Latest news with #StuartMann
The South African
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The South African
Two Oceans Marathon organisers respond to High Court ruling
The Two Oceans Marathon NPC has responded to the ruling handed down by the Gauteng High Court on Thursday. The social media post read: 'The Two Oceans Marathon NPC acknowledges the recent High Court judgment concerning public commentary made about the organisation and its leadership. 'While the matter was dismissed, we note that the judgement was based on procedural grounds – 𝙣𝙤𝙩 on the factual correctness, ethical appropriateness or moral acceptability of the statements made. It therefore cannot be said that the statements made were found to be truthful, justified, or ethically appropriate. 'As an organisation, we welcome constructive criticism and learn profoundly from it. However, we believe that such engagement must be 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘴, including runners, those who serve the organisation, suppliers and stakeholders. 'As one of Africa's most iconic running events, we value fair criticism and a spirit of public engagement that falls within the boundaries of what can be considered fundamentally decent and respectful.' In the Gauteng High Court case between Two Oceans chairperson Toni Cavanagh (first applicant) and the Two Oceans Marathon NPC (second applicant) and Stuart Mann (respondent), the Honourable Judge Yacoob ruled emphatically against Cavanagh and the TOM NPC granting a costs order on scale C (the most severe possible outcome). This will reportedly cost Cavanagh and the TOM NPC around R400 000. Whether Cavanagh will cough up the cash herself or turn to the NPC for help remains to be seen. The full 15-page judgement can be found HERE This developing news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. The future of the Two Oceans Marathon is in serious doubt after the City of Cape Town pulled its sponsorship of the event following a number of flagrant contraventions of conditions by the organisers of this year's race. Organisers were on the receiving end of more criticism this year – as is seemingly the case every year – as runners took to social media in their droves to vent their unhappiness and frustration. Runners lashed out at the organisers for – among many other things – shocking (read: no) communication pre-race, a lack of sufficient markings on the trail race, goodie bags hardly worth taking home, a lack of water tables during the race and running out of medals for finishers. Race director Hilton Kearns is on record as saying they 'overcompensated in predicting the number of silver medallists they expected and did not have enough bronze medals'. This was proven to be a lie by well-known South African runner and blogger, Stuart Mann, who, writing on his blog ' The Running Mann ' this week exposed the latest untruth. Mann ran the numbers and the percentage of silver medallists in the Two Oceans Half Marathon has been the same for the last three years: 1.3%. A mere 234 runners earned silver medals, while 17 443 runners earned bronze this year. The real reason the race ran out of thousands of bronze medals was the fact they accepted – and took payment for – more entries than they were allowed by the City of Cape Town. Meanwhile, according to Two Oceans chairperson Toni Cavanagh, the race has struggled to rope in enough sponsors since emerging from the Covid pandemic a few years ago. While they appreciated the support from current headline sponsor Totalsports – and the runners who paid entry fees – they are falling short of the claimed nearly R27 million required to organise the event. RELATED | Tributes pour in for runner after tragic death at Two Oceans Marathon In the irony of all ironies, just two short years ago prior to taking over as Two Oceans chairperson, Cavanagh took to social media to slate the race organisers following her 'fudging ridiculous' experience at race collection back in 2023. The South African website has in its possession a letter of demand to cease and desist from the Two Oceans Marathon NPC and Toni Cavanagh sent to Mann on Wednesday. The South African website also has it on good authority that Mann plans to neither cease nor desist from exposing the truth. It appears clear that the City of Cape Town is siding with Mann – and the truth. In a response sent to The South African website on Thursday, the City confirmed: 'Following the Two Oceans Half Marathon on Sunday, 6 April 2025, the City of Cape Town's Events Permitting Office discovered that the Two Oceans Marathon race management allowed more participants to take part in the half marathon than what was approved in the official permit. 'The Two Oceans Marathon race management contravened conditions of its permit and subsequently the Events By-Law by allowing more than the permitted number of runners to take part. 'This is a complete disregard of the months of work behind the scenes to plan the logistics and safety measures in place around the event. 'The contravention of stipulated permit conditions places at risk the safety of people taking part in events. 'The sponsorship agreement between the City of Cape Town and the agreement between the City and the Two Oceans Marathon NPC is clear that any breach of permit will result in the municipality pulling sponsorship of the event. 'The Two Oceans Marathon NPC was notified of the City's decision withdraw support on 10 April 2025. 'The City provides support in kind in the form of municipal services which assist in the event safety and logistics planning for the Two Oceans Marathon. 'The City's actions pertain specifically to its sponsorship of the Two Oceans Marathon – the Event Organiser can continue to apply for permits through the normal channels, as they are required to do in any event – irrespective of City sponsorship.' Quite how the Two Oceans Marathon plans on holding an event without the sponsorship of the City of Cape Town remains to be seen, considering the lack of funding alluded to by the organisers themselves. Whether any other sponsors wish to come on board and be associated with the race and its current Board remains to be seen. In addition, race founder Celtic Harriers (a club which still receives royalties from the Two Oceans brand, but is no longer involved in the organisation) has said it wants to meet with the Two Oceans board out of concern for the future of the race. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Our picturesque countryside became an eyesore ‘concrete jungle' in 72 HOURS thanks to fleet of caravans
NEIGHBOURS claim their picturesque countryside village became a "concrete jungle"' just 72 hours after a fleet of caravans moved in. The plot of land in Burtonwood, Cheshire has been completely transformed after diggers and excavators moved on to the site last month. Advertisement 3 The site is located on green belt land and could be a planning violation Credit: SWNS 3 It was turned into a 'concrete jungle' just 72 hours after the sale went through Credit: SWNS Work began at 6pm on May 23 - just hours after the sale of the six-acre site was approved. Locals reported that excavators and tipper trucks were working through the night to convert the once-green field into a gravel The work was conducted on greenbelt land without planning permission, leaving residents frustrated. During three days of unauthorised work, half the field was covered in hardcore, and a 10ft-high wooden fence was erected around the boundary. Advertisement Read more News Since then, over a dozen caravans and other vehicles have moved onto the site. Given its status as a greenbelt, residents have complained that the land should be used solely for agricultural purposes. While the new inhabitants have filed a retrospective planning application, Warrington Borough Councillor Stuart Mann has confirmed that an investigation has been launched. Mann told the Mail that he had received 'hundreds' of emails while more than 50 people turned up to his surgery to Advertisement Most read in The Sun Locals also vented their concerns on social media. Shocking moment biker yob drags hero cop down road after fleeing during arrest for doing wheelies in town-centre Another added: "Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place. Stuart has raised the issue with the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, as well as the MP for Warrington North. Advertisement He said: "I have received, from borough council planning and enforcement teams, that a retrospective planning application has been received, but that it is yet to be validated. "Any such application has to be determined on its relative merits. "This will take a number of weeks." Vice chairman of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council Nigel Catlow described it as a Advertisement Writing to the council he said: "The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend. "This is of An enforcement notice has been taken to the site, but Stuart said it could take weeks for the issue to be It is particularly difficult as Stuart highlighted that it is "important for it to be known the people who have done this own the land." Advertisement Commenters on the article shared similar incidents in their own villages as one said: "We've had a similar situation and it is now years down the line and the council seem to find it impossible to do anything about it." Others were less sympathetic, using it as an opportunity to mock the council's lack of effiency. One said: "They sound like better organisers than most councils and government departments." Cheshire Police and Scottish Power have also been informed. Advertisement 3 Locals have complained to the council about the development Credit: SWNS
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Our picturesque countryside became an eyesore ‘concrete jungle' in 72 HOURS thanks to fleet of caravans
The issue could take weeks to be resolved PAIN IN THE GRASS Our picturesque countryside became an eyesore 'concrete jungle' in 72 HOURS thanks to fleet of caravans Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEIGHBOURS claim their picturesque countryside village became a "concrete jungle"' just 72 hours after a fleet of caravans moved in. The plot of land in Burtonwood, Cheshire has been completely transformed after diggers and excavators moved on to the site last month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The site is located on green belt land and could be a planning violation Credit: SWNS 3 It was turned into a 'concrete jungle' just 72 hours after the sale went through Credit: SWNS Work began at 6pm on May 23 - just hours after the sale of the six-acre site was approved. Locals reported that excavators and tipper trucks were working through the night to convert the once-green field into a gravel caravan site. The work was conducted on greenbelt land without planning permission, leaving residents frustrated. During three days of unauthorised work, half the field was covered in hardcore, and a 10ft-high wooden fence was erected around the boundary. Since then, over a dozen caravans and other vehicles have moved onto the site. Given its status as a greenbelt, residents have complained that the land should be used solely for agricultural purposes. While the new inhabitants have filed a retrospective planning application, Warrington Borough Councillor Stuart Mann has confirmed that an investigation has been launched. Mann told the Mail that he had received 'hundreds' of emails while more than 50 people turned up to his surgery to complain. Locals also vented their concerns on social media. Shocking moment biker yob drags hero cop down road after fleeing during arrest for doing wheelies in town-centre One wrote: "Breach!? It's a s****** concrete jungle!!!!" Another added: "Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place. Stuart has raised the issue with the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, as well as the MP for Warrington North. He said: "I have received, from borough council planning and enforcement teams, that a retrospective planning application has been received, but that it is yet to be validated. "Any such application has to be determined on its relative merits. "This will take a number of weeks." Vice chairman of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council Nigel Catlow described it as a "very serious and fast-moving issue." Writing to the council he said: "The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend. "This is of great concern to many residents and council taxpayers in Burtonwood and the wider area of Warrington West." An enforcement notice has been taken to the site, but Stuart said it could take weeks for the issue to be resolved. It is particularly difficult as Stuart highlighted that it is "important for it to be known the people who have done this own the land." Commenters on the article shared similar incidents in their own villages as one said: "We've had a similar situation and it is now years down the line and the council seem to find it impossible to do anything about it." Others were less sympathetic, using it as an opportunity to mock the council's lack of effiency. One said: "They sound like better organisers than most councils and government departments." Cheshire Police and Scottish Power have also been informed.
The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Our picturesque countryside became an eyesore ‘concrete jungle' in 72 HOURS thanks to fleet of caravans
NEIGHBOURS claim their picturesque countryside village became a "concrete jungle"' just 72 hours after a fleet of caravans moved in. The plot of land in Burtonwood, Cheshire has been completely transformed after diggers and excavators moved on to the site last month. 3 3 Work began at 6pm on May 23 - just hours after the sale of the six-acre site was approved. Locals reported that excavators and tipper trucks were working through the night to convert the once-green field into a gravel caravan site. The work was conducted on greenbelt land without planning permission, leaving residents frustrated. During three days of unauthorised work, half the field was covered in hardcore, and a 10ft-high wooden fence was erected around the boundary. Since then, over a dozen caravans and other vehicles have moved onto the site. Given its status as a greenbelt, residents have complained that the land should be used solely for agricultural purposes. While the new inhabitants have filed a retrospective planning application, Warrington Borough Councillor Stuart Mann has confirmed that an investigation has been launched. Mann told the Mail that he had received 'hundreds' of emails while more than 50 people turned up to his surgery to complain. Locals also vented their concerns on social media. Shocking moment biker yob drags hero cop down road after fleeing during arrest for doing wheelies in town-centre One wrote:"Breach!? It's a s****** concrete jungle!!!!" Another added: "Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place. Stuart has raised the issue with the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council, as well as the MP for Warrington North. He said: "I have received, from borough council planning and enforcement teams, that a retrospective planning application has been received, but that it is yet to be validated. "Any such application has to be determined on its relative merits. "This will take a number of weeks." Vice chairman of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council Nigel Catlow described it as a "very serious and fast-moving issue." Writing to the council he said: "The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend. "This is of great concern to many residents and council taxpayers in Burtonwood and the wider area of Warrington West." An enforcement notice has been taken to the site, but Stuart said it could take weeks for the issue to be resolved. It is particularly difficult as Stuart highlighted that it is "important for it to be known the people who have done this own the land." Commenters on the article shared similar incidents in their own villages as one said: "We've had a similar situation and it is now years down the line and the council seem to find it impossible to do anything about it." Others were less sympathetic, using it as an opportunity to mock the council's lack of effiency. One said: "They sound like better organisers than most councils and government departments." Cheshire Police and Scottish Power have also been informed. 3
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Outrage after travellers destroy greenbelt field and turn it into 'concrete jungle' without planning permission in less than 72 hours
A group of travellers have provoked outrage after they razed a field on greenbelt land without planning permission and turned it into a gravel car park - in just 72 hours. Diggers and excavators moved onto the plot, in the village of Burtonwood, near Warrington, Cheshire, and started the unauthorised work over the Bank Holiday weekend last month. They covered half the field in hardcore and also erected a 10ft-high wooden fence around the boundary. It is understood the travellers bought the six-acre site legitimately and the sale went through on Friday May 23. Work began just hours later, at 6pm that evening, and villagers reported excavators and tipper trucks working through the night to remove soil and replace it with concrete, completing the job in less than three days. Before and after aerial photographs show the extent of the destruction and more than a dozen caravans and other vehicles have since moved onto the site. Although a retrospective planning application has now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council, local councillor Stuart Mann confirmed an investigation had been launched following complaints from local residents, who say the land is green belt and should be for agricultural use only. Mr Mann said he had received 'hundreds' of emails and more than 50 people turned up at his surgery to express concerns about the development. He confirmed planners had issued an enforcement notice to the travellers but admitted the issue could take weeks to resolve. Cheshire police and Scottish Power, who supply electricity to the area and investigate unauthorised attempts to tap into the mains supply, have also been informed, he said. 'I have met with the chief executive of Warrington Borough Council and the MP for Warrington North to raise our ongoing concerns regarding the development on Farmers Lane,' he said. 'I have received, from borough council planning and enforcement teams, that a retrospective planning application has been received, but that it is yet to be validated. 'Any such application has to be determined on its relative merits. This will take a number of weeks.' Nigel Catlow, vice chairman, of Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council, described it as a 'very serious and fast-moving issue.' In a letter to the council, he said: 'The landowners appear to be in serious breach, making the most of the Bank Holiday and the council being on a long weekend. 'This is of great concern to many residents and council taxpayers in Burtonwood and the wider area of Warrington West.' Locals took to social media to express their concerns, with one saying: 'The transformation is shocking.' Another, Jacqui Worrall, wrote: 'Breach!?.. it's a s****** concrete jungle!!!!' While Ray Houghton added: 'Blame the person who sold the land to them in the first place. The people doing this have no respect for the laws.' Mr Mann said it was 'important for it to be known the people who have done this own the land.' 'Concerns have been raised and the council needs to ensure that necessary checks and balances have been put in place,' he added. A spokesman for Warrington Borough Council confirmed that it had 'established a priority enforcement case' over the situation in Burtonwood. 'We have received a report about a potential breach of planning on land off Farmers Lane in Burtonwood and are currently investigating the issue.'
