Every Day's a School Day
John Driscoll
The speaker at Kendal Rotary Club on 7th April was John Driscoll who chose the title “Every Day’s a School Day” and talked through some of his extensive learning experiences over the years, from kayaking solo as an 11 year old on Coniston to working as a consultant with some of the world’s best known companies.
He set us some conundrums to spot:- “Circles in the sea” or how it took 3 weeks to accurately account for the turning circle of HMS Tenacity and a major contract for boats. David Beckham’s football red card and, by being adaptable, how this influenced the behaviour of Land Rover’s management team. The distance between Barnsley and Oxford Street - only about 175 miles, but a generation in thinking, leading to the demise of a company supplying lingerie to Marks & Spencer. And now we all know that if we are responsible for driving the RNLI boat working with a helicopter winch, we “go in at 4, out at 2 and mind the step”……..John went on to talk about a charity “Free to Run” which his successful athlete daughter Steph, a recipient of a Kendal Rotary Talented Individual grant in the past, is supporting. They provide kit for underprivileged girls who, through running, can increase their confidence and self-esteem. Steph is currently in America, but joined the family in Paris for the Olympics where her training partner and long term friend Keeley Hodginkinson won gold in the 800m. John’s officiating journey in athletics has taken him from raking the long jump pit at Carlisle to being Referee in the Call Room for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and he is about to embark on his International Officiating accreditation – watch out for him on TV at major events.
