Gary Benham

245 days to go - John Jeffrey - a True Scot

On 5 March 2009 the Diplomatic Service lost one of its true characters.  John Jeffrey, then Consul in South Africa, lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.

I'd had the pleasure of working with John some years ago in Tunisia.  When I was told that I would work with John again in Pretoria I was delighted but sadly he passed away before I was able to take up my position here.

John was a proud Scot, a very proud Scot.  He immediately sprang to my mind when, earlier this week, I was asked to make a short presentation to a group of school children in Durban that are participating in a FIFA sanctioned Mini World Cup tournament.  The Victory Christian Academy have been drawn to represent (and play as) Scotland.

I am Hampshire boy, born and bred and I've only visited Scotland once.  So I spent Tuesday night pouring over a hot laptop researching vital Scottish facts.

Did you know, for example, that Scotland has a population of about 5 million and an area of about 78,772km²?  It rains there on about 200 days each year, apparently. 

Research done I entered the school hall on Wednesday to a rapturous reception.  The hall had been decorated with the Saltire (the Scottish flag - the cross of St Andrew).

I spent 20 minutes telling the children of famous Scottish folk - you might be surprised at how many I came up with or how great their achievements were.  Some like Sir Alex Ferguson and J K Rowling were better know to the kids than others (James Dewer, the inventor of the vacuum flask!)

An uncomfortable Englishman?

The children are really passionate about their project to learn more about Scotland.  They have already learnt the "Flower of Scotland" and will, I'm sure, study the works of Burns to get a cultural handle.

Of course, some might suggest that by representing Scotland in the mini world cup the children are already one step ahead of the grown ups back at home! 

What I do know is that from a lofty position somewhere John will be cheering the children on come 28 November.  I'll be there to do the same.

Posted at 16:12 08 October 2009 by Gary Benham  |  Comments[0]