Sue reveals why sport plays an important part in her life
Tennis, golf and one sports award judge for The Local, sport has always featured highly in the life of former grammar school teacher Sue Slowey.
Sue spent 38 years teaching at Bourne Grammar School – her one and only teaching post – during which time she met her husband Peter.
"We were married in 1969, having met in the staffroom when Peter took up his post as Head of Classics in 1965," she says, adding: "It was the most lovely job and I consider myself very lucky as so many people these days find their work 'stressful'.
"Likewise both my husband Peter and I have found life in Bourne to be eminently enjoyable; we have never considered moving."
Here, in the week the Beijing Olympics start, she reveals why sport plays such an important part in her life.
You are a keen golfer and tennis player. What is it that first attracted you to sport?
Right from an early age I loved spending time playing ball games, throwing, catching against a wall or with friends out in the street. I also loved running and games of "tig" (chasing and catching) and never seemed to tire of them.
At primary school that continued in the playground along with Sports Days and general games activities. At secondary school, right from the word go, I threw myself into every games lesson that introduced me to the joys of rounders, netball and especially tennis and hockey. I loved the excitement of matches and winning.
What level would you describe yourself as now?
I'm a canny and gritty tennis player (Bourne Tennis Club 2nd team captain) and an unpredictable golfer (28 handicap).
How much do you play – and given a choice where would you rather be, on the tennis court of the golf greens?
Two hours tennis per week (floodlit in winter) plus doubles league matches in the summer and veterans and indoor charity matches during the winter. Golf – On average once a week but I try to avoid wind and rain! I play in various competitions and some friendly matches at Toft Golf Club.
Bourne has a thriving sporting scene. Why do you think it plays such a key role in the community?
Bourne is extremely fortunate to have all the sports facilities on the Abbey Lawn and more importantly so many volunteers who give their time and expertise to running and coaching activities and teams. Sport in Bourne has always been important and often successful.
Should more be done to encourage youngsters to take part in sport? And if so what?
All the Bourne schools provide an excellent training ground for sport and the opportunities are there to learn skills and compete. I think local clubs /sports bodies could do more promotion work in schools to try and encourage youngsters to pursue activities outside school.
What is your greatest sporting achievement? Who is your inspiration?
On a personal level, representing the Northern Universities and WIVAB (Women's Inter-Varsity Athletics Board – all British universities except Oxford, Cambridge and London) at hockey. I played against a South African Universities team.
On a professional level, taking Bourne Grammar School's U15 and U18 hockey teams to county and regional standard and also seeing individual girls gain places at those levels. I think that was best of all.
My inspiration has been my family. My father was a first class cricketer and a good hockey player, my mother enjoyed a game of tennis, my brother was just good at everything and my husband happened to be the best left-arm spinner in the county, a stylish hockey left winger and an improving golfer!
Turning to your school life, what do you look back on there as your proudest moment/ achievement?
Being made school games captain and getting nearly full marks in A- level English Literature.
Were you a good student?
If you mean good behaviour – I tried very hard not to be; I was not that keen on being told what to do.
If you could turn the clock back what would you have done differently?
I would have partied less and worked harder at university (I don't think so really).
Was English always you favourite subject?
If I was not outside playing, I would have my head buried in a book. Reading meant being wrapped up in wonderful stories which fed my imagination.
As I got older the whole discovery of the history of literature, all those writers and how and why they wrote never lost its hold over me.
What is the last book you read?
The Dig by John Preston
What was the last piece of music you listened to?
Desert Island Discs (Antonia Fraser's selection)
What do you enjoy outside of sport in your spare time?
Reading of course, gardening, walking, cooking, going for a drink, the cinema (Stamford Arts Centre).
Tell us something people might not know about you?
I can't swim, I am frightened of water.
If you could invite any four people from history (real or fictional) to dinner – who would you choose and why?
Shakespeare, Alan Bennett, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Michael Gambon – two playwrights and two actors who would enthral me with their insights into the world of the theatre.
And finally... Describe yourself in three words.
English, dog-loving, friendly.
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Weather for Bourne
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
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