28 10 2010

It is with regret that I reflect today on the passing of Dr William (Bill) Griffiths ( wikipedia entry) 1922-2010. Bill was an innovator as a player as you can read from his biography above, he can be seen in the centre of the front row of the above image as captain of Wales in a match against England at Abergavenny Cricket Club in 1949, a year after winning his Olympic Silver medal at the London Games as a member of the Great Britain Hockey Team.
Bill was President of Abergavenny HC when I took over as Chairman in 2000 until I had to accept his request to step down in 2007 after 40 years at the helm, he was always a wise head in often difficult times, in later years I remember very well Bill turning up to watch hisgrandson Michael begin his hockey career as a junior...... Michael is now captain of Abergavenny 2nd XI following in his granddad's footsteps.
My abiding memory of Bill was that he dutifully turned up for every club AGM to listen attentively through many an overlong speech, mild irritation came from Bill as we moved to the presentations as the photographer often insisted on Bill sitting in a chair surrounded by those lucky enough to receive rewards...... Bill would whisper to me not to allow Malcolm the photographer to sit him in the chair as in the local paper image it irritated Bill hugely for making him look tiny surrounded by the young award winners....... I often failed to get to the photograph party on time...... much to the annoyance of our President...... sorry Bill :-)

A gentleman