Latest news with #IanBarnes
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darlington grandad sets British 800 metres record for athletes aged 90 and over
An inspirational grandad has set a new British athletics record – at the age of 90. Ian Barnes, of Darlington, has achieved a new UK 800 metres record of 4 minutes 34.4 seconds in the 90 to 94-year-olds category. The record-breaking race, governed by the North East Masters Athletics Association, was staged at Jarrow's Monkton Stadium last week. Ian Barnes after breaking the record at Monkton Stadium (Image: Peter Barron) In recognition of his achievement, Ian was given an ovation by hundreds of fellow runners at Saturday's Darlington parkrun where he is a regular participant and volunteer. The previous 800m record, set in 1999, was 4 minutes 39 seconds, and Ian admitted: 'My time was rather better than I'd hoped. I was nowhere near it in training, but the adrenaline must have kicked in, so I was really chuffed.' Ian revealed he'd been training alone over the past few weeks at Eastbourne sports complex, in Darlington, to prepare for the record attempt. The retired legal executive, who founded the Darlington parkrun in 2012, was already a record-breaker in three events in the over-85s category: 1,500m (7:38.41); mile (8:10.40); and 3,000 metres (16.34.42). However, he was waiting until he could qualify for the 90-plus category before attempting any new records. In the record-breaking race at Monkton Stadium, Ian was up against nine other veteran athletes, most of them in their 60s and 70s, with one competitor who was 80. Ian has also recently set a new mile record for 90 to 94-year-olds but kept it quiet because he was 'a bit disappointed' with the time of 11 minutes. His daughter, Justine, who is visiting from Australia with her daughter Rachael, was at Jarrow to see Ian set the 800 metres record. 'We're all super proud of him – he's amazing,' said Justine. Ian celebrated by running the 5k Darlington parkrun with Justine on Saturday, when an announcement was made about his record-breaking exploits. Ian Barnes and daughter Justine complete the Darlington parkrun on Saturday (Image: Peter Barron) He discovered a love of running as a young man during national service in The Army. It has been a passion throughout his life, and he has served as president and chair of Darlington Harriers. Last month, he was honoured at the Darlington Sports Winners Grand Final, at Darlington Hippodrome, for making an outstanding contribution to sport. Ian's wife, Margaret, recently passed away and he says that running has helped him cope with the loss. 'It helps you focus on something positive, rather than staying in the house brooding,' he said. Asked for the secret to longevity, he said: 'Don't stop moving – keep going as long as you can.' His next ambition is to set a new 1,500 metres record and to improve on his mile record.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Darlington grandad sets British 800 metres record for athletes aged 90 and over
An inspirational grandad has set a new British athletics record – at the age of 90. Ian Barnes, of Darlington, has achieved a new UK 800 metres record of 4 minutes 34.4 seconds in the 90 to 94-year-olds category. The record-breaking race, governed by the North East Masters Athletics Association, was staged at Jarrow's Monkton Stadium last week. Ian Barnes after breaking the record at Monkton Stadium (Image: Peter Barron) In recognition of his achievement, Ian was given an ovation by hundreds of fellow runners at Saturday's Darlington parkrun where he is a regular participant and volunteer. The previous 800m record, set in 1999, was 4 minutes 39 seconds, and Ian admitted: 'My time was rather better than I'd hoped. I was nowhere near it in training, but the adrenaline must have kicked in, so I was really chuffed.' Ian revealed he'd been training alone over the past few weeks at Eastbourne sports complex, in Darlington, to prepare for the record attempt. The retired legal executive, who founded the Darlington parkrun in 2012, was already a record-breaker in three events in the over-85s category: 1,500m (7:38.41); mile (8:10.40); and 3,000 metres (16.34.42). However, he was waiting until he could qualify for the 90-plus category before attempting any new records. In the record-breaking race at Monkton Stadium, Ian was up against nine other veteran athletes, most of them in their 60s and 70s, with one competitor who was 80. Ian has also recently set a new mile record for 90 to 94-year-olds but kept it quiet because he was 'a bit disappointed' with the time of 11 minutes. His daughter, Justine, who is visiting from Australia with her daughter Rachael, was at Jarrow to see Ian set the 800 metres record. 'We're all super proud of him – he's amazing,' said Justine. Ian celebrated by running the 5k Darlington parkrun with Justine on Saturday, when an announcement was made about his record-breaking exploits. Ian Barnes and daughter Justine complete the Darlington parkrun on Saturday (Image: Peter Barron) He discovered a love of running as a young man during national service in The Army. It has been a passion throughout his life, and he has served as president and chair of Darlington Harriers. Last month, he was honoured at the Darlington Sports Winners Grand Final, at Darlington Hippodrome, for making an outstanding contribution to sport. Ian's wife, Margaret, recently passed away and he says that running has helped him cope with the loss. 'It helps you focus on something positive, rather than staying in the house brooding,' he said. Asked for the secret to longevity, he said: 'Don't stop moving – keep going as long as you can.' His next ambition is to set a new 1,500 metres record and to improve on his mile record.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
50 not out – half-century milestone for Darlington sports awards
Looking back on an important anniversary for the Darlington Sports Winners Awards – and what a night it was! PETER BARRON hosted the event HALF a century is a splendid innings on anyone's scoresheet – and such a special milestone deserved a special stage. Advertisement It is, therefore, a pleasure to report that the 50th anniversary of the Darlington Sports Winners Awards Grand Final, held at Darlington Hippodrome, was a spectacular success. The magnificent old theatre was rammed from stalls to circle as the stars of grass roots sport in the Darlington area – from children to a 90-year-old top of the bill – were celebrated. But let's start with those who didn't seek any awards – the organisers who have given their time to keep the awards going for so long. Take a bow Brian Dobinson, Paul Foreman, Paul Bielby, Liz Blaylock, Ali Raw, Mark Dobinson, and Tom Nutt – you have played a blinder. Advertisement Brian Dobinson, who is stepping down from the committee after more than 30 years, deserves special thanks. He said: 'I have been involved with the Darlington Sports Winners Scheme for many, many years and I can honestly say that this year's Grand Final was simply an amazing experience and was the best final we have ever hosted.' Highlights included Ian Barnes – veteran athlete and founder of the Darlington parkrun – receiving a standing ovation at the end of the night. Ian Barnes with Paralympian Lyndon Longhorne (Image: Chris Barron) Ian, who was 90 this year, was awarded The Alasdair MacConachie Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport. Advertisement He holds three British records in the over-85s category for the 1,500 metres, mile, and 3,000 metres, and is now aiming to set new UK bests in the over-90s age bracket. He has served as president and chair of Darlington Harriers, and was instrumental in launching the Darlington parkrun in 2012. Even at the age of 90, no matter the weather, Ian spends his Saturday mornings either running the 5k course or volunteering to enable others to take part. Another popular winner, for a Lifetime of Achievement, was Dave Watson for his service to Darlington Quoits Club – the oldest quoits club in the world, having been founded in 1846. Advertisement Dave has been a member of the club for 55 years, has been president twice, captain three times, and is now treasurer. He coaches young people, as well as members of the newly-formed women's team, and gives talks in school on the history of quoits. The Ron Lewis Trophy, remembering a former Darlington Mayor, was presented to 14-year-old world champion Thai boxer Theo Spinks as the night's "winner of winners". Theo, who had won Secondary Sports Achiever earlier in the ceremony, overcame the odds after being diagnosed with Perthes Disease as a four-year-old, and told her could never take part in contact sports. Advertisement However, he went on to take up Thai boxing, rose up the ranks, and returned from Bangkok last year with the world title. Another moving moment came when Abbie Etherson, 15, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, won the Disability Award for becoming a gold medallist at the International Union of Kettlebell Lifting World Championships in Corfu. Due to her success, the international federation has been inspired to look into new ways to give lifters with different disabilities access to the sport. Star guests for the awards included Paralympic swimmer Lyndon Longhorne, and Darlington golfer, Ellie Givens, who is a regular on the European Ladies' Tour. Advertisement Lyndon, who lost both legs and an arm through meningitis as a baby, had members of the audience in tears when he announced: "Go out there and achieve your dreams because anything is possible." He is now in training to become the first quadruple amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon in under 24 hours. North East athletics legend Steve Cram, who is celebrating 40 years since breaking three world records in 19 days, sent an inspirational message by video. Another message was sent by Darlington-born footballer James Morrison, now first team coach at West Bromwich Albion and the Scotland national team. Advertisement St Teresa's Hospice was also among the winners, with a raffle, plus an auction for signed Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Darlington shirts, raising £2,000 for the charity. The event was made possible by headline sponsor Woodlands Hospital, supported by Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Rotary, Darlington Hippodrome, West End Marketing, Tom Craddock Football Academy, and Move More Darlington. In between the awards, the packed audience was superbly entertained by Voices of Darlington, Well-Versed Community Choir, Seven Dance Troup, and football juggler Jay Rosa, an expert in what's commonly known as "keepy-uppy". It was a joy for me to host such a memorable community celebration, and congratulations to everyone involved in keeping the ball in the air for half a century. Advertisement ROLL OF HONOUR Primary Sports Achiever: Orlagh Everson. Primary School Team: Mowden Juniors Boys Football Team. Secondary Sports Achiever: Theo Spinks. Secondary School/Further Education Team: Carmel College Under-19s Netball Team. Disability Award: Abbie Etherson. Service to Sport: Sam Ions (Rockliffe Park Cricket Club). Club/Team Award: Darlington Harriers Junior Endurance Team. Lifetime Achievement: Dave Watson (Darlington Quoits Club). Brian Jones Cup for Team of the Year: Darlington Storm Superstars Basketball Team. Ron Lewis Trophy, presented by Darlington Rotary for the winner of winners: Theo Spinks. Mulheim Trophy: Darlington RA Under-15s Football Team. Alasdair MaConachie Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport: Ian Barnes.
ITV News
04-07-2025
- Science
- ITV News
Iron Age Roman settlement uncovered after rare sword find
An Iron Age Roman settlement has been discovered following a rare sword find, archaeologists have excavation near Willersey, Gloucestershire, has revealed what could be evidence of a Roman villa, marking a remarkable archaeological find that spans several centuries of British investigation began two years ago when metal detectorist, Glenn Manning, made an extraordinary discovery during a metal detecting rally. Glenn Manning, who was only on his second detecting expedition, uncovered two iron Roman cavalry said" 'Finding two swords in the same spot was amazing, the morning before the rally, I had a feeling I would find something special. I'm excited to find out more about them.' The swords were donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester, where they will form part of the museum's collection. Following the sword discovery, Historic England conducted geophysical surveys of the area, which revealed the possibility of extensive prehistoric and Roman remains. The subsequent excavations, carried out earlier this year, uncovered evidence of settlements spanning several centuries. The archaeological team discovered three or four Iron Age ring ditches, a substantial rectangular enclosure, and the remains of Roman limestone buildings, which could constitute a villa. Ian Barnes, senior archaeologist at Historic England, explained the significance of the find: 'This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of settlement patterns from the Early Iron Age through to the Roman period in Gloucestershire. "This new evidence will help us to understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman Conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time.' The long swords, known as 'spatha,' were used by Roman cavalry from the early second century AD through to the third century AD. These weapons are contemporary with the villa, though archaeologists remain uncertain about how they came to be at the site. Peter Busby from Cotswold Archaeology praised the collaborative effort: 'I am very proud of how much our team of volunteers, professional archaeologists, and metal detectorists achieved in 15 days, despite the heavy January rain. "We turned a ploughed field, the swords, and geophysical anomalies into the story of a settlement spanning hundreds of years – the first stage in telling the history of these fields and their cavalry swords.'Further archaeological work is required before Historic England can make recommendations to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the site's protection as a scheduled Roman cavalry swords will be on display for public viewing at the Corinium Museum from 2nd August, offering visitors the opportunity to see these extraordinary artefacts that have unlocked centuries of local history.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Iron Age Roman settlement discovered in Gloucestershire
A Roman settlement from the Iron Age has been discovered following a rare sword find, archaeologists have excavation near a village in the Cotswolds revealed what could be evidence of a Roman comes after the discovery of two iron Roman cavalry swords during a metal detecting event near Willersey in Gloucestershire two years swords were later donated to the Corinium Museum in Cirencester. Historic England then carried out surveys of the area where the swords were found which revealed the possibility of widespread prehistoric and Romano-British earlier this year found evidence of settlements stretching across several include several Iron Age ring ditches, a giant rectangular enclosure and remains of Roman limestone buildings. The long swords found are believed to have been used by the Romans on horseback from early in the second century AD through to the third century not known how they ended up at the site. "This excavation provides valuable insights into the nature of settlement patterns from the Early Iron Age through to the Roman period in Gloucestershire," said Ian Barnes who is a senior archaeologist at Historic England. "This new evidence will help us to understand more about what happened around the period of the Roman Conquest, which must have been a tumultuous time."More archaeological work will need to be carried out, and Historic England could then recommend to the government that the area should be recognised as a nationally important archaeological site.
