One of many Adventures with Bill Bedford - never a dull moment !!!!!
Bill was Suffolk County President and was due to play and present speeches and awards at Braintree bowls club, in a County match against Essex. John Taylor and myself were selected to play and so arranged that Bill would drive in his car.
Leaving Hopton in good time around 10am for the match start at 2.30pm.
Bill decided that as the rain was falling very heavily we would take M11 route and A120
We eventually got to A120 junction to leave the motorway still driving in torrential rain found the roundabout approach flooded. Bill turned and hit the rear wheel against the kerb lifting the car a foot or so into the air. Continuing on round the roundabout it was obvious the tyre was completely flat and coming off the wheel. We stopped on the approach road down to the A120. Rain still torrential. Bill was concerned for the match – he had all the arrangements – cards – speeches etc.
He thought to call the RAC on his mobile telling them what had happened only to get the reply that they will not attend accidents or damage resulting from accidents. His mobile then died with flat battery. I decided to call police for help ---------- while ringing there was a banging sound on my window --- peering through the misted up glass I could see a policeman ------------- I put my phone down and wound the window down getting wet. I said to policeman – that was quick. He then went on to explain in great detail that we could not remain on the approach road – specially sitting in the car. I pointed out to him the rear tyre problem and he said that we should all sit in his car ----------- he did enquire why we were all dressed in whites.
Policeman eventually got in touch with rescue service but only left a message. He then suggested we go back to the roundabout junction where there is a Macdonalds so we could wait in the dry. He drove down the approach and onto motorway for about 5 miles then took the flyover bridge back to the junction 5 miles back from where we came. Bill’s comment as we approached the roundabout was “look over there – another Vauxhall broken down” ---------------- we all smiled except Bill.
Policeman left us three at Macdonalds with the rescue contact number for us to contact.
We asked the manager to help with his landline phone and eventually contacted the rescue company. We would have to wait 3-4 hours before they could get to us ----------- this was 1pm by now – still torrential rain. We waited in the foyer all dressed in whites with John wearing his green Suffolk jacket cover in badges and medals --- people thought we were collecting for charity. Bill decided to go out and see if the rescue had arrived yet ----- at that point the rescue arrive and Bill got into the truck and drove off down the approach road leaving John and myself bewildered about what our future was. Bill had no phone – did not know my number or the Mac’s number. ----------------- 4pm now
I called Pat Deacon to see if she could let Alan Deacon (who was also playing there) know that we were in trouble.
Eventually Bill turned up following the rescue truck and picked us up explaining that he paid £80 to have a new tyre fitted -- £30 went to the rescue chap for guiding Bill back to the roundabout and £100 for his services to tow Bill’s car to repair garage and wait to take Bill back up the road.
Still torrential rain. 5.30pm now and decided to press on to Braintree.
As we entered the room full of bowlers that had eaten a hearty meal and just finishing their puddings there was a very noisy welcome accompanied with jeering and table thumping.
Bill’s first question was “how did the match go?” ----------- it was cancelled due to the green being flooded !!! they had been killing time with jokes and idle chatter waiting for the meal ---------- Bill got straight onto the head table and started to distribute the awards and speeches whilst trying to eat a dinner -------------------- we all shook hands and were on the way back home by 6.30pm --------- in the torrential rain.
Brian Coe
Bill’s bowling partner and helper to green maintenance and machinery repair ------------------- but above all a personal friend having spent many hours together putting the world right.
