and players. Phase I was the South East corner and was completed on 19 July 2018, Phase II was the North East corner and North Stand on was completed on 15 September 2018, and Phase III the South West corner completed in October 2018. The fourth and final phase, replacing 10,000 seats in the South and West stands, began on 29 October 2018. The corners were replaced with white seats, while the sides and ends were left red. The emblem and lettering remained. The club were nominated as a finalist in 'Best Club Marketing Initiative' category at the 2018 Business Football Awards for the seat change activity.
Fan Zone
A 6,000 capacity Fan Zone, modeled on similar schemes at Manchester City and those at NFL games in the United States, was approved by Sunderland City Council in July 2015. It followed a successful trial prior to a game against West Ham United in January 2013.
It was opened on the first home game of the 2015–16 season. The zone was located in the car park outside the East Stand and South East corner, and included live music, children's activities (including a Five-a-side football pitch), food and drink kiosks and on-stage interviews with club legends. The Fan Zone opened three hours before kick-off and for a few hours after the game, and was accessible to ticket-holding spectators, including away fans. Due to the temporary structures in use, the Fan Zone was closed for safety reasons during periods of high winds. An enhanced version of the Fan Zone was opened for the England senior international game vs Australia in 2016.
The Fan Zone re-opened for the 2016–17 season opener against Middlesbrough, but as the season progressed, poor performance on the field and financial troubles off the field led to the Fan Zone being cancelled.
In a Q&A with supporters association 'Red & White Army', new club owner Stewart Donald committed to bring back the Fan Zone. It returned for the opening game of the 2018–19 season against Charlton Athletic, although smaller than the 2015 version, it was open to anyone - not just ticket-holding spectators. The Fan Zone no longer re-opens after a game.
Stadium Village
A 30 hectare site area around the Stadium, including the Sheepfolds Industrial estate, was designated as the 'Stadium Village' development zone by Sunderland City Council in 2007 - and a draft Supplementary planning document was released in 2009. The plan, adopted in 2010, described a framework for redeveloping the Stadium Village area into a mixture of commercial, residential and entertainment facilities with a focus on health and well-being. The plan was consistent with wider redevelopment plans across Sunderland, then under the umbrella of Sunderland Arc agency. In preparation for the redevelopment plans, the council began buying up plots in the area in 2008.
Initial redevelopment work focused on the Northern end of the site, adjacent to the stadium's North Stand and the Black Cat House ticket office. The buildings in this area have Stadium Park as their address. The Sunderland Aquatic Centre, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool and fitness centre, opened in April 2008. In December 2014 construction work began on a new 141-room Hilton Garden Inn which opened on 28 April 2016. The Beacon of Light, a sports, education and community centre, opened in the summer of 2018 alongside the Aquatic Centre.
In 2009, during a review of the Stadium Village plans, city councilors expressed ambitions to build an Indoor skiing facility on the site and an expression of interest was issued to potential developers.
In the spring of 2011, the Sunderland Arc redevelopment agency was shut down, after its funding was pulled due to austerity cuts. This put the long-term future of the Stadium Village plan in doubt. However the council partnered with IDPartnership Group to push ahead with the plan, and in September 2017, a 'masterplan' for Phase II of the Stadium Village area was approved by Sunderland council and released for public consultation. The Phase II area covers an area to the South and East of the stadium and proposals included facilities such as a Velodrome, an Ice rink, a Conference centre and a Climbing wall.
A key part of the new masterplan is Stadium Way, a proposed tree-lined boulevard linking the St Peter's Metro station with a proposed Plaza at the South East corner of the stadium. The plaza would incorporate an enhanced Fan Zone, and is modelled on a similar space being developed as part of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
International matches
As well as holding Sunderland games, the stadium has also hosted England matches. The stadium was one of several venues used as temporary home grounds for the England team while the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium took place. It hosted its first England game in 1999, when they played Belgium in a friendly match, which England won 2–1. It played host to its first competitive England match on 2 April 2003, when they played Turkey in a Euro 2004 qualifying match, which England won 2–0. The Stadium of Light also held an England under 20 match against Italy on 27 November 2002, Italy beat England 5–3. On 10 June 2003 it hosted an England's under-21s 2004 U21 European Championship qualifier match against Slovakia's under-21s. The hosts beat the visitors 2–0 through Peter Doležaj's fortieth minute own goal and Phil Jagielka's eighty third-minute goal with 11,223 in attendance.
On 4 March 2016 it was announced that the Stadium of Light would host England for a friendly against Australia on 27 May 2016 as part of their preparations for Euro 2016. The sold-out match finished in a 2–1 victory for England, with goals from Marcus Rashford (on his international debut), Wayne Rooney and an own goal from Eric Dier.
On 30 September 2021, it was announced that the Stadium would host its first women's football international; an England 2023 World Cup qualifier against Austria on 27 November 2021.
Other Football
The Stadium of Light has hosted the final of the Durham Challenge Cup three times; in 2008, 2019. and 2023. It was due to host the 2020 final, but this was cancelled due to COVID-19. The Stadium of Light has also played host to finals for youth football, including the U14 Premier League Cup Final in 2014.
Rugby union
In August 2023, the stadium was confirmed as one of eight host venues for the women's 2025 Rugby World Cup. In December 2023, it was confirmed that the stadium would host the tournaments opening game.
Sunderland University
The Stadium of Light currently hosts the annual graduation ceremony for the students of the University of Sunderland. The stadium won the RSVP magazine's Most creative use of a sporting venue award in 2007 for its usage as the university's graduation site.
Records
The highest football attendance at the Stadium of Light is 48,353 set on 13 April 2002 for a Premier League game between Sunderland and Liverpool. The Stadium attendance record for non-football is 60,000 on 3 June 2022 for an Ed Sheeran concert.
The lowest league attendance at the stadium was 22,167 against Wigan Athletic on 2 December 2003. The lowest recorded attendance for a first-team competitive game at the Stadium of Light was 3,498 vs Oldham Athletic in the EFL Trophy Second Round on 1 December 2021. A dead rubber game vs. Bradford City in the same tournament on 9 November 2021 did not have an officially recorded attendance.
The highest seasonal average at the stadium since it was opened was 46,790 in the 2000–01 season while Sunderland were playing in the Premier League. The lowest average attendance at the Stadium of Light was 27,119 in the 2003–04 season in Division One. The highest total seasonal attendance was recorded during the 1998–99 season when the aggregate was 890,660 in a season where Sunderland were First Division champions, and League Cup semi-finalists. The lowest seasonal aggregate at the Stadium of Light was 572,241 in the 2019–20 season, as Sunderland played only 19 of a planned 23 games due to the season's curtailment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following season saw all games played behind closed doors due to the pandemic.
In the 2018-19 season, Sunderland averaged a home league crowd of 32,156, setting a new record for the third tier, while the Boxing Day game against Bradford City attracted 46,039, both a League One record, and the highest attended league game outside of the Premier League that season.
Results
Sunderland's largest margin of victory at the stadium was a 7–0 win over Oxford United in Division 1 during the 1998–99 promotion season.
Sunderland's biggest defeat at the Stadium of Light was 5–0 in a preseason friendly (marking the 20th anniversary of the stadium) against Celtic on 29 July 2017. Sunderland's biggest league defeat at the Stadium of Light is 4–0 which has happened on five occasions: vs. Arsenal (11 May 2003), vs. Manchester United (26 December 2007), vs. Aston Villa (14 March 2015), vs. Southampton (11 February 2017) and vs. Middlesbrough (7 October 2023).
The highest scoring matches at the Stadium of Light with nine goals are a 6–3 Sunderland victory over Exeter City in Round 2 of the EFL Cup on 25 August 2015, and a 5–4 Sunderland defeat to Coventry City in League One on 13 April 2019.
Transport
The Stadium of Light Tyne Wear Metro station
Sunderland railway station, which is connected to London King's Cross by infrequent services run by the Open Access operator Grand Central or by main line services run by London North Eastern Railway connecting via Newcastle or Darlington, is located nearby to the stadium. The St Peter's and Stadium of Light Metro stations were built as part of the Sunderland extension, both are quite near the stadium, though ironically St. Peter's is a closer station to the ground than the Stadium of Light station. The Metro was extended into Sunderland in 2002. A park and ride system is available on match days to allow spectators to park away from the stadium,[116] and a new footbridge proposal has been put forward to link the stadium to the south bank of the river as part of the stadium park regeneration project.
Crossing into Idaho first thing in the morning we were able to ride the fantastic Lewiston Levee Parkway Trail that had great views of the river and was separated from traffic. Wish we could have backtracked up the Hells Gate but we had a long, hot and hard day ahead. I had done some previous research and discovered a cool abandoned road called Hewett Rd which was a nice break from the highway stress. It began in the town of Spalding then rejoined the highway few miles later where the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway was unfortunately getting a repave which made the road even narrower and more stressful. We finally reached a point where I had scouted a "Type-two" off-highway alternative route that paralleled Route 12 starting in Cherrylane, ID. At this point Ben and I accepted the challenge while Tiffany continued on Route 12. We quickly discovered the gravel and steep grades were not to be scoffed at but the road afforded some fantastic views and virtually zero cars. By the time we rejoined the highway at Ahsahka the sun was already peeking behind the hills and Tiff had already made it to the campsite. Ben put the pedal to the floor and pulled me the last thirty miles to Kamiah where we found a mostly empty KOA campsite with warm showers. What an exhausting day!
You should be able to recognize this adorable baby girl named Angie. Not too long ago, I posted photos from James and Sandra Rossi's wedding in which Angie made a appearance in a few of the photographs. Well, it just so happens to be Angie's very first christmas! It was tricky trying to get her to stop eating all of the christmas props but it then became her signature look... ha! At one point we thought to give her a candy cane since we figured it would probably taste better than the ornaments :P
Kids have just been able to manage themselves and we have been planning moving out to meet RInc Families. Here came an immediate occassion.
Siraj was on his way to Adman&Nicobar for a vacation. He took stopover at Chennai. We took a drive from Bengaluru..
It is amost 15 years since we met. Of course the families had never met before. We met at his Guest House and then went around Chennai for a lunch and fun at Beach.
Specially, my family had not met any of RInc families. We returned the next day with a lot of memories. This was the real fun after a longtime.
I was finally able to get to a Mid-CT Meetup photo session yesterday! The allure of a shoot at the Elizabeth Park greenhouses was too much to resist. And the bright colors and wonderful scents were just what I needed to get out of these late winter doldrums!
I was finally able to make it back to this spot during a snowfall. There's not too many stand out spots along my normal routes to work, but I really like this one; the old truck left out in the field, the stone wall and just the overall layout of the trees. Days like this really make me wish I could get out more often to some different areas. I have so many ideas flooding my mind throughout the day! All in good time I suppose... Enjoy your night everyone!
Through my study, I was able to compare and research the foundation of a rise in teenage smoking. As I explored into media and was particularly struck by the amount of pictures and videos that glamorised smoking. For example, this photograph of actress Keira Knightley was featured in a fashion magazine. Whilst it represents smoking as retro and cool, the picture does nothing to bring to the attention of the audience the dangers to smoking on health.
Having been able to finally continue the arrival into the loop line/car park, passengers were able to disembark and join road coaches for a cruise along the Pumicestone Passage or continue on the train to Yandina. 31/3/07
Continuing on the theme, able to take the M5 and split between the northern part and southern part of the Rockies (Canadian and Colorado). This was the last roll until I had to send the camera away for a full CLA and meter repair, for which it was clearly due being in the wild for sometime. Lots of hiking but well worth it. Most of the time was overcast but did the best I could to capture with suboptimal light. I was inspired as usual with the flickeranians who do so well in the most trying of conditions - thanks for the continued inspiration!
Boundary lock on the Chesterfield canal on the Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire border. I haven't been able to find out why the canal is closed upwards of here. I am stood on the Nottinghamshire side.
See update below from CCT and C&RT website.
September 1st until further notice – Boundary Lock (41A) to the Norwood Tunnel
The Canal & River Trust is planning to temporarily restrict navigation movements along a four mile stretch of the Chesterfield Canal from September 1st until further notice.
Enabling boats to cruise its waterways during the most popular boating months (March to October) is a top priority for C&RT. However, despite the hard work and continued efforts of its operational and water management teams, it has taken the decision to restrict navigation along part of the canal due to concerns over water levels.
There are three contributing factors:
1. Despite recent rainfall, the first half of the year has been exceptionally dry, and Chesterfield Canal relies on a regular supply of rainfall to replenish its resources.
2. There has been a significant increase in boat movements along the canal since lockdown restrictions were lifted, leading to a higher loss of water than normal as vessels move through locks.
3. As of 20th August 2020, feeder reservoirs at Pebley and Harthill are at 35% of holding capacity, with predictions that the reservoirs will be at the critical level of 20% within four weeks at the current rate of use, unless there is significant rainfall.
By restricting the use of this section between Lock 42 and the summit at Norwood Tunnel to powered craft, C&RT can keep the rest of the canal running as normal. Please note that Shireoaks Marina will remain open and can be used for winding.
C&RT is continuing to monitor water levels and will review the decision if there is significant rainfall. It appreciates the patience of users during this time.
I should be able to get over yourself
nothing given means nothing can get kicked around
i fear you and i occasionaly think too
your insecurity makes livin' life tough on me
but i don't know if you feel this way all the time
hear me... i don't think you're right
i know you've got nothing to prove
and i ponder why you're always trying to take what's mine
hear me... i won't fight you
I know you got nothing to prove
[Questa è per me, soprattutto. E' un invito, un post-it attaccato sul frigo, e un modo per fermare quello che penso ora.]
Caustic Soda is one of the top products of Iranian factories for export.
Iran Caustic Soda Producers have been able to bring Iran’s Caustic Soda to the world standard by using the latest and most up-to-date caustic soda production technology. The top 5 producers of profits in Iran are:
1- Arax Chemistry Company
Arax Chemistry is one of the most famous and largest companies active in the field of caustic soda. With more than 20 years of experience in the fields of buying and selling chemicals, production of various types of chemicals and consumables, import of chemicals as well as export of chemicals, Arax Chemistry is one of the major producers of 98% caustic soda. Resume and history It has a considerable.
2- CCPC Group
Chloran Chemical Production Group was put into operation in 1983 with the investment of the private sector in Semnan Industrial Town and has been able to increase its production to more than 200 tons of chlorine gas per day.
3- Bandar Imam Caustic Soda Company
Bandar Imam Company is known as one of the largest producers of caustic soda, which dates back to 2001 in the industrial city of Mahshahr in the chemical site of phase one.
Bandar Imam Company started operating in 2003 with four production lines of caustic soda with an annual capacity of 9600 tons in three shifts. The activity of Caustic Soda Bandar Imam Company includes the production of 98% caustic soda flakes, which is packed in double-walled bags (polyethylene and polypropylene).
4-Petro Gohar Company
In 1998, in order to produce caustic soda (caustic soda), Petro Gohar production group was started by several expert and experienced craftsmen by registering the Gohar brand in this field. Relying on the issue of production and supply of domestic products and with great follow-up and effort, this company was able to build its second factory called Petro Gohar Pars in 2005 on the site of a special petrochemical economic zone located in Khuzestan province, as the largest producer of profits. Introduced in the country.
5- Isfahan Niru Chlor Company
Niru Chlor Company was established and put into operation in 1997 with the initial investment of the Ministry of Energy and the Bank of Industry and Mines with the aim of improving the level of health in the community and also cutting dependence on foreign resources in Isfahan province. At present, Niru Chlor Company is the first in the country in terms of number and variety of products
source: sodiumhydroxide.ir/en/top-5-caustic-soda-manufacturers/
For the very first time, The Music Centre was able to present its annual Summer Festival to the people of Oldham on its own doorstep, as on 7th July almost 1,000 talented Oldhamers delivered a sensational showcase that totaled 17 hours of music across 4 stages in the town centre's Parliament Square as well as the Egyptian Room and Lyceum Building.
The sun shone, the music was exquisite and even the national squad did us proud by beating Sweden in the quarter-finals of the World Cup!
What a perfect day :-)
We were able to take a bit of a field trip yesterday to CiCafe.
According to a Costa Rican tourism site:
"The Center for Coffee Research (CICAFE) belongs to the Costa Rican Coffee Institute. It was created in 1977 to ensure applied field investigation, efficient technical assistance to growers, and research activities.
"The CICAFE's efforts have helped improve the efficiency of coffee plantations by providing adequate control measures against pests and diseases, nutrition level upgrades, and special programs for genetic improvements. Today, Costa Rica's coffee farms have one of the highest standards of living among Latin American countries."
It was a nice facility with labs and experimental crops. They're working both on pest control and on cultivating better coffee plants. From what they said, there's some promising research being conducted. And I got to get up close and personal with my first coffee plants! Very cool.
I had trouble sleeping though, and I'm little worried about how yesterday's caffeine load would affect today's ability to cup. Surprisingly, I feel ok, but after this first round I'm already jittery. Two more rounds to go before lunch. Ugh.
I can't complain really as I'm in a beautiful place and my job is to drink coffee, but I'm worried that I won't sleep tonight. Jason said something about sleeping agents, I might have to partake.
I find I'm being a little more critical with my scoring today, even more so than yesterday. I think I'm waiting for something to really stand out and for the most part I'm getting the same moderately sweet, clean cup over and over again. There's the occasional honey coffee, obvious for it's body, but none yet have been amazing.
Of the coffees on this table, this first pair was one of the better ones, scoring an 86.
Hopefully we'll be able to keep the number of coffees in the next stage down. I don't want to have to cup through another 60 coffee day.
Wayne was able to travel with the church in Phuket to a local school where the students watch the Thai version of The GodMan. That was a project Wayne worked on in his previous trip to Thailand in September 2006. This young school girl reacts to seeing Jesus nailed to the cross in the movie. This is a typical reaction among students all across Thailand once they understand who Jesus is and what price he paid for their salvation. Even so, much more work is needed to break through the strong cultural barriers that keep the Thai people from becoming Christ Followers.
We are able to supply a full German Infantry Unit, alongside a collection of vehicles. We also have an extensive equipment list. All Subject to availability and other commitments.
Our group is available all year round and offer a genuine German Soldier & Officer impression from WW2. Our impression is based from 1942-1945 but can offer an early second world war impression, 1939-41 upon request.
In addition, we are able to supply a number of Vehicles which are all in running order, also our own legally held blank firing weapons which are fully insured.
Our aim is to portray the average Wehrmacht (Heer) soldier from the period and all that goes with the solder in the field, from food and rations to letters home etc..
Our member's ages range from 18-65 and all hold Public liability insurance. Uniquely, our group members also include professional actors, who regularly appear in Film, TV and Documentaries.
When you find yourself frustrated, it possesses a extremely bad influence on physique, brain and soul. It is possible to take care of your despression symptoms with the tips below.
One method to overcome despression symptoms is always to keep socially productive. The simple truth is that you could from time to time feel as though you are unable to take yourself to carry out the actions you employed to participate in. At some point, you should be involved in your regular actions and you should have a excellent time. Keep doing the things you typically do. Staying away from them will more than likely only serve to create your truly feel a lot more frustrated.
A good way to handle your despression symptoms is creating pastimes or outside pursuits. Shutting oneself away from and keeping inside of can easily cause despression symptoms. You will find a large arena of actions on the market, which includes planning to art work reveals, carrying out yoga exercise, or observing anime with close friends. What ever interest may possibly get your interest, studying or corresponding with an all new curiosity will really support alter your viewpoint.
An extended bath tub can help should you commence to truly feel despression symptoms signs approaching on. Whether or not you merely bathe, study a well liked new, or tune in to nice track record audio, a bath can actually boost your disposition. Also have tepid water, as very hot that you can stay, to enable your muscle mass to chill out.
Try to find help where you could obtain it. It is actually specifically good for locate anyone who has get over despression symptoms to be able to study from their difficulties. They are able to supply useful knowledge on coping methods they employed to efficiently overcome despression symptoms.
Diet regime can be quite a aspect in your signs of despression symptoms. Should your eating habits are inadequate, this may have a bad influence on how you will method your feelings, and leads to a despression symptoms routine that you simply are unable to locate a way out of. Attempt to take in a balanced diet and get away from too much excess fat, glucose and highly processed meals.
Caring for oneself, using cosmetics or good garments will help you to increase your disposition. Placed on the best ensemble and set off. Don't just enroll in activities you happen to be required to attend, locate areas or activities that you simply will like for no certain purpose. Once you truly feel eye-catching, it will probably be a large boon to your emotions about yourself all round, and enable you to cease your despression symptoms.
Despression symptoms may be hard to overcome, though with work and plenty of perseverance, it is possible to defeat it. You merely need to do your homework and assist your medical professional to choose the best way to take care of your despression symptoms properly to be happier and healthier. Try using the aforementioned ideas to support overcome your despression symptoms. beinghappybydesign.com/depression-help/depression-help-on...