Thought For The Day – Thursday 11^th June 2026

We have 25 guests visiting The Bishop’s Stortford High School today as part of Year 8 Careers Day. Please be respectful.  Memories will be made.

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“And here comes Hurst! He’s got…Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over.  It is now, it’s four.”

On the 30th of July 2026, it will be 60 years since the men’s football World Cup Final of 1966.

The match was played between England and, the then, West Germany at Wembley Stadium.

The quotation above was the unscripted television commentary of Sir Kenneth Wolstenholme as, in extra time, England scored their fourth goal and Sir Geoff Hurst, pictured in the second and third pictures above,  completed his historic hattrick.

For those alive at the time, this moment was a powerful memory.  The story would be passed on through the generations.

The captain of England that day, Bobby Moore O.B.E., pictured in the first picture above, wiped and cleaned his hands on his shorts before shaking the hands of Queen Elizabeth II and receiving the trophy.

A humble and respectful action from a humble and respectful team.

In sixty years, only the England’s women’s football team, the Lionesses, have won a major international football trophy for England.  The Lionesses, who also captured the heart of a nation,  have won the women’s football European Championships twice.  In the coming months, the Lionesses will have matches to qualify for next year’s women’s football World Cup in Brazil.

Not everyone alive, and inspired and moved,  at the time can remember the iconic 1966 final.

Adron O’Connor, pictured in the fourth picture above, a mascot at an England international last year, was present in the crowd that day.  Adron has his match ticket, his programme, and other souvenirs, from the final, but Adron can no longer remember “The Boys of ‘66”.

Last Sunday afternoon, “Channel 4” television showed the full 1966 World Cup Final match in colour.  A meeting between Sir Geoff Hurst and Adron featured.

This broadcast was a fundraiser in aid of “Alzheimer’s Society”, raising awareness of, and supporting, people with dementia.  Dementia affects the memory.   Dementia has affected a number of the team of 1966.  Earlier this academic year, we raised money for dementia care and awareness.

Last weekend also, Jon Snow, respected broadcaster and journalist, especially with “Channel 4 News”,  shared that he is suffering from dementia.  Jon Snow is a former wonderful guest speaker at T.B.S.H.S..

On Saturday the 20th of June, “Channel 4” will broadcast Jon Snow’s new programme, “A Last Big Story”, where Jon will talk about his dementia condition, and will go “into the field” to report about an environmental disaster in Zambia for “A Last Big Story”.  

Jon’s family talk of a light being switched on in Jon, and his memory going back,  when he returned to his outstanding journalism work.   The graphic below is from the “Manchester Evening News”.

And though people may have challenges beyond words with their personal memory and mind, the massive inspiration of their story, the memories, and moments,  they have created for others, is never, ever forgotten.

The men’s football World Cup commences today.  Very much like the last men’s football World Cup, the forthcoming men’s football World Cup will be a tournament of its time:  a time of many economic, environmental, and geopolitical challenges.  Climate change was mentioned by the panel on the “I.T.V.” coverage last evening.

But we hope, for those who follow, particularly young people, positive, global, respectful, and inspirational memories and moments will be created. Though sleep remains essential for those in different time zones.

We hope that the world comes together in peace and respect.

And in this Carers’ Week, we reflect on, and remember,  those who have challenges with their memory, and all who care for them.

We hope, as the memorable World Cup song, of “Italia 1990”,  which started with the Sir Kenneth Wolstenholme commentary quoted above, and featured a rap verse from ground-breaking player John Barnes,  states: “Love’s got the world in motion”.