His most famous work was a play entitled " Under Milkwood. " This was a play about a small Welsh village and the first line in his play was " To begin and the beginning. "
So, today, I am going to Begin at the End !
By the end.,I mean the end so far 2018.
In January and February this years I was in Australia. I did a lot of walking, including climbing to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge. In March I was in Spain and I developed a blister of my right foot.
I went to a Chiropodist who cut away some dead skin and put a dressing over the blister.
In April, over a 2 day period, the blister turned Black. I had a Diabetic Infected Ulcer.
I was rushed to hospital, put of an Anti Biotic drip for a week and for the next few months attended Wycombe Hospital. The Ulcer has now healed at last. So, my first lesson for you is - Infection can kill and travel fast around your body. Personal Healthcare is a priority.
Let me take you back to my earlier days when I was 20 years of age.
A popular song at the time was - " Cigarettes and Whiskey and Wild Wild Women. " They were singing about Me !
I was a Rugby player and I rowed in the 1st VIII at University. I used to have lovely cooked breakfasts, lunch in the Students cafeteria, Pie and chips, fish and chips, Pasties and chips and sometimes when the money ran out, chips and chips !
Of course, as normal, I had 6 pints of beer on a Saturday night at the Students dance. I did not care about calories, diets, healthy eating. I did not expect any illness. My weight was 12 stone and I was a happy young man. I was married at 22 and had my first son at 27.
At 24, I won the first Institute of Marketing Scholarship to the USA and took the Advanced Management course at Harvard Business School. At 31, I was the Chief Executive of the largest British Office supplies company at the time - Ofrex Limited and I was on the Group Executive Board. At 41, I was the Chief of the Worldwide Group of Medical Companies in the British Oxygen Company. I travelled the World, staying in the best hotels and dining in the best restaurants such as Maximes in Paris, Peninsular Hotel in Hong Kong, Savoy in London and so on.
I had the company expense account and as a result the sky was the limit ! Grilled breakfast, Steak for lunch with wine, every type of dinners with wine and a brandy. I smoked Cigars of all types - Montecristo and Partaga cigars my favourites.
I remember once in Paris, my Finance Director and I went to a famous Fish restaurant on the Champs Elysee. We ordered a " Fruit de Mer dish "- a large selection of Lobster, Prawns, Mussels, Oysters and so on. A bottle of Chablis went down a treat. Afterwards, we had a short walk down the Champs Elysee and entered a Steak restaurant for our Main course !. Yes, you have guest it - and a bottle of red Italian Barolo. Of course we had a lovely desert to finish the meal.
And so, the unhealthy lifestyle went on and on But, at what cost ?
My weight peaked at 14 stone 3 pounds.
I developed Diabetes Type 2.
I had a TIA or Mini Stroke.
Skin Cancer
Time to change my Lifestyle.....to an Healthy Regime. " Preventative Healthcare is preferable to Remedial Healthcare. " This is the Lifestyle for NOW and the rest of the 21st Century.
BUT ......IS ANYONE LISTENING ?
First Priority - Eat and drink Healthily.
My normal Breakfast is Cereals - Shredded Wheat, Corn Flakes or Bran Flakes, Low fat Milk, Porridge, Water, Black Coffee, sometimes Toast Brown Bread.
Half a Banana - A whole Banana pushed my Potassium level to 5.5, which is detrimental to the body.
Half a banana pulled it back to 5 which is normal.
Snack - Walnuts. Flat White Coffee.
Lunch - Salads, or Sandwich. Black Coffee, Water in the UK.
Same in Spanish Home- mainly Avocado and Prawns, Salads, Fish ( Meluza Lenquado, Bacalao, Rosada ), Water.
Dinner - Fish, Stir Fry, sometimes Meat, Water. Sometimes Cheese.
The Normal Regime includes the following........
- No more Wine.
- No more Beer.
- No more Brandy
- No more Cigars.
- Sun Cream Factor 50 and Hat always whilst in Sunny Climates even in cloud
- Sometimes a Bun.
- Avoided Biscuits.
- Plenty of Water for hydration.
- No more Chocolates
- No more sweets
- No more cakes
We have an allotment at Flackwell Heath growing lots of vegetables and fruit.
My Daily use of the iPad and PC helps to stimulate my Brain and enhance Cognitive Performance.
I had began to realise at last that I could die young. I wanted to live longer.
So, I joined Bisham Abbey Sports Centre and for 10 years did rowing, cycling and the weights.
Joined Beaconsfield Squash Club
Then, I joined the Wycombe 50 Plus Club at Handy Cross, became the Chairman and served on the Executive Committee for 10 years.
- I played table tennis and short tennis twice a week. I had an excellent Social Life. We go on trips every month. I have had many holidays in our second home in Spain - lots of Vitamin D from the sunlight. This year we have been to Australia, Spain twice, Iceland and we are going on a cruise to the Caribbean and the Amazon River in Brazil in January. Lots of exercise ! Lots of Social interaction. We are not lonely.
Next, I joined the Flackwell Heath Tennis Club and latterly the Wooburn Tennis Club where I can play against people aged in their 40s. Of course. I always lose !
On a Monday morning, I play indoor tennis at the Bucks tennis Centre. I have at least 5 hours of Exercise per week.
But, what about this horrible disease called " Dementia " ?
My defence is an Active Mind. I write articles about Politics, Cultural and Social Affairs
In Britain Today which I feature on my website - EUREKYS. So far, I have written 199 Articles since 2010.
Next, I compose music. This has included, a Concerto called " The Wild Flowers of the London Olympic Games 2012." in honour of the wonderful displays of wild flowers at the Olympic Park. The Company who provided the seeds, were so impressed that they put the Concerto on the front page of their website. I have also composed some 13 Pop Songs - my song " Cry over You " won a Gold in The Great American Song Contest some years ago. It has been played 17,000 times on Global Digital Radio stations. My song " Everytime " was arranged by Richard Niles. who has had 40 World Hits with artists such as - Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, Maria Carey, Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys and more.
My article " The Online Digital Music Revolution in the 21st Century " is my most viewed Article.
YouTube have all my music - Ray Williams EUREKYS. Headphones must be worn for perfect sound.
There is more......Volunteering. My wife and I have been Volunteers at the Wycombe Swan Theatre for 12 years. We are life supporters of The Collage of Saint George at Windsor Castle and I am donor to renovate old books in the Queens Archive Library at the Castle.
I am currently helping to raise funds for Bomber Command Memorial at Lincoln and the archives at Lincoln University in honour of the 58,000 young men who died fighting for RAF Bomber Command in WW2, including my Father who flew Lancaster Bombers.
Today I am 82. I should be dead but I am not thanks for a change in my Lifestyle.
- My weight today is 11 stone.
- Diabetes is under control.
- Exercise gives me more energy and not less.
- My BMI index is 23.
- My biological age is 64.
- Stress under control
- 199 Articles comleted
I still have some threats to my health but I cannot stop the Ageing Process and I cannot stop my eventual demise. However, I hope to live a few more years yet. Perhaps long enough to see a solution to Brexit !
The Romans really got health right ! Their Philosophy was " Mens Sana in Corpore Sano " which means " A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body. "
I recommend to you that you practise Mens Sana in Corporte Sano too.
Finally, be caring towards yourself. Whatever the problem, you can find a solution. We all suffer ups and downs in our lives. The Greeks Philosophers said " Know thyself ." Be confidant and strong.
Enjoy your lives to the full but follow an Healthy Lifestyle.
I wish all of you A Very Happy and Healthy New Year. Success in your careers wherever your paths may lead you.
Thank you for inviting me and a special Thank You to
Doctor Maria Konstantaki for inviting me and for the great work she is doing at Bucks New University.
NOTE
Speech given at Dr Maria Konstantaki Lecture
at Bucks New University, High Wycombe
18 December 2018
RAYMOND WILLIAMS MA MPhil MBA DIPM
EUREKYS
Music and Journalism
