Watford's mayor and MP to abseil off 170ft off Meriden high rise
10:30am Sunday 27th May 2012 in News By Mike Wright
Watford’s directly elected mayor and MP have signed up to drop 170ft of a Meriden high-rise flat to raise money for the Peace Hospice in a charity abseil.
The event, planned for September, is being organised by Watford Community Housing Trust to mark its fifth birthday and aims to raise £50,000 for the Hospice.
Among other Watford dignitaries who will climbing off the edge of the 17-storey Munden View will be new Watford Borough Council Chairman Shirena Counter.
Mayor Thornhill said: "I'm pleased to help celebrate the Trust's fifth birthday and proud of the bold decision we took six years ago that meant that tenants could decide to have their own local housing trust, with all the extra investment this has brought.
“I can't pretend I'm not nervous about the abseil, but what better way to celebrate than helping to raise money for the Peace Hospice.”
In addition to the abseil, the trust’s staff will also be out and about in Meriden on September 10 doing work to improve the local community as part of the celebrations.
MP Richard Harrington said: “I am delighted to be supporting Watford Community Housing Trust as they celebrate their fifth anniversary."
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Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
Steven Fletcher deserved to be axed from Scotland squad, says Chris Iwelumo - Daily Record
May 27 2012 By Gordon Waddell
chris iwelumo Image 1
CHRIS IWELUMO stood side by side with pal Steven Fletcher as he came on to make his home debut for Scotland.
But last night he backed boss Craig Levein for axing the Wolves striker – because he knows Scotland’s unity is their strength.
The Watford giant was back home last week learning the managerial ropes, arming himself with the tools to make the big decisions when he steps from dressing-room to dugout.
If he knows one thing already, though, it’s that there can be only one leader – and everyone has to follow.
The deeply patriotic 33-year-old said: “Everyone in the country would hope the manager and Fletcher can thrash things out. We all want our country to do well.
“Fletch is a fantastic player and a great lad as well.
“But I understand the manager’s view. Sometimes your hand can be forced.
“There’s no one more clued up about things like that than Craig. He will make his decisions and he’s the leader so we’ve all got to go along with it.
“He’ll have a direction he wants to take and will want people who have the same outlook. Even if you don’t agree with him you’ve got to be open to his ideas.
“I’d say fingers crossed that something can be done – but the bigger picture is Scotland being successful.
“If you’ve got a good united group you can move forward. We’ve all shown time and again that we’re a fearless bunch.
“The unity here has been the biggest thing I’ve noticed. That will take you further than any level of ability. I’m positive there are good times ahead.”
Fletcher’s issues with Scotland started the day he sent a text saying he didn’t want to be considered for the Carling Cup clash with Northern Ireland.
Iwelumo finds that inconceivable. The four-times capped frontman said: “I would never say never.
“Last year was probably my worst season in the Championship in terms of goals. I had good performances but I usually nick a lot more goals and for whatever reason that didn’t happen.
“And it’s goals that get you noticed. You’re only going to get in to the international squad if you’re on fire.
“My regret with Scotland is that I didn’t get in earlier. I got in to Scotland B when I went to Charlton.
“I then had three or four years before I was picked while at Wolves.
“If I’d got in early, done well, got my face known – then you never know.
“But I would never say no to Scotland, I would rather just fade away instead!” Mention Iwelumo’s name in a Scotland context, though, and only one thing leaps to mind for most. THE miss.
Called on as a sub with Fletcher by George Burley as a crucial clash with Norway lay deadlocked – a decision that ironically caused Kris Boyd to throw HIS toys from the international pram – the pair did well.
Iwelumo had scored eight goals in six games leading up to the match and netted seven in the 10 following it.
But when his big chance came from a couple of yards out?
He said: “That’s the thing with football isn’t it, that centimetre? Would life be different? I’ve thought about it often.
“At least I don’t scream about it any more. It’s funny, we did a psychology session on Tuesday and were asked what our best and worst moments were – and I put that in both boxes.
“Because it is. I played for my country at Hampden on my home debut, that’s the dream – then there’s the miss.
“The month after it was a low point for me. The goals kept on coming for my club. Before that Norway game I’d been scoring a lot and had a great week prior to the match.
“If you took the miss away my performance was perfect, it was just one of those things that wasn’t meant to be. Who knows what would have happened, even to the manager, if that shot went in? It’s the sliding doors thing but you can never tell what’s round the corner.”
Iwelumo hopes management is around the corner for him – but not too soon.
With Watford exercising a year’s option on him, he still has a part to play in the Championship.
Articulate and passionate, though, he’s a natural on the training ground.
And he credits his former boss Mick McCarthy with giving him the bug for the change. He said: “I’m still in the best shape of my life, still going strong.
“But when I went to Wolves I broke my foot on the first day of pre-season and was out for four months.
“I started watching matches, Mick was great, whatever way he wanted to play he’d ask my opinion on it.
“I’d have arguments and he shot me down most of the time but was always open to it and would explain it all to me.
“So I decided then to do my licence to see if it was for me. When you’re hitting 28-29 you have years ahead – but it was only when I had so much time out of football I began to think what comes after.
“However, I plan to keep going as long as I can.”
■ Iwelumo was speaking at the SFA’s A Licence coaching course at the sportscotland National Centre in Inverclyde.
The SFA provides education to thousands of coaches at all levels of the game every year.
Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
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