247 Magazine » Other Sports

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR WINTER SESSIONS WEEKENDER 2012

247 Magazine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:45:25 +0000

One of the world’s best snow festivals takes place in the French Alps at the end of this year’s Ski Season – with early bird tickets now available for the bargain price of £49.

Winter Sessions 2012, which takes place in Chamonix on March 31, will feature a stellar line up of live music and DJs, including Norman Jay, Cheeba, Zero 7 and Trojan Sound System as well as Lazy Habits, Running Numbers, Jon Kennedy and Mr Thing. Daytime activities include ski and snowboard competitions, a mountain top bar and BBQ, iPod battle, an Alpine bake off and onsie competitions.

A spokesman for the festival said: “Set in one of the most jaw dropping places in the world, the Winter Sessions Weekender is a boutique snow fuelled music festival in the heart of the French Alps. Renowned as the adventure sports capital of Europe, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc plays home to the two-day festival on and off the slopes of the Mont-Blanc Massif. Winter Sessions heart and soul is rooted in creating good time party vibes with storming line up’s echoing out across the Alps. The line up this year brings together an eclectic mix of world class DJ’s and bands covering an array of musical genres to suit every taste; house, electro, drum & bass, hip hop, disco, dub step, ska, roots and reggae.”

Chamonix is the third most visited natural site in the world for some damn good reasons! Walk into an ice cave of one of the longest glaciers on earth; the Mer de Glace, check out the view from the Aiguille du Midi some 3,842 metres high, go husky dog sledging or take a helicopter ride around France, Italy and Switzerland in one afternoon. It boasts some of the most amazing terrain in Europe, over 600km of piste – not to mention what you’ll discover off piste. Freeriding at its very best!

Winter Sessions official travel partner, Off The Piste, are offering some unbeatable holiday packages around the Weekender. Bespoke holidays from just £314 pp including 7 nights self catered accommodation, 6 day ski pass and 2 day festival wristband which gives you access to a range of fantastic discounts across the Chamonix valley (skis, boards and boots hire, restaurants, bars & experiences).

Early Bird Weekender festival tickets, priced £49 and available until January 31, are exclusively available from www.soundcrashmusic.com, after that, £65 tickets are available through www.ticketweb.co.uk

Winter Sessions Weekender 2012 Teaser from World Sessions on Vimeo.

A NEW KING OF PLYMOUTH IS CROWNED IN BREAKDANCING BATTLE

247 Magazine — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:35:36 +0000

Dancers from all over the country descended on Plymouth on Saturday (October 29) for King of Plymouth, the South West’s top breakdancing battle. The event, organised by local breakers, Kit Thomas and Paddy Macgougan is in its 3rd year and took place at Mutley Baptist Church.

Over 300 spectators watched the 32 bboys battle it out until one was left, the new King of Plymouth, Bboy Spin, also known as David Gaviria from La Familia Crew in London. He beat former Plymouth Uni student, Enos, also known as David Hotton, who currently lives in Cardiff. This was Spin’s 3rd attempt at winning the crown, as he came 2nd to Exeter’s Bboy Bugz in 2009 and 2nd again to Bboy Marcio from Paris in 2010.

As well as the solo battle, there was an under 18s crew battle between Plymouth and Exeter, live graffiti and live funky hip hop from North Devon’s The Breaks Collective. Event host, Kit Thomas also shaved his head, after 4 years of hair growth, raising over £400 for the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust.

For videos, photos and discussions about the event, visit www.kingofplymouth.co.uk</strong>

ROLL UP FOR A ROLLERDISCO AT MOTION CLUB, BRISTOL

247 Magazine — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:42:11 +0000

As well as the best Friday and Saturday night club line up in Bristol this winter (In:Motion), Motion is hosting an awesome roller disco on Thursday November 3.

Doors open early at 4pm to allow kids to enjoy the Rollerdisco. Then at 8pm kids are sent to bed and it’s time for it to be pumped up a notch! Please note, you can come at anytime between 4 – 1am if you’re over 18. If you can’t skate or don’t have your own skates then don’t worry, we have got loads of skates available and our lovely Roller Boys & Girls will help you round if your a bit wobbly on your wheels… And if it gets too much, then you can just chill out on the balcony and get a large drink to get over the experience. Expect a mixture of DJ’s bringing you lots of energy and good sounds, with also live acts and entertainment to just complete your Rollerdisco night. Licensed Bar opens 8pm.

Door Tax: Adults including Skate Hire – £7, Students including Skate Hire – £6, Kids including Skate Hire – £5 (4pm – 8pm only), Got your own Skates? £5. Tickets available from Bristol Ticket Shop www.bristolticketshop.co.uk

More info at www.bumpclub.co.uk

BRISTOL KITE FESTIVAL 2011 TO HOST WORLD RECORD BID

247 Magazine — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:18:38 +0000

The 25th Bristol International Festival of Kites & Air Creations takes place in Ashton Court Estate this weekend (September 3-4).

Kite guests from as far as America, Kuwait, New Zealand and Thailand will join flyers and enthusiasts from across Europe. The weekend will feature spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, breathtaking synchronised team routines flown to music and awesome power kites as well as colourful ground-based inflatables, banners, flags and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes. The Festival flying programme runs from to 11am to 5pm both days. To add to the festive atmosphere there will also be free children’s kite-making workshops, artistic banners and flags, fantastic play structures and selected specialist kite traders, a licensed bar and an array of food and drink concessions. This festival has teamed up with the Great Western Air Ambulance as its nominated charity. The charity’s helicopter will be on view at the festival (subject to emergency call outs) and fundraising activities will include parachuting teddy bears.

The latest contender for the World’s Largest Kite – a colossal flying Manta Ray – larger than a full-size football pitch, is set to make its first public appearance in the UK at the Bristol International Kite Festival over the weekend of 3&4 September. The Manta Ray was commissioned by the Al Farsi family of Kuwait from Peter Lynn Kites of New Zealand. The kite team will be travelling over especially from Kuwait to take part in the Festival. Subject to the right weather conditions on the day they will fly the Manta Ray and attempt to set a new official World Record. When laid out flat on the ground the Manta Ray has a wingspan of over 55m wide, a body length of over 40m and a tail of some 80m. To qualify for the World Record the kite will be officially measured in Bristol for the first time and is required to fly for a minimum of 20 minutes. Once inflated and airborne the Manta Ray requires two substantial anchor vehicles to tether it to the ground. The vehicles and drivers are being kindly provided by TCRA, a joint venture company between Tarmac and Churngold Recycling, which operates the adjacent Durnford Quarry near Ashton Court.

Free entry for pedestrians/cyclists. Parking on site £7 per car. Vehicular access via Beggarbush Lane/Longwood Lane entrance only – follow Event Signs. For more info see www.kite-festival.org.uk.

Photo by Jo3hug via Flickr

FMX TAKES TRURO BY STORM FOR CHARITY

247 Magazine — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:20:44 +0000

Three of the UK’s finest Freestyle Motocross riders performed an amazing freestyle jump display in the centre of Truro on Sun 14 August. The event was in aid of LARF Cornwall and attracted over a thousand people on one of the busiest weekend’s of the holiday season in Cornwall. Riders Jamie Squibb, Kona Hellier and Dave Wiggins showed off their skills, whilst the Red Bull sound system kept the tunes pumping and bands Sinpusher and Sandsifter Siren performed before the motocross boys did their thing. All in all, a very successful day, the rain stayed away and loads of money was raised for LARF too.
Support LARF at www.larfcornwall.co.uk

WIN TICKETS TO BRITISH SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX IN CARDIFF

247 Magazine — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:51:14 +0000

Fast and furious family fun, the FIM Doodson British Speedway Grand Prix at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is right up there with the biggest events on the British motorsport calendar – and we’re giving one lucky reader plus a guest the chance to be there. This year’s event – which will take place on Saturday June 25th – promises to be part of one of the most competitive GP seasons ever – with four World Champions: Tomasz Gollob, Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen and Greg Hancock, among those battling for the title. British rider Chris Harris will be looking to repeat his 2007 winning Cardiff performance as the best riders in the world go full throttle in front of thousands of fans. In an event that promises to be full of drama and guaranteed thrills, the riders will reach speeds of up to 70mph – competing on 500cc bikes, with no brakes and acceleration that’s faster than an F1 car! The fun will start in the Fanzone on St Mary Street and the Grand Prix will start with pre-event entertainment in the Millennium Stadium, followed by the Grand Prix and finishing with a fantastic firework display.

We’ve teamed up with the FIM Doodson British Speedway Grand Prix organisers to give 247 Magazine West and Wales readers the chance to enjoy this afternoon of nonstop sporting action and all you have to do to put yourself in pole position is answer this simple question: What is the name of the British Grand Prix rider looking to repeat his 2007 British SGP win at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium? Send your answer, along with your full name, address and phone number to us using the form below by 4pm on June 21. Please put SPEEDWAY in the subject line. Winners will be informed by email later that day. If you’re not lucky enough to win, tickets can be purchased online via www.speedwaygp.com or by calling 0871 230 7155.[contact-form-7]

BRISTOL STUDENTS WIN THE UNIVERSITY POLE DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CARDIFF

247 Magazine — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 13:09:24 +0000

Pole Dancers from Universities all over the UK headed to Cardiff University at the weekend for the Inaugural Inter-Universities Pole Championships. Held in the Great Hall of Cardiff Universities Students Union, the competition aimed to showcase the growing number of pole dance societies across UK Universities and show the UK how pole fitness has developed as a sport. Competitors were asked to enter in five different categories – Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, Instructor and Team Entry. After a hard fought competition, the combined team from the University of the West of England and Bristol University left with 9 out of a possible 12 medals – including the award for ‘Overall Champions’. Kate Czepulkowski, President of the UWE Pole Society said ‘it was a fantastic event, a great way to meet other pole dance societies across the UK and the UWE/Bristol team really performed and we can’t believe how many medals we won!’ Bex Brady, winner of the Advanced Category for Bristol University said ‘I can’t believe I won! I was nervous going on stage, but pole fitness has really helped to develop my confidence as well as my strength, fitness and flexibility – I gave it everything I had!’ The UWE and Bristol Pole Dance Societies were started in 2009 by Kate Johnstone, Director of Spin City Pole Fitness in Bristol. She said: “Pole dance is a highly-skilled activity that requires strength, poise and grace. It’s also great for burning calories and extremely good fun. Here at Spin City, we teach ladies of all ages and all shapes and sizes and everyone leaves with a smile on their face.” Kate Johnstone formed Spin City in 2007 with the aim of getting more women back into exercise. A fully-qualified fitness instructor, she started teaching in Cannons Health and Fitness and now holds classes from beginner to advanced level, in her two dedicated studios, based in Clifton. Pole dance has become a popular form of exercise that burns more than 300 calories an hour with Spin City, which runs free taster sessions every Friday from 6-7pm.

THE GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESE ROLLING FESTIVAL IS BACK

247 Magazine — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:58:28 +0000

The infamous Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling event will go ahead this year despite fears over health and safety.
The event, which has become a bit of a local institution, sees scores of people legging it down the steep Cleeve Hill chasing a big truckle of Double Gloucester cheese. This inevitably leads to numerous scrapes, sprains and bruises and even broken bones which caught the attention of health and safety experts and put the future of the event in jeopardy. The event was the victim of its own popularity in 2009 when 15,000 spectators turned up to a venue equipped to hold only 5,000, resulting in the cancellation of last year’s event and raising question over its future. However, it has now been confirmed that the race will go ahead in 2011 but it will be ticketed this time. Cheltenham-based events specialists, Event and Management Services Ltd (E&MS) have been hired to save the centuries-old Cotswold tradition of Cheese Rolling from extinction, amidst fears over crowd safety. The Cheese Rolling Committee has appointed E&MS to help manage the event and transform it in to a ticketed, two day festival in June. This is the first time in its history that the committee has sought the support of an event management company and, in addition, Gloucester-based Moose Partnership for PR and Sponsorship. Peter Allison, director of E&MS, said: “I have lived in Cheltenham for eight years and have known of the Cheese Roll for much of this time. I was honored to have been approached by the Cheese Rolling Committee to help keep this ancient tradition alive. We have been in continuous talks with police and emergency services, highways agency and local authorities and in consultation with the immediate Cooper’s Hill community. The decision to grow to a two-day event will help disburse the crowd and address the safety fears from previous years. This is just one on the issues including proper parking, traffic control and public safety that will remain our top priority. In order to ensure that the tradition is not lost, the focus will remain on the cheese rolling itself but be expanded to become an all round family orientated event.” Cheese Rolling Committee spokesman Nigel Thomas added: “The event really needs to change dramatically if it is to survive. In its present form it attracts just too many people for us to handle safely.”
For more information see www.cheeserollingfestival.co.uk

RUN THE BATH HALF MARATHON FOR CHARITY

247 Magazine — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:24:05 +0000

Fancy a challenge this year? Then how about taking part in the 30th Bath half marathon this Spring?
There are still places left with a few local charities, including the British Red Cross and Oxfam South West. The run, which takes place on March 6, is one of the most popular half marathons in the country with hundreds of runners taking to the streets for the 13.1 mile race. The course itself is fast and flat, making it suitable for all abilities – beginners and those who regularly run long distances. It covers a two lap traffic-free course straddling both sides of the River Avon. The race starts and finishes in Great Pulteney Street, in the heart of Bath. Own place entries for the 2011 Bath Half Marathon are now full.
To find out more about running for the British Red Cross please call Kate Collins on 0117 3012629 or drop her an email at kcollins @ redcross.org.uk
If you’d rather run for Oxfam South West please fill in the form on their website.

TOP TEN FAT BUSTING WORKOUT TUNES?

247 Magazine — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:49:59 +0000

After an overindulgent Christmas, chances are most of us need a helping hand to get off the sofa and down the gym to shift those excess pounds (in more ways than one!) And for music lovers what better way to synchronise your life than discover those tunes which make you want to run like the wind? Perhaps the gradual building pace of some Faithless tracks get you going? Maybe Oasis make you want to run through the streets like a rockstar or is it something more cheesy like the Rocky theme tune which really gets you going?
Sadly, if it’s a gym you’re off too then you may not have much of a choice.
A recent survey revealed the Top 10 New Year Flab Fighting Tracks Revealed
The results (below) are based on data from PRS for Music, the organisation that collects and pay royalties to its 75,000 song-writing and composing members, analysed all the songs played in gyms in the last quarter of 2010.

1. She Said – Plan B
2. Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart – Alicia Keys
3. This Ain’t a Love Song – Scouting for Girls
4. She’s Always a Woman – Fyfe Dangerfield
5. Sweet Dreams – Beyonce
6. All Night Long – Alexandra Burke ft. Pitbull
7. Good Times – Roll Deep
8. Parachute – Cheryl Cole
9. O.M.G – Usher ft. Will.i.am
10. Empire State of Mind (Pt. 2) Broken Down – Alicia Keys

Photo by Tony Alter via Flickr