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New Statesman
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Brighton's dog show is the highlight of my year
Photo by Simon Dack/Alamy Live News It is time for the highlight of my year: Bark in the Park, in Queen's Park. In what has become an annual event for us, my friends Ben, Janine, David and Nancy and I bring along a light picnic and a few drinks, and we sit down to watch Brighton's finest dogs, and their owners, compete for rosettes awarded for discipline, talent, self-control and generally being a good boy/girl. Some people and their dogs have been training for it all year. And some of them, one suspects, have not. The first few rounds are nothing special when compared to the final rounds. This might sound dismissive but, really, the last rounds are something else. I arrive at about one o'clock to watch the doggy triathlon. One of its tests involves jumping through a hoop. Very few dogs manage this smoothly, for the owners have to let go of the lead and this leaves the dogs baffled. I turn up just in time to see a bulldog grab hold of the hoop with its teeth and refuse to let go. Its owners, and a few stewards, chase it around the arena to try to prise the hoop from its jaws. This is what we are here for. The crowd goes wild. There are about 200 people here, I'd say, sitting around a roped-off area about 30 square metres in each direction. People are of all ages, and there is a Mr Whippy van, a French-crêpe vendor in an antique Citroën and numerous local businesses selling dog merch such as freshly baked dog treats from the Paws Bakery. Just behind us is a bratwurst van and the smells coming from it are driving me crazy, so God alone knows how the dogs are keeping it together. This is fitting, for one of our favourite rounds is coming up: Temptation Alley. In this, the dogs have to run, or pace, a gauntlet of tempting snacks on either side, and ignore them all, saving themselves up for a much nicer treat at the end. The rate of failure is fairly high, and I do not see how it could be otherwise. But first there is the Golden Oldies round, where dogs over seven years old are walked around the arena and expected to survive. They all do. I don't know who won, but it should have been the white, exhausted-looking dog who may have been a Dachshund once, and who measured the ground in slow, deliberate steps. 'That,' said David, 'is my spirit animal.' Ben sidles up to me and murmurs in my ear. 'Don't look now,' he says, 'but there's a man behind us who's been saying it's weird to turn up to a dog show without any dogs.' (We do not have dogs, but Ben used to look after a savage Pomeranian called, of course, Simon Le Pom. I do not have the space to tell the stories of his reign of terror.) 'Is it really that weird?' Ben continues. 'I mean, if we'd turned up to a school sports day without any kids, then, yes, that would be weird.' Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Then there is the fancy dress round. This, for reasons I am sure I do not have to explain, is a particularly controversial and hard-fought round. One year a dog was given a lion's mane and it looked magnificent, but did not win first prize. 'Fix!' we shouted. It struck me then that this would be fertile ground on which to run an illegal book. One would have to have more inside knowledge, of course, but I have a year until the next one. The dogs in their glad rags parade. 'There's a dog there that's dressed as another dog!' cries Ben, outraged. 'It's a panda,' says his wife, the unspoken words 'you berk' hanging in the air. Three days on, and Ben is still fuming about this. 'It's like they skinned a dog, and then made the other one wear its pelt.' (It didn't really look like that had happened. In fact, it looked rather cute, and definitely like a panda.) In the end it won. A red setter dressed as a belly-dancer came third, even though her dress had slipped off by the end. 'Doesn't have the hips,' says Janine. But the absolute highlight of the day is the sausage catching. In this, the owners throw their dogs a Morrisons cocktail sausage and their dogs have to catch it in mid air without stepping over the line. This is as much a test of the humans' ability to throw as it is of the dogs' ability to catch. More so, in fact. One feels for the dogs let down by their people, who themselves have had all year to train for this. One dog doesn't even stand up to take his sausage. The crowd goes delirious. But in the end, the prize goes to a chocolate Lab, who had also, amazingly, won Temptation Alley. To both ignore treats and catch them in mid air on the same day is a rare, once-in-a-generation skill set. I think of the great England all-rounders: Botham, Flintoff, Stokes. Look, this is the best of Britain. It is amateur, hilarious, and as wholesome as a sunny summer's day. I am going to pitch a documentary about this to Channel 4. Think of the Great British Bake-Off, but with dogs. And none of that Crufts business where, as Ben puts it, the judges lift their tails up and look at their arseholes. Publication of this article implies copyright. So don't pinch this idea. It's mine. Along with the illegal side-bets. [See also: The lost futures of Stereolab] Related
The Courier
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
36 photos of rugby in Perth across the decades - from school teams to Scotland greats
We have dipped into our archives to dig out some of the best action and team photographs from the Perth rugby scene. These photographs go back 50 years, from recent history to the early 1970s. Youth, high school, university and amateur levels are represented. Some teams are long gone while others have survived. Can you recognise yourself or anyone you know in these photos? Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club were joined by coach Kevin Rattray and Gemma Lumsdaine at the Fair City's Letham Centre in February 2020. GB player Gemma introduced the youngsters to wheelchair rugby. The Calcutta Cup was among the star attractions at Perthshire Rugby's 150th anniversary celebrations at the North Inch in May 2018. Thousands flocked to the park for the beer festival and rugby 7s. Perth Beer Festival is organised annually by Perthshire Rugby. A 'golden oldies' tournament for the over-35s entertained the crowds in 2015. Scotland rugby team trained at Blairgowrie RFC in May 2013. The training session took place ahead of their summer tour to South Africa. Scottish Prep School's selected five Craigclowan Form 8 boys to play against Edinburgh Barbarians in 2013. Pictured, the selected rugby players, left to right, were captain Rob Alexander, Tom Morris, Harry Stewart, Johnny Roberts and Rowan Carey. Action from Perthshire against Howe of Fife in January 2013. Perthshire were playing in red and black. The Perthshire U/18 Colts squad reached the final of the RBS National Youth League Rugby Bowl at Murrayfield in April 2012. Peebles triumphed in the final. Action from the Golden Oldies tournament at Perth Rugby Festival in 2011. It was part of the on-going celebrations to mark the Fair City's 800th anniversary. Some of the children who took part in the Rugby Rugrats class at Bell's Sports Centre in April 2011 with coach Logan McConachie. Other activities include kiddie kickers, whacky rackets and inflatable fun. Sean and his brother Rory Lamont grew up in Perth. The two played rugby together for Scotland on a number of occasions. Youngsters in action on the Aberfeldy football ground which hosted the Highland Perthshire schools rugby finals in June 2008. The Calcutta Cup was also on display. Perth Academy pupils held a car boot sale in September 2007. The proceeds were going towards the 1st XV rugby team's 2010 tour to Australia. Perthshire's Joe Hickman runs in his third try in his side's 27-7 home win over Berwick in Premier Division Three in December 2006. The winger scored a hat-trick of tries. Perthshire were celebrating in March 2006. They defeated Annan 17-16 in their final game to win the National First Division. Perthshire Rugby Club held a coaching week at Perth Academy in 2005. The rugby camp was a big success. Rugby action from Perthshire versus Caithness in November 2005. Perthshire won 22-0. Scotland's Andy Henderson is tackled by Hideyuki Yoshida during the rugby international against Japan at McDiarmid Park in November 2004. Scotland racked up a record score and won 100-8. Perthshire pupils at the Japan training session at North Inch. The youngsters watched and then took part in some fun rugby activities with the Japanese players before the game against Scotland in November 2004. All smiles at North Inch in March 2004. These youngsters competed in Perthshire Rugby Club's mini tournament. A rugby team from Brisbane visited Perth Academy in March 2004. The side from All Saints Anglican School played against Perth Academy. New rugby strips, partly paid for by the Parent Teacher Association, were given to senior pupils at Perth Grammar School in March 2004. The boys were pictured in their new kit alongside assistant coach Jim Conn (back left) and Perthshire rugby coach Sam Kaleta. Perthshire clinched the BT National League Division Three title with a 62-12 win against Helensburgh in February 2004. It was their 16th win in 16 games. The Foundry Bar sponsored Perthshire Rugby Club's Second IV. In October 2001 Gordon Brown took time out from pulling pints to present new strips to captain Andy Sinclair and vice-captain Rob Hughes. The new Blairgowrie Rugby Club was officially opened in May 2001. Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie performed the honours. Perthshire Rugby Club take a break from training at Bell's Sports Centre. Can you recognise any of the players from January 2000? Scotland rugby coach Jim Telfer was tackled by these youngsters during a visit to Craigclowan in January 2000. He was there to pass on some tips. More success for the Craigclowan School rugby team in October 1999. Does anyone know which trophy they were showing off? Rowen Shepherd, Kevin McKenzie, Dave McIvor showing off the new Caledonia Reds tops at McDiarmid Park in Perth in September 1996. The former North and Midlands team had taken on a new name. A match between Morgan FP and Perthshire in October 1992. The game was played in Dundee. Perthshire Ladies posing with new team shirts in December 1991. They were sponsored by the Half a Sixpence pub in Perth. Coaching during a summer camp at Struan in Perthshire in August 1990. The week-long camp was organised by the Scottish Schoolboys Club and Scottish Rugby Union for 140 of the most promising young players in Scotland. Youngsters at the rugby camp at Struan in August 1989. Alistair Christie and Kevin McKenzie were coaching the young players. A line out during a game between Perthshire and Howe of Fife. It took place at the North Inch in January 1975. Perthshire rugby team played Stirling County in a friendly at the North Inch. The game took place in September 1975. The Perthshire side line up at North Inch in December 1971. The club began life on its current home in January 1868 when it played its first game against the Scots Greys with around 8,000 people in attendance. It is the final image in our rugby gallery.
ABC News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
PNG government increases spending on basketball
Over the past week, photos of Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape playing basketball have been making waves on PNG social media. In one playful caption, the Prime minister is tagged as Lebron James Marape, an ode to NBA superstar Lebron James. The photos were taken at the launching of a Golden Oldies competition, a new campaign to get retired people in their forties, fifties and sixties to exercise and live healthy. Basketball PNG President David Peter says the tournament comes as the federation picked up 1 point 3 million kina from Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited to take part in four international events including the Mini Pacific Games and the Pacific Games.
The South African
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Remember the Four Rugby World Cup Golden Oldies
The Springboks won the Rugby World Cup with one of the most experienced squads in their history. Let's remember Golden Oldies who retired or are in their twilight years. An immense bomb squad front-row option. Trevor also proved that he has immaculate dance moves. His story came full circle when he appeared off the bench in the 2023 final after heartbreakingly missing out on the majority of the 2019 showpiece in Yokohama with injury. That's after getting injured in the opening pool game against New Zealand. Photo of Trevor Nyakane with the Webb Ellis. Image via Instagram @trevornyakane This is a criminally underrated creative player. Always there to provide the telling assist or the pre-assist, Willie has often been the target of criticism when he's opted to go the aerial route with his tactical kicking. Now he has two World Cup winners' medals. As one of just four players in the 2023 RWC squad born in the 80s, does he have another one in him? The epitome of a late bloomer, Capetonian Fourie only got his first cap in June 2022, becoming the oldest debutant in Springbok history. The Stormers man made up for lost time, becoming an invaluable Bomb Squad option with his aggressive, forward-thinking playing style. He played a pivotal role in the 2023 final when Bongi Mbonambi went off injured early in the contest. A timely reminder that it's never too late to shine. Meanwhile, Man of the Match in 2019, the imposing frame of Vermeulen was integral again for the Springboks as they claimed back-to-back William Webb Ellis crowns. We will miss his experience and understated presence now he's called time on a glittering career. The best South African number 8 in history? Who is your favourite Springbok Golden Oldie from the 2023 Rugby World Cup? Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
