Lesley and I were great friends starting around the ages of 14 or 16 years of age. Lesley was by then already an established member of the Scottish Junior Table Tennis Team and an aspiring member of the Senior Scottish Ladies Team. She was a very talented player, who under the tutelage of my father, Andrew Fleming, could worry many of the male players, except those at the very top of the game in Scotland. She had a brilliant backhand, however, dad always said her forehand needed additional work! If memory serves, Lesley along with team mate Elaine Forbes, had the best record of wins vs losses for a Scottish ladies team at any European Championships of her era and any since. Lesley, myself, and a cast of wonderful Glaswegian characters spent most Saturday mornings practising our table tennis skills at Springburn Sports Centre in Millarbank Street, which was originally the old Springburn public hall, with balconies running around the second level. When not playing, we would sit on the balcony with friends and adversaries alike, shooting the breeze and contributing to a running commentary on the activities below, and life in general. Following practice, we would usually head over to the Springburn Cafe with my father holding court over the hilarity, endless discussions regarding table tennis, as well as many cups of tea and bacon rolls. On occasion, we would then head over to Lesley's home in Lenzie, where we were further plied with tea, sandwiches & biscuits by her mother, Peggy Montague. You see, Lesley had a table tennis table in her home, which was unheard of for the rest of us! Lesley and her family had a very close relationship with my old dad, and if you didn't already know, Andrew her elder son is named for him. Such great memories ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuballscramble/4166467266/ When Lesley started Strathclyde University, we saw less of her at the table tennis club, as is usually the way of things. As my dad would have said "her studying is getting in the way of her TT practice". When she married Ron, she located further north and started a family, our paths diverged further. We continued to keep in touch albeit only with letters and the odd phone call. Eventually, when I moved to Canada, we were mainly reduced to sending Christmas Cards. Then, about 5 years ago, we happily reconnected (for the life of me I can't remember how & where) and I have to say, it was a real pleasure for me to hear that girlish giggle again. We kept in touch by email and I was astounded to hear in more detail about all of Lesley's accomplishments, as an angler, singer & writer. The last time I actually saw Lesley in person was at my dad's funeral. She had attended with Andrew her son, and they came back to my brother & sister-in-law's house afterwards. Even though it was a sad occasion, Lesley partook of a couple of "wee nippy sweeties" and had us in stitches, telling us all about her trips to Edinburgh when she would go pubbing & clubbing with Andrew (her son) who took it all in very good sport. Of course, we also reminisced a great deal about the > original Andrew (my dad). > > > > My husband and I were planning to visit Lesley and her > family the next time we were over doing a road trip in Scotland. > There was also mention of Lesley & Ron visiting us in Vermont. We > were home this last Christmas celebrating our niece's wedding on > December 28th, and beforehand Lesley & I had agreed that one of us > would call the other one during our visit. I remember thinking, just > before Christmas "must remember to phone Lesley, wonder why I haven't > heard from her?" ... we were just so busy with Christmas & the > wedding. Then we heard the terrible news on December 30th from Ron. > I still can't wrap my mind around the fact I'll never get the chance > to see her, or speak with her again. My heart goes out to Ron, Andrew > & Ewan, and will always have a very fond place for Lesley therein. > > > > I like to think that Lesley is out there somewhere > with my dad ... they're still working on straightening out that > forehand, and that after practice, they're off for endless cups of tea > and laughter at the cafe. > > > > Patrice Fleming.