David Gray talking about his life

David is originally from Purley in London but after his schooldays and a brief spell in an insurance job decided to take a £10 passage to New Zealand.  After 18 months hitchhiking, he settled in Dunedin.  A job back home with BOAC took him around the world and provided many memorable moments. Not least was avoiding an irate Princess Margaret who had discovered someone had used the 1^st class toilet specifically reserved for her.

David’s next venture was into the hospitality trade. He was managing Bass pubs in London, pubs with a strong Irish clientele, and at the time of the troubles and London bombings.  On one occasion, entering with a suit and tie, he was every inch MI5, a look which emptied the pub.  A move to Grand Met saw him manage more pubs in the East End under the Watney label, but a move to USA came with the same company and finally a Retail Directorship for South East England.

At 48, David decided to take redundancy and look for another challenge. It proved to be not quite as easy as he had hoped. For 18 months he was out of work until a job at Apollo Leisure saved the day. Managing theatres showing Starlight Express, Grease and Riverdance, he had found a great job worth waiting for.  David told the story of when Riverdance came to the Hammersmith Apollo after its success at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.  Michael Flatley walked out when his name did not get equal billing with Riverdance. Jean Butler was unavailable as her leg was in plaster, so both leads out.  Consternation! To prove no one is indispensable, the understudies carried the day.

Asked which stars he had liked the most, he did not hesitate to name Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth.  David had been a fan for over 50 years. The icing on the cake had been on leaving the theatre one night, they had invited him to their home for cocktails.

Carol Morris gave the vote of thanks for a most interesting talk which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.