CHRIS Blow has lived in Basingstoke since 1965 and has seen huge changes in facilities available in the town.

About 10 years ago Chris joined the Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club committee with the aim of trying to improve the facilities available for the athletes.

His children have grown up in the area and one was very keen on athletics. Going along to the athletics club really opened his eyes to the amount of time many volunteers put into sports clubs to keep them going and make them successful.

With financial support from the council and backing from local organisations like The Gazette, the athletic club managed to get the track upgraded from six lanes to a quality eight-lane facility. The club is now focussing on providing a spectator stand with facilities underneath which will complement the track and make it a first class venue for athletics in Hampshire.

For the past six years Chris has also held the post of chairman of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletic Club, but will step down this year to focus on the athletic stand and a new social enterprise he has helped to set up in the town to help the long-term young unemployed.

1. Who was your childhood hero and why? Probably my dad – dads can do everything when you are young.

2. What is your most precious possession and why is it important to you? Probably my Smartphone because you can do so much with it.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? I don’t have one specifically but I like sport and the crime dramas, like Inspector Morse and Lewis.

5. What is your favourite film? The Pelican Brief or Top Gun.

6. What is your pet hate? People who say they are going to do something but never do it.

7. What are you reading at the moment? Just finished Epic by John Eldredge.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? A nice chicken Ceylon curry.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? Jesus Christ – amazing wisdom, understanding and love.

10. If you had a time machine where would it take you? One hundred years ahead to see what technology is available.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island what luxury would you choose to have with you? A nice glass of red wine.

12. What sports team do you support? Chelsea and, of course, Basingstoke and Mid Hants men’s British athletic team, now one of the top 16 teams in the UK.

13. What was your first job? Electrical and electronic engineering apprenticeship at AWE.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? Seeing what the Prime Minister got up to would be interesting.

15. What worries you the most? I try not to worry but maybe the influential power of, and dependency on, technology today.

16. What is your proudest moment? Becoming a father.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? Completed what was planned for him to do.

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? Anything chocolate.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? Looking after others rather than just ourselves.

20. What three words best describe you? Reliable, friendly and mischievous.