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Lembit Opik's truly the answer to one vicar's prayers

Published date: 19 August 2010 |
Published by: Nelson's Column


 

SUBJECT: Lembit an answer to prayer...

Now before I get any letters having a go at me for daring to mention our former MP Lembit Opik, this intriguing headline reached me from a man of the cloth himself.

Since last week’s column when I told you that Lembit had landed a job on a satellite TV show, I’ve been accused by one of his opponents at the last election of having a “blind eye” (whatever that means).

Independent candidate Bruce Lawson says: “I am quite spellbound by the continued correspondence from Nelson about our former MP. Can we all have a column please?”

That’s not within my gift Mr Lawson, but you do get a fair number of letters in the paper I’ve noticed.

Anyway, going back to the prayer business.

Powys’ coolest vicar, the Rev Bob Pitcher from Llanidloes, wrote to me this week to say: “A few weeks ago I had a Sunday night off, so I decided to go to 'Hope Community Church' for evening worship.

“I arrived early and found myself sitting alone at the end of a row.

“So I prayed for someone to come and sit beside me  With that, in walked Lembit Opik and sat in my row.

“So, in my book, he really is God's answer!”

Thank you for sharing that with me vicar, I always appreciate your contributions to our paper.

***

SPARE a thought for brave little Chloe Morgan – you can read about her on Page Seven of this week's County Times.

We have already featured the two-year-old on the front page of our paper, highlighting her fight against a rare disease.
Chloe has returned to Great Ormond Street Hospital for another operation to help stave off Moya Moya disease.

I’m sure if you’ve watched the programmes on the world famous hospital you’ve been moved and humbled by the fantastic job they do for children. I certainly have.

Above and beyond that though is the bravery of the young people who undergo such terrifying looking treatment.

I hope Chloe and her family can get over this latest bout of treatment, they are a truly inspirational family.

***

WELL, well, you never know who we have living in our midst and it never ceases to amaze me some of the true celebrities we have here in Mid Wales.
Only a few weeks ago I mentioned the beautiful scenery of the Tour de France in my column.

Lo and behold, reporter Dominic Robertson has tracked down one of Britain’s few true greats of that epic event.

Barry Hoban lives near Newtown where the Tour of Britain will visit next month.
He has a fascinating story to tell as you’ll see on Pages 28 and 29 – and there are some fantastic pictures, including one of him shading Tour de France great Eddy Merckx into second place.

***

THE New Saints’ European adventure took in a third destination this week as the club competed in the final qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

With passport stamps from the Republic of Ireland and Belgium already collected the border side headed out to Bulgaria earlier this week.

TNS will fancy their chances of causing an upset against champions CSKA Sofia who parted company with their third manager of 2010 in the pre-match build-up.

On top of that the troubled Bulgarians were also at the centre of a player ineligibility row which could have seen them barred from European competition.

All this without a ball even being kicked. Just imagine what could happen if TNS complete a first-leg shock!

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