The Telegraph Pole

Hi all

Just what was Phil's obsession with telegraph poles eh, bless him. I did two with him.

One round the park at Low Edges (the same day as the original Band Aid 1984) and later in Nottingham for the Skylarks charity.

I remember the Low Edges one as I was in Roy Petchie's team. There were rest stations dotted along the course one of which included Phil's bag. Roy was nicking badges and leaving stuff in for Phil to find (which he did!). Anyway, after a long, hot day, we finished and retired to the pub where Phil insisted we had a pint before leaving. There I was, just passed my black belt (I was 19 at the time) as I rose to leave, I caught Phil's pint pot (virtually full) and it fell into his lap. I think it's the first time in my life that time seemed to pass in slow-motion as I looked at the pot fall, the beer empty out onto Phil's lap and then soooo slowly up at Phil's face. You could hear a pin drop.

However, as the urge to s***t myself grew stronger, Phil very graciously waved his hand and told me not to worry. I then made my sincere apologies and we left thanking 'him upstairs'.

Phil truly was a gent!

Cheers

Ninj