Perfect Tecks

 Perfect Tecks

Becks & Tim 5th August 2024

In this crazy world

Where opposites attract

A small note unfolds

To seal a perfect pact

Passed around a class

The teacher reads out loud

A new beginning

To shift away the clouds

Ditching the glow worms

A tomboy in the past

Strong in the tackle

And really bloody fast

Garden and a book

A little more sedate

Loves the Lillywhites

But don't steal from his plate

Handsome and pretty

Passionate from the start

Sealed on the first date 

Stolen chip stolen heart

Falling fast first kiss

The magic ' I love you'

Brave to say it first

Hoping it comes back too

Nice as apple pie

Have faith in what you see

Swiftly buttered toast

Perfection you and me

Date nights together

287 Lichfield Road

Cacciatora

Italian love mode

House swap comedy

It may be winter outside

Love the Sha La La

'Cause I'm Mr Brightside

Dancing with such joy

Surrounded by the light

Shifting winds of change

Together through the night

When we grow older

There at each others side

As a reminder

Our love's always alive 

The someone for me

You're my angel in flight

I don't deserve this

You are perfect tonight

Unbreakable

 Unbreakable

Helma 18th May 2024

Sometimes it takes a while

To find the perfect one

It's not always obvious

Where she's gonna come from

Life can throw a curveball

A path of fight or flight

You go the wrong direction

Before you see the light

You finished off my drink

And grabbed me by the hand

I dont care now I'm with you

All the bad things disband

A surprise for some folk

A questionable phase?

Batting for the other side

Navigating life's maze

Quizzed by the funny friends

Tell us your five year plan

Wanting lots of time away

Scissoring in the van

Bravely ditch convention

To finish the journey

Two lads a pug and Freddie (and Flash)

You're where you're s'posed to be

If opposites attract

One's gonna love the sound

I am the resurrection

The other's clutter bound

As doors bang through the house

Never slammed in anger

It's just not yet been sussed out

How to use the handle

The quirks are overlooked

Your undies in a pile

I see you every time

Oh my I like your style

A bit of Kenny G

Candles lit all the time

It's truly an obsession

My god I see you shine

Stealing quilts and snoring

I couldn't give a fuck

A bath a beer and dinner

You got me on the hook

While I was passing by

Oh wow - you stopped me dead

Even your need for tickles

Does not do-in my head

Surrounded by life's noise

Reading each others lips

I'd rather kiss 'em right back

Two hearts no longer ripped

What it all boils down to

It's what's just meant to be

And that is you make me feel

I'm loved by somebody

From when you took my hand

And finished off my drink

All the bad things disappeared

Our unbreakable link

Tamworth Castle Grounds Parkrun #16 Race Report

Marvels takeover at Tamworth Parkrun No.16. A few times a year we pick a parkrun, assemble the full Marvel squad and takeover the volunteering roles. We're a local running group that appreciate the work that goes into putting on a free timed Saturday morning run so it's nice to do a bit to help. 

It's an early start for the Marvel squad meet up. Important to warm up, push some weights, bit of cardio, yoga and a light breakfast to ensure we're ready to provide the professional level of marshalling expected and indeed demanded by the historically significant scaffolding clad Castle location. Grounds that once were the stage for middle England power battles, that witnessed armour clad warriors fight for their freedoms, that cushioned the feet of Kings and nobility were today, for an hour or so, the arena in which 246 Parkrunners would battle themselves, their anxieties, their insecurities, their niggles, their ailments and their procrastinations before emerging victorious from around the 2 lap 5km course. Like the battalions of the past, but armed with pom poms, bobble hats, signage and vocalzones, we take our positions and steel ourselves for the commitment ahead.

As Lord Tarquin of Tamworth said in 1478 on the eve of the now infamous Battle For The Path Of Roses Of Worshipment In The Shadow O Editha (or BFTPOROWITSOE for short or indeed Battle for Middle Entry as its now known), 

" Be steeled in your entrenchment, resist defeat with your life for here we lay your life down for that those who follow shall forever get baked goods with various meat fillingment from our Middle Entry ".

Enriched and inspired by the pre run briefing 246 of you lined up, 3 of you unknown, 230 adults including 1 ever present Tamworthian and 13 under 17's, took to the start line. Despite Parkrun having a start line from which you all start at the same time and despite the fact your finish position is recorded and despite the fact your finish time is recorded and despite the fact you cross a finish line please, please don't confuse this event with a race. It's not. It's more of an orderly gathering separated by the mesmerising rules of time and space itself. As the countdown to the off reaches its climax the quest for 5km completion on a non race basis begins. 246 of you jostling for pace and space as you simmer down into your flow.

The race that it isn't was won, sorry, I mean the person to achieve the finish in a place that could not be exceeded, was Arian Foroughandeh in a comfortably impressive 18:27 on his first Tamworth appearance. Closely followed in the place that can only be exceeded by one by Loughborough's finest Ben Atkins in a post Seville Marathon leg stretching 18:51 with Uvis Baltins securing the shorter of the spots on the imaginary podium with a suitably swift 19:00.

In a no less impressive 21:09 Ceri Davies topped the times in the female category with Beth Woodward following close behind with a swift 23.16 and Abigail Wilkes on the short spot with 24.22 and a PB.

Not all Tamworth youth are whizzing round on electric bikes in black tracksuits carrying small handbags. At Parkrun Josh Titley was an impressive 5th overall in a rapid 19:51 to lead the youthful charge. Oliver Salt followed in with a swift 23:07 and Theo Cook's 25:10 was particularly impressive based on legs that have yet to reach 10 years of age.

There were 67 of you with your feet up on Saturday evening basking in the glory and magnificence of a Tamuff PB.

Our heroes are not only borne out of rapid. We're not all flying feet, front foot running Seb Coe wannabees (think Laura Muir anyone under 40 years old.). Parkrun heroes include the 52 minute finishers determined to complete, the mate draggers running with a pal that needs extra encouragement on a Saturday morning, the finishers back out on course to support a family member to the finish, the first timers taking the first steps of change and everyone overcoming whatever they overcome to make it through.

The pics are provided by Lucie Brady Photography (look her up on Facebook), a Marvel in her own right who once said of running "I hate running with a passion so ingrained and heartfelt that I will never enjoy running or run further than 5km". Last year she nailed Manchester Half Marathon and this year, at a runclub session, was heard to say "I enjoyed that hill session!"

As marshals it's a privilege to encourage, direct, support and marvel at your awesome. If we drag a smile from your grimace, if we distract you from the agony, if we pop a spring into your step and encourage a turn of pace to the finish funnel then we're content that our job is done.

Steeled in your entrenchment and resisting defeat. 

Until the next time Tamworth. 

Big Thumbs.