SX Urban Games, Saffron Walden

"SX Urban Games, an opportunity for young people to compete in and watch demonstrations in a range of Urban activities at skate parks all over Essex, and as part of the Olympic initiative"

Sunday 2nd September found me tasked to a shoot at the One Minet Skate Park in Saffron Walden where skateboards, bmx and scooters had come together to use the highly regarded facilities at the park. From youngsters on their first board to pro skaters, all mixed together in a way that wouldn't be found in any other sport. The atmosphere was alive with exhibitions and demonstrations and there was an overwhelming feel that this was a cordial and safe event. Rules of use were respected and adhered to, making it one of the most family friendly events I have attended in a long while. It was amazing to watch the developing skills, the honed skills and the almost blatant disregard for caution when it came to the potential risk of injury. Indeed, tears were not something I saw during my time amongst these active youngsters.
(It is just a pity that those youngsters who could most benefit from activity of this sort, can be the ones who fail to become involved and end up being the minority to abuse these world-class facilites. Sadly, such antisocial behaviour during the current summer break appears to have impacted on what was finally allowed to go ahead at this event.)

Regardless, all that I spoke to agreed that the skate park is one of the best in the country and most are prepared to travel many miles to regularly use the facility. From Lincolnshire to London, Hertfordshire to Suffolk, I met, chatted to and photographed these skaters in action. A selection of images follow.

Sam Jiggins aged 17 performs a scooter backflip

Pro skater Mark Munson

 Further pictures can be found at Saffron Walden Reporter

The Face of the 2012 Olympics

Is this the face of the London 2012 Olympics?

For many, Usain Bolt is 'The' Face, and we certainly weren't disappointed when he appeared in the Olympic Stadium for the 100m medal ceremony, on the evening we had tickets to the Olympics. But then, could 'The' Face also be Jessica Ennis with her beautiful smile or Mo Farah with his beaming face or...?
For each of us 'The' Face could be any one of the 10,500 athletes who took part in this two week spectacular. Or perhaps one of the 70,000 gamesmakers / performers / volunteers, or one of those we never saw who were behind scenes for years, making the whole of the event come together?

All I know is that I want to say a huge, huge thank you to absolutely everyone involved, as without them, the London 2012 Olympics wouldn't have been the resounding success it has been. Sure, there has been negativity and criticism:-
-Those who vowed they wouldn't buy tickets as they couldn't see what it was all about.
How many of those 'oh so wished' they had tried for tickets, when they were sitting glued to the BBC coverage?
-Those who kept quiet that they had applied for and been successful in obtaining tickets, afraid they might be poo-pooed for having applied or afraid they might be the focus of envy.
How many of those ticket holders were actually so proud on the day they walked into the Olympic Park they wish they had shouted about it sooner?
-Those who said the transport network would collapse under the strain (I hold my hand up to that one)
How many of those were amazed that the whole thing kept rolling and were only subjected to minor inconveniences, if at all?

If there is any major criticism that can be levelled, then it would be the ticket allocating system and possibly the overbearing corporate domineering but I am actually going to put that aside. Over the past two weeks, negatives have been transposed to huge National positives and I'm not about to burst that bubble.

For a few short hours on the evening of Monday 6th August, along with my family, I was enjoying the most amazing atmosphere amongst 80,000 spectators inside the Olympic Stadium, marvelling at the culmination of years of training and dedication that these amazing athletes displayed. The goal of an Olympic medal was the target in mind for everyone competing but only a few would leave with one.
(One left with a gold, to be rightly stripped of it at the close of the Olympics after testing positive. There is absolutely no place in sport for this behaviour)
There were several notable athletes from Team GB competing but sadly, none featured on the medals list. However, this didn't stop the loudest cheers of the evening being for our home team, of course.

It was simply magical and I'm so glad I was able to be there to experience it. Our faces no doubt said it all but in the absence of a mugshot of us all, I will share some alternative less conventional faces of the London 2012 Olympics, and let you make up your own mind as to 'The' Face.

And, let us not forget...

Oh, and the sporty pictures?
They will appear in another blog post all of their own.

Olympic Torch, Saffron Walden. 7.7.12

If there is just one word that sums up the landmark event of the Olympic Torch Relay passing through Saffron Walden yesterday, then it is WET!

No amount of torrential rain dampened the spirits of the thousands of spectators who lined the route along Newport Road, London Road, down the High Street and ending along Bridge Street.

Spectators began putting their chairs out for prime road-side positions as early as 9am when the weather was looking promising. Even at 11am it was still playing at being a beautiful summer morning but oh how things can change in the space of an hour.

Having dressed for the weather at the time of departure, the crowds were starting to gather along Bridge Street by 11.30, oblivious to what was in store from the heavens.

By midday, the first umbrellas were starting to pop up as the drops of rain marked the beginning of over an hour unremitting rain and just at the time the torch convoy was due to pass through the town.

Rain bounced off the roads around the spectators as they waited for the torch to pass by, although a brief respite did come when umbrellas were wound up hopefully...

...and some celebratory high-fives were forthcoming.

However, it was brief, as it all started again just as the convoy rolled through town.

Somehow though, certain big corporate sponsors appeared a little out of place in the surroundings of this traditional market town.

Then came the cheer as the fourth and last of the Saffron Walden torch bearers came into view - just!
With the whole circus that accompanies the torch bearers, it was near impossible to gain a clear view for photographs until the second they actually passed in front of you.

However, I gave it a good try...

Still raining, but just not quite as hard, or own Clare Thompson did the town proud.

A member of the Walden Tri Club, Saffron Striders, a coach to the Ladies' Running Group (well recognised by the towns dog-walkers who often share the paths in the park with her ladies) and an inspirational runner, who prior to the London Marathon 2012, completed the 'Trolley Trot' - 45 miles to London in 7hrs 58 with 'Holdroyd', a specially adapted supermarket trolley that she wore all the way.

"No wind was really important, as Holroyd swings badly like a sail. Again the crowds were fantastic even though I had to correct someone that called out 'go on Sainsburys' to excuse me but I’m Waitrose!"

Going on to complete the marathon in 5hrs 04 raising money for The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, a charity with personal connections as her sister had been diagnosed with the condition.

Clare fully deserved her selection as torch bearer for Saffron Walden although she didn't make it onto the local evening TV news despite the array of photographers and camera crews who complete the torch route in reverse.

As Clare extinguished her torch and climbed aboard the Olympic Torch Relay Bus, the rain eased and the sun reappeared above the drenched spectators milling through the town streets on their way home to dry out and reflect on the fleeting and historical moment of the Olympic Torch passing through Saffron Walden

"Fantastic photos again. Thank you kindly."

Uttlesford District Council

(via Twitter)

"Lovely photos on your blog of the torch going though town :)"

HW

(via Twitter)

 "Great photos but what weather you had."

RE

(via Twitter)

"Fantastic photographs......really captured the spirit of the event...and the rain!"

S

(via Twitter)