FORMER well-known Wellington and Wiveliscombe sportsman Les Reed has moved to live in Bangkok in Thailand with his wife Pranee.

In recent years Les had linked up with Mark Salter at Wellington Cricket Club coaching the youngsters and helping them to move into senior cricket.

Les said from his new home this week: “Sport has always been a very important part of my life. I first played cricket for my beloved Wiveliscombe in 1951 when I went to the Rec to watch the Thursday afternoon team and found myself filling in for someone unable to play.

“In 1954 I was conscripted into the RAF and spent a wonderful four years, mainly stationed in Plymouth and Adelaide. It was while I was in Australia I took to bowling quick as games were played on matting on concrete.

“After 18 months in Adelaide we had run out of atom bombs to let off so I returned to Plymouth to finish my time.

“On demob I became involved with Wellington as a result of joining Walter Gregory and Co and was part of the very successful cricket side of the mid-60s.During this time I also played football for the all- conquering Dulverton Town. Wivey cricket was also going well and I was lucky enough to play for them in two of the best Baker Cup finals ever.

He continued: “While working at Gregory’s one of my colleagues was George Lavis who was involved with Wellington Football Club. He approached me to help him run Wellington youth football as they had no one to help them.

“Roland Bath joined us and with fundraising being carried out by the Jenkins parents, we soon became a proper outfit and started something which is now a wonderful part of Wellington sport.

“In the late 60s Walter Gregory was taken over by Upjohn of Crawley and I decided to go with them to Sussex”

Les went on to work for two Horsham companies and during this

time played cricket for Roffey, a little club on the outskirts of Horsham.

He went on to take the necessary exams before becoming heavily involved in coaching at Roffey and primary schools in Sussex.

He added: “After being retired from playing for a few years I somehow became entangled with Somerset Over 50s and started to play again which involved 300 miles each weekend.

“After retiring I returned to Wellington to live with my wife and at the same time bought a house in Bangkok with the intention of one day living there permanently.”