We had the great pleasure of visiting James Begley and his wonderful wife of over 65 years, Norma, at their home in Cobham to mark James’s 90th birthday. 

We brought good wishes, shared some wonderful stories and presented James with something long overdue: Lifetime Membership of the Old Wimbledonians Association.

(After decades of loyalty, he finally gets to skip the subs. Not bad going.)

James’s journey begins at Sacred Heart School, where he first showed signs of practical flair and good-humoured mischief.

He then moved on to Wimbledon College, where the legend of “Bloody Begley” took shape. A fearless loose head prop in the 1st XV for two full seasons, James gave it his all - especially his nose, which rarely lasted more than ten minutes into a match. Bloodied but unbowed, he played on.

Off the pitch, he was a Sixth Form prefect, respected and resourceful. He also ran the post-match teas with impressive organisation and an uncanny ability to make sure the best cakes always ended up on his team’s table. Coincidence? Perhaps. Talent? Definitely.

During those College years, James remained close with his schoolmate Eddie Jones, who lived on Grand Drive. Every day, the two would make their way to school, James riding pillion on Eddie’s motorbike, blazer flapping, rugby boots in hand, and not a helmet in sight.

Different times indeed.

It was also during his final year at the College that James joined a group of Sixth Formers answering a national call to help restore the war cemeteries in Northern France, which had become overgrown and neglected since the end of World War II. The team was shocked by the scale and solemnity of the cemeteries, and immediately got to work.

James, a Queen’s Scout with significant camping experience, helped set up a clean and practical basecamp for the dozen or so volunteers. He was then elected to night watch duty, ensuring the safety of the group while others rested, meaning he was excused daytime manual labour (a point he remembers fondly). 

The group worked tirelessly to bring one section of the cemetery back to order. They returned home with a sense of pride, deepened friendships, and the knowledge that they had made a meaningful contribution, another early example of James’s natural leadership and sense of service.

After College, James went straight into work, joining Marconi in Chelmsford, where he built a solid career using the same practical intelligence and focus that had served him on the pitch. 

Around this time, post-College, James and his father installed the very first audio system at Sacred Heart Church on Edge Hill. Whether it was for sermons or smoother sound at Midnight Mass, no one quite remembers but the sound quality was never the same again.

And then came Norma. James was brought along on a blind date with Norma’s older sister. But fate had other ideas. It was Norma, a student at the Ursuline Convent in Ilford, who stole his heart. Over 65 years later, they are still going strong - a love story that started with a twist and turned into a lifetime.

James has also been a faithful supporter of the OWA Big Prize Club though he’s still waiting on the jackpot.(We’ve raised the issue with Dave. Again.)

One of the best stories came at a VP lunch, when James noticed a lady at a nearby table coughing badly. When she and her friend moved outside, James followed out of concern. Realising she was choking, he calmly asked:

“Are you pregnant?”

When she replied no, James performed the Heimlich manoeuvre - food dislodged, crisis averted. A textbook Begley moment: polite, quick-thinking, and effective.

When asked what advice he’d give to younger members of the club, James said:

“Friendships matter. Use the club. Enjoy what’s here. Keep the standards high. And keep the bar prices fair - so we can all have a pint without needing a second job.”

James Begley: Sacred Heart to College scrums, blazer in the breeze, Queen’s Scout, cake commander, cemetery restorer, audio pioneer, and lifelong Old Boy.

It was a joy to sit down with James and Norma, celebrate a truly remarkable milestone, and thank them both for their stories, humour, and unwavering commitment to the OWA.

Happy 90th James and welcome to Lifetime Membership. You’ve more than earned it.