by Yong Soo Heong
On Friday, Aug 16, it will have been 47 years since the “King,” Elvis Aaron Presley, left his fans. Despite his passing in 1977, his popularity remains undiminished.
The American singer, renowned for his talents in rock & roll, pop, country, blues, and even gospel, and his flamboyant outfits, continues to inspire many.
Elvis impersonation shows still pop up frequently, a testament to his enduring legacy.
This year, one fan stands out – a 63-year-old community street cleaner named Paul Spiers from Britain. A story about him in The Times by Mark Sellman caught my eye, showcasing the ingenuity of people committed to their beliefs and causes.
Paul, employed by a company contracted to clean the streets of Beckenham in south London, had earned the admiration of local residents. They decided to raise £3,000 as a reward for his excellent work.
However, the waste management company he worked for declined the gesture due to a clause with the Bromley Council, which prohibits staff from accepting any monies or incentives outside of agreed pay structures.
The Bromley Council responded that it was a matter for the company and its staff. Amid this deadlock, Liam Conlon, the MP for Beckenham and Penge, urged the Bromley Council to find a “common sense” solution. Consequently, Paul was named “Bromley’s Employee of the Quarter” by the company and will receive a financial reward for that.
In the midst of this furore, a travel company, On the Beach, decided to step in. It ran a “competition” for a holiday with entry requirements that seemed tailor-made for Paul: you must love Elvis, be between the ages of 62 and 64, have the surname Spiers, be a street cleaner in Beckenham, and be loved by your local community. Unsurprisingly, Paul won, as there were no other entrants!
Paul’s immediate reaction was that he would go only if his company allowed him to accept the prize. His employers have since relented and even decided to match the amount raised by the public as at the Aug 9 cut-off date, donating it to Cancer Research, a charity Paul supports.
“We are very grateful for the support and recognition shown by the community to Paul, who, alongside a hardworking street cleansing team, does a fantastic job keeping Bromley’s streets clean. Our position regarding the funds raised by the community has not changed, and the decision about what happens to that money is a matter for the fundraiser,” said his employers.
On the Beach will give Paul a voucher that he can spend on any holiday and flight. Paul is now planning to take his brother David to Portugal. Sail around leisurely in a boat and have nice cups of coffee in a café, perhaps?
In the spirit of Elvis, let’s remember his song from the film “Viva Las Vegas” with Ann-Margret in 1964 – “You’re the Boss”, a flirty song about power-play and dominance. And, of course, let us all not forget — “Don’t be Cruel”!