Sir Bobby a true gent
It would be impossible to get a full count but it is safe to say there were quite a few phones consulted surreptitiously in the stands as Wimbledon punters did their best to both enjoy the action at SW19 and keep up to date with the progress of football as it makes its journey home. One of those on Centre Court during England’s victory over Sweden was Sir Bobby Charlton, a man who knows a fair bit about World Cup success. He is also a reminder that gentlemanly conduct among England footballers did not start in 2018. It probably should not need saying, but when kick-off brought an exodus from the royal box Sir Bobby stayed dutifully in his seat and remained there for the majority of the match.
Blooming hard work
The seeds have been falling at Wimbledon but the plants have not wilted. As temperatures soared to more than 30C, the beds of blue hydrangeas and purple petunias, paired with buxus shrubs and camellia, have flourished (yes, the diary had to research those names). The bucolic vibe is the responsibility of the head gardener, Martyn Falconer, and his team of 14. They water at the crack of dawn and in late evening, the best to reduce evaporation. They also add mulch to retain moisture and a liquid feed to maintain nutrition levels. It’s an intensive routine, but it is all about marginal gains at this level.
A missed shot for Serena
Sharenting is the art of both raising a child and posting every single bump, burp and burble on social media. Ideal for recording your family’s growth while strengthening your brand, but it’s not infallible as Serena Williams has found out. Williams has brought her daughter, Olympia, with her and images of her baby on the lawns have been posted on Olympia’s own Instagram account. Unfortunately for Serena, however, when she missed her daughter’s first steps due to her own training regime, no one took a shot. Now how will anyone know it actually happened?
