Coming Out of the Wilderness
February 3rd, 2008Twenty years is a very long time indeed in politics and in Rugby Union. When Wales last won at Twickenham (11-3), Will Carling got his first cap and I was in my first year at Hatfield College, Durham. Watching the match in the JCR proved to be particularly difficult, bearing in mind that Carling was a third year in my college and that everyone apart from me supported England. Those of you who have been in my company when I watch Wales or Llanelli know that I am far from quiet. I was lucky to have escaped with my life that day, I can tell you.
Last summer, I took my son to his first rugby match. Unfortunately, I chose to take him to see England v Wales at Twickenham. This Rugby World Cup warm up game proved to be a complete disaster for Wales, who conceded 60 points to England. The best part of that game for me was when I waited in the queue for drinks and was unable to see anything. Despite the result, George enjoyed the experience. We watched yesterday’s Six Nations match at home. I needn’t comment in too much detail. Towards the end of the first half, I was seriously contemplating watching “Escape From Colditz” on BBC2 - Eric Portman on fine form, with John Mills as the legendary Pat Reid. I resisted the temptation. Frankly, the entire second half could be described as an escape for Wales. They played effectively, no doubt, but England’s collapse was astounding. My favourite part (apart from the tries, of course) was Wales’s sustained forward play and ball control during the last four minutes or so - almost on England’s tryline. Marvellous stuff.
By the time the match started, I was glad to be indoors. A clear, crisp morning session of survey canvassing in Wroughton with the team had left me rather cold to say the least. A visit to the Check Inn in North Wroughton (a new bar and some other changes) and a chat with a local Parish Councillor rounded off the morning’s work.
The main issue on the doorsteps was policing, once again. There is a lot of understanding about the pressures faced by the police, but an abiding wish for a more visible presence. An example of how a failure to communicate by the police can lead to real problems for victims of crime was brought to my notice last week by a local resident in Freshbrook who rang me in a state of some distress. Her motorbike had been stolen from her garden some weeks before, but happily had been found by the police nearby about a week later. This lady did not have a current policy of insurance on the bike, which was off the road when it was stolen. She was not told at the time of recovery that if the police organised its recovery, a charge of £105 plus £12 per day storage would be levied against her.
When she later found out about this, she was horrified. Her fixed income made such a sum extremely burdensome. I am grateful to the police for getting in touch with her and allowing her to have her bike back without any charge, but I was annoyed that the impression given by this episode was that of a victim of crime being treated shabbily. I know that none of this was intentional, but it is all too easy to assume that everyone in this position has insurance that will cover such costs. I do hope that in future the Police will ensure as a matter of policy that the £105 levy and storage charges are explained fully to all victims of crime in writing.
