Duckers & Diving: Digby – Rebel with a cause!

THE early life of one of the region’s best-known business figures occupies the thoughts of our intrepid diarist this week.

I’m sure that most of us are all too familiar with Birmingham’s gang culture but who would have thought it – Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham was once a sort of teenage gangster too.

And could easily have gone to a young offenders’ institution.

It was back in 1971, he was 15, and living with his parents in Bromsgrove.

Well brought up; but certainly not affluent.

“It wasn’t white powder or guns … but I suppose you could call it a gang,” he remembers.

On this particular occasion they had all gone to watch the Villa, who had lost as usual.

Getting off the bus after the return journey the gang leader decided they should head for the nearby Midland Counties Dairy, climb over the fence, break in through a window, pinch the cash box, and spend the proceeds on a fantastic night out.

“He decreed – ‘who is coming with me?’

“Something in my mind said – don’t do this. I had a mum and dad to go home to … who would be watching Val Doonican on the television.

“At first I gave in and went a bit further with them.

“But I finally decided I couldn’t, I turned around and walked away.”

The five pressed on, broke in, were spotted, the alarm was raised, the flashing blue lights arrived, and they were swept up.

Two went to borstal and the others got lesser outcomes.

“I was a lucky lad,” recalls Digby. “I could have ruined my whole career there and then.”Duckers and Diving

And, in reference to the wonderful work of the Birmingham and Black Country Community Foundation – currently asking the private sector for support – he added: “The least we can do in return is make sure some kid somewhere makes the right call.”

Absolutely.

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