Nicholas Craig column

Jun 16 2006 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

The longest day of the year is looming. This year the people of Newcastle can celebrate it by taking part in the Year of Exercise and Sport's Longest Day events.

Northumberland Street, usually a shopping mecca, will become a sports stadium with football, basketball and athletics, rowing and cycling machines alongside a climbing wall.

Take part in three of these activities and you win a prize. If you attempt all of them, you get to go up Grey's Monument, perhaps after a well-earned rest.

Schools' sports days are being co-ordinated to take place on June 21, and a ceilidh will whirl us all into a fitness frenzy at Grey's Monument.

The event I must admit I'd most like to witness is a tug-of-war between councillors on the Civic Centre green. Let's see which ward is the weightiest and which councillor is the strongest. It could be a whole new way in which to decide close votes. A swift tug-of-war contest is infinitely more entertaining than going through a recount, or listening to lengthy speeches. I am part of the steering group for YES, and have always supported any initiative which seeks to include the overweight, the lazy, the old and the young in activities which will make them feel better about themselves.

The zealously fit have less need of YES than the lethargic majority.

It is rare that a citywide campaign can genuinely alter the outlook, health and happiness of its citizens. YES can. I hope thousands of local people will join me next week in one of the longest day events.

The Year of Exercise and Sport in Newcastle launched at the beginning of 2006. I am delighted that our city has taken such positive action in tackling obesity and lack of fitness. It simply aims to help us do more to keep our bodies healthy. YES has something for everyone. It has thought long and hard about how to encourage exercise in local people who have never considered themselves sporty, or felt the need to get fit. There is an event, activity or programme that will appeal to most people, from dancing to diving, across the city this year. So enjoy the longest day by leaving the computer or the armchair to have a go at some exercise. I'll be trying my best in the full knowledge that laughter will also help to keep those watching me fit.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm