Paralympic star returns to school

A paralympic sporting star went back to his old school to help present annual awards to its students.

And 16-year-old Richard Baker-Smith stole the show at the Lord Silkin School in Stirchley, when he was presented with five awards.

Richard was named student of the year and also went on to take the musician, scientist, ICT student and RE student of the year titles.

British wheelchair racer Mickey Bushell had returned to the school to hand over the prizes.

The 18-year-old clinched a silver medal in the men’s T53 100m at the Beijing Paralympics in the summer.

Gloria Partridge, Lord Silkin school business manager, said: “Richard was always keen to do well, despite being busy with extra curriculum,

“He’s multi-talented and completely involved with the school – Lord Silkin is confident Richard will be successful in whichever career path he chooses.”

The Stirchley school hailed Richard’s committment to his education at the awards evening,

Gloria said: “Richard has been diligent and conscientious throughout the year, something which these awards reflect .”

The ceremony also included community and governors’ awards.

Published with photo in the Shropshire Star on Tuesday 25 November, 2008.

Violet marks 100 years

A Shropshire grandmother who have lived through two world wars has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Violet Antrum was looking forward to a gathering of friends and family at her home in Apley Court, Wellington, today, to mark her century-long life.

Mrs Antrum is still active and regularly enjoys shopping in Wellington with her daughter, Christine Rushworth.

Born in 1908, she grew up in Hull. In January 1941, she married Eric Antrum, a member of the Royal Air Force and the couple had their only child five years later.

Mrs Antrum followed her daughter to Shropshire in 1988 after the death of her husband in 1974, to be closer to her family, including two grandsons. She now enjoys living in the Wrekin Housing Trust sheltered accommodation, where she has lots of friends.

She recently celebrated her 20th anniversary as a tenant at the flats and was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Revealing her secret to long life, Mrs Antrum said: “I’d put my long life down to home cooking and porridge for breakfast every morning.”

She said she was looking forward to a surprise lunch organised by her family today.

Mrs Rushworth said: “My mother really is remarkable, it’s a great achievement.”

Published with byline and photo in the Shropshire Star on Saturday 22 November, 2008.

Marriage Milestone

A Shropshire couple struck platinum today more than 70 years after a chance meeting in the market led to wedding bells.

Former bulldozer driver Reg Naylor bowled over lock brick company worker Cathleen when they first met in Oakengates Market as 16 year-olds.

A two-year courtship followed and the pair tied the knot on November 19, 1938, at Wombridge Church, just around the corner from Cathleen’s home, before setting up home in Canalside, Donnington.

Seventy years on and the couple are celebrating their platinum anniversary at their home in Cordingley Way, Donnington. The pair who have eight children, 29 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, will have their hands full this weekend, however, when their family gathers to help them celebrate.

Reg, 88, was born in Donnington and worked for Shropshire County Council for more than 37 years while Cathleen, also 88, grew up in Wombridge. She went on to work at the local brickworks.

Reg, who still recalls the first time he set eyes upon Cathleen, said: “We met in Oakengates when we were both just 16.”

Published with photo in the Shropshire Star on Wednesday 19 November, 2008.

Beijing Olympics 2008 – The Closing Ceremony

The number 8 represents prosperity and confidence in the Chinese culture. On the 8^th day of the 8^th month in 2008, China blew away the rest of the World, 8 seconds after 8:08pm local time.

In the National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird’s Nest, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was dubbed by many as the best ever, the most spectacular by far and a performance that future hosts will struggle to equal. In less than four years time, London will attempt to open the 2012 Summer games with a percentage of Beijing’s success, although they are not expected to compete with that outstanding and almost unbelievable presentation.

The Chinese boast a quarter of the World’s population; making every other country look like a city and London barely a town. However, this will be a record third time the Olympics has taken place in the UK capital. Team Great Britain managed to finish fourth in the medal table of Beijing 2008, beaten only by Russia, the United States and China themselves. This shows Britain’s sporting ability to compete with the heavyweights, despite being significantly out of proportion in terms of residence.

Prosperity and confidence is something that was echoed in the closing ceremony which also started at 8:00pm, directed by Chinese film maker Zhang Yimou, who happened to co-direct the opening ceremony. The closing began with an audacious firework display as sparks filled the sky over the National Stadium.

Joining the Olympic flag, the Greek flag was then lifted as a symbol of the past; the first Olympic Games were held in Olympia 776 BC. Like the opening ceremony, athletes of all nationalities gathered in the Bird’s Nest having taken part in the games. The Chinese national flag was then raised along to the host’s anthem, which was sounded through the nest-like stadium, once again at full capacity.

The next national flag to grace the sky was the Union Jack, as the Olympic Games looks to London and the future. Philip Sheppard performed his own version of ‘God Save the Queen’ as 2012 Olympics made its first appearance in the ceremony.

The mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong then returned the Olympic flag to Jacques Rogge, the Olympic chief and head of the International Olympic Committee. In turn, he passes on the flag to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London. The flag, which represents the responsibility of the Olympic Games, is now in the possession of London, with the attention now firmly on 2012.

Just as London’s eight minutes presentation of the 2012 London Olympics begins, a double-decker bus with blacked out windows appears right on the dot. The perfectly timed gleaming red bus, showing ‘2012’ as its next destination, is then approached with a swarm of multi-racial dancers, greeting the public transport and its efficiency.

The red double-decker bus is a globally recognised symbol of London’s public transport, a form of transport that in recent years the United Kingdom appears to have lost faith in. However, this seems to have been recognised by Boris Johnson, with the bus arriving precisely on time to London’s presentation; London promises a more efficient service by and after 2012. The multi-racial dancers represent the British public, with London expecting them to respond positively and welcome the public transport by using it to its capacity.

The British modern cultural performance continued with a second highlight; Leona Lewis sang ‘Whole Lotta Love’, backed by Jimmy Page. After winning The X Factor in 2006, Leona Lewis has gone on to top both the singles and album charts in the United Kingdom and the United States. Leona Lewis was used as a symbol in London’s presentation, few may have recognised her in the Bird’s Nest Beijing, but having been propelled to a national scale; she will be a global star in four years time when her home country hosts the Olympic Games.

International icon David Beckham was the next star to appear in the stadium, kicking a ceremonial football into the crowds of people looking up to him. A young man, who appeared to be part of Beijing’s closing ceremony, was the first to the ball, chasing through rows of people, eventually collecting it with a satisfied grin.

David appeared at the closing ceremony not only to do what he does best, kick a ball, but on behalf of London as an ambassador for the 2012 Games. Unlike Leona, Beckham is recognised all round the world and with London now preparing for the Olympics in four years time, there is no doubt this won’t be his final appearance.

With the official transfer of the Olympic Games coming to an end, there was just time for Asian phenomenon Jackie Chan to show that martial arts are his talent, by singing in front of a polite Bird’s Nest crowd. The Olympic flame was then extinguished after lasting the 16 day competition. The ceremony was concluded at 9:55 local time, lasting just under two hours, with Beijing now officially passing on the baton to London, all eyes are on 2012 and the UK capital.

The Real Relationship – David Beckham and Fabio Capello

English football international David Beckham left Manchester United in 2003, joining Spanish champions Real Madrid. In 2005, the twice runner up for the FIFA World Player of the Year award was predictably in the star-studded first eleven for Real, albeit a first eleven that was without a trophy since his arrival in 2003.

At the end of a third successive season without silverware in, Italian Fabio Capello was appointed as head at the Bernabéu in 2006. This was Capello’s second spell as Real Madrid manager, he had also taken charge at A.C Milan, Juventus and AS Roma previously; with such experience, great expectation was held by the familiar Real Madrid fan base.

Capello is a man of traditional standards; a disciplinarian that doesn’t see space for celebrity in football, only room for improvement – a true perfectionist. Beckham is also known for being a perfectionist; someone who trains, diets and prepares immaculately in order to get the best out of his game, surely this relationship was destined for success.

When Capello took the reigns at Real, Beckham had a year to run on his four year contract; with the board showing little indication as to whether or not they would be offering an extension.

Without the La Liga trophy in three years, it was evident that Fabio Capello had to change something about his current squad, knowing his job would depend on silverware; and even that may not be enough. Capello was sacked as the Real Madrid manager in 1997, despite winning the league title that season; success that seemed a distant memory to the Real Madrid supporters.

To the surprise of most, that change came in the shape of former England Captain, David Beckham. With the familiar sight of an English international bench warming in Madrid, Beckham was also dropped from the nation squad by then England Manager, Steve Mclaren.

With Beckham still the Galáctico casualty by December that season, limited to rare starts and appearances off the bench, questions over the midfielder’s Real future began to arise. Real Madrid’s Spanish title capabilities were falling under enquiry; with them unable to build a lead at the top of La Liga table and with those questions, some answered with Capello’s name and departure.

Come the January transfer window of 2007, due to the Bosman ruling Beckham was legally allowed to sign a contract with another club and reports of David’s exit were being fuelled by the reluctance of the Real Madrid board, who failed to offer him a renewed deal, repeatedly delaying negotiations.

Only weeks later, Madrid were made to pay the price for not prioritising their English icon. With little warning, a small American outfit in L.A Galaxy claimed to have signed the international superstar on a five-year contract worth £128m. Beckham later confirmed that he would be leaving Spain for L.A Galaxy at the end of the season, on a contract stretching until 2012.

David Beckham expressed his desire to take football, or ‘soccer’ to the next level in the U.S.A, though he isn’t the first recognised footballer to have this ambition. The likes of Pele and George Best famously made the trip America in an effort to promote the game. However, neither of those legends were such internationally recognised as Beckham is in the modern day, and neither moved at such pivotal points in their career.

I’m not going as far to suggest Beckham was in his prime when making the move, but certainly with a lot more to come, something his new five-year deal reflected. With a huge task ahead of him, Beckham’s brand would help him promote Major League Soccer; dubbed by some as a ‘Mickey Mouse League’, in comparison to those of Europe and Beckham’s history.

Fabio Capello was the first of the Real camp to address the media; responding furiously, describing a complete disrespect on Beckham’s behalf. If this wasn’t enough, Capello went on to claim that as long as he was head coach of Real Madrid, David Beckham wouldn’t play another game.

Looking at Beckham’s appearance record that season, many would think Capello made the decision at the start of the season. However, with several months still remaining, hostility surrounded the Beckham-Capello relationship, supposedly destined for success.

Having previously claimed that Beckham was not in the right state of mind to represent Real Madrid with his head in America, Capello made the most miraculous of U-turns on his promise. Having been impressed by Beckham’s attitude in training, the midfielder was now back in contention for the Galáctico’s up and coming fixtures. This wasn’t the only U-turn made in David’s favour; Steve Mclaren made a similar move, bringing back the former England captain to the international fold.

In the final few weeks of the 2005-06 Spanish season, Beckham played a crucial part for Real Madrid’s title chase; producing some of his best form seen in the white strip. Having been knocked out the Champions League earlier than expected, Real were left with only league honours to fight for; a battle that went down to the last day of the season.

On the day that would also be Beckham’s farewell, Capello’s Madrid were in a position at the top of the table, where if they collected three points, they would be crowned Champions of Spain for the first time in Beckham’s four year stay.

Like several of the previous, England international started the game; only for an injury to put a premature end to his send off and Real Madrid career. Despite Beckham being forced off, Real Madrid went on to win the game 1 – 3, finally putting an end to their silverware drought and achieving success through Beckham and Capello.

It also turned out to be Fabio Capello’s final game, the Italian was sacked despite winning the league title; history repeating itself in extraordinary fashion, mirroring Real’s 1996-07 season in which Capello also lead Madrid to the league title.

Although it took till the final day of the season, we eventually saw what could happen when Beckham and Capello shoot in the same direction. It would appear that this relationship had ended before it could blossom; that was until the English Football Association reunited the pair in the most unlikely of circumstance.

Fabio Capello took control of England’s national team in December 2007, in place of a dismissed Steve Mclaren, who failed to qualify the English team for Euro 2008. Beckham instantly applauded the arrival of the Italian, saying he was the right man for the job at this time; a time when England needed to avoid embarrassment of missing another major international tournament and qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Within weeks of Capello’s appointment, speculation was already surrounding the Italian’s announcement of his first England squad. Irony leaving David Beckham on 99 international caps for his country, only a single appearance away from his century and his fate in the hands of a familiar Fabio.

The American Major League Soccer season calendar wasn’t synchronised to Beckham’s advantage; ending before Capello was due to make his first 23 man selection, leaving doubts hovering over the England midfielder’s fitness.

In response to this, Beckham joined English Premiership team Arsenal for training, in attempt to maintain his fitness. After much anticipation, on the 31^st of January 2008 Capello denied Beckham his century in controversial fashion. However, the England manager’s decision was received well by many, after he claimed Beckham’s match fitness would be well off the pace after not playing for several weeks.

Queries over Beckham’s short and long term international career were once again echoed, with the L.A Galaxy midfielder playing in a league of much lower standard than the rest of his England team mates. However the former England captain stood strong, vowing to bounce back and become a part of the new look national team.

David Beckham managed to do this in time for Fabio Capello’s next England selection. With the MLS kicking off again, Beckham gained match fitness and his place in the England setup.

David Beckham finally got his 100^th cap for England, becoming only the fifth man to have made a century of appearances for his country. Albeit as a substitute, the midfielder appeared in all four of Capello’s England selections for the World Cup qualifiers, resulting in four wins. Beckham has since gone on to overtake Sir Bobby Charlton and become the third highest capped player in England’s history, of 107 caps.

With the MLS season once again coming to a close and that empty Christmas period approaching on Beckham’s calendar, the annual questions over his short term fitness have inevitably appeared. Learning from his previous mistakes, Beckham has answered his critics and showed commitment to his international career by joining Italian Serie A giants A.C Milan on loan until the MLS season begins once again.

Attempting to keep himself in Fabio Capello’s plans, Beckham will be playing European football with some of the world’ best players, including the likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka and Pirlo. As a former player and manager of A.C Milan, Capello’s involvement with the loan contract of Beckham would have been heavily influential.

The deal however, seems to satisfy all parties; David Beckham is playing regular football at a highly respected level, A.C Milan have a world renowned footballer and icon in their squad, L.A Galaxy will receive an increase in publicity, Fabio Capello has additional player to pick from and England get to see their favourite face wearing the three lions once again.

With Fabio Capello carrying England’s World Cup hopes on his shoulders and David Beckham an ambassador of the 2012 Olympics in Britain, only time will tell what the future holds for these true professionals of the beautiful game.

McQueen of Sports World

Sports fashion is a growing market that has some of the most popular fashion designers of today, joining forces with the biggest brands in sportswear.

It wasn’t so long ago that cult designer Dr Romanelli used sections of Nike clothing to form a reconstructed jacket. However, this concept has since expanded to a much larger scale. In 2004, after designing the likes of Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow’s costumes in the film Sky Captain and the World Tomorrow, Stella McCartney famously went on to sign up with Adidas.

McCartney began designing swim, tennis, gym and running wear, but has since gone on to release a Gym Yoga range, inspired by ballet dance uniforms. The ‘Adidas by Stella McCartney’ collaboration was a great success and the two brands have since extended the contract until 2010, establishing a long-term partnership.

English designer Alexander McQueen is the most recent of which to get in on the action, signing in 2005 to work along side sportswear giants Puma to reach an alternative market of sports fashion. The range of footwear is represented by the ManCat; combining human features with the most recognisable Puma logo, forming a symbol of the collaboration that represents the human innovation of McQueen, with the international reputation of Puma.

Each design comes complete with a feline fang; a symbol of the ManCat and the McQueen for Puma combination. With human roots on the wild tooth, the fang suggests a perfect partnership.

Shear Newcastle United

Newcastle United; a business up for sale, a club lying in 19^th position in the Premier League and a football team in tatters. With arguably some of the most powerful and voiced supporters in the country, what does the future hold for this troubled football club?

The supports will tell you they want new owners, the players will tell you that the confusion surrounded the club’s future has distracted them from the game and the Premier League table will tell you that with only 6 points from a possible 24, things are going to get worse before they get better.

The truth is that supporters of any club will find excuses for their beloved team no matter what; owners, managers, referees or weather. However, sometimes there’s just not enough quality within the team to deal with the amount of pressure they are under. I’m not suggesting Newcastle don’t have the quality to play in the top tier of English Football, but do they have the quality to ignore the uncertainty over the club’s future and put things right on the pitch at least? Evidence of previous and recent results would suggest they don’t.

Like many clubs in the Premiership, Newcastle United seems to lack a leader, most notably on the pitch. Someone to take the game to the opposition, lift the team when they’re not performing or warn them against complacency when they are. These are classic attributes of which captains are made of; possibly attributes that haven’t been seen at St. James’ Park since April 2006, when Alan Shearer played his last competitive game in front of the Toon.

Before Mike Ashley was convinced by the fans to sell up, Newcastle had their leader in the form of Kevin Keegan; maybe the only other person than Shearer, to have such a strong bond with the Toon Army. In the modern game, it’s hard to find a player that loves football, someone who loves the game more than his pay packet. In Alan Shearer, Newcastle fans had that, and still do. Shearer loves the club and he’s always made that clear, but maybe it’s time for him to step up; the club he loves is in turmoil, possibly the worst he’s seen it.

The thought must have crossed his mind, it’s crossed every other Newcastle fan’s; is he the person to bring Newcastle back from this record low? The Magpies have been through some trouble waters, with six managers in the past five years, there has rarely been an opportunity for the team to settle. The return of Shearer would not only fill the vacant managerial position, but also the void of leadership he left only two years ago.

With the Newcastle post available so often, this question is raised repeatedly and every time it’s done so, Shearer speaks of his inexperience; saying it’s too early for him and his managerial career but how he would some day love to take up the responsibility. Reassuring as it is, hearing that their all time record goal scorer will one day take the reigns; it doesn’t seem to help the Toon with their current situation.

Shearer’s right; in an ideal world, it is too early to begin his managerial career, but little else would seem to please the Geordie supporters at such a time in crisis. I’m not suggesting that Alan Shearer is now ready for Newcastle United, but that Newcastle United is now ready for Alan Shearer.