Big day at ISPAL’s offices last week - we were all delighted to welcome Mrs Margaret Torkildsen, who came to see her late husband’s great collection of books in their new home, as a major feature of the ISPAL library.

This library was already the largest collection of sport, parks and leisure books, in the UK industry - a wonderful source of knowledge and information, available only to ISPAL members - but this legacy from a figure of George’s stature added to the uniqueness of the collection.

The Torkildsen collection includes all his own treasured reference works, around 300 books in total, covering the broad range of subject areas under the umbrella of the sport, parks and leisure profession.

The ISPAL Information Hub team makes very good use of this resource when answering members’ enquiries.

Margaret Torkildsen was accompanied on the visit by Sue Tarling who was George’s PA and one of George’s close friends, Geoff Gearing.

Geoff and Margaret said a few words to mark this special occasion, attended by ISPAL CEO Sue Sutton and all staff.

Lucy Roper, ISPAL Information Hub manager, finished off with what she described as “a few emotional words of thanks” before cracking a bottle of champagne!