He was honoured however to accept the title of Honorary President,
and went on to say he would keep a watchfull eye on things,
and hoped that the club would continue to gain success,
he was a very proud man and praised the work of his fellow officers
and the coaches at the club who had continued to persevere through difficult times.

The man elected to step into Ernie's shoes was former
Commonwealth Games Marathon Champion
and long time Club stalwart Jim Alder MBE.
This is much deserved after the devotion and hard work
he has put in over many years to both promote and bring
success not only to his club, but also the town of Morpeth.

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2007 Vets Grand Prix Presentation Night !

Forty Veteran athletes from Morpeth Harriers turned out in
support of their super fit colleagues at the clubs annual
Grand Prix 2007 Presentation Night, held at the Joiners Arms
in Morpeth at 7.30pm on Thursday 13th March.

The event which is sponsored by Tony Woodcock Planning Consultants
was hosted by Tony himself, along with his wife Pam,
who has been a member of Morpeth Harriers for a good number of years.
They were pleased to introduce their guests of honour, Ernie Slaughter and Jim Alder MBE.
Two nights earlier at the Morpeth Harriers AGM, Ernie had bowed out as the clubs President,
a post he has held for around 23 years, and Jim had taken over as the clubs new President
after all his many and long remembered years of service both as an outstanding athlete,
and as a Coach and Club Committee Official.

Ernie has now taken up the role as Honorary President which means
he will be more of a background figurehead, and although he intends to
cut down his workload as a Club Official, he will still be around to
give sound support and advice when required.
Both had agreed to make the presentations,
and Ernie opted to present the Womens awards,
which meant he ended up with all the lovely kisses.
Jim had dashed back over from Monkton Stadium
in Jarrow to present the Mens awards.

Before the awards took place Pam Woodcock paid tribute to all those
who had turned out to give support to the event on the night,
she went on to thank the clubs Press Officer and Webmaster,
George Patterson and Hudson Stoker for their efforts in promoting the event,
both in the Morpeth Herald, and on the Website, and paid particular tribute to the
quality of the Website and all the work carried out to promote the club.

Pam was very passionate about the Veterans Grand Prix, because she
recognised it as the only event within the club that gave everyone within
the Veteran age spans the opportunity of competing on a level playing field,
and she was delighted that it had once again been well supported
over the 15 chosen events throughout the year.
She thanked Ernie and Jim for turning out to support their night.

Tony Woodcock said he was delighted as sponsor to be associated with the event,
and felt that all those involved had competed with good humour,
the club representation had been good, and as a result the
Blue and White vest of Morpeth Harriers had been worn with distinction.
This led on to the presentation of awards

WOMEN (Presented by Ernie Slaughter)
1st Sue Calvert.
2nd Michelle Woodley,
3rd Jane Blackett,

MEN (Presented by Jim Alder)
1st Paul Waterston,
2nd Richard Driscoll,
3rd Gordon Dixon,

After the presentation Ernie Slaughter gave special mention to the
fact that nearly forty people had turned out on the night,
this had heartened him because of the recent poor turnout of
Seniors for major events, and that it had indeed been a pleasure to be present.

A special presentation was then made by the sponsors to Les Thain
for his long term organisational skills in relation to the Grand Prix.
Les was now stepping down from the role.
Unfotunately he was unable to be present so
Chris Dentice accepted the award on his behalf.

On behalf of the Club, George Patterson, the Press Officer,
thanked Pam and Tony for their continued support to the
event, and hoped that their support would continue,
and also praised them for the splendid buffet they had provided.

Finally Pam and Tony thanked the Landlord George
and the team at the Joiners Arms for their support and help.

Click Here To See More Photos From Presentation Night......

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Circuit Training Sessions !

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2008 Castle Morpeth Sports Council Awards !
At what could be the very last ever Castle Morpeth Sports Council Awards
ceremony. held at the Riverside Leisure Centre, on Friday 25th January.
Morpeth Harriers were honoured in two categories.

Laura Weightman was presented with the Hilder Rose Bowl
for Junior Female for both her tremendous achievements in 2007
on the Track and on the Cross Country circuit.
She had comfortably won the Northumberland Schools
Senior Girls Cross Country title, and then had recovered from
a nasty spike injury sustained in the North of England Cross
Country Championships to finish fifth in both the English Schools
and Home Countries Championships, added to that she had a superb
Track season at her favourite distance 1500m, by winning the North Eastern,
North of England, Northumberland Schools, English Schools
and International Schools titles before capping her season in great style
by retaining the UK Schools games title, the only female athlete to achieve such a feat.

The clubs Under 13 Boys Cross Country squad received certificates
of achievement for their overwhelming victory in the North Eastern Championships,
where they also had the Gold and Silver Medallists in Adam Harrington and Jonny Nisbet,
they came sixth and only fifteen seconds adrift of medals at the English Cross Country Relay Championships,
and are currently four points clear in the title race at the North Eastern Harrier League,
added to which, the aforementioned Adam Harrington
is the leading individual performer with two meetings remaining.

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Morpeth Track Project !
Click Here To Read About Morpeth Track Project.......

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Volunteers Wanted !

Northumbria University are looking for long distance runners !
They are looking for males aged between 18 and 35
who train at least 2-3 hours per week.

They would be required to do 3 x 2 hour bouts of running on a treadmill.
In return, they would get a performance report, ie. VO2 max, heart rate etc.
Advice on their immune function during training,
free lunch and will get paid £70 for taking part.

Athletes can contact Ian Walshe at
ian.walshe@unn.ac.uk

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Morpeth Harriers Scottish Walking Weekend !
I am planning another Scottish weekend for anyone interested
in doing some mountain walking around the GLENCOE area.

We would travel up on the evening of FRIDAY 11/4/07
returning late afternoon early evening SUNDAY 13/4/07

Accommodation would be in a bunkhouse at INCHREE
and would cost £13.00 ppp including breakfast.
All bedding is supplied and the place is warm and comfortable
with good showers and an EXCELLENT DRYING ROOM!!

Bar meals are available on site or you can self cater –
the bunkhouse has a large well equipped communal kitchen.

If you are interested, or if you want more details give me,
Kevin Bray a ring on 01670 505953.

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Club Volunteers !

CAN YOU HELP MORPETH HARRIERS ?
PLEASE THINK ABOUT JOINING OUR VOLUNTEERS' NETWORK.
Click Here And Find Out How.......

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Happy Birthday Quiz Answer !
We have a winner of our Website Birthday Picture Quiz.
The Answers were Ian and Mark Hudspith.
The winner of the Bottle of Champagne for the first correct answer was Ian Brown,
Congraulations Ian, and many thanks to all those who took part.

Click on this link below and see some of our web pages from the last six years......
Old Web Pages.......

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Jim Alders M.B.E. Presentation !
Morpeth Harriers Commonwealth Games Marathon legend Jim Alder
recently received his M.B.E. from H M The Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Jim was accompanied to the investiture by his wife
Kathleen and Son and Daughter Ian and Susan.
He described his day as wonderful, and would like to thank
his beloved family for being there to support him.

Jim would also like to thank all his friends within and outside
the sport of athletics for their kind wishes.
Messages have come from all over the world, and Jim, between supporting
his club of course and getting in his daily 6 mile run,
is trying to answer as many people as he can.

Watch a video about Royal Investitures at Buckingham Palace......

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2007 Castle Morpeth Sports Council Sports Awards !
Athletes from Morpeth Harriers were amongst the numerous
sportspersons to receive awards at the Annual Castle Morpeth Sports
Council Sports Awards Night held at Morpeth Leisure Centre on Friday 2nd March 2007.

Guest of Honour presenting the awards was Jim Alder MBE,
who had only just returned from London after receiving
his award from Her Majesty The Queen.
This was all carried out in the company of the Mayor of Castle Morpeth
Cllr Geoff Proudlock who said he was indeed proud to be in the
company of Jim Alder and was equally proud to have known the
Morpeth Harriers Marathon Legend for as many years.

Jim in his speech said that he was indeed proud that what
he described as "Little Morpeth" had been well and truly put
on the map by itssporting achievements.
He described how another Morpeth Harriers had in fact defeated
the great Wolverhampton Wanderers in an FA Cup tie many years ago.
Jim also paid tribute to the Morpeth Rugby club who had a number
of years ago got one match away from a Grand Final at Twickenham. He went on to mention a number of individuals who
were the backbone of their sporting clubs.
In jocular fashion he describe how Her Majesty had asked
if Ernie Slaughter was still at the helm at Morpeth,
and was George Patterson still writing for the Morpeth Herald.

On the Awards front Nick Swinburn received the
Newcastle Building Society Trophy as the Senior Male Open winner.
He was also part of the Morpeth Harriers Under 20 Cross Country Team
that won the Abbey National Trophy for the Open Team award.
Certificates of achievement were awarded to

Laura Weightman (Junior Female Under 18)
Claire Reid (Senior Female Open)

Morpeth Harriers Under 13 Girls
Cross Country Team (Team Award Under 13).

Click here to see more photos taken at Castle Morpeth Sports Council Awards

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Vets 2006 Grand Prix Presentation Night !

Morpeth Harriers held their Veterans 2006 Grand Prix
Presentation Night at the Sour Grapes on Thursday 1st March 2007.
This year the competition was sponsored by
Tony Woodcock Planning Consultants.
Tony and his wife Pam, who is a Harriers member,
were both on hand for the presentation.

The Veteran Mens Category was won by Paul Waterston
with Richard Driscoll and Les Atkinson
taking second and third place respectively.

Jane Blackett won the Veteran Womens section
with Sue Smith and Michelle Woodley filling second and third places.

Tony Woodcock paid tribute to all the athletes who had competed
in the Grand Prix and went on to describe them as a very important
section of the club when wearing the Blue and White
vest at the numerous selected events.
Chris Dentice was thanked for his efforts as previous sponsor.

He went on to thank Les Thain who had painstakingly kept score
as the competition had progressed throughout the year,
without his diligent help life would have been difficult.
Finally he thanked all those who had turned up
on the night to witness the presentation.

Click here to see more photos taken at Vets 2006 Grand Prix Presentation Night

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Unusual Tribute To Jim Alder !
Jim has received many congratulations and tributes
on being awarded his MBE, which he will collect
from the Palace in late February (HRH has been warned!)

One of the more unusual ones was from Dr. Mike Turner
of Liverpool Harriers, himself one of the greats of British distance
running in the 1960s, and an old friend and rival of Jim.

He has used a lot of knowledge, research and his own
considerable talent to write a poem JNCA.MBE.
which brings together the themes of Northumberland,
our own club and of course Jim himself.
We thought members would like to read it………..

JNCA, MBE

alnus glutinosa,deciduous tree,
thrives in wetlands from harwood to the sea:

common alder,long hefted to these hills
and burns,through stannington and abbey mills,
crowden and hebron,ashington and todd,
throphill and stanton,where the romans trod.

it transforms the wansbeck at climbing tree,
bothal castle and woodhorn colliery;

faithful to the king of the stream and brae
and the lyne on its way to druridge bay.

it sheltered the legions on ermine street
and the man who prepared for kingston’s heat.

‘inter sylvas et flumina habitans’-
its motto: with a castle built by normans.

the guidebook doesn’t mention the greyhound pub,
or the four who founded its running club.

yet mhac is a monogram
known from the rangitikei to the cam.

when the tough get going, morpeth men run:
their record in relays second to none.

for denys,derek,jack duffy and tot,
don, ernie and walter, all gave their best shot;

as do bateman and shepherd,the hudspiths and dunn,
and their mentor and main man, the hard one.

a seat in the stalls that cost one and three:
cramp in the buttock and pain in the knee.

like john wayne he respects all men who lead,
and the tenets of the apache creed:

‘take warmth from the sun and shelter from the tree;
render honour to the tribe’(go khla yeh).

the duke(and saddam)liked a gun on their hip
but his response is to shoot from the lip.

yet,as a boy, he raised both arms and cheered
when in the end the cavalry appeared.

raised as an orphan,unlikely hero,
angel of the north east-geronimo!

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One Of The Worlds Greatest Distance Runners...Alfred Shrubb !

Have you heard of Alfred Shrubb?
Alfred Shrubb was one of the World Greatest distance runners,
a pioneer of the sport. Alfred set many world records,
one that lasted over 50 years.

There is a web site you can visit if you want to learn more
CLICK HERE

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Laura Weightman Wins Award !

Following her excellent performance in the Womens event at the Junior Great North Run, where she won for the second year in a row,

Morpeth Harrier Laura Weightman has earned the title of performer of the week through HI-TEC and Athletics Weekly.

Laura will receive a pair of Hi-Tec V-Lite Phtera trainers to her size. These shoes normally retail at £50.00.

Laura's performance comes on the back of an outstanding year which saw her emerge as a surprise winner of the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Under 15 Girls title at Wollaton Park, Nottingham in March.

Last month she beat all-comers to win the 1500m title at the first UK School Games in Glasgow, she was also chosen to go to a week of expert coaching for endurance at St Mary's College in Twickenham in London.

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Cash For The Club !
Morpeth Harriers have landed grant money from the National Lottery to the tune of £5,387.00 to help promote the sport of athletics in local schools.

The clubs Senior Coach Tony Ward comments, " We are very pleased to receive this money, as it will boost the opportunity to take equipment out to the schools to introduce children to the sport at an early age". He further comments, With lack of ideal facilities, and the problems with rural transport, most youngsters in the area tend to miss out, and this shouldn't be so.

With money to buy a range of much needed new equipment, including a High Jump mat, as well as bringing in a professional coach, the club will be able to talent spot in an area that currently needs attention, mostly due to another case of poor facility availability.

This indeed presents budding Morpeth athletes with the ideal head start to further develop their abilities, and with focus definitely set on the Olympics in 2012, an opportunity most welcome.

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Morpeth To Newcastle Road Race !
Sadly it took slightly less than fifteen minutes on Thursday 14th September 2006 to decide the fate of the event that has been an institution amongst North East running enthusiasts for a century. Delegates from Claremont Road Runners, Gosforth Harriers, Heaton Harriers and Morpeth Harriers, who form the organising committee, were called to a special meeting to finally call time on what was undoubtedly Britains oldest-established road race.

Lack of a continued and committed sponsor and notorious spiralling Policing costs and their onerous requirements have undoubtedly consigned the proud event to the history books. Those present voted unanimously to disband the organising committee, and agreed that any remaining funds, as per constitution would be distributed between the four clubs. Race trophies will be donated to the sports local governing body, the North Eastern Counties Athletics Association.

The event was first run as a handicap in 1902 and two years later in 1904 became a full open race from Morpeth to Newcastle. Over the years numerous Internationals visited the region to test the locals and very often went away defeated. Most notable were Ron Hill and Steve Jones.

The greatest number of wins was gained by Duncan McLeod-Wright who managed to lead the field home on seven occasions between 1927 and 1932 and 1934. On the local front Morpeth Harrier Jim Alder and Elswick Harrier Mike McLeod have each won five. Mark and Ian Hudspith of Morpeth Harriers have won four and two respectively. Organising Committee Chairman John Williams said that it had not been able to find a cost effective way of coping with Traffic Management problems. He added that, "It was with much sadness that the decision has been made to end one of the country's classic road events, which had also been one of the anchors of the calendar for many years".

In contrast Morpeth Harriers Secretary Mike Bateman felt that the door might still be open to revive the event. However he stressed that the club could not go it alone, and it would need substantial input from local authorities and sponsors, and a change of attitude by the police

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Death Of Clubs Founder Member !
Officials at Morpeth Harriers have learnt of the death of the clubs founder member Dennys Anderson at his home in Ireland at the end of July 2006.
Dennys was 8th in the Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race in 1947,
one year on after he had founded the club at the Greyhound Inn in Morpeth.
Anderson was also picked to run for Northumberland and Durham
who were a combined force in those days.
He was also a Club Secretary and Senior Champion.
Dennys was buried in Ireland witnessed by his brother and small family,
to whom the club pass on condolences.
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Jim Alders Commonwealth Games !
August 2006 marks the 40th Anniversary of the greatest
achievement by any Morpeth Harrier.

Dateline Thursday 11th August 1966, the venue Kingston, Jamaica,
the event, the Commonwealth Games Mens Marathon.
At exactly 5.30am seventeen runners face the Starter including one
James "Jim" Noel Carroll Alder, representing Scotland.

The gun goes off and immediately it's pre race favourite Ron Clarke
of Australia who hurtles to the front, and before long shoots off into an astounding lead
and by a short space of time is only a speck in the distance.
Coursewise the route is relatively easy, the only hazard is the heat and eventually
Clarke is seen to be coming back fast.
Meanwhile Jim Alder and England's Bill Adcock have being running a
sensible chasing pace and eventually pass a much distressed Clarke.
Others drop out including England's Brian Kilby and surprisingly Jamaican Keith B Graham.
Alder and Adcocks scent medals as they turn at halfway and continue to
work together and at fifteen miles they eventually see the distressed Clarke
at a watering hole and barely able to walk never mind run.
Jim passed a remark to the effect that one of them had Gold
and the other would surely get Silver.

At twenty one miles both athletes suddenly took fright
when they heard the patter of feet.
However it was only fellow Brit Bruce Tulloh out for
a training run and giving them encouragement.
At 22 miles Alder put in the required kick to get away from Adcocks and headed for home.
Alder was still leading as he approached the outskirts of the Stadium,
but suddenly problems in the shape of visiting members of the Royal Family
namely Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne began
to take their toll on proceedings.

All the marshals and officials left their posts and Jim was left
to ask a car park attendant which way,
I don't know man!! was the reply, eventually one man helped Jim
on his way and that was Scottish Official Duncan McLeod- Wright,
himself a five time winner of the Morpeth to Newcastle Road Race in its early days.
That route was up some stairs!!! and eventually down into the tunnel.

Eventually Jim made it onto the track only to see the figure
of a man on the track ahead of him, it was Adcocks,
How could that be? he was about to be robbed of the glory he'd
worked for and dreamt of every night.
Despite not being able to believe the sight in front of him Alder set off
in hot pursuit to regrab his opportunity.
He kept pulling yard after yard off Adcocks and eventually just managed to get
in front of him to break the finish line tape in 2hrs22m078s with five seconds and
all of fifteen yards to spare and to win a Gold Medal that was at last his for keeps.

It was indeed a remarkable achievement for Alder as five days beforehand
he had persuaded the Scottish team management to allow him
to run in the 6 mile Track Race, the equivalent of what is now our 10,000metres,
the race that also brought him and Scotland
a Bronze medal in an excellent 28m15s.

Two days later Alder was forced to draw breath again as he was amazed
at the Civic reception he recieved on his return to his beloved Morpeth
which included a march salute from some of his clubmates at Morpeth Harriers.
Congratulations Jim on this the 40th Anniversary of your greatest success.

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ATHLETIC BOOKS

Below is a list of books that are available for Club Members to borrow.

TEACHING ATHLETICS TO 8-13 YEAR OLDS
An old book, but gives the basics in a range of athletics disciplines.

SHOT PUTT - MAX JONES

HIGH JUMP - FRANK DICK

LONG JUMP - MALCOLM ARNOLD

HAMMER THROWING - CARL JOHNSON

HOW TO TEACH JUMPS - DAVID JOHNSON

HOW TO JUDGE FIELD EVENTS (2 copies)

HOW TO JUDGE TRACK EVENTS (2 copies)

PHYSIOLOGY OF FITNESS - BRIAN SHARKEY
A technical book which includes chapters on health and fitness,
fitness and wellbeing, fitness and lifestyle.

THE LONELY BREED
An old book but a good read on the historical side of running.

TRAINING YOUNG DISTANCE RUNNERS
A good book for new coaches.

MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNING - CLIFF TEMPLE
A book with some useful tips on all aspects of running and training.

MIDDLE AND DISTANCE MARATHON AND STEEPLECHASE
Covers training of all those racing disciplines.

AROMATHERAPY - A guide to its uses.

There are also books available from Tony Ward to borrow.

SPORTING CAVALCADE - FRED MOFFATT
A hundred years of sport in Morpeth.

CURES FOR COMMON INJURIES

RUNNERS REPAIR MANUAL

PERFORMANCE MASSAGE

UNDERSTANDING SPORTS MASSAGE

MIDDLE DISTANCE TRAINING

Various Club Members also have copies of
MARATHON AND CHIPS - ARTHUR T McKENZIE
The interesting biography of Morpeth Harriers legend Jim Alder.

Enquiries about all the above can be made at
Morpeth Harriers & AC Clubhouse.

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Help Our Young Athletes !

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Karen Ogle BSc.HONS Physiotherapy Clinic !

I have recently opened up a new physiotherapy clinic in Morpeth town centre opposite The Clock Tower. This is an additional practice to my clinic at Stakeford. I can offer all aspects of physiotherapy treatment as well as a full range of orthotics, ie foot problems. at competitive rates and have in the past and currently, treat many athletes for sports related injuries.
Find out more.......

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Gift Aid Form !
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FORM.......

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Community Amateur Sports Club Notice !

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Running In The Dark !

Pavements or footpaths should be used if provided.
Where possible, avoid running next to the kerb with your back to the traffic.
If you have to step into the road, look both ways first.
If there is no pavement or footpath, run on the right-hand side of the road
so that you can see oncoming traffic.
You should take extra care and be
prepared to run in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light
keep close to the side of the road.
It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend
(so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you).
Cross back after the bend.
Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light coloured,
bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.
When it is dark, use reflective materials (e.g. armbands, sashes, waistcoats and jackets),
which can be seen, by drivers using headlights, up to three times
as far away as non-reflective materials.
BE SEEN IN THE DARK; WEAR SOMETHING REFLECTIVE !

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2005/2006 CLUB AWARDS