Friday, July 31, 2009

Farewell Sir Bobby, but not goodbye

Coalminer’s son who captured the nation
Played green football with calm serene
Gentleman who played the game with a smile
Amongst the best the game has ever seen

He said once; “We didn't underestimate them”
“They were a lot better than we thought”
Side-splitting comments, together with a glint in the eye
And never one to get overwrought

Built bridges as ones very best friend
As Cottager, Royal and Baggie
Prized at Tractor boys, Porto, and Sporting too
Treasured at the Magpies, Barca, PSV

Coached the best in Muhren, Beattie, Romario
Stoichkov, Shearer, Gazza, Ronaldo
Guardiola, Ruud Van Nistelrooy
As well as Robson, Barnes, Mourinho

Fond reference to his national skippers
“Ray Wilkins day will come one night”
"Good morning, Bobby," to Captain Marvel
Wry smile, full, beaming and bright

“Gary Speed has never played better
Confirming that Speedo “never looked fitter”
Amusing swipe at the old warhorse
Then adding he’s “never been older”

Sir Bobby was a supreme one off
Adored equally from Ankara to Rio
“We’ll miss you” is the global mantra
From Paris, Peking, Dhaka and Tokyo

As the sunset began to descend
Goodbye to Elsie his dear Madame
Farewell to Andrew, Paul and Mark
Wandering slowly back home to Durham

Number 7
© Emdad Rahman – 31.07.09
www.football-poems.com

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Hoxton school fire



A huge fire broke out a a local primary school in East London yesterday. Thomas Fairchild School in Napier Grove, Hoxton, caught fire around 2pm Thursday. Firefighters battled for hours to tackle the blaze, which caused significant damage to the school.

Eye witness reports say that ground floor and first floor caught fire first. A bigger tragedy was avoided with the school being closed due to the summer holidays. No teachers, students or school personnel were hurt or affected.


The fire was so fierce that specialist firefighters from all over London were called in to support, with fire crews from Kingsland, Stoke Newington, Euston, Clerkenwell, Dowgate, Islington, Holloway, Shoreditch, Shadwell, and Bow all in attendance.

There were approximately 75 firefighters and 15 fire-engines trying to tackle the blaze, made worse by the weather. Wind conditions made it harder for firefighters to bring the flames under control.


Eye witness interview Kirsty Riggs-Long told London Bangla; "I saw clouds of thick dark smoke coming from the rooftops, sirens coming and going. The smoke was moving rapidly across through the streets.

"People were out everywhere watching from windows and the firefighters seemed to be struggling to calm it all down. The fire was visible from inside the building, within classrooms, and also on the roof.

"Fire fighters worked to control the blaze for a few hours, and both adults and children in the area are shocked that their school is destroyed in flames.

"I heard one kid scream "Oh my God, my school, I haven't got a school anymore."

It has not been confirmed whether the fire was the handiwork of arsonists.

Pics: Kirsty Riggs-Long

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Argos Oompa Loompas!!

I am determined to one day vault the security and burly staff at Argos and sprint upstairs. There, I will once and for all come face to face with the Oompa Loompas that work day and night sending our favourite Argos goodies down the conveyor belt.

Until then, hold that thought and watch this space...

Tower Hamlets - Kicks Friday night football

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Because I'm a man...

Because I'm a man... when one of our appliances stops working I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together.

Because I'm a man... when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in.

Because I'm a man... when the car isn't running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I'm looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, "I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn't know where to start." Some will then drink beer.

Because I'm a man... when I catch a cold I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn't an issue.

Because I'm a man... I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it, though one time I was able to survive by clutching a calculator.

Because I'm a man... I don't think we're lost, and no, I don't think we should stop and ask someone. How the heck would a complete stranger know where we're going?

"Aroi mak mak" - Siam Bay Cuisine

"Aroi mak mak" - Siam Bay Cuisine
Emdad Rahman
The newly opened and glamorously refurbished Siam Bay Cuisine is setting the benchmark for local and international cuisine in the North East.
Visiting this absolutely wonderful eaterie, overlooking the sun, sea and lighthouse at Whitley Bay, my friends and I, including Maruf Ahmed, BBC Three Counties broadcast journalist were taught a culinary lesson.
The 100 seater restaurant was purchased by the Miah Hospitality Group, which is also in charge of the very popular Thai Royal Orchid restaurant in Hexham.
The glamorous location, an ailing former Indian restaurant is located at Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay. During the last 6 months, it underwent a £150,000 refurbishment before being relaunched as Siam Bay Cuisine, offering both Thai and Indian food.

Sparing no expenses, owner, Kaddus Miah travelled to Thailand to purchase and ship over Thai ornaments, furnishings and general bric a brac to authenticate the beautiful interior décor.
To improve on the wonderful service on offer, Miah is working on ensuring customers tastes, wants and desires are met to a tee, by ensuring that visitors will be able to view their meals being prepared by a webcam which will be placed in the kitchen,and relayed into the main restaurant.

"I have been in this trade for many years, and I am always seeking perfection,” said Miah.
“To achieve this it is essential that I use authentic chefs. So far the feedback has been wonderful and very positive.”
"This is also the reason why we strictly have the Thai chefs preparing the Thai dishes and the Indian chefs concentrating on the Indian dishes.

"The best part is that our patrons will be excitingly watching their foods being prepared and cooked."









During our visits Miah spared no expenses and we were treated to an array of the finest dishes on and off the menu.
Having spent a lifetime in the trade, Miah and his family, who run the restaurant believe above all that why excellent service and presentation help make the food on offer taste that much better.
Not to throw away a lifetimes friendship, Miah has successfully merged his Thai menu with a selection of lavish Indian dishes. To choose or not to choose is the question as this in itself presents many, including ourselves with a complex, but delightful culinary problem.
The kitchen is shared by both the Thai and Indian workforces, and despite my reservations surrounding organisation and general kitchen bedlam, I was surprised at how efficiently both parties operated.
If you're in search of a memorable dinner, look for the elephant on Whitley Bay where the consumer will be treated to a spellbinding array of soups, starters and main dishes, including meat, chicken, crabs and fresh fish caught on the day from the sea.

Siam Bay Cuisine
The Grosvenor Building/2-8 Marine Ave, Whitley Bay, NE26 1LY
Bookings can be made by calling (0191) 251 3366.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

British 10k 2009

Very pleased with a healthy 1:07 time. Got home Sunday morning at 3am from Newcastle, after a hefty weekend of excess. This was evident in thew first three miles, but I was ok thereadfter. Completed my run with no stops too.

Just one question: Am I the only runner out of 35.000 that facebooked the whole journey///