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Committee News

25-May-07

Issue 28

To round off the end of the season here is a round up of all that happened over the centenary weekend plus a report from the dinner. Thanks to all who helped make the 2006/07 Season all that it was! The summer touring programme all kicks off this weekend... so no time to miss hockey! For more details check the website...

Centenary Dinner

It was a night to remember. Members of Tulse Hill, Dulwich and THD past and present were brought together on the red carpet of Beauberry House. Reuniting teams from years gone by testified to the strength of the club spirit throughout its long history. The evening kicked off with a kir royale reception on the terrace of the Georgian house with many shrieks of delight as old acquaintances reunited. The shimmering elegance of the women and the dashing black tie of the men were impressive (although jury is out on Chris Coleman’s choice of milliner), however photographic evidence suggests that some of this polish was lost a little by the end of the evening.

Moving 350 people in any direction would prove a challenge especially when navigating 30 tables to locate your nameplace amongst air kissing, back slapping and hand shaking of old friends meeting en route. Joanna welcomed us warmly to the evening – she might not have believed it at the time, she spoke at a moment of relative quiet in the early evening.

The logistics of feeding aforementioned 350 guests stretched the waiting staff to its limits, allowing many of the current club to become acquainted with the journey to the bar – in particular the ‘Strings quartet’ establishing a ‘3 schnapps per course’ rule. Keith bravely faced the increasing volume of the crowd and regaled us with tales and memories from the past, celebrated our esteemed Olympians and toasted the future. The occasional cowgirl ‘yeee ha’ from the Women’s 4s only added to the celebratory atmosphere.

By pudding, most people had forgotten about eating and the final speech by Gordon proved once and for all that microphones are a very good thing, especially when taking on the combined power of the Women’s 1s brandishing a trophy and cheering themselves (justifiably) shamelessly. For some of the men’s 1s, the evening was a revelation, sobriety revealed some insights – Bubs and Gaz are still recovering from some overheard women’s chatter but also apologised for their own past performances...

Whilst the older members reminisced until the wee hours in the marquee, others piled onto the dancefloor where we bopped to the strains of the live band and the cheesy tunes in the dark bar. Space was limited but didn’t prevent some exuberant dancing – Charley stalwart until the last note sounded. We were proud of only one hospitalisation, the ever reliable Chris Richman demonstrating once again that you don’t need to play hockey to get injured.

Huge thanks go to Lucy P and EJ who masterminded the whole evening, Lindsay for producing great and popular kit, Mark for MCing, photographing and leading on the weekend games, Kate and Chris for auctions, raffles and barbecues, the older members for returning and showing us how it’s done, Joanna, Gordon and Keith for battling with the noise to remind the assembled rabble why they were here and everyone else who attended to make it, to quote Joanna, our esteemed Chair of the Committee, an evening ‘that will be talked about for years to come.’ Some happy reveller suggested to Lucy and me that ‘we should do this every year’ – the death stares from both of us was enough to shelve that thought for another 100 years..!

Dinner Report by: Sarah Longair.

| © 2002-2008 Tulse Hill & Dulwich Hockey Club

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