How Andy got back on his bike and set up his new business in Stafford Street

Take a walk past Andy Panks’ shop – AP Cycles and you’re struck by the very cool red and black bike logo – bold striking colours and a bit edgy.

I like your logo, who did it, I asked him as I walked past one day. It must have cost you a fortune?

“My son, he’s nine.”

With an answer like that, I just had to find out more, so here’s the story of how Andy got back on his bike and set up his new business – with no loans, plenty of hard work, and the support of friends, family, former customers, and of course the businesses of Stafford Street.

Pressed for time?

Here’s how Andy did it in a nutshell.

1.      My son designed my logo

2.      I refurbished my shop using recycled and reclaimed things

3.      People in the street rallied round and my customers came back

4.      I did it without having to take any loans

5.      It’s been a fantastic first year

Who can help me put a running plan together?

It’s week two of my training for Run Norwich and the Wissey half marathon, and I have to say so far I’m feeling pretty good!

This week I’ve managed two runs on Tuesday and Thursday and have the ‘long’ run planned for Sunday.

 But since it’s been a while since I’ve done any proper event running, I’ve decided to seek out a training plan. Yet I think I need a bit of help to find the right one for me.

Let’s be brief the trouble with running is its pants!

Why can’t you buy running briefs anymore?

A friend of mine posted a very interesting question on Facebook this week. He was going away for three nights and thus wanted to know that all important question – how many pairs of pants should he pack?

There are a couple of answers here which you can select as appropriate:

 1.      3

2.      4

3.      6

4.      8

5.      1  (the Helen Mirren – don’t worry I’ll explain later)

6. 0

Or to explain in more detail

3 – keeps you covered

4 –  gives you a ‘plus one’ option

6 – is a twice a day change, like an evening wear option, so to speak

8 – is the same as four but you double your money, just in case

1 – is the Helen Mirren option (apparently, she never takes luggage when she travels but buys her clothes from charity shops when she gets there – I read that in a newspaper interview once, so it must be correct).

0 – the Pointless answer

But it got me thinking about a burning question of mine – why can’t you buy running briefs anymore?

 

Mr Bremner’s big run for the miners

October 25 1984 was a big news day in Norwich. At Carrow Road a fire was engufling the City Stand which was keeping the reporters and photographers busy.

So busy, in fact, that they almost missed another little piece of history that was about to play out outside City Hall, one that reaches back into Norwich’s political heritage.

You might know Bert Bremner – certainly if, like me, you went to Mile Cross Middle School where he taught for many years, you’d be hard pressed not too.

He’s a teacher you never forget, who alongside Mr (Colin) Foster and Mr (Paul) Davies helped get me into running via the school’s cross country club, and my first ever event a ‘fun run’ round Norfolk Showground. I’d have been about nine or so, so my love of running has been with me throughout my life, and it’s those teachers I have to thank. They also encouraged me to write school football reports, so I see now how they sowed the seeds of my career as a writer too.

Bert’s recently called time on his career as a Norfolk county councillor for the university ward, where he was succeeded at the recent election by Dave Rowntree of Blur fame.

But we’re still in touch on Facebook and when Bert, or ‘Sir’, as I still think of him, posted some pictures showing his younger self kitted out for a run in support of striking miners, I went to see him to find out more.

 

Bert Bremner recalls his big run for the miners. Main pic Bert, left, and his running buddy John at Newark

 

End of an era for Umberto as Vegan restaurant gets set to open in St Benedict’s Street

For nearly 25 years he has been a feature of Norwich’s restaurant scene.

But now Umberto Iannello is calling it a day with plans to put his feet up and to travel – including a trip to see his daughter in San Francisco, and spending more time in Southern Italy where he was born.

The 78-year-old has been at the helm of Umberto’s in St Benedict’s Street since October 1992, serving his own blend of fine Italian and rustic dishes.

But on March 15 the restaurant closed its doors for the last time following a sale of the leasehold to new buyers.

 

I’ve just signed up to Run Norwich 2017

After much ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’ – I’ve decided to bite the bullet and sign up to Run Norwich for the third time.

After taking part in the first two I’d been giving serious thought about whether to make it third time lucky.

But here’s the thing, my running this year has lacked the focus of having an event to train for.

It was time to get back in the game, give myself a reason to get out in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

It was time to start again.

Adrian’s 3.2 mile run back to medieval Norwich

Running and taking in the splendours of Norwich’s medieval churches is not something, you suspect, most people would normally consider doing at the same time.

But for Adrian Galvin it is a combination which he hopes will be attractive to those looking for some trail running around the Fine City – with a bit of history thrown in.

 

Adrian Galvin

 

Why Wolf Hall has set me on the Tudor running trail

I love a good book, and Wolf Hall is supposed to be one of the best.

But the truth is it took me longer to read it than it did to train for the Edinburgh Marathon.

Guest Blog: Why it’s time to say goodbye to the dorgs at Norwich parkrun

Man’s best friend gets the boot at Eaton Park and there’s a wolf about.. or is there, wonders Milton Lindsay

Spring is in the air and a middle-aged (56-year-old) man’s thoughts turn to…remembering to put the clock forward, making sure the cricket kit is in order, cutting the lawn, listening out for the first cuckoo….

In fact almost anything but CHRISTMAS!

Yet bizarrely that is what was on my mind at Norwich Parkrun recently.