Featured
Meet Sol Turk – the man who braved a 100-day dip in the North Sea

Despite the fact it was the height of winter, Sol Turk committed to plunging into the icy sea at Tynemouth beach every day for 100 days straight.
Inspired by Wim Hof – or better known as The Iceman – Sol embarked on a journey of self-care through cold water therapy and breathing exercises.
Beginning back in November, the former special forces officer recently completed the incredible challenge that changed his life.
Sol had been battling with his mental health, and after realising that going to the gym wasn’t a powerful enough tool to improve his state of mind, he decided to take a leaf out of Hof’s book.
He said: “It’s amazing. Changed me completely into a different person. Very positive. Happy. Open goal every day. Full of energy. More control in my life. And clear vision – no clouds, no negativity.”
Whatever the weather – regardless of if the North East was being hit with snow, rain or ferocious wind – Sol’s unwavering determination spurred him on.
His admirable will power convinced others to join him, as dozens flocked to the freezing waters of King Edward’s Bay on 26 February to celebrate his 100th dip.
The gathering has now turned into a regular occurrence, with folk repeatedly turning up at the beach to get involved in the cold-water exposure and relaxing breathing exercises.
The Facebook page ‘Sol’s Cold Water Therapy Group’ has racked up 1200 members in a matter of weeks.
Sol is even being stopped in the street with people eagerly asking if they can join in – which, of course, he says they are welcome too.
People from America, Australia, Asia and numerous other countries were also interested in experiencing the “magic” benefits that Sol has talked about.
Heart touching messages have since flooded in from across the globe with people expressing their appreciation to Sol for how his dedication encouraged them to begin morning dips.
Go here to visit Sol’s Cold Water Therapy facebook page.
Sol advised two minutes is enough “to charge your battery” alongside the right breathing exercises.
He said, although “it’s all in your mind,” that people shouldn’t force it.
He warned: “Your body will tell you how long you’re going to stay in the water. If your body tells you it’s enough, just get out.”
Sol’s main praise about cold water exposure is about how it makes your mind and body become one.
He explained: “You’re fully connected and just feeling good. It activates everything in your body – optimises your vascular system. And after that you feel good. When you come out of the water, you feel like a mountain.”
Marnie Merrilees, Mental Health Consultant at Thrive Mental Wellbeing, is working alongside Sol to spread the message about the benefits of cold water therapy.
She expressed that one of the “the greatest benefits” of cold water therapy is how it makes the body feel, especially as it can ease sore and aching muscles. Athletes often use cold water therapy to reduce inflammation and aid muscle recovery.
Marnie added: “Cold water can help your central nervous system by aiding in sleep, and consequently make you feel better from having less fatigue. It’s been suggested that people who engage in cold water therapy have better sleep, because it helps regulate their sleeping patterns.”
She noted that everyone within the group participating in the cold water therapy “seems to sleep like a log.”
She continued: “[A] benefit of cold water therapy is being able to train your vagus nerve, which is linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the calming part of your nervous system. Training it can help you face stressful situations more adequately.
“Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes excessive fears and worries, and while intermittent bouts of anxiety are natural, anxiety disorders make it difficult to participate in life in a normal way. So when you want to get rid of your anxious thoughts, exposure to cold is a great way to relieve the anxiety symptoms naturally.”
Both with a passion for helping others, Sol and Marnie are keen for others to experience the wonders that they’ve both felt from cold water therapy and breathing exercises.

Sol Turk and Marnie Merrilees collecting Sol’s Koast radio award
For those that aren’t feeling quite up to a dip in the sea, the pair suggested an ice bath could be a good compromise. Or alternatively, practice with cold showers.
Sol explained: “People actually train with cold showers before introducing themselves into ice baths, into the sea, lakes, waterfalls or anything like that. What they can do is turn the shower to cold. Try on the first day maybe for 30 seconds, the second day 40 seconds, third day 50 seconds. Each day increase it by 10 seconds.”
Motivated by how great it is see others thriving following his first challenge, Sol is about to start another one on Thursday (10 March) – although it will remain a secret until the big reveal.
Are you brave enough to join him?
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Featured
Karen’s Diner on Tour is BACK IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE!!

Karen’s Diner on Tour coming to town on tour and ‘well if y’all show up in force we’ll either come as a longer term pop up or simply just stay put for a while until we’ve insulted everyone in the North East!’
Get your tickets here: Karens Diner Newcastle tickets
We have spoken to the top Karen who assures everyone who went last time that Bottomless means BOTTOMLESS!
At our pop-up Karen’s you will be greeted and waited upon by rude waiters who in return are expecting you to give it full Karen. A place where you can complain until the cows come home because we literally don’t care. You can expect good food, good fun and a dining experience like you’ve never had before. Let us know if it’s your birthday, if your name is Karen and for the love of Karen don’t ask to speak to the manager….
Your ticket includes a delicious BOTTOMLESS pizza and BOTTOMLESS prossecco or select spirits and mixers as well as select soft drinks drinks for a full 90mins
*We cater for all allergens
You will get full and authentic Karen experience – our games, our waitstaff and the full works. Decent food provided by the venue (we hope) and BOTTOMLESS booze for those who love a drink. This is a dining experience like no other – literally. Come enjoy the OG Karen’s from OG Karen’s.
Don’t accept imitations – book now to avoid missing out!
See our two below YouTube videos from the last time they were in the toon to see what to expect…
Follow our channel for more local videos…
*affiliate link – we may receive payment for sales for this event.
Entertainment
Raoul Moat Drama Coming Soon To ITV

It looks set to be one of ITV’s biggest dramas this year and The Hunt for Raoul Moat is being brought to screen by the same people responsible for smash hit shows Line of Duty, Bodyguard and Vigil.
It was confirmed last April that production on the series had commenced, nearly 12 years after Moat gunman shot ex girlfriend Samantha Stobbart and her new boyfriend Christopher Brown, with Brown dying from his injuries. After fleeing Samantha’s home in Birtley, Moat, who had been released from prison just days earlier, went on the run, shooting on duty policeman PC David Rathband in the face as he sat in a patrol car on the outskirts of Newcastle and leaving him blind.
From there, Moat headed for Northumberland, forcing the quiet village of Rothbury into a lockdown as police launched a frantic search for him. The hunt for Moat reached its conclusion with a tense stand-off between the killer and the police on a riverbank, with Moat eventually shooting himself and dying from his injuries as he was rushed to Newcastle General Hospital.
ITV announced three parter The Hunt for Raoul Moat almost a year ago, as filming got underway in Yorkshire, with a cast including ex Bodyguard star Matt Stokoe as Moat and Inspector George Gently actor Lee Ingeleby as police chief Neil Adamson.
ITV have yet to officially announce an release date for The Hunt for Raoul Moat, but is expected to be form part of the channel’s spring programming.
Featured
Newcastle United to Reveal New Shirt Sponsor?

footballinsider247 are reporting that the main shirt sponsor slot for Newcastle United is expected to be filled by airline SAUDI, who sponsored Newcastle’s mid-season tour of their owners’ homeland in December.
They state ‘This site revealed in February that there is frustration at St James’ Park that they have inherited a kit deal with Castore worth just £5m per year with no break clause and several seasons left to run.’
Newcastle’s recently appointed CEO Darren Eales has already previously expressed that the club at looking at all commercial opportunities and fans on Twitter were keen to mock up their expectation for the new shirts, see below and let us know your thoughts and also see our below video on how NUFC can increase commercial avenues..
Eddie Howe’s team are currently in a strong position to achieve a European slot which would increase revenue into the club allowing more spend whilst staying within Financial Fair Play which is something Howe has spoken about on several occasions as they look to stay within. If the club do reach a European slot it should help significantly with recruitment in the summer by making it a more attractive proposition to any incoming targets.
What do you think of the kits – let us know on our facebook page and join in on the conversation.
You can also download our FREE app – https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
Credit: NUFC kit concept – twitter
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