Golden memories for Baroness Heyhoe Flint
Former England women's cricket team captain Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton has crammed a lot into her life but that is nothing compared to the amount of memorabilia squeezed into the study of her home.
Former England women's cricket team captain Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton has crammed a lot into her life but that is nothing compared to the amount of memorabilia squeezed into the study of her home.
The walls are packed with photographs of her with Presidents, Prime Ministers and Princesses.
They hang alongside pictures of family and friends and other favourites, like the one of a man carrying an elaborate floral tribute to Princess Diana accompanied by his son, wearing a Wolves shirt.
Well worn bats, cricket balls and a clutch of golf balls bear testimony to her sporting skills while 'in' trays marked Lady Taverners, MCC, International Cricket Council, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sir Jack give a clue to the heavy work load she still carries on at the age of 71.
Former World Champion racing driver Jackie Stewart and Green Goddess keep fit queen Diana Moran, who are both the same age as her, also feature in the photo gallery along with a picture of her receiving the After Dinner Speaker of The Year Award from another Grand Prix ace, Graham Hill.
That victory was secured by managing to make Princess Anne laugh during an official dinner — and there is a snap of that magical moment as well.
Strangely there are no England caps despite a cricket career during which she played 51 times for her country and captained the side for a dozen years that included winning the inaugural World Cup.
But there is a cap marking her introduction to the International Cricket Council Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Bangalore last year.
An original Jak cartoon from the Daily Express from December 1982 suggesting she could be the saviour of England men's cricket side hangs alongside a 1977 work by the legendary cartoonist Giles on a similar theme.
And there is a photo of former Wolves owner Sir Jack Hayward, the man she credits with playing a major role in providing her with the platform to make a name for herself in the minds of the British public by sponsoring the England women's cricket team in 1970 when she was captain.
She today opened up the treasure trove inside her Tettenhall home as she was officially unveiled as the new Baroness Heyhoe Flint of Wolverhampton.
She said: "I love it here because it reminds me of how incredibly lucky I have been.
"I do not believe all this would have happened but for Jack's support. He sponsored the England women's cricket team and funded the first cricket World Cup that we won and I received the trophy from Princess Anne at Edgbaston.
"That gave me the profile that ultimately led to this.
Her favourite picture shows her with former US President Bill Clinton at an event in London for the Lady Taverners of which she has been president for the past 10 years during which it has collected £7 million for charity.
She said: "Bless him. He spoke for 90 minutes and the evening raised £250,000 for charity. I am very proud of that." Lady Heyhoe Flint has previously been awarded the OBE in 1971 and MBE three years ago, lives in Tettenhall and has a son, three step children and five grandchildren.
Her son Ben, 36, will fly from his home in Singapore to see her take her seat in the House of Lords on Tuesday and will watch the ceremony with his father Derrick.
Mick McCarthy, manager of Wolves where Lady Heyhoe Flint is club vice president, said: "This changes nothing for me because I have always thought of her as a lady."
His assistant Terry Connor added: "I cannot think of a more deserving person."
