DC Portfolio: Ken Gardner Speaking

I was in need of a feature for my portfolio. Although I had a lot to choose from that I'd already written, I wanted to challenge myself and do something that was important to me. As it allowed a more relaxed, personal account, I decided to do a piece on my father. It was hard to write due to striking a balance between journalistic worthiness and giving my Dad the justice he deserved. This is probably the most difficult article I've had to write, so I hope you enjoy it.


My father is rarely seen away from the dining room table. Now showing occasional wear, the table is less of a home to food than it is to daily newspapers, letters, crosswords and minutes from various meetings. Aside from Sunday lunchtimes and briefly on evenings, it serves as a base of operations.

If working, the only times he will leave the table is if the phone rings - a seemingly perpetual phenomenon - to help out one of his many acquaintances. Each time he utters a question-cum-greeting that many who know him will instantly recognise: “Ken Gardner speaking?”

Ken, 66, is no stranger to the Cleveland community. Involved in the local NHS, Police and industrial sectors, his work ethic has inspired me to follow his footsteps.

Although his interests and work have taken him around the North-East regularly, Ken is best known in his home town of Hartlepool, a place which gives him a keen sense of pride.

“I have always been proud of spending all my life working and living in this town - I have no reason to live elsewhere.

“It has had a somewhat chequered past, but it has a ‘buzz’ and an ‘edge’ and is a much improved place to live.”

Ken is perhaps mostly associated with sport. Passionately involved in the local cricket scene for nearly 50 years, Ken received a Northern Echo Local Heroes Award for Lifetime Services to Cricket in 2004, an award presented to him by then-manager of Sunderland AFC, Mick McCarthy.

Ken attributes his love of the sport to the climate of the 1950s and ‘60s.

“From schooldays I always played cricket and football, as did the vast majority of other young people. Golf was too expensive so playing at a young age wasn’t an option.”

It began a 34-year playing career for Ken, in which he made plenty of connections to the local community. “As games last for around six hours, you get to know people very well and make long-lasting friendships,” he said.

“I always believed that cricket was a technical game - the more you played, the more you enjoyed it.”

As Ken’s love for the sport grew, so did the importance of his role in Hartlepool Cricket Club. After three years as vice-captain, Ken captained the side between 1976-77. By 1982 he had become Chairman, and then President two years later, playing alongside this role until 1991. In 1996, Ken stepped up to take the job as President of the North Yorkshire South Durham League, a post he would remain in until 2003.

Ken was again chosen to be Chairman of HCC in 2007, and continues this alongside his post as Elected Director at Durham County Cricket Club, which celebrated a lot of success this year, including a trophy win at Lord’s.

“My love of the game has never diminished since I played at Junior School and it continues to be an important part of my life, and also my family.

“Being a Director at Durham CCC seems to be a natural consequence of my involvement in the game for almost 50 years.”

Ken’s working career was to prove even more fruitful. Entering into the world of employment in 1957 as an apprentice engineer at a famous Hartlepudlian firm, Richardson’s Westgarth, Ken was promoted several times before entering Reeds Corrugated Cases in 1968, where in 1970 he was to become Personnel Manager - a job that he would be dedicated to for 28 years.

“It was my favourite job,” says Ken. “Results mattered, profitability was important and the ability to motivate others was imperative.”

Ken’s people skills were a major part of his job description, and he understood that role’s necessity.

“People always respond when they know what is required and can then work as part of a team.

“People are the most important resource of any business and should be treated with courtesy and good manners. In return, staff then feel wanted.”

It was for this attitude towards his career that Ken would receive his greatest award. After 23 years as Personnel Manager at Reeds Corrugated Cases, he was honoured with the MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 1993.

“It never crossed my mind that this would happen nor did I consider that I was worthy of it,” said Ken.

I had always seen my father as a modest man in this sense. Nationally revered in the eyes of the Honours List, he does not display his certificate nor his medal. Stored away safely, Ken prefers to continue his work quietly at the dining room table.

Ken also supports a major cause in the area, another contribution which he accepts modestly as a duty - the National Blood Service. In 2005, Ken received the Diamond Award after giving his 100th pint of blood.

“I have given blood since 1959,” said Ken. “It is good for the community but the reduction in donors over the years means there is always calls for people to regularly attend every four months. I’m glad I’m one of those people.”

And what about the future for Ken? Longing to stay at Durham County Cricket Club and ultimately become President, as well as continuing his work with the further education sector, Ken modestly summarises his aspirations.

“I will keep my involvement in the community as long as I and others feel that I have something to offer.”

I have always been accustomed to my father’s working life. It was only until I took a step back and asked him about it properly that I realised just how worthy the man is of praise. I know that even if I were to work half as hard in life as my father, I am set for both a tough but rewarding task.

His advice to others, however, is simple: “Never give less than 100% in anything you do.” As my father’s son, I intend to do exactly that.

DC Portfolio: Hollywood losses reach $1bn

Continuing with my portfolio, I approached the recent Writers' Guild of America strike action in a newspaper report style. Read below for my report...


DEVASTATING losses to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers from the Writers’ Guild of America strike have totalled $1billion, it has emerged.

NBC, one of the 397 companies represented by the AMPTP, announced the news on January 13, the same day as the Golden Globes were scheduled to be hosted.

The estimated losses include wages for cast and crew members of television productions, as well as hired services including caterers, prop and costume rental and beauticians.

The strike, which began on November 5, has delayed the production and transmission of popular series such as Prison Break and 24, as well as forcing famous presenters Jay Leno and David Letterman to continue their shows without writers, or pay the staff out of their own pockets.

However, it was not until the strike forced the cancellation of the Golden Globes - which had been hosted annually since the ceremony’s creation in 1944 - that the true power of the action was globally understood.

The impact on the Hollywood community has also been huge, driving many small businesses who depend on awards season income out of business, and leaving many restaurants and shops without paying customers.

The argument stems from the renegotiation of the Minimum Basic Agreement, a contract that is decided between the WGA and AMPTP every three years to secure writing services.

However, recent disputes have arisen regarding DVD revenue and the use of so-called “new media”, where television shows are now broadcast for a nominal fee or freely on the internet.

The WGA has proposed that writers receive 2.5% of distributor's gross for new-media sales and distribution.

But with most income now coming from sales of DVDs, writers are demanding a higher cut, as their current payment is based on a percentage rate decided when video tapes retailed for between $40-100 (£25-60).

Nick Counter, President of the AMPTP, said: “We are ready to meet at any time and remain committed to reaching a fair and reasonable deal that keeps the industry working, but the DVD issue is a roadblock to these negotiations.”

The WGA Negotiating Committee, who is in talks for a better deal with their employers, said: “Every issue that matters to writers, including Internet reuse, original writing for new media, DVDs, and jurisdiction, has been ignored. This is completely unacceptable.”

Famous picketers include Family Guy creator and actor Seth MacFarlane, British actor Hugh Laurie and comedian Robin Williams.

Democratic Presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have also supported the cause.

Any increase on health, insurance or pension benefits by the WGA during the course of the negotiations will result in pattern bargaining, which means that many other unions will also benefit from a possible template agreement. Many believe that this threat is what is holding both sides back from making a permanent deal.

DC Portfolio: Valve Re-engineers Gaming Legacy

For this article, I reviewed a game I love: Team Fortress 2. If this endorsement alone does not swing you, continue reading...


MULTIPLAYER gaming has made the videogame industry strong and prosperous - and now it’s going to get even better.

After the release of Half-Life 2 in 2004, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 ground-breaking first person shooter, Valve Software has brought out another successor to an award winning game series - this time in the form of Team Fortress 2.

Through the development of their Source game engine, Valve have pushed their limits to deliver a truly incredible multiplayer experience.

Team Fortress 2’s appeal comes directly from the nine characters that are yours to control. Upon division into either Team Red or Blue, you are prompted to pick from a Heavy, Soldier, Spy, Medic, Engineer, Sniper, Scout, Demoman or Pyro. With each having distinct characteristics and weapons, the team element comes into force from the word go.

The game has three modes of play - Control Point, Territorial Control and Capture the Flag. Although the game only comes with six maps - with chance for player-made maps, of course - a number of gameplay styles keep things fresh.

"Granary" and "Well" feature five control points in a row, as teams push back and forth trying to reach the other's starting point. "Dustbowl" and "Gravel Pit" puts teams in attacking and defensive roles in a strategic assault. My personal favourite "Hydro" has a map with six areas, each team controlling three and fighting over two in turn, until one team controls all six.

Team Fortress veterans favour the remake of the “2Fort” Capture The Flag map, where a team seeks to take an intelligence briefcase from the other’s base and return it to their own without getting killed. The classic layout is undisturbed, and rightly so - it encourages extraordinary camaraderie and is probably the best map to explain the game’s beauty.

The nine characters - divided into three groups of offence, defence and support - serve purposely-tailored roles to the team’s effort. If you get the balance wrong, you lose.

For example, my favoured character, the defensive Engineer, is responsible for creating structures such as sentry guns (for defence), teleporters (for team transportation) and dispensers (for ammunition and health distribution). Engineers need to maintain and fix these, and as a result do not come with powerful personal weaponry.


The attacking Heavy, on the other hand, comes with a huge gatling gun, more than twice the health of an Engineer and is slower to move due to size and strength. With the provision of the supporting Medic, who can “over-heal” team-mates to 150% of their usual health, a Heavy can expertly clear out an area in no time.

The main fun comes from being a Spy - a balaclava and suit wearing camoflage expert who can disguise himself as any member of the opposition or cloak out of view completely. On top of this, he can kill people instantly with a stab to the back with a knife.

Team Fortress 2 expands rivalry by creating competition through the “Domination” function. If you die at the hands of the same player three times in a row, the game will announce their domination of you to everyone playing. By killing them, you get “Revenge” status, which can save face in the heat of the battle.

But regardless of who you choose, you are automatically forced into a certain method of attack - if you do not comply, the other team will exploit your faults. You become completely aware of those around you and your approach to the game is a brand new challenge with every round.

With the gameplay being so strong, you would expect the graphics to be a match. A vast departure from the more serious original, Team Fortress 2 is like a cartoon come to life. You will struggle to keep down a smile as the violence is boiled down to ridiculous slapstick humour.

The attention to detail is most noticeable upon your death, where the game will happily point out your remains on the floor. You are sometimes made aware of items such as your pancreas, head and hand after you perish to a Soldier’s rocket.

If you look carefully, you can see a Heavy smile and grimace during a firefight, and the Scottish-accented Demoman will mock you with a cheeky grin after setting off a variety of explosives. With the addition of player taunts and voices, players will often use them to their advantage to annoy their opposition.

Even the creation of structures by the Engineer is fascinating and you will often find yourself shot to pieces as you watch the clever unpacking and assembly of a sentry gun.


The inclusion of personal achievements and statistics is another great addition. While a game loads, you are presented with a performance report and a table of “best moments”, including most kills, damage, headshots, sentry kills and healing. If you die with a certain character, the game will often present you with your updated record, or how close you came to breaking the previous one.

The great thing about Team Fortress 2 is that you come to hate the characters of the game, as opposed to the players behind them. Most people hate Snipers for their scoped rifles and Pyros for their flame throwing, but never the people who like them enough to play as them - unless they are dominating you, of course. This factor speaks volumes for the situations the game creates - you feel like a part of the action.

The game does have its drawbacks, though. Respawning after a death, while only 20 seconds, can feel like forever - particularly if your base is besieged by the opposition.

The lack of bots - computer controlled opposition - is also a loss particularly in light of their inclusion in Valve’s CounterStrike: Source of 2004. However, this is probably obvious given the complexity of the game, and is also great as you know that every character on the field is prone to human error.

Valve do make sure, despite this, that the game is very easy to get into. During loading, you are constantly presented with tips on how to get the best from characters. A projection screen is automatically played to newcomers to show them the basics of a level, too.

If you want to lose yourself in a cartoon fantasy of violence then Team Fortress 2 is the game for you. However, you can not depend on yourself in this experience and the game’s title explains the emphasis. If your team is acting up, unbalanced or selfish, then you will suffer. Having said this, the framework of the game, combined with the graphics, is enough to stop you from verbally insulting your team-mates and will give you all the fun you could ever want.

Atomic Sports Media: The Great Outdoors

I decided to broaden my American sport horizons further by doing a piece on the National Hockey League. I've been a Pittsburgh Penguins fan for a long time but I've never had an active interest in the NHL as I have in the NFL. However, a ground-breaking game came about on New Year's Day: the Penguins vs. the Buffalo Sabres... in an outdoor match. I wrote for Atomic Sports Media to commemorate the game, and the options it brings to the League.

Read the article at Atomic Sports Media by clicking here, or continue below...


Predictions are wonderful things.

In late September, I discussed the options for American sports in exploiting the potential of the European market. Since then, the NFL, NBA and NHL have all played games in London. However, one comment I made really stood out, even if the event was on domestic soil. It was in regards to pulling in a big audience from a potential European crowd:

“The NHL would run into problems (with outdoor games) though. … Like back in 2001 during The Cold War game between Michigan and Michigan State at Spartan Stadium, they’d have to adapt a field to get the maximum amount of people to watch. Even then, it would have to be two amazing teams to really pull in the crowds. And 75 percent of them wouldn’t see the puck.”

As a Pittsburgh fan I was alerted to the news quite quickly that, on New Year’s Day 2008, the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic would be taking place between the Sabres and the Penguins at the Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Associated Press played up the Michigan link to the point that “Michigan” was the third word of every sentence. Not that one can blame them, of course, given that both Penguins forward Adam Hall and Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller were present for Michigan State in the famous 3-3 draw.

Coincidences didn’t stop there. The Penguins’ Georges Laraque and the seemingly unbeatable Ty Conklin also played in the 2003 Heritage Classic, an event set up to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Edmonton Oilers joining the NHL in 1979. This too was modeled on The Cold War game but seemed more of a unique celebration than a serious attempt at an event for the future. The real pulling power was in the MegaStars game that preceded the game, featuring Wayne Gretsky amongst others. The fact that the main event was against the Montreal Canadiens probably had something to do with it, too. Regardless, you cannot deny that drawing 57,167 fans was an achievement for a regular-season NHL game.

This number would be smashed by the 71,217 that bore the brunt of sub-zero temperatures in Buffalo. The game -- the first outdoor NHL contest in the United States -- proved how the future of the league could unfold, returning to the sport’s outdoor roots. A thrilling match saw the Penguins win in a shootout after battling through a scoreless third period and overtime.

Sports Illustrated put the popularity of the game into perspective the following day:

“The Penguins-Sabres game in snowy Buffalo drew a 2.6 overnight rating and a 5 share on NBC. Those were the best numbers since a six-game regional telecast on Fox drew a 3.0 overnight rating and a 7 share on Feb. 3, 1996.

“The Winter Classic ratings also surpassed Wayne Gretzky's final game, which was broadcast on Fox on April 18, 1999, and drew a 2.5/6.”

Even the Capital One Bowl between the Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines, in which Chad Henne beat Heisman winner Tim Tebow to the MVP award and claimed the win for Lloyd Carr in his final game, was well behind in even the Detroit market (although it IS Hockeytown).

Sidney Crosby, a proud Nova Scotian who grew up playing hockey outdoors, also supported the roofless adaptation: “When you see 70,000 people jammed into a stadium to watch hockey, it's a good sign. The atmosphere and environment, I don't think you can beat that.”

As is American tradition in anything of slight historical value, throwback jerseys were worn. While the Sabres adopted their white jerseys of 1978-96, the Penguins went for the classic powder blue jerseys of 1973.


Some things did change, however, namely the rules, which were adapted for outdoor conditions. The teams swapped ends halfway through the 3rd while a zamboni cleared the ice of any extra snow that landed. Overtime was also divided, but the main bonus came in the shootout, where the goaltenders could choose the end they wanted (both Conklin and Miller chose the favorable west side).

The military preparation of the rink from Dec. 24 and overall fan participation made the whole event resemble an NFL playoff game. Many said the tailgating was better than at a Bills’ game. It was almost as if fans were trying to mock the weather and establish their fanaticism by braving the elements, some naked from the waist up.

For an indoor sport, and with the madness that football fans naturally have, this was many hockey fans’ only chance to prove their worth in the eyes of the nation. Having said this, the amount of Steelers and Bills merchandise may have led a neutral fan to believe that this was just another football game on a frozen gridiron.

So, it was all good. The players loved it, the coaches loved it, the fans turned out in droves and Eddie Olczyk called it “one of the best events I've ever been a part of as a player, coach or broadcaster.” Then again, he wasn’t really as a coach – not a talented one, anyway.

So what about the future of outdoor hockey?

First, the negatives. As I originally said four months ago, just how many people can see the puck? I struggled to see the football during the NFL’s dalliance in rain-soaked London, and I was 14 rows from the front. It’s pretty obvious why all but four hockey arenas have fewer than 20,000 seats.

Tell me this too: How successful would an outdoor hockey game be in the Pacific or Southeast? Unless they changed to roller blades halfway through the second period, I can’t see an outdoor game in Phoenix going too well. They should have never moved from Winnipeg.

Still, home-field advantage would hardly matter given they have to convert a field to make it work. The strategic placement of games in halfway house stadiums would no doubt be the natural way forward as fan support would dictate home-field advantage (Canadiens playing the Coyotes in, say, Chicago. The Triple C Contest, you could say).

There’s also a precarious balance that the NHL must understand. Once in a while, maybe (bi-)annually, would be a great money maker. Any less and it wouldn’t be a celebrated event. Any more and people may lose interest and not fill the stadiums.

Either way, the NHL is finally seeing the benefits of harnessing the outdoor game. Still desperately trying to shake the image brought about by the 2004-05 season, regardless of revenue and profit growth, the way to change opinions is to get more people on board. Even if the next outdoor game is half as fun to watch as the Sabres and Penguins, new fans will come and ratings will be high.

It’ll happen again soon. Trust me.

DC Portfolio: Canoeist Reunited With Wife

For my Darlington College portfolio I was asked to write several articles on a variety of topics in differing styles. Here is the first about a man from my town, Hartlepool, who was at the centre of an international media frenzy: John Darwin, the pseudocidal canoeist.



HARTLEPOOL’S very own dead man walking, John Darwin, was finally reunited with his wife Anne after their recent court hearing.

Mr Darwin had not acknowledged his wife of 35 years in their appearance at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court, where further charges were being brought against them.

Both Mr and Mrs Darwin face multiple charges of dishonestly obtaining over £249,000 in life assurance and pensions.

Flanked by dock officers, it was only after proceedings had finished that Mr and Mrs Darwin shared what Mr Darwin’s solicitor, John Nixon, described as “a very emotional moment”.

Nixon added: “He loves her very much and saw her for the first time through glass as they were waiting to go into court.

“He told me later that he knew it was going to be emotional seeing her. He did not tell me what she said to him.”

John Darwin’s wrecked canoe was found in March 2002, leading to him being presumed dead a year later by Hartlepool coroner Michael Donnelly.

He reappearance on December 1, 2007 came just six weeks after his wife sold her Seaton Carew home in a move to Panama.


Although Mrs Darwin initially reported to the press her “total shock” after her husband’s return, a photo soon surfaced of the couple on website movetopanama.com. Readers of the Daily Mirror sent in their findings after typing “John”, “Anne” and “Panama” into the Google Images search engine.

Upon the Daily Mirror revealing this to her, she reportedly replied with: “Yes, that’s him. My sons will never forgive me.”

In the following weeks, it was revealed that Mr Darwin had been living next door to their family home, accessed through a hidden entrance behind a wardrobe fitted with a false back. Their two sons have, upon their mother’s confession, wished nothing else to do with their parents and consider themselves a victim of a scam.

The story has become both a local and national curiosity, resulting in several related pranks in the town.

Seaton Carew’s welcome sign gained national exposure on an episode of Have I Got News For You after a local man created an alternative and strapped it over the existing one, reading “Seaton Canoe - twinned with Panama”.

Hartlepool United’s mascot H’Angus the Monkey also got in on the jibes, turning the match day lottery winners board into a makeshift signpost for Panama.

During their most recent appearance before magistrates on January 9, the couple did not enter pleas.

The couple were remanded in adjacent cells in custody and are scheduled to appear via video link in court on Friday, January 18.

Interview with John Burton

On September 21 2007, John Burton, Tony Blair's agent, visited Darlington College to talk to us all about his experiences. I recently wrote up the interview with a man who is no stranger to controversy. A thoroughly nice man during his talk, this article compiles many of the stories he told us in a feature style.


THE MAN behind the face of British politics met with students from Darlington College to give a typically charismatic and friendly discussion with a group of local students on Thursday afternoon.

John Burton, who was born and bred in Trimdon, continues to serve as the agent and long-standing ally of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, playing an instrumental part in his election to Sedgefield constituency in 1983.

In a characteristically open discussion which delighted his audience, Burton made the environment his own and was keen to share his enthusiasm for politics, as well as many surprising and humorous insights into the most talked-about politician for the last 10 years.

Burton’s friendship with Blair was cemented on an evening in 1983, in which the Prime Minister-to-be met with several senior members of the Labour Party to discuss his role on Burton’s home turf. The light-hearted mood was set when the meeting was postponed for half an hour due to the European Cup Winners’ Cup Final, in which Aberdeen were playing.

“Obviously, football is something that regularly comes between us,” said Burton. “Tony has always been a big Newcastle fan - and as a Sunderland fan myself, it always laid foundations for quarrels.

“We all know that Sunderland are by far the better team though.”

Burton was a key player in Blair’s succession of John Smith as leader of the Labour Party upon Smith’s sudden death in 1994 of a heart attack.

In the re-election that was later revealed to have sparked Blair and Brown’s rivalry and much-reported lack of cohesion, Burton revealed why Tony Blair was always front-runner for the post.

“Given all candidates had pretty much the same manifesto as Smith, it was all about the persona.

“However, many people felt it was necessary to have an English leader of the Labour Party after 11 years of the opposite. Kinnock was Welsh, and Smith was Scottish. To gain the full attention of the electorate, many Labour members felt it was safer to get Blair in charge.

“The great irony that passes many people by is that Tony was born in Edinburgh!” laughed Burton.

As questions rained in from many students who took immediate interest in Burton’s frank yet funny exchange, the guest started at the beginning - 2 May, 1997, when Blair came to power.

“The first thing that surprised Tony was his necessary embrace with technology,” Burton noted. “He had never used a mobile phone in his life, but on his election in 1997, one was thrust into his hand and was told the call was for him!”

Burton’s understanding of Blair’s integration into the British premiership is unparalleled; with responsibility came the Prime Minister’s security, and as his living arrangements were far from arranged, Mr. Blair moved in with Burton - a situation that lasted 18 months.

From this, Burton was able to give a remarkable insight into his day-to-day dealings as his agent, learning things about his close friend during the early days.

“One surprise will always stay with me,” continued Burton. “Tony was a keen fan of rock music. He was watching a Led Zeppelin video with my son when I handed him a piece of paper containing very important minutes from several meetings.

“He took his eyes off of the screen for 5 seconds after I pushed the paper into his hands. He looked at both sides in that time and handed it back to me, saying “That’s very interesting, John.”

“I got rather annoyed, telling him he had to read it.

“He immediately responded with 5 or 6 of the points outlined on the sheet with amazing accuracy, and followed it with his responses. I was blown away.

“Of course, he would look at everything in intrinsic detail later, but to think he could do that in 5 seconds made me happy that I’d picked such a brilliant man to lead this country.”

When questioned about Blair’s greatest achievements, Burton had no hesitation in his reply.

“There are too many to mention - things we take for granted, like the introduction of minimum wage, the right to four weeks’ holiday for the employed and the right to join a trade union are all up there.

“But the best? The Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement, without a doubt,” he said. “To think of the problems that the situation had caused for hundreds of politicians over the years, and Blair cracked it.

“When he went before the exit door to prevent the Ulster Unionist representative from leaving, his dedication to a solution was proved.

“Of course, without Bertie Aherne and Bill Clinton’s influence over the agreement, it would have been much more difficult.”

Upon the mention of the former American president, the line of questioning by the audience changed to international relations.

“Clinton was ‘The Man’. He really was. When I met him for the first time, he really commanded respect in the room - his presence really was felt.
“During one piece of TV coverage before a major world conference, Tony and Bill were talking together. The cameras zoomed in on the two of them, and the commentator said “The Prime Minister is conversing with the President of the United States - undoubtedly discussing a major topic,” or something like that.

“I later talked to Tony about it. He’d actually leaned over to ask Bill if he realised all the women in the room were staring at him.

“Bill had jokingly replied “Well Tony, some of us have it and some of us don’t!”

President George W. Bush, however, had a much different impact on Burton.

“He doesn’t come across too good in interviews on TV, but in reality he is a very nice man,” said Burton. “When I first met him, I truly understood the phenomenal presence of the United States.

“For safety, Presidents must travel in one of four Apache helicopters in a convoy. I never thought I’d see them land in Trimdon!

“On the way to Tony’s house, Bush asked me “How many acres does he have?”

Laughing, Burton recounted his response with glee: “Well, Mr. President, he has a front garden… and a back garden.”

Another similar exchange happened upon their trip to the local Labour Club, in which the President asked “What facilities does it have? A swimming pool, tennis courts…?”

“Well, a pool table… and a dart board!”

As the interview came to a close, it was perhaps fitting that the final question centred around what Blair and Burton were doing at the moment.

“Blair has recently become a Middle East envoy with aims to resolve the conflict regarding Palestine - in fact, he called me from Jerusalem last week!

“What I understood through my ten years of work with him was the Muslim world’s treatment of Israel and Palestine. Iraq and Iran aren’t top priority for them - many member states feel it essential to resolve the conflict there first.”

It was confirmed by the BBC on 26 June that this role would necessitate his departure from his parliamentary seat, which he originally intended to keep.

Domestically, Blair has already started several charity organisations, including the Blair Foundation - a local sports charity - and Interfaith.

“The Blair Foundation encourages participation and coaching roles,” said Burton. “Blair’s links with the sporting world have helped immensely, and he’s already gained support from Niall Quinn and former Great Britain ice hockey captain Paul Smith.”

Also gaining the expertise of other local sporting legends such as Steve Cram and Brendan Foster, the organisation focuses on the development of young athletes in the fields of tennis, football, rowing and athletics, particularly for the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“Why he chose rowing I don’t know, I thought we were already too good at it!” joked Burton.

Interfaith is currently being developed, in which Blair himself was quoted as aiming to foster “greater understanding” between the three “Abrahamic faiths”.

And what about John’s future?

“You know, in one day in June, I went from the agent of the Prime Minister, to the agent for a local M.P., to nothing!” quipped Burton. “That’s politics for you!”

Now away from the front line of the political battleground, John Burton is currently a key figure in the Sports Foundation, which is based at Blair’s home in Trimdon Colliery - Myrobella House - ending speculation that he was to sell the property.

“I can’t wait to start,” beamed Burton.