scruffian

Demise of Countdown Presenter
A month or so ago Richard Whitely, presenter of Countdown, died. Not such a loss. However, what really is a loss is that Countdown hasn’t been on since.

So here’s a news update: good news:

Countdown will be back in the Autumn with a new presenter who hasn’t been chosen yet but won’t be Richard Whiteley hooray. They think they might try out a few presenters a bit like Have I Got News for You but the key thing is it will NOT be Richard Whiteley.

Some key Countdown Facts:

On two occasions a contestant has scored 0 (zero points)
John Brooks – 0 points in August 1987
ie
Sylvia Pitman – 0 points in September 1998.

These are the letters they have in the piles:
Vowels

A 15
E 20
I 14
O 14
U 10

Total 73

Consonants

B 3
C 4
D 7
F 4
G 4
H 2
J 1
K 1
L 6
M 4
N 7
P 4
Q 1
R 8
S 9
T 9
V 2
W 2
X 1
Y 2
Z 1

Total 82

The best dictionary corner person is Susie Dent who has appeared 1199 times.

Bad news I am afraid. The planning permission for the Unreal skatepark move to it’s new premisis was rejected last night. This means that by November there will probably be no more Sittingbourne, since the current site will not be available.

It’s going to be a long winter.

We went to Mount Hawke about a week ago. Despite it only being about 2 miles from the campsite we were staying at we only went once. The most annoying thing was that the rainy days (Saturday and Monday) were also the days when there is no BMX. This quarter to flatbank wallride was fun anyway.

Just got another email from Lisa. There is a press release for some comp GBH organised for a new park here. I didn’t read it but you can. I didn’t like the use of the phase “rude awakening”. The last thing you want a skatepark to do to the residents is be rude or keep them awake.

The planning permission for the unreal move will be decided tomorrow. The comments on it are here (scroll down to item 3.1). At the moment it’s due to be rejected. This is bad news as the current lease runs out in Novemember and will not be extended so there will be no indoor park at all. I don’t really see what more can be done though. Good luck anyway.

Part of the report talks about a petition with names from as far afield as Guildford and Tenterden!

A few weeks ago I was working at the Kent County Show.

Here are some pictures of our stand. The idea was that the kids had to drive safely around the track but you can imagine what really happened.

There was also a maze that they had to fill out. I designed it. Have a go here.

I took some photos you can see here. There has been no riding on this site for ages.

Right first off, something I just read:

“What if everyday you could do what you want without question. That’s what it means to ride BMX.”

That’s from Fathom BMX, the most updated site on the internet. It’s a pretty interesting quote. I think one of the best things about BMX as a hobby is its versatility. You can do it everyday. There are a lot of sports of which that is simply not true – surfing, skiing, snowboarding etc. So I guess that makes us pretty lucky.

On which note, why are you looking at the internet? My excuse is that I am at work. If you haven’t been out riding today then put down your mouse and go and get on your bike. This writing will still be here later, but the daylight won’t be.

Here is some local news:

I got a letter from Swale Borough Council the other day about the planning permission for the new skatepark. It was inviting me to speak at the meeting on 11th August. Was it only me that got this? Anyway I will probably go to the meeting anyway to offer some support so if you want to show your support for a local indoor park come along too. 7pm at the Swale Borough Council Office on 11th August.

Next up Gravesend. They have had a new park recently which I haven’t been to ride yet, but they want people to sign this petition.

A local website. There seems to be a fairly good trailscene around Canterbury. Maidstone trail scene sucks.

Oh yes, Maidstone jam this Saturday the 13th. Go and ride the most crowded park ever, and take one run, or go to the trails and ride all you like without any annoying kids. It’s up to you.

Finally, the week after that is Ashford trail jam. I need to go and try to ride the trails before then so I am not falling off every five seconds like a muppet.

Thanks to East Kent BMX for most of the pictures.

We are back from our holiday. It was fun. You will get an update one day I hope but for now here is one picture which I like.

Been doing some gardening.