KIDDERMINSTER-born Norman Broadfield found his mind wandering back to his home town while sitting in a hotel room in Santiago, Chile, last September and his creative instinct took over.

Sports fan Norman, who was on a business trip for carpet firm Brintons, decided to start penning a book about life in the area.

It has become just one of the projects that ensures the Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club chairman and Kidderminster Cricket Club president rarely has a quiet moment. While not involved in the town's sporting community or with the Old Carolians Association as a King Charles Grammar School old boy, he travels extensively through his work.

Having visited around 50 countries and every continent, Norman plans to take early retirement in July when he turns 60.

After starting off with ambitions of becoming an educational psychologist via Leeds Univeristy, he ended up in the carpet industry more by chance.

Taken on as a computer programmer at Carpet Trades, Norman ended up in sales and was export sales director at Carpets International in the early 1980s following a spell in Halifax, Yorkshire.

Twelve years ago, Brintons employed him to set up a marine sales department with the aim of supplying to cruise ships.

Norman met his wife Olive while they were teaching together in Evesham although he admitted: "She has had to put up with me for 34 years in which we've probably only been married for the equivalent of six!

"My wife has been immensely supportive because being married to me has not been easy - but she's been great. I've had a very active life and have enjoyed doing everything I've done. I would say my favourite places have been Hong Kong, because it's very lively, and Vancouver for its beauty and quality of life."

Still there has been time for two children, Clare - who works for a business travel company in Bristol and married last year - and Helen, a publisher in Cheltenham.

And the youngsters gave Norman yet more meetings as he chaired King Charles High School's PTA as well as Chester Road Bowling Club. Norman has been involved in a number of sporting developments, notably the new clubhouse at ambitious Kidderminster Carolians and a future changing room rebuild.

As a scrum-half in his playing days, he made the first team at KCs and just missed out on county schoolboy honours after reaching the final trial.

Norman has since demonstrated his creative talents by producing the home match programme at the cricket club and also the rugby publication in the past.

But he admitted: "I happen to be the chairman of the rugby club but there's an army of people doing all the work.

"They all deserve credit for the new building, especially the four on the development committee.

"When I'm retired, I'll carry on with the rugby and cricket interests. And I'll try to do some more travelling although I'll have to pay for a change!"