THIS week gossip columnist and man-about-town John Duckers bids farewell to one of Birmingham’s commercial property stalwarts and discovers how the city’s professional services community fared on its annual yomp through the Welsh countryside.

There was an excellent turnout down at Metro for Birmingham commercial property community to bid their farewells to stalwart John Batsford.

John, latterly a consultant with Bigwood – soon to become CP Bigwood in a merger with chartered surveyors Curry & Partners on September 1 – is one of that dying breed, able to retire at 60.

Not only that but he has just exchanged contracts on his current house but without securing a new one – which makes him technically homeless and out of work!

“As I said to him last week – Metro to the soup kitchen in one week,” quips chum Ian Tudor, a Bigwood director.

And they presented him with a cardboard sign – “Homeless – Will Work 4 Food” – just in case things get tough.

I am told the lad enjoys his sport, particularly rugby; the finer things in life including good food and wine; but on a recent night out admitted also to a liking for Take That and clubbing.

As a consequence one of his retirement gifts was two luminous light sticks in pink for the next time he is raving under the Ibiza night skies.

And, given he has a very sweet tooth, prompting regular raids on the office goodie store, which didn’t go unnoticed, a further present was a replica tuck box.

Topped off with something more substantial to help wash down the gourmet food – a Dartington crystal wine decanter and matching Merlot glasses.

More seriously, Ian tells me: “Over 40-plus years in the Birmingham property scene John has conducted himself with great dignity and integrity, is very popular within the industry and will be sadly missed.”

And noting that John’s children both live abroad, Sarah near Sydney and Ian in New York, he added: “I know he will be spending a fair amount of his new found spare time, when not hitting a ball around Copt Heath Golf Club, visiting both.”

John’s career started with Shipway Doble & Earle followed by Elliot Son & Boynton, Chesterton, Hillier Parker, CBRE, Colliers and finally a 20 month stint at Bigwood’s Colmore Row office.
 
 

Terror in the Welsh mountains

LOW cloud, torrential rain and brimming rivers forced the closure of fearsome peak Cadair Idris … to mixed reactions.

A few heroic types who habitually stroll up Munros in winter were heard to express some disappointment but most admitted to my undercover correspondent to being secretly very thankful of a shorter course.

Just think, a whole generation of Birmingham business leaders could otherwise have been wiped out.

Nevertheless 500 intrepid souls turned out in aid of the youth homelessness charity – around the Mawddach estuary for those with navigational skills; half of Wales for those who didn’t.

In the absence of habitual winners Baverstock Sports College, fastest over the ground this year were lawyers from DLA in a time of 6hrs 05 mins for the reduced distance of 26 miles … yes, that’s the reduced distance!

I am told that neither veteran yomper Chris Rawstron nor the new young pretender Russell Orme made it into the team this year. In order to protect myself from litigious action, readers may draw their own conclusions!

The team comprised Nick Jew and Jonathan Crowley.

Much strange behaviour was to be observed en route but perhaps none stranger than Mark Vernon, of Gateley, who diverted from the course to undertake a few squats and bench presses in Dolgellau’s outdoor fitness centre just half a mile from the finish. Obviously, should have gone up Cadair … and to Specsavers!

And what of Nick Venning, the yomp’s inventor?

It appears the old boy was last seen on the final stage sweeping up the stragglers. One of BYPY’s former Inspiring Leaders, I guess he knows a thing or two about leading from the rear these days!

But one could also ask who was it that needed the motivational pep talk to get them over the finish line? A team of young female lawyers, I’m told … you old rogue!

All in all, thanks to our friend or not, nearly all participants finished their intended course with no serious injuries or mishaps. All much to the relief of St Basils’ fundraising chief Lucy Hackett, who appears to have chewed every fingernail not previously broken during trial runs last month!

Finally, to Dolgellau’s Crossed Keys hostelry for a quiet pint or two to end the day; or so Chris Romans and his PwC team thought until St Basils marshal Chris Elliott, a former RSM of the Royal Dragoon Guards, turned amateur rock musician, decided it was time to regale the locals with his rendition of Yesterday, Angie and Tom Jones’ Delilah.

My, my, my they couldn’t take any more … and headed for the door instead!

St Basils is now busy collecting in the loot and chasing the £100,000 donated last year.
So, as the Bard would have had it, if your were one of those abed in England last weekend wishing that you had joined this merrie band in Wales, then, get thyself to Virgin Giving and click away.

•    For more questionable gossip, tittle tattle and trivia from Birmingham’s business community see Duckers & Diving