Dear Editor,
Certain days in history have a particular significance and one of those must be October 14.
On that day in 1066, the Battle of Hastings raged at Battle on the South coast of England while 874 years later Harry Webb was born in Lucknow, India – Happy 70th Birthday Sir Cliff!
His state-of-the-art winery at the Adega do Cantor in Guia produces excellent wines and in 2006 Sir Cliff Richard received Portugal’s equivalent of a knighthood in recognition of his 40 years of personal and business involvement in the Algarve.
We’ll also be raising a glass to Jorge Costa, that great icon of Portuguese football, who took Olhanense into the Premier League 18 months ago.
Fifty years ago, two fine athletes were born on October 14, one in the North East and the other in the South West.
Steve Cram started life in Jarrow and incredibly set three world records in 19 days in the summer of 1985. The 1500m, 2000m and the Mile records earned Cram the title of the ‘Jarrow Arrow’.
Neil Richardson was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire and went on to star in local league football. He and his wife Emily moved to the Algarve and have done much to foster good relations between the Portuguese and Expat Supporters who follow SC Olhanense.
So why does October 14 stick in my mind? A very important person in my life, my father, was born on that day in 1898 and lived through two World Wars and the Great Depression.
So let’s not forget, that although times are tough we have much to be grateful for.
CHRIS WRIGHT
Tavira
