JAMES IS 22 TODAY ... Congratulations also to Omneya Abdel Kawy (20) and Lisa Opie (42)

		A few facts and figures For a family whose origins are traceable to the lost village of Wilesthorpe near Green Hammerton, near York back to 1066, it is an irony that James was born in North Walsham, Norfolk, when I was working there. He was a hospital record at 9lbs 13oz and Lesley was not too impressed with his size! I suppose it’s not surprising that he turned out so big with that beginning. He was always around the courts, soon on it and hitting the ball. He retired at two-and-a-half for about a year to ride his bike, but when we, Lesley, David (Campion), James and I made our way back to Pontefract he was well on his way. His racket skills, like David’s, were soon apparent and in his early years it looked as if movement might be a problem, though that seems a silly notion now. He went to Ackworth School at 8 years old and had 10 happy years at the Independent Quaker School, with which he has not lost touch. They were very helpful about all his squash needs and not once did his absence cause a problem. From a long way out he was going to play professionally and he works hard to justify that decision. His other love is music and concerts figure prominently in his diary: Isle of Wight Festival, Rod Stewart at Manchester Arena, Cold Play at the Reebok, all recently, with the Stereophonics in September. He plays guitar and is a presentable singer, often performing after squash nights, which we have done all over England: Wimbledon, Heswall, Huddersfield, Calgary and Cleethorpes are some of the venues he has sung at and more are lined up. Lesley died 5 years ago this month, so August is a poignant time, with his and Lesley’s birthdays both in August. Most of all we are best pals, as we always have been. Malcolm
TALL, BLOND & AWESOME...    Very hard to write about Young Willstrop. Well, I'm no journalist, I'm just a squash fan who writes about the sport, and everybody knows that passion drives my writing much more than technique or knowledge. And I’m afraid it’s quite impossible for me to write about James without getting passionate. He learned to walk on the red line of a squash court, learnt to count by looking at the balls going off limits, and his first word was "stroke". Wherever he goes, he fills everyone with enthusiasm, crowds, kids, people of all ages and background. Never big headed, his Hi-Tec shoes firmly planted on the wooden floor, he breaths, lives, exults squash. So young, so talented, so darn honest, so brilliant, so clever. And so charismatic… Yes, I know, that's a lot of compliments… But what can I say… In his first year as a pro, he won the Canary Wharf Classic, beating three world number ones (David Palmer, then John White, and Thierry Lincou in the final). He was only 20 years old… And he confirmed that promise at 21 by winning the Pakistan Open title. Words are superfluous… I think we can safely say that, like a few others young players, James represents the Future of Squash. And you know what…? The future looks pretty good… Happy birthday James. Framboise

Many Happy Returns ...