Bev’s 410-mile taxi ride to see snooker
THIS snooker-mad woman is so devoted to the sport she takes a taxi 200 miles to Sheffield every year to watch the World Championship.
Bev Price’s annual day trip also gave her a 21st chance to meet up with someone she met at the tournament two decades ago – and has met up with every year since.
Bev, from Talbot Green, makes the 410-mile round trip to Sheffield every year – and forks out for private transport each time.
The 53-year-old fan, who uses a wheelchair, watched her favourite sport with friend Alex Gardner, whom she has only ever met at the tournament, held at the Crucible Theatre.
Alex Gardner, from Sheffield, met Bev by chance in 1998 and the two snooker fans instantly became friends and arranged to go to the annual tournament together.
Bev said: “I went up to the semi-final on Thursday. I needed to get a minibus this time around to help me get in with my wheelchair.
“It was lovely – the only problem is it goes too quickly.”
She added: “I saw Alex again, of course. It was the best time we’ve ever had, I think.
Their friendship first began after Bev met Alex in a hotel bar after a game. Alex offered her a drink and they got chatting. Afterwards the pair stayed in touch.
Alex, 48, said: “While we didn’t get to see the final this year we still had a lovely time.
“It is a bit of a rush for Bev, but it’s all worth it.” The trip to the Crucible cost Bev more than £400, taking the total spent to around £7,300 for all of her trips.
The pair speak throughout the year on the phone. But in July Alex will make the trip to Wales to visit Bev.
Mum-of-two Alex said: “This year is the first year we’ll see each other in between the championship.
“Bev said she was going to see [singer] James Taylor and didn’t have anyone to go with so I said I’d come.
“It’ll be fantastic to see where she lives and come to Cardiff.”
Bev and Alex will watch James Taylor and His AllStar Band at the Motorpoint Arena in July.
With the annual expense Bev said she was looking to get her trip sponsored next year to try and help cut down on costs.