Cycle Speedway in Stockport

Finding out about the Cycle Speedway track in Stockport.

Our friend and minigolf rival John Moore is a big fan of Cycle Speedway. Back in 2011 he took us to see some races in Edinburgh at the British Veterans over 50s and over 60s Individual Championships in Redbraes Park (home of the Edinburgh Falcons). What a sport it is!

Cycle Speedway action in Edinburgh

We were having a cycle around Stockport on Sunday and found ourselves at St Thomas' Recreation Ground - a bit of the town we hadn't explored before. Riding through the park we spotted a Cycle Speedway track! It's home to Stockport 2006 Cycle Speedway Club.

Visit the Stockport 2006 Cycle Speedway Club website for more information about the sport and upcoming fixtures (the season runs from March to October).

Looking at the results from this year Stockport and Edinburgh are local rivals!

At the start of the year The Friends of Alexandra Park in Edgeley set a challenge to its members to get and about to visit as many Green Spaces in and around Stockport, based on a list from Stockport Nature Watch. The Green Spaces list showed 33 places to visit - of which we've so far made it to eleven. On our travels around the borough we've also been to another eight parks and green spaces! You can see the list on The Friends of Alexandra Park's Facebook Page.

St Thomas' Recreation Ground has two styles of sign - one looks really old. It's a pretty big park too

Foot Pool at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands

Playing another new game on our travels.

We recently stayed at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands for a Holiday on the Buses fanclub event and while there we got to play a new game - Foot Pool!

The Foot Pool / Football Pool table at Pontin's Prestatyn Sands Holiday Camp

It was great fun and an interesting mix of the two sports.

The Rules

In our match-up I defeated Emily two games to nil.

Emily playing a shot

Booting the footpool football

Link:
- Pontin's Prestatyn Sands

Related blog posts:
- Sports and Games Played
- Holiday on the Buses
- Pontins
- Prestatyn

Foot Bowl at MFA Bowl in Leeds

While in Leeds we had a couple of games of tenpin bowling at the MFA Bowl below the Merrion Centre. While there we spotted a new game - Foot Bowl.

Foot Bowl (or Footbowl) at MFA Bowl in Leeds

The MFA Bowl in Leeds is home to the only Foot Bowl alley/pitch.

We didn't have time for a game, but we did see a few people giving it a go.

It's interesting to see how many variations of sports and games are being created at the moment, with the likes of Footgolf, Rugby Golf and Football Pool either growing in popularity or being tested. All good stuff to get people more active and having fun.

Urban Axe Throwing at Whistle Punks in Manchester

The sport of urban axe throwing has hit Manchester.

We're always looking for new and interesting sports and games to play and on Friday we popped into Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing Arena at the Great Northern Warehouse while we were in Manchester for the Great City Games.

The lanes set up for some axe throwing

Chatting to the man there it sounds great fun and good value too, with an hour and a half of axe throwing for £20 per player off-peak. Check out the booking and FAQ pages on the Whistle Punks website for more info.

The board outside has taken a battering

I do enjoy target sports. Over the years I've played darts and archery (and archery tag) and competed in bun throwing, Christmas tree throwing and egg throwing. I've played some variations of skittles and bowling too.

As well as the Manchester site you can throw some axes for fun at the London venue. There's also a brand new Birmingham location that opened this month.

It looks like a fun sport and would be brilliant for a 'do'.

Link:
- Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing

Related blog posts:
- Sports and games played to date

The volleyball net in Felixstowe

I've been visiting the seaside town of Felixstowe in Suffolk for many many years now and not once have I seen anyone using the volleyball net on the bit of grass on Sea Road.

And yet, there it hangs, year after year, peak season, out of season, come rain or shine. It's always just there.

The Felixstowe volleyball net

Edgeley Skatepark at Alexandra Park in Stockport

A view of the building work for the new Edgeley Skatepark at Alexandra Park.

On a lunchtime wander to Edgeley in Stockport I had a walk around Alexandra Park - home of the Woodstock Petanque Club. Apart from getting chased by a few geese down at Sykes Reservoir at the bottom of the park the biggest surprise was seeing how much work had been done on the new BMX and skatepark.

The Edgeley skatepark in Alexandra Park is being built on much of the area previously used as a Boules Terrain and Pistes for the Woodstock Petanque Club to play on.

Woodstock Petanque Club players in action on the terrain in October

Photo updates (22nd December 2016)

A few snaps of the BMX/Skatepark and Petanque area.

Photo update (2nd February 2017)

A snap of the BMX/Skatepark as it nears completion.

Photo updates (18th February 2017)

The BMX and skate park is now open!

Glad I got a BMX for Christmas

You can see the petanque terrain below.

On a related theme, we also recently found out that Alexandra Park was once home to a Crazy Golf course!

Related blog posts:
- Petanque
- Stockport

Links:
- Woodstock Petanque Club
- Alexandra Skatepark Association
- The Friends of Alexandra Park
- Alexandra Park

Sports Philatelists International and the Journal of Sport Philately

This year I joined the Olympin Club and through that I heard about Sports Philatelists International! As a collector of sporting postcards and Olympic memorabilia I had to join that club too.

This week I received the Fall 2016 issue of the Journal of Sports Philately in the post. Not only is the journal a great read and packed full of great images and info, but the club have taken the time and effort to mail it out with some fantastic stamps on the envelope. Take a look at the photo below to see what I mean!

What an envelope

Seeing these two stamps on the piece of post made me incredibly happy - and surprised! I never knew there had been a re-issue of the infamous Inverted Jenny stamp

For more information and joining instructions check out the Sports Philatelists International website and Facebook page.

Links:
- Sports Philatelists International
- Olympin Club
- The Inverted Jenny stamp 

Petanque in Stockport

Playing boules with Woodstock Pétanque Club at Alexandra Park in Edgeley, Stockport. 

As big fans of boules and petanque it was great to hear that we've got a local club in Stockport.

The Woodstock Pétanque Club play at Alexandra Park in Edgeley and recently held a series of open taster events. We went along for a game and it was great fun.

Emily throwing a boules

The Edgeley terrain was certainly an interesting playing surface and there were a few local hazards on the pistes we played our games on.

In action

We had three pairs games - with Paul from the club giving us tips - which resulted in some very close ends, and ultimately three defeats for me. Emily picked up a couple of wins, as did a visiting John 'Big Al' Moore.

A high toss from John

The Woodstock Pétanque Club meet on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month and are looking for new members to enable the club to meet weekly.

It costs just £10 for the annual membership, with a £1 fee per week when you play. The season runs from March to October.

Check out the Woodstock Pétanque Club on Twitter, Facebook and their website for more details.

Related blog posts:
- Pétanque
- Petanque
- Boules

Links:
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Twitter
- Woodstock Pétanque Club on Facebook
- Woodstock Pétanque Club website
- English Pétanque Association

Anglo-American Summit of the World Finger Jousting Federation

News from the Anglo-American Summit of the World Finger Jousting Federation.

Visit the World Finger Jousting Federation website for details of the recent Anglo-American Summit of the WFJF. An historic and landmark event in the fine sport of finger jousting.

President of the WFJF, and Lord of the Joust, Julian Gluck meets Richard Gottfried, British Consul to the Federation and head of operations in Europe

Back in 2006 I became the first international member of the WFJF. Check out the news item heralding my arrival.

Check out this video of a finger jousting contest between Squire Richard of Surleigh and Sir Myles of Hampshire.



Related blog posts:
- Finger Jousting
- The second ever blog post on the Ham & Egger Files

Links:
- World Finger Jousting Federation website
- World Finger Jousting Federation on Facebook

The Game That Got Away sports blog

My friend and minigolf rival Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley has started up a new sports blog.

The Game That Got Away is dedicated to Rugby League and will include opinion, analysis and features on the sport.

Marc (left) and me outside the now demolished Greyfriars Bus Station in Northampton during the epic year of sport that was 2012

Find out more about Marc's blog here.

Links:
- The Game That Got Away blog
- The Game That Got Away on Twitter

Related blog posts:
- Marc Bazeley
- Blog
- Blogging

Luton Petanque Club

Details of Luton Petanque Club.

Spot the boule

I've heard there are two upcoming open days at Luton Petanque Club where you can play for free. Boules will be provided. The open events are on:
- Saturday 2 May between 2 and 5pm
- Saturday 20 June

Petanque (or Boules as it's also known) is a great game. I've played a few ends with Alan and some of the other club members. Very good fun indeed.

Luton Petanque Club also play informal games every Tuesday afternoon at 1pm, Thursday at 7.30pm and Sundays at 11am. The club is based at Play Football on St Thomas Road, Stopsley, Luton. Check out the Luton Petanque Club website and Twitter for news and events.

Playing Boules with Luton Petanque Club at the 2012 Community Games

Links:
- Luton Petanque Club
- Chiltern Region Petanque
- The English Petanque Association

Related blog posts:
- Petanque
- Pétanque
- Boules

Portaputt at the World Alternative Games

Playing Portaputt Crazy Golf at the World Alternative Games.

The Portaputt Crazy Golf course at the World Alternative Games

While in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales to organise the Finger Jousting Championships at the 2014 World Alternative Games Emily and I had the chance to play the 8-hole layout that Cwmbran-based business Portaputt had brought to the Games for people to have a go on.

Emily on the third hole of the Portaputt course set-up in the Victoria Hall (Neuadd Fictoria) in Llanwrtyd Wells 

The Portaputt course became the 344th course played and 577th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Putting on Portaputt

We enjoyed playing the course and thought the some of the rules the Kukielka family have come up with for Portaputt, such as the tee-off points for replacing the ball after missed first shots, are very good and aid faster - and less frustrating - play for both children and adults.

The World Alternative Games 2014 consist of over 60 sport and recreation events held during a festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells. Check out the events listing and Games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

For more information about Portaputt Crazy Golf check out the Portaputt website.

Links:
- Portaputt website
- World Alternative Games website

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- World Alternative Games
- Wales
- Minigolf etc. - English to Welsh translations

Ardrossan swings

If playing on the swings was a Commonwealth Games sport I'd have a chance to win at least a Bronze medal I reckon.

Playing on the swings opposite our hotel in the very nice little seaside town of Ardrossan in North Ayrshire. The town was on the route for the Queen's Baton Relay, hence the Glasgow 2014 XX Commonwealth Games banner around the park

Conker Championships at the World Alternative Games

Conker Championships to be held at the World Alternative Games in Llanwrtyd Wells on Friday 15th August.

The upcoming World Alternative Games will feature a Conkers competition!

Taking place in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales in the AM session on Friday 15th August the Conker Championships ('Pencampwriaethau Concyrs' in Welsh) will see competitors split into three groups - men, women and children.

At the start of each game, the competitors will be given a new lace and conker and each player then takes three alternate strikes on the opponent’s conker. The game's outcome is decided when one of the conkers is smashed.

To register to take part in the Conker Championships, and other contests, please visit the World Alternative Games website.

My friend Chris 'Stretch' Jones was the official World Conker Champion in 2006! At the 2007 Midlands Minigolf Open tournament in Warwick I got to see some world class conker action as the then World Conker Champion was challenged by preliminary competitor Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd!

Chris 'Stretch' Jones - 2006 World Conkers Champion - holding out his conker for enhancement talent Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd to take a shot

The World Alternative Games are taking place place between Friday 8th and Monday 25th of August 2014 with over 60 sport and recreation events held during the festival of fun and games in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

The official WFJF Finger Jousting World Championships will also be taking place at the 2014 Games, with male and female competitions taking place on Sunday 10th August.

Check out the events listing and games brochure on the World Alternative Games website for more information.

Links:
- World Alternative Games website
- World Alternative Games on Twitter
- World Alternative Games on Facebook
- World Finger Jousting Federation website

Related blog posts:
- Update from the World Alternative Games 2014 in Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales
- World Alternative Games

Playing FootGolf in Luton

Having a round of the new game of FootGolf at Luton's Stockwood Park.

On Monday 7th July I headed up to Stockwood Park in Luton to play my first round of the new sport of FootGolf. I'd been challenged to a match by my old Dodgeball rivals - the Welwyn Dowed Warriors.

Playing FootGolf at Stockwood Park in Luton

I first heard about FootGolf last September and since then Luton has seen two courses open - at Stockwood Park Golf Centre and at Tea Green Golf.

A couple of weeks ago I saw how popular the game was as I had a round of Pitch & Putt on the Stockwood Mini Golf course.

The sport of FootGolf is played on a golf course, with player's aiming to get the football into the hole in as few shots as possible. The 'green' and hole itself is placed beside or beyond the regular golf's green to enable players of the two games to have a round at the same time.

Having paid for our round of 9-hole (£5.50 each, plus a £5 refundable deposit for each ball borrowed) we heaed out to the course. With the rules of the game read out from the very well designed FootGolf scorecard we were ready to get underway, with 'The Professional' kicking/teeing-off first.

Paul 'Barer' Harvey readying himself for a tricky 'putt' on the 3rd hole - this one really got the better of most players (apart from 'The Professional' and Paul)

We had a great, fun round with plenty of banter and some wild shots. These were interspersed with some good use of the greens to play some nice angled shots. The shot of the match went to Paul who kicked a cracker to score a three on the par-5 121 yard sixth hole.

Steve 'The Belly' Kelly pitches a shot across the edge of the golf green

Steve 'The Belly' Kelly chips out of the rough

Steve 'The Belly' Kelly in trouble again

The final results saw 'The Professional' win with par (34), notching up a two on hole five and a three on the ninth. In second on 36(+2) was Paul. I was third on 37(+3), with Steve edging out Rowdy Russell 39(+5) to 40(+6).

It was a good, open round and hopefully we'll all improve in our second game.

Richard Gottfried 'putting' on the Stockwood Park FootGolf layout

We all agreed it was a fun game to play and we'll certainly be having another round soon. The Hertfordshire-based players are hoping to see a FootGolf course open up on their side of the border.

A new FootGolf sign will need to be added to the post at Stockwood Park

You can also play FootGolf on Tea Green Golf's new course at Wandon End, near Luton.

Check out the links below for the UK FootGolf Association and Stockwood Park Golf Centre for more details about playing the game.

FootGolf seems to be a fast growing sport, with new courses popping up all over the country.

Links:
- Stockwood Park Golf Centre
- UK FootGolf Association

Related blog posts:
- Observations of FootGolf
- FootGolf is heading to Luton!
- Stockwood Park-related Blog Posts
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt

Vote for the Midlands Minigolf Club in the Mars Milk Play Fund

The Midlands Minigolf Club has entered the Mars Milk sport fund in order to help the club with its aims.

Check out the sports funding entry and vote for the MMGC on the Mars Milk Play Fund website at - Midlands Minigolf Club.

You can vote every month throughout the summer. Please feel free to share the link with friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else!

The bronze medal winning Midlands Minigolf Club A-team members at the 2013 BMGA British Minigolf Championships in Basingstoke, from l-r Mark 'The Horse Whisperer' Swain, Jon 'The Black Knight' Drexler, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, John 'Uncle Al' Moore

Every month Mars Milk will be donating cash awards to sports individuals and clubs that are in need of extra funding.

The MMGC's main uses for any prize funding would be:
- To help existing members travel to tournaments and play more regularly. This will go towards travel costs, training time and competition entry fees.
- To pay for a tournament for new players to try and get more people to experience the joys of minigolf.
- To help pay for brand new team shirts.
- To purchase specialist minigolf balls for use by all players in the club.

The Midlands Minigolf Club consists of a small but dedicated group of individuals from around the UK and Northern Ireland (and one in the USA!) who love playing minigolf. Players travel all over the UK to compete in events on the British Minigolf Association Tour.

The MMGC was formed in 2005. Players have won a number of Minigolf titles and in 2008 the club was crowned BMGA British Club Champions when the Midlands I team triumphed at Stratford-upon-Avon. The club has competed in the national club championships on a number of occasions, results to date are below.

2013

- Midlands I 3rd of 9 teams.

- Midlands II 7th. 

Played at Basingstoke.

2012

- Midlands A 3rd of 12 teams.

- Midlands B 9th.

Played at Basingstoke.

2011

- Midlands 3rd of 7 teams.

Played at Dorridge

2010

- DNP

2009

- Midlands B 5th (tied) of 8 teams.

- Midlands A 7th.

Played at Sandbanks.

2008

- Midlands I 1st of 7 teams.

- Midlands II 5th.

- Midlands III 7th.

Played at Stratford-upon-Avon.

2007

- DNP

2006

- Midlands/North A 2nd of 7 teams.

- Midlands/North B 7th.

Played at Dorridge.

2005

- Midlands 2nd of 5 teams.

Played at Dorridge.

Links:
- Mars Milk
- Mars Milk on Twitter
- Mars Milk on Facebook
- Mars Milk Play Fund entry for the Midlands Minigolf Club

"Minigolf, an international sport" - New WMF Video Now Online

The World Minigolf Sport Federation has published a new promotional video from the WMF World Minigolf Championships. The video shows the passion, concentration, intensity and skill on display in an elite Minigolf sport event.

Check it out on the WMF's YouTube Channel at "Minigolf, an international sport."

   

The World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) is the umbrella organisation of Minigolf sports association's worldwide and continental associations in Asia, Europe and America. Please visit the WMF website for more information about the sport of Minigolf.

Links:

- World Minigolf Sport Federation

- WMF YoutTube Channel

Q&A with the Glutenlibre Celiac Awareness website

Check out my recent Q&Q with the Glutenlibre team at "Glutenlibre Q&A with Richard Gottfried."

The Glutenlibre website and brand promotes awareness for celiac* disease and the gluten-free lifestyle.

In my interview I discuss my diagnosis as a coeliac* in 2008, life as a Pro Minigolfer, how I've managed the transition to a gluten free lifestyle, the impact on my life and the wide-range of sports, games and activities I get up to on my travels.

Playing in the final of the World Crazy Golf Championships the year after my diagnosis

Since 2012 Glutenlibre has been using "Gfree performance" to show people they can still have a full, healthy lifestyle despite having to live on a strict and life-long gluten free diet.

Links:

- Glutenlibre

- Glutenlibre Gfree Athletes

- Glutenlibre on Twitter

- Glutenlibre on Facebook

* Celiac in the USA and Coeliac in the UK, but either way it's pronounced "See-lee-ack".