Very sad to note that Welsh rugby legend JJ has passed away aged 72. JJ was a client of mine for one day back in the 80s when he sold his interest in a sports shop in Porthcawl. He was in partnership with Gwyn Richards, ex Glamorgan cricketer, the manager of the shop who was buying out JJ.
They appointed my company (me) to handle the valuation of the stock in trade and I attended one Sunday afternoon with Linda my late partner. JJ was to receive 50% of the final valuation from Gwyn, being his share. What a day that was!! The guys, obviously good friends, were very competitive and argued like cat and dog over the most trivial things. For instance, there might be an item priced at £2.25, which JJ figured should be £2.50. It was just the one article but they argued like hell over the price for 25 pence! And this went on throughout the day. Then one or the other would make a concession on something else, where the difference might be £5, as if it didn't matter. So they were fighting over pennies and not caring a fig about the pounds
.
Linda and I had to keep stepping in to restore 'peace' and this meant the job was taking twice as long as it should. Consequently, I got the two guys together, told them I wanted no more of it and that my valuation was to be final and binding on both parties, which they had both agreed to in the contract. Job done! They were as good as gold from then on and, whilst Linda and I got on with our work, they kept us supplied with coffee and snacks and also entertained us as they reeled off funny story after story about their times in their respective sports. It was a great day!
I found JJ to be a warm, sincere person and, for some reason, we got on like house on fire. When we finished the valuation and had given them the figures, there were handshakes and smiles all round and JJ said that I should call on him at his office for coffee and a chat whenever I was in the Bridgend area. Apparently he also had an interest in a business on an industrial estate there. Noting my hesitation, he assured me that his invitation was genuine and that he'd enjoy another chat.
Unfortunately, with the relentless pressure of business in those days, I just never seemed to find the time to take him up on his offer and we didn't meet again. My loss. I found JJ to be a really genuine person, rare in my experience, and I regret that I missed an opportunity to form a friendship that I know I would have valued. Such is life I suppose.
Anyway, my sincere condolences to family and friends, you've lost a diamond. RIP, JJ, thanks for the incredible rugby memories you left me and even more thanks for the great pleasure it was to spend some time in your company on that Sunday so many years ago.
They appointed my company (me) to handle the valuation of the stock in trade and I attended one Sunday afternoon with Linda my late partner. JJ was to receive 50% of the final valuation from Gwyn, being his share. What a day that was!! The guys, obviously good friends, were very competitive and argued like cat and dog over the most trivial things. For instance, there might be an item priced at £2.25, which JJ figured should be £2.50. It was just the one article but they argued like hell over the price for 25 pence! And this went on throughout the day. Then one or the other would make a concession on something else, where the difference might be £5, as if it didn't matter. So they were fighting over pennies and not caring a fig about the pounds
.Linda and I had to keep stepping in to restore 'peace' and this meant the job was taking twice as long as it should. Consequently, I got the two guys together, told them I wanted no more of it and that my valuation was to be final and binding on both parties, which they had both agreed to in the contract. Job done! They were as good as gold from then on and, whilst Linda and I got on with our work, they kept us supplied with coffee and snacks and also entertained us as they reeled off funny story after story about their times in their respective sports. It was a great day!
I found JJ to be a warm, sincere person and, for some reason, we got on like house on fire. When we finished the valuation and had given them the figures, there were handshakes and smiles all round and JJ said that I should call on him at his office for coffee and a chat whenever I was in the Bridgend area. Apparently he also had an interest in a business on an industrial estate there. Noting my hesitation, he assured me that his invitation was genuine and that he'd enjoy another chat.
Unfortunately, with the relentless pressure of business in those days, I just never seemed to find the time to take him up on his offer and we didn't meet again. My loss
. I found JJ to be a really genuine person, rare in my experience, and I regret that I missed an opportunity to form a friendship that I know I would have valued. Such is life I suppose.Anyway, my sincere condolences to family and friends, you've lost a diamond. RIP, JJ, thanks for the incredible rugby memories you left me and even more thanks for the great pleasure it was to spend some time in your company on that Sunday so many years ago.