Tom Morton is The Alternative Board’s local Facilitator for the Harrogate region.
In this quick-fire interview, Tom gives an insight into his most embarrassing mistake, his love of cricket and golf, and gives a very clever choice for his final meal...
What was your first job?
(Aged 18) Working in a label-stringing factory in Nottingham, alongside a number of puzzled, but robust, Nottingham ladies (mostly wives of miners). Fortunately they adopted me as a sort of mascot ....
If you weren’t in your present position, what would you be doing?
Probably vegetating, getting more and more grumpy, and getting under my wife's feet -- as opposed to having the best job in the world, as I do now!
What’s the worst mistake you’ve ever made?
(Most embarrassing) (Aged 14) Answering my parents' phone when they were out, and being impatient with the caller for whispering -- not knowing that he'd had a tracheotomy -- still makes my blood run cold!
(Most important) Not starting my own business a lot earlier.
What are you proud of, but never have an excuse to talk about?
Running a half marathon in 1 hr 52 min (though this was a number of years ago!)
What’s your ideal day away from the office?
Playing golf on a links course on a fine day with good friends.
Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why.
(Still alive) Mike Brearley -- the greatest ever England cricket captain, and a perfect example of a leader.
(No longer with us) William Shakespeare (how on earth did he have such insight into things which are still key issues 400 years later, and always will be?)
What was your best subject at school?
Maths -- I loved it, and still do (it underpins virtually everything else)
What was the best day of your life?
My wedding day!! (Surely you didn't expect any other answer?)
What would be your last meal?
Ideally something which took AGES to eat!
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Try and help a lot of people -- but it'd be difficult, because I don't buy a ticket!
What is your top time saving tip?
Don't be afraid to say NO.
What was the last picture you took?
A golf mate (You Know Who You Are) attempting to play his ball out of a hawthorn bush.
What would your epitaph be?
What I'd LIKE it to be is something like "he helped to change other people's lives for the better" .... what it'll ACTUALLY be -- well, who knows?
Where do you want to be in an hour?
Going for a brisk walk (it's a lovely crisp day as I write this).
And finally, what would you like for Christmas this year?
A nice surprise...
Tom Morton is the owner of TAB Harrogate
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