20 Questions: "Whitby is my favourite place in the world"

Retired teacher, cricket coach and Rotarian Mike Stones answers our 20 Questions...
Mike Stones answers our 20 questions.Mike Stones answers our 20 questions.
Mike Stones answers our 20 questions.

1. What three words would you use to describe yourself?

All-round good guy.

2. What is your greatest achievement?

Without doubt my greatest achievement was to marry “the girl next door” Clair and spend 28 very happy, unbroken years together bringing up our three children - Peter, Michael and Charlotte.

3. What is your greatest regret?

Regrets, I have a few, but then again too few to mention!

4. What are your ambitions and aims?

My aim is to enjoy retirement as much as possible, to stay active as long as I can and continue to do my best for the Rotary Club.

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5. If you were asked to write your own epitaph, what would it say?

“He was a cricketer”.

6. What is your first childhood memory?

Playing cricket on Filey beach with my dad who passed on his love of the game to me. Since then I’ve always had that love of cricket.

7. What is your top tip for a happy life?

My top tip for a happy life is to be enthusiastic and find something good about everything you do.

8. What would be your perfect day?

Spending the day walking through Eskdale with my family, enjoying a picnic in the sunshine.

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9. Which three people, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?

My guests would be Sir Gary Sobers, my favourite cricketer of all time; Victor Hugo, the great French novelist, and Attila the Hun.

10. Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

Clint Eastwood.

11. Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

North Yorkshire and, in particular, Whitby.

12. What are your favourite book, record and film, and why?

My favourite book is Les Miserables, a great story, very well written. My favourite film is Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life. My favourite record would have to be Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.

13. Who has been the biggest influence on your life and why?

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The biggest influence on my life apart from my parents who influenced my early life has, of course, been my wife, Clair.

14. What would be your specialist subject for Mastermind and why?

My subject would have to be Repton cricket. I spent 30 years at Repton School where I was for some time Master i/c Cricket.

15. If you won a million pounds, what would you spend it on?

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I would divide it between family, friends, the town of Whitby and good causes.

16. If you could introduce one new law tomorrow, what would it be?

I would try to re-balance the wage systems so doctors, nurses and teachers get what they deserve.

17. What three things would you take with you on a desert island?

I would take a radio, a large book and plenty of good food.

18. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

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I might choose to be a dolphin. Dolphins swim freely in warm waters and have family and friends to talk to.

19. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d get rid of the aches and pains from a life of sport.

20. What was your favourite year and why?

1988 was a memorable year for me as Clair and I found out we were expecting our first child. I was appointed to be a Housemaster at Repton School and I hit a century.

Answer our 20 Questions here and you could be featured in a future edition of the Whitby Gazette.

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