Random Nice To Meet You
It’s another of my airport ‘meet you’ stories, but this is one which will keep on running – a bit like the guy I randomly met within one of Scotland’s airports.
For security and operational reasons I’ll not disclose which airport; Scotland Police Sergeant Tom McKean prefers to go about his essential business this way.
His face was a tad familiar, his manner kindly assertive, and his ability to chase down criminality is somewhat legendary to colleagues.
For the avoidance of doubt, our swapping of notes wasn’t linked to any suspected misdemeanor, it was all in the mix of this journo’s nose for a story, and a seasoned cop’s natural ability to ask questions!
I am able to reveal Police Sergeant Tom McKean has a record. In fact, Tom has plenty of records. Superlatives to follow.
Within both British and Scottish athletics, Tom’s track records just keep running on and on. He still runs for pleasure and undeniable fitness. He’s physique is lean, but his manner anything but mean.
Over many months of journeying through his patch, I have personally witnessed his kindness and willingness to help folk. The Tom McKean I encountered and befriended is a credit to his profession, as he was to British and Scottish athletics of his era.
Respect.
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It’s 32 years since one of Scotland’s top track performances unfolded over two laps in London and Bellshill’s (an area of Greater Glasgow) own middle distance sensation Tom McKean was right in the thick of it.
Such was the oustandingly high level of performance from Tom McKean – ‘The Bellshill Bullet’ – that the Men’s National Record for 800m has remained elusive for pretenders ever since.
The event where it all happened three decades ago was the Dairy Crest Games at London’s Crystal Palace on July 28, 1989.
It was the fastest time in McKean’s career – 1:43.88 – and remains the Scottish national record to date.
Six days earlier, McKean had enjoyed an easier victory, winning the Scottish title at Crownpoint Stadium in Glasgow by over four seconds, blasting away right from the start to go through 200 in 24.78 and 400 in 49.91.
As with his national record, 32 years later and Tom’s Scottish title win remains as the Scottish Native Record.
These times were no one-offs either. Between 1986 and 1992, Tom bettered 1:45.00 on 18 occasions and ran under 1:46.00 on a further 27 occasions, an astonishing total of 45 sub-1:46 times.
McKean’s illustrious career included him winning 800m gold medals when representing Great Britain at the 1989 World Cup in Barcelona, the 1990 European Championships in Split, the 1990 European Indoor Championships in Glasgow and the 1993 World Indoor Championships in Toronto.
Also in a GB vest, The Bellshill Bullet landed a silver medal at the 1986 European Championships in Stuttgart.
When representing Scotland, McKean won two Commonwealth Games silver medals, in the 800m in 1986 in Edinburgh and in the 4 x 400m in Auckland in 1990.
Malcolm R Fane – There’s always a story.
Tom McKean career stat’s and part copy attributed source: Craig Goldth
‘Finding Mum – Susie’s Story’
My forthcoming autobiography journeys through many positive and heartwarming stories recalled from an extensive career archive, including the truly uplifting ‘Finding Mum – Susie’s Story’.
Emotionally charged recollections of a twin daughter’s nationwide search for her mother, forced by difficult circumstance to give up both babies at birth.
Investigative journalism which led to their reunion following thirty years of an adopted family’s alleged obstruction of detailed truth.
Susie eventually met with her mum at a prearranged area within a motorway service station.
The full story of finding mum produced a multitude of false trails and dead ends. Emotional rollercoaster about covers it.
‘Being Malcolm – Too Many Heartbeats’ ©
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Inspirational moments of a reunited family’s joy.
Susie finds her mum
Photo & Story:
© Malcolm R Fane
Polish President & MP (Krakow)
Random Nice To Meet You
Archive: European Journalism
In Friendship
Former Polish President & MP (Krakow) Josef Lassota, seen pictured beside me, surrounded by children from Krakow’s Hubala School.
V.I.P. Polish/British ex-combatant and Polish national hero Romuald ‘Roman’ Rodziewicz, is seen happily smiling amid the children.
Krakow, Poland 1993
© Nigel Ibbotson Photography
© CBM Ltd / Malcolm R Fane
Nice To Meet You
Be honest, how often do you expect to share a bed space with a generous British billionaire ?
A truly bizarre question? Well, I thought so too but, sure enough, it happened to me this past December.
More accurately, the bed space was ward space as neighbours within an NHS ward in Manchester.
Henry Moser, Financier and CEO of the ‘Together’ Financing Group, and listed in ‘The Times’ 2019 table of Britain’s Richest People.
Here were we two not long admitted and just chatting away, as you do.
When Henry told me his story, well, forgive a well-honed journalist’s scepticism but I’ve heard some in my time and this ranked truly bizarre.
First impressions? Pleasant enough guy, but was this part of a wind up? Perhaps even part of a scam?
A billionaire on an NHS ward? It didn’t add up.
However, the longer we talked the more credible Henry became. A regular really nice guy.
While chating away, I Googled this unexpected chance meeting, and all became very credible indeed.
More of the unexpected was just moments away.
“Here’s a gift for you Malcolm…” Henry insisted, “… and it’s worth about £50!
Were my med’s really strong, or did he really say that?
Reaching to collect his gift I noticed he also held an envelope with more of the same bank notes.
You see, Henry also collects vintage bank notes, this collector’s batch being a part of the final unused, serial-numbered and valuable issue of the last British Sterling £1 notes.
But why me? And why was he in an NHS hospital when he could probably build one of his own? Just because he can!
Unpretentious and just a regular nice guy. Generous too. Henry Moser is a renowned successful financier.
We briefly touched on my business as a journalist, writer, and all things media.
Later reviewing this Henry Moser story, it became clear he had introduced an opportunity for his own business to do business with mine.
A generous and canny act of human kindness, and the ultimate in calling cards to introduce that potential.
Smart move Henry.
I’ll not disclose any more detail of where this all went pre-publication of my autobiography. But I will note the story developed a most unexpected pathway to opportunity.
There’s Always A Story.
Photographs:
Billionaire Henry Moser, and his generous gift of a vintage £1 note, since valued at £52.
