Martin Dewhurst

One of the stalwart supporters of the Shirt project has been Martin Dewhurst from England. He has been actively working to improve the plight of refugees for many years and I was delighted for his support and guidance when I was in the UK.

Today he has uploaded a powerful article onto Ecademy. I precis here but suggest you read the whole article and watch the moving videos on the Ecademy site. Sadly the whole refugee issue is a real Myth of Sisyphus story so the initiatives of people like Martin and Nathaniel (day 127 +29) are so vital.

Martin says,
Whilst this may not hit the BBC News headlines anytime soon, thousands of civilians have made their way out into the desert from the Western Saharan cities of El Aaiun, Smara, Dakhla and Bujador.

On a Saturday, up and down the UK we gather in our thousands in support of football teams, we wear scarfs, shirts and hats emblazoned with our clubs colours, we swarm like ants in and out of grounds, then when its all over return to our homes.

In the Sahara, Western Sahara to be specific, an entire nation of people are united under a banner that is outlawed from display, in fact if you fly the banner you’ll be beaten, arrested and tortured or worse.

The banner that unites these people is a National Identity, it’s a culture, a heritage, a nomadic history of life and survival in the deserts of North Africa, and like a football fan that recognizes one of his fellow supporters in the street, the Saharawi recognize one another as brothers and sisters of one Nation unified from birth, even their language, Hassānīya Arabic, is different from the language of their oppressors.

If you have the good fortune to ever visit these people and live with them, stand amongst them to get some fractional sense of the strength of their culture and inherent values, you will experience social cohesion at a whole new level from anything you may have encountered, at least in the Western world before.

Ultimately we’re all human beings, beyond our family, cultural and national boundaries. What moves me beyond words is moments like these when Family, Culture and Nation are brought together in common cause, the Saharawi in this case are moving as one, they have a shared purpose, the right to their self determination, the right to decide their own future and to seek their independence on the land they call home.

Freedom, Liberty or Death is the powerful credo that unites every Saharawi man, woman and child. Freedom to seek their independence, liberty from their oppressors and the final choice Death, is their resolve, to die in the desert rather than live under the oppression and aggressive regime of the King who illegally annexed their land and continues to this day to plunder their natural resources.

In times of great suffering people from all corners of the earth come together and find their greater power, this time, right now as I write, the Saharawi are mustering their power that has simmered patiently on the metaphorical fire for 35 years, with half their Nation living in tented refugee camps in the Algerian desert on the other side of the heavily mined berm that runs the length of the country and the other half living in a police state of oppressive rule and treated like third class citizens, this show of solidarity is saying, enough is enough, now is our time to show our togetherness.”

Thanks for allowing me to add this, Martin.

Prisoner of the Road

Bjørn has been very busy over the past few weeks promoting the annual TV auction in Norway. This takes place this weekend and I guess the nearest UK equivalent is “Red Nose Day”. Whatever, it is a huge event in the Norwegian calendar and I know Bjørn is delighted to be so involved. The official song for the 2010 TV Auction is “Prisoner of the Road” which was written and sung by Sivert Høyem.

Prisoner of the Road (3:46 min)

Enjoy!

Den Norske Skolen i Rojales (The Norwegian School in Rojales, Spain) were fantastic hosts to Bjørn as he cycled through Spain last year and with the support of Einar Lerheim and his colleagues, the pupils have continued to follow Bjørn. Bjørn gave an excellent presentation to the entire school and he was warmly received at the school where the pupils are mainly taught in Norwegian. Yes, under the Spanish sun, there is a little bit of Norway with Scandinavian blonds, lilts from Tromsø and Trondheim, Tønsberg and Torp …and everywhere in between. There are photos of brunost and Hardanger, Holmenkollen and Jotunheimen…………….and the Norwegian flag much in sight. Forever, Norway! Ja, jeg elsker dette landet!

Anyway, today Einar has kindly forwarded a “Good Luck” letter from the pupils and staff to Bjørn. They have also sent their new school photo. Thanks to all of you. Takk for flott initiativ. Mange takk. As I know this thread attracts Norwegian readers and because the children deserve their work to be enjoyed in the original Norwegian, I have added it unedited. My translation might not pass the teachers’ approbation! Jeg ber om unnskyldning.

Hola,Bjørn!
Vi vil gjerne få sende deg en hilsen i forbindelse med årets tv-aksjon. Husker du bilde vi tok sammen da du besøkte oss i Rojales i fjor? I år har vi laget et nytt skolebilde med symbolet for Flyktningehjelpen.
Håper du liker det. Symbolet er enkelt og innholdsrik, noe vi alle kan forstå og sette oss inn i.
Du vil alltid bli husket som ”sykkelmannen” med de gode historiene, og med et stort hjerte og engasjement.
Vi har allerede begynt å digge årets låt for tv-aksjonen, ”Prisoners of the road”, sterk låt…..
Håper du har det bare bra, og at det blir et kjemperesultat for årets tv-aksjon.
Lykke til videre, kanskje våre veier krysses igjen.
Stooore klemmer og varme tanker fra
Elever og lærer på DNSR.

Hi Bjørn
We wanted to send you these greetings for this year’s TV Auction. Do you remember the photo we took together when you visited us in Rojales last year? This year we have a new photo with the symbol for Refugee Aid. We hope you like it. The symbol is simple and xxxxx Something we can all understand and get behind.
You will always be remembered as “the cycle man” with your great stories, your big heart and commitment,
We have already started to digg this year’s song for the TV event, “Prisoners of the road” Powerful song.
Hope all is good and that there’s a fantastic result for this year’s event.
Good luck for the future …and perhaps our paths will cross.
Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiig hugs and kind thoughts from
Pupils and staff at DNSR

xxxxx ….aggggh! A typical Norwegian word and pretty impossible to translate as just one word. Think, “comprehensive, all-inclusive, many-faceted” and with the implication of “correct”.

Flash Construct

One of the highlights of the whole project is how one meets new people all the time. Today I was delighted to have heard from Nathaniel Persky who sent me this information about his own efforts for refugees. It made me feel very, very humble. Keep up the great work, Nathaniel.

“Flash Construct (FC) is a Social Enterprise structured as a multi-faceted consulting firm. Through private investment FC creates a model where private business is the backbone of a humanitarian cause. With this model all parties involved can gain from the end product, enticing more business to participate in this innovative new social enterprise. Humanitarian Development is a key component to creating a better tomorrow.

Refugee camps are temporary models designed to supply the bare minimum in habitat resources to persons in need of a safe environment. Traditional models of humanitarian aid have a high success rate. FC focuses on the small percentage of locations where the traditional models, such as refugee camps, no longer function properly. When referring to refugee camps, FC selects camps that have stagnated for eight years or more. FC defines stagnation as a time when the flow of refugees into and out of the camp has not been sustainable, and where the infrastructure, whether physical or social services, has not been able to properly sustain the population for eight years or more. FC’s initial projects will be the Dadaab Refugee Camps in Northeast Kenya where the benchmark for this model
will be built. Through innovative new operating procedures, solutions can be found to rebuild the lives of refugees and displaced persons. A realist approach is used focusing on the resources and situations at hand, to find immediate solutions to help the refugee causes. FC builds financing for its humanitarian wing through for profit businesses. There is a finite amount of aid monies in the world which FC does not view as a reliable operating constant.

With the proper marriage of public and private sectors involved, a positive outcome for the inhabitants of these areas can be created. A
sustainable life cycle of betterment though motivational driven life changes. The key is sustainability. Remove the forced dependency on provided aid for survival. By implementing plans for job creation and bolstering the current education programs Flash Construct will give occupants of its projects the tools to succeed. The key to these platforms are perception catalysts. A perception catalyst is a concept to open the proverbal mind’s eye to a new idea, the concept of attainment through motivation. The adults can be given the potential to attain jobs, the motivational hunger to drive and succeed. Through these steps the inhabitants of their areas can reach out and better their own lives, buying and building solid roofs above their heads, providing food for themselves and their family, the empowerment of a community. Through these steps FC will to create a positive and sustainable life cycle.”

Bjørn On Tour

As some of you know from Bjørn’s English site he is out on tour at the moment. The big TV charity event of the year is next week (think Red Nose Day in the snow!) and Bjørn is very actively involved. He is taking the shirt on tour of many of the top grounds and today he is in Skien for the Odd-Viking game. (An interesting fact is that the home team have ALWAYS won when he has been present with the shirt! VIF, Brann, Viking, Haugesund)

(Edit day 127+26 Yes, Odd Grenland won too! He’s a talisman!)

In fact it is not the “whole” shirt as even this model with just 600 shirts weighs over 300 kilos and needs 15 strong people to manoeuvre it! Enjoy the day, Bjørn, and let’s hope you keep bringing luck to the home side. If you carry on like that you’ll end up at Anfield.

If any of you want the shirt to be presented at your club or want Bjørn to give a talk about any aspect of the project please do not hesitate to get in touch with him through this site or through Bjørn’s English site.

Photo kind permission of TA.

Ican Triathlon

A friend sent me details of the Ican Triathlon in Mallorca today. The first ever event was held a few weeks ago and was apparently a great success. Now I am considering entering next year’s event that will be held on Saturday, September 17.

Yes, always one to relish a challenge I checked out the site.
and see that they also have a half triathlon with a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike and 21 km race. This looks fearsome enough but compared to the full ICAN at 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42 km race I guess it is a stroll in the park.

Anyway, it’s some time to go so watch this space! What I do know is that the event is taking place on the beautiful island of Mallorca which is one of my favourite places on earth. So, if nothing else, I see myself going to visit the event. I have friends who have a superb hotel on the island and they immediately set about putting together a spectator/competitor offer. See Sant Blai for more details of their unique venue and if I’m there at the same time I’d love to share un cortado or agua con gas with you. Actually, come to think of it, there is never a bad time to go to Mallorca. Perhaps I should go next week….I could make myself an excuse that I’m checking out the three courses. No, one never needs an excuse to go to Mallorca and definitely not to Sant Blai.

Malcolm Allison

I was saddened today to learn of the death of Malcolm Allison. He was one of the real characters of the game and a man with a unique personality.

This lead me to think of the demise of the true “characters” of the game and how this demise was visible on and off the pitch. I can really only speak for the past forty years but I wonder what place the likes of Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, George Best, Frank Worthington, Joe Jordan, Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles, Grobbelaar and more latterly Cantona, Gascoigne and Robbie Fowler would have in Football 2010.

Whether it was Grobbelaar’s famous spaghetti legs or Best’s audacious dribbling runs, these players were DIFFERENT. These players were always going to be causing their managers and directors heart attacks. Whether it was because they ignored team discipline on or off the field, enjoyed a “special” lifestyle or quite simply could be world beaters or absolutely disinterested, all of these players could make their own fans adore them or pull their hair out. They raised emotions wherever they went and needed a certain type of team/manager to control them. Most of them would probably have earned more caps and honours if they had “just” been ordinary players but none of these men wanted anything other than to be “special”. Love them or loathe them ……these guys were special!!

So, back to Malcolm Allison and his famous fedora (and cigars). He is most often associated with the famous Manchester City side of the 60s and 70s….and what a team that was. This was a side that was crammed with household names – Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Corrigan, Coleman and Book. Yes, another group of characters! Allison was the coach who brought out the best in the players skilfully being assembled by Joe Mercer. He did a great job and despite some unpleasantness at the end, he is still revered by many Man City fans. What is often forgotten is that Allison managed/coached over a dozen other teams teams and whilst his days at Palace and Man City will be what he is most famous for, he also managed in Kuwait, Canada, Turkey and Portugal with varying levels of success…. but never far from controversy.

Malcolm Allison September 5 1927 – October 14 2010 R.I.P

All change, please!

As I am sure you will have read, this tour was the first time I had been in the UK for NINE years! Obviously a lot has changed.

Here are a few random thoughts as I compare the UK with Spain and with how the UK was in 2001.

*Prices. I was very surprised and pleased with the prices of most goods. Supermarket specials, BoGoFs etc meant I could eat for almost nothing. Newspapers were much cheaper than Spain and have more supplements.

*Cycling – obviously I would be more aware of the rise and rise of cycling. Huge numbers of cyclists on the roads, cycle lanes, cycle signs (usually incorrect!) Let’s hear it for M.A.M.I.L.S.(Middle-aged men in lycra – not me by the way!)

*Cleanliness. I was constantly amazed how clean the towns and cities were. The shopping centres and retail stores especially were much cleaner than I remember

*Public transport. Everywhere I went I seemed to be passed by buses on a 4,5,6 or 10 minutes route. Impressive …and would have been more so if they were not empty!

*Supermarkets. I could not get over the Tescosation of the UK. There appear to be innumerable supermarkets open 24 hours a day and each town seems to have an insatiable desire for even more. They sell just about everything under the sun and the sheer size of them is incredible.

*Pubs. The death of the pub or at least the death of the boozer. Before I left it was difficult to get a coffee in a pub. Now every high-street is full of Starbucks, Costas etc etc. In the Baker Street area of London you can almost see one from the next one.

*Restaurants. Similarly, the gap between a greasy spoon and a silver service restaurant is slipping. Every high-street now offers an incredible choice of sit-downs and (especially) take aways from the four corners of the globe.

*Optimism. Yes, I felt there was a new-found optimism. Certainly compared with expatshire, people had confidence. There were jobs available and the retail outlets seemed to be doing fine. (Spain has 42% youth unemployment and 1.5 million empty homes!)

*Cosmopolitan! Oh wow! Every town is a mini United Nations. It was a strange feeling being “at home” among so many residents, students and tourists from literally every nation of the world. Felt good!

*Social media etc. I was amused on a couple of occasions when I heard people talk about a “networking opportunity” 10 years ago, it was called, “Going to the pub.” There did not seem such a self-exerted pressure to constantly be exchanging business-cards, be fixated to a mobile or finding someone’s twitter ID!

Of course, some things never change and that’s what gives solidity to our lives. The love for one’s friends and family, rain in July …and, of course, Man City still looking at an empty trophy cupboard.

All a bit tongue in cheek ….but genuine observations over the four months on the road. I would value your thoughts too.

Another day, another sport

One of the great pleasures of the whole project is hearing from people who Bjørn and/or I have met along the way. It was therefore very exciting to hear how well La Vila Rugby are doing this season. Bjørn and I went to visit them almost exactly a year and we enjoyed a day in the sun watching a great game of rugby. I shut up about my true love (rugby league) and Bjørn loved the agression and non-stop 80 minutes even if the finer nuances were missed.

This week, I asked La Vila’s Pocket Dynamo of a PR Lady, Jo Le Roux to let us all have an update. She writes,

“GREAT START TO SEASON FOR LA VILA RUGBY CLUB

Local sports club, Rugby La Vila, is well into the start of it’s the 2010-2011 premiership league season, and what a start it has been. The club’s senior team, which started pre-season training in early August, has won each of its five fixtures so far and is placed second on the league table.

Founded in 1982, La Vila is a semi-professional club playing in the Spanish Division of Honour Premiership League, which consists of the top ten teams in Spain. It was founded by none other than its present-day president, Ignacio Davila. Today, after years of tender loving care, Ignacio and his wife, Mayka, have the pleasure of presiding over a professional, efficiently run rugby club, which is included in the highest league in Spain – all housed in a pristine, international-standard rugby stadium.

In order to keep up with the competitive demands of the Division of Honour, La Vila contracts professional players from around the globe, many of whom are British lads over for some sun and a slightly different kind of rugby experience. These players spend their days and evenings training hard under the watchful eye of head coach, Mark Hewitt. That said, after a hard week’s training and a tough Sunday rugby match, you might find the boys letting off steam at one of Benidorm’s beach bars (Heartbreakers is a usual suspect!).

After La Vila’s incredible success last season, finishing second in the league, there are high hopes for another impressive season!

La Vila Rugby Club together with COOL FM will be hosting a special Family Day on Sunday 24th October 2010. Popular Benidorm performers, Sister Act and Maverick Country Rock will be providing live entertainment, and a bouncy castle and face painting will be provided for the kids. A traditional Spanish paella lunch, with wine included, will also be served.

The Division of Honour Premiership game C.R. La Vila vs E.U. Santboiana will be played at 12:30, with entertainment and lunch to follow.
Free transport is included in the deal, with private coaches running from Benidorm, El Campello and Albir. Tickets, which include return transport, entrance to the game, paella, wine and entertainment, cost as little as 10 Euros. They are available from Cool FM, La Vila Rugby Club, Yorkshire Pride 1 or 2 (Benidorm) and Aussies Bar (Albir). In the spirit of a real family day, under 18’s get in free, so bring the kids along for a
day of fun, sun and entertainment!!

For more information, please feel free to contact Jo le Roux at publicrelations@rugbylavila.net”

So, if you are in the Benidorm area please make yourself known to Jo.

My Way – Frank Sinatra/Steve Hall

Songwriters: Revaux, Jacques; Anka, Paul (Eng Lyr); Thibaut, Gilles; Francois, Claude;

Lyrics courtesy of ELyrics.com

And now the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Regrets I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Yes there were times I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all
And I stood tall and did it my way

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now as tears subside
I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that
And may I say not in a shy way
Oh no, oh no, not me
I did it my way

For what is a man what has he got
If not himself then he has not
To say the things he truly feels
And not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows
And did it my way

Yes it was my way

As many of you will know, I am not a fan of music. In fact to be honest, I actually dislike it but I often found myself singing what I could remember of Sinatra, Simon and Garfunkel, Piaf, Diana Ross songs. Apologies to them all. I am to singing what Man City are to consistency!

As the trip wore on, I found myself digging deep sometimes for inspiration and Abba’s “Mama Mia”, “The Eagle”, Slade’s “Dapple Rose” or Wizard’s “Oh, I wish it could be Christmas Every Day” all had me thinking back to my teens and forgetting the hill ahead. Happy Days!

“My Way”, was and still is special to me. I guess I am a bit of an “Outsider” and somebody who is prepared to stand up for what he believes in.
I do what I BELIEVE in and I BELIEVE in this project. I BELIEVE in BJØRN and I BELIEVED I could do the 92 clubs.

Were there easier ways? Yes
Did I make mistakes? Yes
Would I do it again? Yes
Would I make mistakes again? Yes
Would I make the same mistakes again?
I hope not!

I am sitting quietly, planning the next stage of the project and trying to duplicate the good and ditch the bad. Let’s see!

Regrets I’ve had a few
But then again too few to mention

Kill All Negative People

When I was cycling along I often used to sing songs to myself

This was a “favourite”

Gee, but it’s great to be back home
Home is where I want to be
I’ve been on the road so long my friend
And if you came along
I know you couldn’t disagree

It’s the same old story
Everywhere I go
I get slandered
Libeled
I hear words I never heard in the Bible
And I’m one step ahead of the shoe shine
Two steps away from the county line
Just trying to keep my customers satisfied
Satisfied

…….slandered, libeled? Yes, often but never enough to upset me

BUT I’d hate if anybody called me negative so I do have a certain sympathy with this estate agent. (Steve having any sympathy with any estate agent must be a world first!) The photo probably does not do justice to the garish colours!

Apparently Managing Director Ivor Dickinson was inspired by a presentation from Tim Smit, founder of the Eden Project.

“Tim said that his mantra at the Eden Project was ‘Kill All Negative People’. I so empathised with this statement because let’s face it, there is no room for negativity in this world that we live in, that I decided to adopt it at D&G.”

Unfortunately, the journalists writing for the national press do not seem to have heeded Mr Dickinson’s warning. Both the Daily Mail and Guardian lead with the story of the biggest UK monthly house price fall since records began.

(Story/Photo from Global Edge, words Paul Simon, sarcasm mine. all mine!)