Haven't been on a squash court for over 5 years (not since the major op in Dec. 2002). In fact, hadn't played much since 1999, when I was elected to the National Assembly. At risk of stimulating an ear-shattering, collective snort of derision, I just didn't have time. Mid and West Wales was such a huge constituency. Anyway, last night, I performed the official opening of the impressive new fitness centre at the Armoury in Welshpool. Really enjoyable evening. I was very pleased to be asked. Only downside might be the photograph. I never entirely trust Phill Blagg, the County Times photographer, not to give rein to his 'sense of fun'. Its me sitting on a complex piece of fitness equipment, wearing a suit and tie, surrounded by most of Welsh[pool Town Council, who run the Armoury Centre. Hope I don't look too ridiculous.
Anyway, the Armoury Squash Courts are next door and I took in 10 minutes of the action. Eyes misted over as I remembered the good times. I started playing squash when my battered body would take regular rugby no more. Its a brilliant game and I played for Shrewsbury, around the courts of the West Midlands for over 20 years - and then the cancer finally stopped it. Lying in bed last night, I thought "Surely, if I took it gently, focusing on T domination and placement rather than the attritional retrieval style of old, I'd be able to avoid pulling any muscles - especially the heart muscle! After all, it was the same 'boys' playing last night as 25 years ago. Its no good. The wistfulness and longing is too strong. I'm going to book a court today.
16 comments:
Why on earth did you perform the opening?
Was there not an elected councillor or politician such as the assembly member available.
Pretty much a non event "joe public" opening anything.
Ted - I just accepted an invitation. You'll have to ask the Council why they invited me. You may think it a non-event. I know quite a lot about non events and this was not one of them. I greatly appreciated being asked. Local Councils are a very important part of our democracy.
Hey GD, why are you not posting on the remarks about the fragrant La Lloyd's book in the Mail?
Think one paper today calls it Lembit's Obit.......
anon - I received some very good advice in the comments on this blog a few weeks ag - which was to leave this issue alone.
Old Ted is correct.
The council you would have thought would have had some one in to open such a place, that was elected, such as an Aseembly member, or the local MP.
But in fairness you are neither, but however nice you are, you are an ex Councillor and an ex Assembly member.
That appears to have been the point Ted was making.
"I know quite a lot about non events"
Glyn,
you have to smile at that little bit of a comment!
But to leave it alone is absurd! Everyone round here is talking about it and that awful picture is doing the rounds. A picture paints a thousand words and all that........
anon - I thought Ted was suggesting that I had no rights to be 'opening' anything and that the event was a non event. His opinion, so ok but I don't agree with him.
anon 2 - still best for me to leave it alone.
What's wrong with these people, questioning why you should have been the one to open this fitness centre? a) You are doing more for Montgomeryshire even when not in office, than some who are!!
b)If anyone is a good advert for keeping fit following major surgery ....you are. So well done you Glyn, enjoy your game of squash, but don't over do it, Montgomeryshire needs you!!!
For those of you who opposed 'Get a life'
anon - I also happen to be a user. But I was interested in the priciple being argued - that only elected persons should receive these kind of honours. I do thing that a Mayor or local Council leader takes precedence, but I've never been keen on asking the local AM or MP to always do these things. Not only does it give an even bigger advantage to 'the incumbant' but it usually involves an 'official opener' who does not have any particular interest in whatever is being 'opened'.
Glyn
I am new to these parts and dont quite understand how the regioanl votes system works .
I suppose my question is have you ever actually won an election in this constituency ? or always entered through the PR route
The other question I have Glyn is who did you actually play rugby for during your career you talk about it with great fondness - what sort of level did you play ?
Ravenspark - No, I have not won an election in Montgomeryshire. In 1999 and 2003, my party insisted that to be placed on the 'regional' list is was a requirement that any candidate had to fight a constituency election. The Labour Government banned this 'dual candidacy' for the 2007 election. I lost my position because we won two seats in South West Wales, so Lisa lost out.
I played most of my rugby for Shrewsbury - at a time when the Shrewsbury team was virtually the Shropshire team. Today teams such as Whitchurch and Bridgenorth have diminished the dominance of Shrewsbury. In the latter part of my career, I played for Welshpool. I did also play representative rugby for Shropshire and for North Wales. I played between the age of 21 and 32, when I retired to concentrate on squash.
"No, I have not won an election in Montgomeryshire."
Where have you won one, then?
anon - I've only won Coucil elections - and that was a bit of a story. I was elected to represent Berriew by just one vote in 1976. I was then returned unopposed until I stood down in 1989.
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