Had a great evening giving a talk at the local Rotary club on – wait for it- ARCHERY. More specifically archery at the Olympics since 1900. Found out quite a bit of interesting stuff whilst researching it including loads about Lottie Dodds.

Lottie who? You may well ask. Lottie Dodd was the Wirral Wonder, a superstar of the late 1880s/early 1900s whose exploits have faded into obscurity. She was the first ever teenage tennis prodigy, five times Wimbledon champion, Olympic archery medallist, British Ladies golf champion and a hockey international.

In 1887, at the age of 15 years ten months (still a record) she won Wimbledon by defeating the reigning champion, Blanche Bingley. She went on to win four more championships in `88, `91, `92 and `93. before 'retiring' in her early twenties in order to test her versatility in other sports. When asked why she hadnt competed at the `89 and `90 Wimbledon she is reported to have said that in `89 she was sailing in Scotland and in `90 she had been "very busy that week" Classic!!!!

In addition, she was one of the first women to be given a license to slide the Cresta Run and is one of only a few people to take and pass the St Moritz Gents and Ladies figure skating test.

She also managed to fit in a bit of horse riding, cycling and mountaineering. There is loads of other interesting stuff on the web about this remarkable woman. Google her yourself and see.