magpies

80TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN STYLE

A major milestone in the club’s proud history was celebrated last Saturday in fine style at the club’s 80th Anniversary Ball. Over 300 members, relatives and friends gathered in the magnificently decorated marquee at Weybread for a memorable evening and it is a big ‘thank you’ from club president Philippa Taylor and club chairman Murray Graham to them and to the organising team, masterminded by Tracy Reeve and her Social & Fund Raising Committee, for helping to make the evening so successful and enjoyable.

After the drinks reception (kindly sponsored by Adnams) Murray set the tone for the evening with his well-chosen words paying tribute to the club’s founders way back in the Magpie pub in 1935 and to their many successors down the years. In his admirably brief speech he went on to highlight the development of the club, its part in the local community and its successes over the years. He made particular reference to the successes achieved in the past season including the U18 Girls’ winning the national plate event, the Ladies’ 1sts finishing third in the East Conference, the Men’s Over 50s reaching the national Masters Cup Final, the Men’s 1sts winning East Premier ‘A’, and with it a place in next season’s East Conference, and the Mixed winning the national trophy the previous weekend at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre.

Murray then called the Mixed team, led by captain Leigh Sitch, to come forward to be re-presented with the cup to loud applause. To equally loud applause Philippa also made the following presentations.

Rushworth Ward Trophy (for outstanding long service) to Shirley McAllen, the Female Club Person of the Year Trophy to Louisa Greenacre, the Magpie Cup (to mark a season of outstanding service) to Frances Taylor and the Craig Whipps Cup (in fond memory of Craig and for a club’s ‘unsung hero’) to Kristina Smyth.

The last award to be presented was a new one called the 80th Anniversary Cup to be awarded annually for outstanding dedication to the club and the first winner was very fittingly Honorary Life Member David Cobbald. Murray said that David needs little introduction. He has served as player, team captain, club chairman, fund raiser, groundsman and supporter. There is little he has not done for the club over many years during which the club has meant so much to him. Murray added that David still helps behind the scenes in many ways.

(Awards to Debbie Francis (Ladies’ 1st Team Player of the Year), Leigh Sitch (Men’s 1st team Player of the Year), Amy Campbell (Female Young Player of the Year) and Toby Price (Male Young Player of the Year) were made at the Senior Awards Evening in April while the Male Club Person of the Year Award and the Longe Trophy (for outstanding Youth coaching services) will be made at the AGM on Tuesday 23 June.)

It was then time for the excellent dinner to be followed by the ‘Heads & Tails’ competition, the raffle (with thanks to everyone who bought tickets and who helped Mike and Helen Barber with the prizes), the auction (with thanks to the generous donors and auctioneer Robbie Kinsella), the fun casino and dancing to the popular Joe Ringer Band. The ‘finalists’ in the ‘Heads & Tails’ fun event were very appropriately Kath Johnson and Leigh Sitch, who by their on-pitch endeavours personify all that is best about the club, with Kath emerging as winner. Well done Kath! Bad luck Leigh!

Another popular feature of the event were the photographs being screened throughout the evening with thanks to Adam Lascelles and all the photograph providers. These showed club members on and off the field of play down the years. It was great fun seeing the changes of styles of dress, sticks, pitches etc. and best of all seeing members as they were years ago! Whatever happened to ex-chairman and first team goalkeeper Neville Chubbock’s black droopy moustache?!

It was a memorable evening with thanks once again to everyone involved. Here’s to the next Ball!

(On a personal note I thank Jose Tibbenham for the surprise presentation to me of a splendidly decorated ‘Magpies’ cake to mark my forthcoming birthday. There is no truth in the rumour that I attended the club’s inaugural meeting in 1935!)

Mr Ian McKenzie

Mr McKenzie very sadly passed away on Wednesday 10 June and I am sure that all members will wish to extend their condolences to his wife Betty, daughters Helen Alexander and Kirstin Cumming and all other members of his family on their great loss.

OTHER NEWS AND COMMENT

a) Congratulations and very best wishes to Frances Burrell (née Sumner) and husband Graham on the birth of their second child Eleanor Lucy (7lb 2oz) – sister for Hannah – on Thursday 11 June.

b) Congratulations also to out-on-loan Magpie Tim Whiteman (Beeston HC) on his selection for the Great Britain squad for the World League Semi-Final to be held in Antwerp from 20 June to 5 July. The top three of the ten competing teams will qualify for the Rio Olympics. Meanwhile the GB women have made a great start to their World League Semi-Final winning their first three games in Valencia. Best wishes to both our teams.

c) Murray Graham (Scotland O55s goalkeeper) recently went to the club with son James for a crafty practice session in advance of the forthcoming Home Nations Tournament only to find club team-mates and international rivals Jon Aldridge (England O55s) and David Blackmore (England O60s) doing the same thing!

d) Gentle reminders – the club’s AGM will be held in the clubhouse next Tuesday (23 June) at 7.30pm, the annual Strawberry Luncheon is taking place on Sunday 28 June and the club is hosting a Level 1 Umpire Course on Sunday 12 July. Please see the Latest News page of the website for more details of these events.

e) The club’s 13th Annual Golf Day to be held at Bungay GC on Thursday 9 July is a ‘sell-out’ with thanks to all the 28 competing teams of four for their support.

With kind regards

Mike Denham

[email protected]

16/6/15

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