Last year the fair was called the “Frost Fair” and was knee deep in snow that fell early in the season.

This year the organisers didn’t want to take any chances so they scaled the event down and held it inside the Gateshead Heritage Centre at St.Mary’s Church.

The problem is they didn’t make it obvious to visitors where the event was actually being held and a lot of people, me included, were walking around the outside of the Sage, where it was held last year, looking for the stalls.

I was asked by a number of people where the event was as they couldn’t find the stalls and I asked the security person on duty and he directed us to the inside of the church.

A beautiful setting for the event and a lot warmer. However I have no doubt that numbers will have been down due to the downscaling and lack of directions for the public.

The Reindeer were a hit again this year, even though they had been cut back to just 3 animals.

The image that Gateshead council used to promote the event on their FaceBook Page did nothing to inspire people either. It looked as if they had got someone with a point and shoot compact to go out to a pen somewhere and grab a quick shot. It was dull and lifeless. Come on Gateshead Council make a bit of an effort! I even tried to supply you with an image you could have used FOC but nobody in the Communications department could do anything as the one person who deals with it was off!

Anyway, below are some shots of the event, let’s hope the Enchanted Parks at Saltwell is a little more inspiring.

What would normally be a great day, for participants and spectators alike, has been overshadowed by the deaths of 4 male runners today.

The temperatures and sunshine are being attributed as the only explanation as to why these men died.

It is a very sad loss and my thoughts go out to their families and friends.

I must admit that today was the busiest I have ever seen the emergency services along the course in the years I have covered this event. Only a few years ago the event was moved to a later date in the year to avoid the heat after runners had died or collapsed with exhaustion. Maybe we will see this event moved further back still, into October maybe.

I captured one runner, Nicholas Longworth, just after he had come across the Tyne Bridge, in last position, and was amazed that he was running in a full suit of medieval armour! He looked positively worn out and seemed as if he was ready to give up. I have checked the official BUPA website to see if he made it to the finish but there is no record for him in the list of finished runners.

I have found him on Facebook and have sent him a message to make sure he is ok, if and when I hear from him I will update this post.

Update: Nicholas has posted on his Facebook page that he did 3 hours and 5 and a bit miles.  He’s feeling a bit sore and bruised but in good spirits.

He plans to do it again next year with a walking buddy to feed him along the route.

I for one look forward to seeing him succeed next year and will certainly make a donation to his chosen fund, I might even walk the course with him and catalogue his progress, if he’ll let me.

All the best Nicholas and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Nicholas Longworth Bupa Great North Run 2011

Once again the ¡VAMOS! festival brought the “Picnic in the Park” to Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

The weather was perfect for the event with broken cloud and sunshine all day long and an atmosphere that was electric.

The acts and fun came thick and fast with DJ’s Henry Montunno and Alx Alfaro, The Sage Gateshead’s Youth Ensemble “Rhythm Nation”,  Paco Bethencourt, Mary Adine Bethencourt and Lluis Lleo Oller Gallegos.

DJ Montunno gave a fun for all Salsa dance class and a very entertaining “pass the baton” game set to some great Latin American sounds.

The very talented Paco Bethencourt, Mary Adine Bethencourt and Lluis Lleo Oller Gallegos held a Flamenco dance workshop that had everybody up and getting involved. After this they invited the children in the audience to come and play some instruments with them and a chance to sing with Mary.

Food was provided and cooked on-site  by McKenna’s Restaurant of Newcastle. I tried the Paella and have to say it was one of the best I have ever tasted in this country.

Another great success for the ¡VAMOS! team who put their heart and soul into this festival and arrange a whole series of fantastic events around the region.

The next event I will be attending will be “Roots Rhythm” on Thursday 7th July 19:30 – Midnight at the Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn, Newcastle where, amongst others, Rumba NE will be performing. For full details visit the event’s Facebook page and for details of the rest of the festival, including the finale at South Shields, visit the main iVAMOS! programme

Here’s a taster of the day, the rest of the images can be viewed on my Flickr set.

The following are some events that are coming up in the North East region over the next couple of months that could be of interest to photographers.

Bowes Railway and Classic Cars Day

On the 26th June 2011 there is the Bowes Railway Steam Day and Classic Cars Day, at the Bowes Railway Museum, Springwell Village, Gateshead NE9 7QJ

Vamos! Picnic.