So What do You do for the Rest of the Week? - Thursday 17 June 2004

A mixed band of sports enthusiasts met at Wallington Village Hall on 17 June 2004 to hear Rob Hawthorne speak on his life as a sports reporter and commentator. He seems to have met with the highs and lows of his profession, but his wonderful sense of humour has seen him through. From winning a competition that gave him a break into the commentating world, through radio work to his present job with Sky he kept us laughing. The need to find a suitable bon mot; the knowledge required to recognise all players; the ability to concentrate on several tasks at once, all the while having the director speaking in your ear, makes it a tough job. Did you know that Gordon Ramsay played twice for Rangers or that Hull City is the only football team that cannot be filled in with a biro? These are required learning for his job. We are very grateful that he didn’t listen to the friend who suggested, on hearing that he had to speak to the W.I. that he phone and say he was ill.We are now looking for someone prepared to take on the job of being next year’s speaker’s secretary.In July, help will be needed in hosting 50 WEA members from Stevenage as they visit Orwell’s village and on Thursday 15th July Marie Carden with the help of Venny her dog will be speaking on Dogs for the Disabled at Rushden Village Hall at 8pm.