Back at the sports seminar, Michael O’Neill, director of education in North Lanarkshire, was hauled in to give his tuppence worth. No music this time on his Powerpoint presentation but plenty of tales from O’Neill‘s schooldays.
The things he remembered after education had deserted him were playing for the footballteam, gaining an honourable draw with the world chess champion - OK, there were 33 others trying to defeat the champ at the same time - and playing Bassanio in the Merchant of Venice.
“That was the last time I wore tights,” O’Neill admitted.
“Publicly,” said a cynic from the audience - but quietly.