Life is full of surprises. On Friday I had the pleasure of making a half an hour speech to a conference of Drug workers in Cardiff. The event celebrated the 21st anniversary of a practical scheme for aiding drugs addict run by the wonderful Alan Emlyn Jones and his daughters Rhoda and Lucy.
I was introduced by broadcaster Jamie Owen. He thanked for saving his career. Without me, he would never have reached the dizzy height of reading the television news nightly on BBC Wales. I was baffled.
Years ago he was trying to earn his spurs as a television reporter on BBC Wales. It was not going well. He was on a final warning that he had to turn in an interesting report on an assignment in Brecon or he was finished. His task was to find vox pop’s on Chlamydia. This was a formidable challenge. He got the ‘shove-off’ of blank incredulity from those that he asked for their opinions on the threat from this disease. One spark of hope was a spirited reaction from one pensioner. ‘Chlamydia ? Do I know about Chlamydia? Of course I do. It’s a little village between Mardy and Porth.’
Desolate he rang the producer to confess that he has no ‘vox pops’ worth broadcasting. But his career was not over. ‘Don’t worry” said the producer "we’ve filled that slot. Paul Flynn is coming is to do an interview. He’ll have something interesting to say.”
My life has not been entirely in vain.
I don't think you have got the hang of this blogging. Your comments are suppose to have some connection with the subject of how I saved Jamie Owen's career. Barking up the wrong tree, Fido. This subject will be dealt with at length in a blog soon.
Posted by: Paul Flynn | April 27, 2007 at 12:29 PM
Do you believe that libel should prevent an mp from holding elected office?
Posted by: fidothedog | April 26, 2007 at 02:46 PM