As if the family and friends of Ben Hiscox have not suffered enough, today the inquest into his death took place at Avon Coroner’s Court. I had not a clue it was today until I saw today’s Bristol Post newspaper which featured the story in some depth and later the BBC Points West programme. And it is about the latter on which I shall briefly dwell.
Points West has a long and proud record of solid local journalism. Local people trust the show and its presenters of whom there have been relatively few over the years are much loved, a level of continuity which has given viewers a unique connection with the programme. Never has that connection been better illustrated than tonight.
If you have not read the full story of Ben’s tragic accident, then have a quick look at the Bristol Post website. There’s a well-written, sensitive piece which tells the whole story. Points West took it to another level.
I still find it shocking to see Ben’s face on my TV and in my newspaper. The only reason he should have been there would have been for a positive reason, like scoring an important goal. To see it once again across my television after all that has happened, well, it’s difficult to take. And if it’s difficult for me to take, then how must the family feel? I know the answer to that only too well.
The story was faithfully and, like the Post’s story, sensitively told and above all it was beautifully filmed. No sensationalism, just factual, but with a human heart. The BBC crew and reporters deserve a medal in my opinion.
And the interviews were with people I now know oh so well. Ben’s wonderful father Clive, as lovely a person who has ever walked this earth, said all the right things to camera, how safety must be improved, how it should never happen to anyone else and how he remained a strong supporter of the football club, as if we ever doubted it. But that is the measure of the man, always thinking of others, wanting things to be made better. And Stoke Gifford Vice Chair Ben Bennett, eloquently explaining how his friend Ben Hiscox would never have wanted the club to stop playing and endorsing safety measures that would be put in place.
It was a tough watch, for sure. Three months on and it’s no less tough today than it was at the time. I heard someone on the radio earlier today talking about loss and how the pain never really goes away, it’s just longer ago today than it was yesterday.
Praise and credit where praise and credit is due. The BBC and Bristol Post deserve it in spades tonight as of course to Clive and Ben for what they are and what they are is very special people.
Clive said to the Post “I am very pro Stoke Gifford”. Well, I know that, mate, and trust me, Stoke Gifford is very pro Hiscox too; today, tomorrow and always.
