London Marathon 2012 Wk 14: Olympic Park Circuit

Run of the week was a "circuit" (of sorts)  around the London Olympics

2012 Park in Stratford.

I ran from Forest Gate to the Greenway at West Ham. The Greenway was blocked off at the High Street. I tried to rejoin via Blaker Road but this was fenced off. So I went along the canal to Marshgate Lane and eventually came back on the Greenway, stopping off at the view tube to take pictures of the Olympic stadium and the Orbit (see right).

The Orbit at the moment does remind me of the monster aliens from HG Wells "War of the Worlds". But I have little doubt it will eventually become a poplar icon.

Past the Second World War pill box and anti-tank defences then Old Ford Canal Lock.  Do you remember Chris Evans and "The Big Breakfast"? It was filmed here at the Lock Keepers cottage. I use to cycle into work along the towpath and wave at Chris and his guests filming in the garden (they never waved back).  I ran along the towpath (the area has totally changed - there are now Art Galleries, cafes and residential blocks) until the Eastway.  Then there was a long bit of road and pavement towards Spitalfields Market.

I wasted time trying to find a way to cross the A12 at the Asda Retail Park (there isn't one). There were groups of people at the retail park being taken on a guided view point tours around the Olympic site. Eventually made it back to Forest Gate past Leyton Underground and West Ham Cemetery. I was supposed to be running for 90 minutes but it took me 2 hours. It was a good run but a bit of a slog from Leyton onwards. I will post other pictures from the run on FaceBook.

I am running the London marathon in April 2012 sort of using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless Youth charity "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

Big Bang Canvass and Leafleting in Leyton

Received today this lively flyer via UNISON Labour Link with request from Walthamstow CLP for assistance in the Leyton ward by-election. Picture of Labour Candidate Khevyn Limbajee (right) who is standing against (amongst others) Big Brother “page 3 Sun model” Carole Vincent (believed to be standing for anti-Galloway dissRespect/SWP)


Big Bang Canvass and Leafleting in Leyton

In addition to the important normal schedule we are organising special evening and day blitzes. So please come along and help us in this crucial by-election and meet members from across London, the South East and beyond.


Thursday 31st January 6pm 101 Vicarage Road E10 -finding Labour voters in our quieter streets

Sunday 3rd February 12noon 16 Brunswick Road E10 - canvassing and leaflet delivery

Thursday 7th February 6pm 74 Windsor Road E10 - campaigning round the Orient

Saturday 9th February 12noon 74 Windsor Road E10 - firming up the Labour vote on the estates

And don’t forget the big day
Thursday 14th February.

Contact numbers
Terry Wheeler 07903755943
Chris Robbins 07904590526

Big Brother’s Carole Vincent is Candidate with No Name.

Former Big Brother contestant (and part time “Sun” model) Carole Vincent, is standing to be a Councillor in a by-election in Leyton, Waltham Forest, East London for SWP/Respect.

Due to bickering over the use of the name “Respect” between George Galloway’s “Jamaati/ Respect” and John Rees “SWP/ Respect”, she has had to stand under no political label on the ballot paper (which is pretty apt for all strands of diss-respect)

I am not going to gloat too much since this by-election follows the conviction and disqualification of the Labour Councillor Miranda Grell for “falsely branding a Liberal Democrat rival a paedophile and telling electors he had sex with teenage boys.” Miranda, who still protests her innocence, has since resigned from the Labour party.

Campaigning journalist, Khevyn Limbajee, is the excellent and well respected (in the true sense of the word) Labour Party candidate. I’ll post details about local campaign activities as soon as I can.

Hat tip to Alan G.