We are the Champs

First day of the Wimbledon Championships. Bright sunny morning, still early, crisp and cool. Just the way I like it for my journey in. Love to walk around the club grounds, early, too. The calm sense of purpose of those preparing the grounds for the day ahead. The quiet, still, feeling of anticipation. Everything keyed up, ready to go.

Are you a tennis fan? I’m not. At least, not in the regular sense. I’m at Wimbledon for business rather than pleasure, though my business is more like pleasure than work to me these day. I like to say that, after 50 years of working for various employers, myself included, I am almost retired. I work maybe two or three days in a month as a front-line security operative, sometimes none at all.

I love the Championships, the Champs. This is my third time coming here, and I am conscious that it could be my last. I am wondering if this very part time work of mine is not just a pitiful attempt to retain a hold on my former working life. I am also finding the long days, including the travel to and from Wimbledon, a little hard on my aging frame.

What I love about the Champs is the atmosphere, very important for someone who protects access to a major sporting and social event. Like most events, the gate, or door in, can be a potential point of friction. For this reason, I don't work the doors at nightclubs, pubs and general public events. I mostly provide security at some private events, such as movie premiers and private screenings, sometimes fashion shows, and of course the Champs. All of it, I enjoy.

Wimbledon is something special

At the Wimbledon Championships, everyone is on their best behaviour. I am told the social aspect of the Champs is something of an 'English' tradition and I can see why. But it is not an English tradition that I identify with in any way. I am from another England, a very different England. In a way, I am a spectator of this tradition, just the same as you may be, if you watch the event on TV. I am an observer, a spectator of the spectators. I would love to photograph and film different aspects of this tradition, but to do so would be unprofessional, given my role. So you will have to make do with the still shot I took on my iPhone the other morning.

Some of this, so-called, ‘tradition’ you may have seen already, either as a visitor, or on broadcast news. Coverage of course focusses on the match play of the best-known tennis stars. As I said, this does not interest me. Although, I have to admit I, too, was excited to know that Serena Williams was making a comeback here. How can anyone not love such a goddess of athleticism and glamour? I was also delighted to see Emma Raducanu on a practice court, two days before the Champs began. Mostly, because she used to live, and go to school near, my former home. A local celebrity, it seems. It's good to see youngsters doing well but, sadly, she was obliged to withdraw (as I understand it) because of an injury.

What do I like about being at Wimbledon? Like most of the jobs I have liked the most, I like the people I work with. I like the other security staff, mostly young people of a particular kind that is... well... hard to describe. I like the various visitor assistants, catering staff, grounds staff, cleaners, maintenance staff, photographers. Yet, there is one person working here that I have yet to see this year. I met her last year and she is the bird handler, the hawker. I saw her on one of my early morning wanders, Harris hawk in hand, mid patrol. She was there to fly her bird around the arenas, to scare away the pigeons.

According to the BBC, the bird's name is Rufus, the handler is Donna. My memory is not so good, but I had a delightful conversation with the handler (Donna, if the BBC says so) one morning, and had the opportunity to get a close look at the hawk. A beautiful bird of prey to say the least. These pictures certainly do both hunters credit. I have my own pictures but do not have permission to post them on social media. And, TBF, the BBC photos are much better than my, personal, mementoes.

What do I like the most about working at Wimbledon? That's easy-peasy. I like welcoming guests to the arena, the spectacle, and the unbelievably positive atmosphere fostered by the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which owns and operates the Champs.

Last year, I was positioned at the gate nearest Centre Court and the hospitality areas. The work revolved around searching people and possessions to ensure the Club's entry rules were maintained, that everyone was kept safe, and the client's assets protected. I saw many celebrities, and others, clamouring for attention. This year, I have the same job but at the gate mostly used by those queuing for 'ground passes.' Some queue all night, camping in the adjacent park, other arrive in the early hours of the morning. All are happy to be a part of the culture of the queue, albeit it often weary, hot and flustered, as they arrive.

Delighted, I am, to be assisting the Club and its visitors at this very public entrance to the arena. Isn't it boring? Some people ask, just searching bags all day long (my main function)? Well, if that's all I did, it certainly would be. What I get out of it is a connection with the many visitors who pass through the gate. Some from the far flung corners of the globe, some from Wimbledon Village, a stone's throw away. Old, young, posh, and not so posh, but everyone aware of the very special nature of the event. A unique event in the sporting and social calendar for the whole world.

What is the difference between a 21st century sporting arena and the ancient Amphitheatre?

I have so many brief but delightful conversations at the gate, that I wouldn't miss it for the world. Hell, if I wasn't here as a contracted operative, I wouldn't be here at all. Not interested in tennis, I would never have found this strange but compelling place that comes alive for just two weeks every year.

The Wimbledon Championships

Thanks for reading my musings