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LETTERS |
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Email
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Getting
to know You No. 1: Ray Green
Your web master had no
difficulty arranging an interview with self-publicist Ray Green who
is always ready to talk about himself. Such is his love of the limelight
that he has been known to turn up for the opening of an envelope.
It is thirty-five years since Ray left Southport but he has maintained
strong links with the club despite periods with the Kenton Road Club
and Middlesex Road Club. Ray's greatest love in cycling is the Tour
of Flanders race, which he believes is the perfect test of strength,
bravery and tactical ability. He also loves the fact that the "Ronde"
is deeply embedded in Flemish culture. To find out what makes this
pseudo Flandrian tick read on
When and where were you born?
17 May 1944 in Southport. I think it was at the Christina Hartley
maternity hospital as I remember that my Mum kept the "savings
card". The mother couldn't have the baby until the fee had been
paid in full. My Dad said I was two before I was born!
When did you start cycling and what was your first club?
I was introduced to the Southport RCC by Graham Bland, who was in
my class at K.G.V, but perhaps the formative experience was calling
into Norman Mosscrop's workshop after school. This was, I think, in
1958. We used to sit on wooden boxes round a stove listening to Norman's
mechanic Jim Caldwell telling yarns. I'm sure that Norman must have
been frustrated at having non-paying customers hanging around for
hours but he was too kind to tell us to clear off.
What was your first bike?
My first proper bike was a "lugless" Claud Butler that I
bought from Colin Mason for £9. In the eighties and nineties
I had frames built by Bill Philbrook of Gillingham, Kent who had been
Claud's foreman builder in the fifties. Bill was, without doubt, the
best frame builder ever and I like to think that he could have built
my Claud. Chas Roberts, who built my P-B-P frame, also learnt the
trade at Claud's so I have remained loyal to South London builders
for more than forty years.
What was your first race?
I rode a Club "10" in 1959 and did a 28.12. I did a short
27 the next week but since then improvements have been harder to come
by.
When was your first win?
I won the Cleveleys Road Race on 7 March 1964 in a four up break with
Andy Deakin, Tony Holmes, who was later, a pro with Falcon, and club
mate Neil Smith. This was the first leg of the famous "spring
double".
When last your last win?
I won the Chippenham and District three up T.T.T. riding with Kenton
R.C. club mates Gino Goddard and John McMillan in 1985. I punctured
and blagged a wheel from a spectator and we won by over a minute.
Big Mac had good legs that day.
What was the first record you bought?
"You better move on" by Arthur Alexander.
And the last?
"Call off the search" by Katie Melua.
What is your favourite drink?
I always start a long-haul flight with a Kir Royale but if I am spending
my own money I have a pint of bitter, preferably Youngs or Fullers.
What is your favourite T.V. programme?
Anything on "Men and Motors" after 11pm.
What is your favourite film?
Zulu. Some of my best friends are Zulus.
Do you have any other hobbies?
Dancing. My Zulu friends taught me how to Toyi-toyi. Now as soon as
I hear the beat I have to hit the floor.
What were you like at school?
An under-achiever. I was OK in class where working was the easiest
option but I did little or no homework
What kinds of books do you enjoy?
Ones that confirm my own prejudices. At present I am reading the autobiography
of Connor Cruise O'Brien who like myself thinks that Irish Loyalists
have been very badly treated by successive British governments
Who or what would you despatch to Room 101
Anyone who won’t consider alternatives to the National Ill-health
Service, closely followed by David Duffield
Which paper do you read?
The Daily Telegraph. By the way can I send Guardian readers to Room
101?
What is your favourite holiday?
My first overseas holiday in 1965 takes some beating. Me, Ken Beck,
Bob Robson and Paul Mayor cycled to Southampton, sailed to Santander,
saw Tom Simpson win the Worlds then cycled round Spain and Portugal
for two weeks. I took 1093 town Primes, Ken won seven, Bob two and
Paul none, but he was only a boy.
How do you like to relax?
Cooking gourmet meals for one
Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?
Peter Kaye
What is your favourite training ride and why?
The Hughenden Valley from High Wycombe to Great Missenden. It is a
slope of about 1 in 25 and on a good
day I can convince myself I can climb
What is your most unpleasant characteristic?
I make jokes at other people’s expense
What is your most treasured possession?
My P-B-P medal
Who would you most like to meet and why?
Enoch Powell to ask him if he felt it was a mistake to quote Virgil
in his so-called "Rivers of Blood" speech
When is the last time you cried?
When my first daughter was born in 1979
Who is your fantasy date?
Margaret Thatcher
Who is your hero?
See above
Four words to describe yourself?
Cosmopolitan, charming, loving, deluded |
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