30 Jan 2025
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Ewan Murray, events manager for The Wine Society and producer of Harpenden and Wheathampstead Gang Show for 32 years, having been involved in 48 shows since joining the team in 1972.
Do you remember your first kiss?
I do. I was 13 and on a French exchange in Is-sur-Tille, near Dijon. A whole group of us were playing hide and seek. My exchange student’s sister found me under the bed, and, instead of shouting that she had found me, joined me!
If you could have a conversation with someone who had died who would it be?
My dad. He died six years ago, and left a hole. He would be so proud of what his grandchildren have achieved and would love to hear all about the great-granddaughter that he never got to meet.
Have you ever asked for an autograph?
In 1974 I got the autographs of the entire Scotland World Cup squad – before playing England at Wembley that year they trained at Clarence Park, which was on my way home from Verulam School. As a proud Scot I was very chuffed.
What’s your favourite Harpenden pub?
It’s a toss-up between The Old Cock Inn and The Plough & Harrow. I worked in both when Mike Naylor was landlord of both in the late 70s and mid-80s. I can’t really choose. Great locals, fab staff to work with. The lock-ins at The Cock were marginally better though, so maybe The Cock!
Do you speak any foreign languages?
I’m bi-lingual in French, speak good Italian and have reasonable German – all very useful as I work in the wine trade. I also learned my dad’s mother tongue, Gaelic, as a lockdown project! I still visit the family in the Hebrides, and my aunts find my accent hilarious!
Who is your favourite Harpenden musician or band?
I’d have to say the band of Harpenden Gang Show. Every January we get together on the Sunday morning of show week, rehearse the songs and then spend a great week together in the orchestra pit.
What’s your favourite meal?
Having lived in Switzerland for four years, it has to be raclette – a proper one with the cheese melted in front of a roaring fire, scraped on to the plate (the verb ‘racler’ means ‘to scrape’) and served with new potatoes, gherkins, silverkin onions and dried meat. Can’t be beaten. I think my record is 17 portions. Couldn’t move for days afterwards!
Where would be your preferred place locally to get married?
I was married at St Helen’s Church, Wheathampstead on a beautiful chilly day in February 1989, followed by the reception in St Helen’s School Hall and the wedding night at St Michael’s Manor. I’d do it all over again if I could (yes, still with you, Claire.)
What was your best subject at school?
I had two – French and Music. I have always loved everything to do with words and language, and if you have a musical ear it really helps. Learning a language and/or an instrument broadens the mind, opens doors in life and leads to an appreciation of people and culture.
Most inspirational Harpenden person – living or dead?
Very personal to me, although I reckon many of my Scouting contemporaries would choose her too – Marilyn Hudson. My predecessor in Gang Show and a leading light in Girlguiding and then Scouting in Harpenden and the wider county scene. I always say I volunteer because someone volunteered for me. She is one of those someones.
