Getting Personal with Graham Pickin
Who are you? Graham Pickin, Head Groundsman at the Phoenix Sports & Social Club.
Family status? Married, with two adult daughters.
Who's your hero and why? My friend and college Lieutenant Colonel Bob Pickford RIP; he was a man amongst men, he was awarded the MBE by HM the Queen for his work in Cyprus for soldiers returning from operations.
What would you change about yourself? I would like to be 6' 11", I would then be the correct weight for my height.
What's your guilty pleasure? Chocolate and ice cream.
What's been the highlight of your career so far? Gaining the HNC Golf Course Management.
Which three people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party? Barry White, Malandra Burrows and Mr Cadbury.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why? David Cameron, so I could resign.
Do you have any bad habits? I maintain a healthy 'floordrobe'.
... or any good ones? Polished shoes, and ironed shirts.
Do you go to bed worrying about the next day's workload? Not worrying, but planning.
What are you reading at the moment? Phosphite interactions with Microdochium.
What are your pet peeves? Litter and condescending people.
If you could go anywhere right now, where would it be? Villamendhoo Island, the Maldives (again).
What's the best part of your job? The completion of a successful project.
… and the worst? Machinery breakdowns, because it affects the product.
Do you have a lifetime ambition? To stop one of my granddaughters sucking her thumb.
Favourite record, and why? Lovely Day by Bill Withers; it takes me back to my military days.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? Maria, my wife.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Take Maria to Villamendhoo.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? Bugle, difficult to play, loud and should be handled with kid gloves.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? Invest in yourself.
What's your favourite smell? Marzipan.
What do you do in your spare time? I don't really have any, the family see to that.
What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? Does the sun always rise there?
What's your favourite piece of kit? Anything Toro.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Tenacious, determined, loyal.
What talent would you like to have? Plumbing, they are so expensive.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Bank holiday for Saint George's day.