Latest news with #RichardTodd
Daily Record
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Help Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of hugely popular Sportive
The cycling event was first held in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. Lanarkshire residents are invited to help Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of its hugely popular Sportive showcase. The Armed Forces charity first saddled up for the cycling event in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. These funds have kindly been donated thanks to the 5650 cyclists who have taken part, covering hundreds of thousands of miles of cycle route, allowing Poppyscotland to support thousands of serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families who need help with issues such as housing, debt, mental health, mobility and more. With this year's event taking place on September 21, people in Lanarkshire are being encouraged to sign up now and further support Poppyscotland, whilst enjoying its 10th anniversary celebrations. Featuring four routes designed for different ability levels., it is split into two distinct types - the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles). As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick, where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton. From there, the short route continues to Gifford, while medium and long routes head towards Garvald before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Prestonpans. New for 2025, the Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path. This route is largely flat and ideal for anyone wanting a family activity, looking for an easy ride, or a fun, challenging activity to do at the weekend. Richard Todd, National Poppy appeal manager for Scotland, who will be leading this year's event, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th Poppy Scotland Sportive in September. "This event has raised an astounding £273,272 over the years with over 5000 participants hitting the roads. "Not to mention the wonderful 380 volunteers and 30 mechanics in the last 10 years who have willingly given up their spare time to help and support on the day. "Once again, we would love to see as many people as possible sign up to take part this year as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, whether you are a former participant or a first timer we will be sure to give you a warm welcome, with some great encouragement on the day. "We hope to raise as much as possible in support of our Armed Forces community, and we would be delighted if those signing up to take part would also consider setting up fundraising pages and challenging themselves with a donation target. "As little as £100 goes a long way in helping us to provide much needed support to both serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families in areas like housing, debt, mental health, and mobility. "If fundraising is not for you, perhaps when you register, you'd consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference." Entry for the Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (two adults and two children); minimum age is 12 and entry is free for riders under 16. Entry Includes: electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; tea and toast at the finish; 'King and Queen of The Heugh' timed hill climb; sweeper service; and a finishers gift.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
War epic with John Wayne and Sean Connery 'is the best D-Day movie ever made'
The Longest Day is a 1962 war film about the D-Day landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II - and it's been hailed as the best D-Day movie ever made The Longest Day, a 1962 war epic, vividly portrays the Normandy D-Day landings. The film was directed by three individuals - Ken Annakin handled the British and French exteriors, Andrew Marton oversaw the American exteriors, and Bernhard Wicki was responsible for the German scenes. The Longest Day enjoyed immense commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing black-and-white film of its era. Cornelius Ryan penned the screenplay, which was based on his own book, with additional contributions from writers Romain Gary, James Jones, Jack Seddon, and David Pursall. The Longest Day boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring the likes of John Wayne, Kenneth More, Robert Wagner, Richard Todd, Robert Mitchum, Richard Burton, Paul Anka, Steve Forrest, Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Irina Demick, and George Segal, among others. Several actors made cameo appearances in the film, and many had served in the military during the war, including Henry Fonda, Leo Genn, Eddie Albert, Kenneth More, Rod Steiger, and Richard Todd. Notably, Richard Todd was one of the first British officers to land in Normandy during Operation Overlord and took part in the assault on Pegasus Bridge, reports the Express. To ensure the film accurately represented the events of the war, the production team consulted with numerous real-life D-Day veterans, including Allied and Axis participants. Upon release, The Longest Day garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. The film earned five Academy Award nominations at the 35th Oscars, including Best Picture, and secured two wins - Best Cinematography (Black-and-White) and Best Special Effects. Critics praised the film with one reviewer hailing it as "a solid and stunning war epic". Another said: "It is hard to think of a picture, aimed and constructed as this one was, doing any more or any better or leaving one feeling any more exposed to the horror of war than this one does." In a separate review, the film was described as: "A far cry from the gore-drenched Saving Private Ryan, legendary producer Darryl F. Zanuck's heartfelt recreation of the D-Day landings is, in its own way, every bit as memorable." One critic further praised it, saying: "It is, and will most likely always remain, the definitive D-Day picture." Another fan said: "The Longest Day is the all-time top movie for D-Day..! ! Made in the 1960's and in black-n-white, it tops SPR as the go-to movie for historical accuracy.." One audience review praised the film as a definitive war classic, saying: "This is an absolute classic War movie. Yes, it is long but tells about the events of D Day from all perspectives. Steller cast." Another added: "The cast is immense and the movie is one of the greatest war movies ever made." While a third said: "A great all star movie. While Saving Private Ryan has by far the best action scene of the landings (or maybe any battle scene), this old timer still reigns for scope and retelling the story of the Normandy Invasion." The choice to present The Longest Day in black-and-white was particularly appreciated by one fan who said: "I thought it was amazing. The incredible detail and brilliant cameos. It was tragic seeing the loss of life and carnage on the beaches. I am glad it was in B/W." The Longest Day can be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
