Today (11 August 2019) I wrote a tribute piece about my dad, on the 100th anniversary of his birth – click here or below:
I was reminiscing about his last birthday, 2006. I took mum and dad to Lord’s for a birthday treat. Dad had no interest whatsoever in sport, but he did enjoy a nice meal and my parents had never before seen Lord’s.
It was good fortune that the Middlesex v Hampshire match went to a fourth day – indeed it eventually went the distance on that fourth day. I did have a Plan B, in case you are wondering, but Plan B was not needed.
As I reminisced just now, the piece seemed to be writing itself in my brain, almost as if I had already written it.
Then I realised that I HAD already written it; I wrote a pretty comprehensive account of that lovely day for the Middlesex Till We Die (MTWD) website at the time – click here for that piece.
If by chance anything ever goes awry with that site, click here for a scrape of said piece.
Just in case there’s anyone left on the planet who is bemused by the pseudonyms, I am Ged Ladd so my parents are “Mr & Mrs Ladd Senior”.
On re-reading that piece, I have little else to add about the day.
Here is a link to the scorecard for the match – interesting to see so many people who are now involved with England cricket and cricket at Lord’s (not only but including Middlesex) participating in that match. What a good match it was too.
One final reflection. I remember asking dad afterwards if he had enjoyed the day. His reply:
It was absolutely lovely. Thank you so much.
As much as anything else, it was nice to be with so many people of my own age somewhere other than the old age home.
I’m not sure that the Middlesex/MCC marketing people will be wanting to reuse that quote, but if they want it they can have it.