A CHANCE TO SHARE

You know how it is - late at night - can`t be bothered to move and go up to bed - you start channel hopping on tv, more in hope than expectation. Happened to me the other evening, when I chanced across S4C, the Welsh language channel; not something I would dwell on for too long, but they were showing an hour long tribute to one of Wales` greatest heroes.

Ray Gravell died far too young a couple of weeks ago, whilst he was in Spain. Now, those of you who are rugby fans will know this and know all about Grav - his heroics on the rugby pitch, his devotion to and pride in Llanelli Rugby Club, where he was President, his fierce patriotism, his enthusiastic commentaries on rugby matches for S4C and even his reputation as an actor. Why, he even lived in the street they named after him (Heol Ray Gravell) in his home village of Mynydd-y-garreg, such was the affection in which he was held.

S4C`s tribute thankfully had subtitles for those like me who, whilst fascinated by the intonation and the timbre of the Welsh language, have no idea what`s being said and so I was able to follow the obituary, re-runs of Grav`s part in the greatest period of Welsh rugby and the glowing, heartfelt and utterly genuine tributes from rugby legends from all over the world.

There is no space here to list all of Grav`s achievements - far too many for that. But it is worth saying that he was part of the Llanelli team, captained by Delme Thomas, that defeated the All Blacks in 1972; that he played 23 times for his country and toured with the British Lions. But there was so much more to him than merely one of the greatest centres the game has ever seen and a full, masterful, almost lyrical appreciation can be found at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2007/11/16/srgall116.xml

Now, I`ve never played rugby - just enjoyed watching it - and I`m certainly not Welsh. However, thanks to S4C and my late-night indolence,I discovered that it might be no bad thing to be Welsh after all, for they seem to have a passion, a unity and a pride which all the cynicism, multi-culturalism and fragmentation of our English co-called `society`seems to be losing.

So, my thanks to S4C for a memorable tribute to a remarkable man....and the chance to share in the pride and passion felt for the man and his country. Nos da, Grav.