magpiesChairman’s Chat

Another season is just around the corner

Despite the recent unseasonable weather I hope you have been able to enjoy the summer and are looking forward to the season ahead during which we are bound to experience our usual quota of successes and disappointments.

I begin my first “Chat” of the season thanking the following:

All officers and members who have worked hard in preparation for the new season and I have in mind all those involved with fixtures, grounds, pitches, kit, finances, coaching, clubhouse, captains’ meeting, handbook, fund raising etc. Work does not stop just because it has been “summer”.

Everyone who helped run and the 104 players (in 26 teams) who participated in the golf day at Bungay GC on Thursday 23 August which raised £1276 for club funds.

Last week’s clubhouse etc painting party which included (in no particular order) John Pestell (our foreman), Tony Williams, Peter Halls, Louisa Greenacre, Debbie McAllen, Robert Stimpson, Mouse and Cali Clark, Lizzie Clymer and Katrina Warnes. I hope what we did has been noticedand for all the right reasons! Philippa Taylor and Graham Clark for running last Saturday’s BBQ.

I’m pleased to say the disabled toilet is nearly ready and it awaits the return of the electrician from holiday for the final touches and if you’ve been to the club in the last few days you will have noticed that the main structure of the new balcony has been erected. When complete the new balcony will look splendid and will be a great asset to the Club and a big benefit to everyone who uses the clubhouse. The fitting of the stairlift will follow in due course. And before I leave the subject of the clubhouse the carpets have been professionally cleaned and await the next spillage of beer!


Congratulations to:

Coach Danny Kerry and the England women’s team on their bronze medal in the recent EuroHockey championships in Manchester and with it a prized place for GB women in next year’s Olympics. Meantime the England men after their fifth place (one better than two years ago) face the tough task of a qualifying tournament (possibly in Chile) early next year for another try for their Olympic spot. For this event the team goes as GB.

Everyone involved at England Hockey, including the huge number of EuroCrew volunteers, on the staging of the championships in Manchester. They did us proud.

Mark Lambert (former Magpies goalkeeper) and his team which won the men’s section of the recent golf day. Also in the team were Sam Lambert, Jonathon Timmins and Keith Parker (former long time Magpies men’s 1st team coach). Graeme Smith’s team came second, Peter Thorpe’s team third and Mike Longe’s team fourth. The Ladies’ section was won by Bungay Pacers with Bungay Dames in second place and the mixed section was won by The Bully Team. My thanks again to all teams for their support.


Connie Bedingfield

Best wishes to Connie (Norfolk Hockey’s Development Officer) who has obtained a full-time appointment outside of hockey. Connie has done an enormous amount for Norfolk Hockey and has produced many initiatives for the furtherance of the sport in the county. Thank you Connie for all you have done for Norfolk Hockey and for Magpies in your HDO role and it is good to know you will be continuing your coaching involvement with the Club.


Subscriptions

I hope you have paid your sub for the new season? The sooner you do so the sooner you will be rewarded with your handbook to read! If I may say so this ought to be a big incentive to get your chequebook out!!


SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES 2007-2008

Please put the dates in your diaries! More details will be issued in due course.

2007
Saturday 6 October Family Quiz Evening
Friday 2 November Fireworks Spectacular (gates open 6.30pm)
Saturday 24 November “Cocktail” Evening
Saturday 29 December Fancy Dress Inter-Club Mixed Hockey

2008
Saturday 2 February Social Evening
Saturday 1 March Race Evening
Saturday 12 April Silent Auction and Spring Prize Draw
Saturday 3 May End of Season Bash
Sat/Sun/Mon 3/4/5 May Magpies Tournament
Summer Five evenings of mixed hockey
Sunday 22 June Strawberry Luncheon, by kind permission of Jill and Roy Whipps
August Golf Day (tbc)
Saturday 13 September Summer Ball

With kind regards and best wishes to all members, supporters and friends of the Club.

Mike Denham (Chairman)
Tel: 01603 506925
E-mail: [email protected]
6 September 2007