Time for another ‘Chat’

With the 2008/9 season just over the horizon I thought it was about time for another ‘Chat’ updating readers as follows.

I am grateful to Nigel Bedingfield for kindly updating the website. This now includes details of all members who have agreed to serve the club for the 2008/9 season in the wide range of capacities listed. Needless to say I am also grateful to them including Tristan Baynes and Richard Ling (joint men’s club captains) and Merna Merrett (men’s fixture secretary) who have kindly volunteered since the AGM.

My thanks to Irene Bicker and Linda Hunter who have prepared the 2008/9 subscription invoices which will shortly be landing on members’ doormats together with details of the coaching/training arrangements for the forthcoming season.

Recent activity at the club has included the hosting of the Village Games, the cutting of the hedges, the spraying of the car parks and pitches (to, respectively, kill the weeds and to prevent the onset of the dreaded algae) and the ‘oiling’ of the balcony. In respect of these activities I am grateful to David and Judy Cobbald, Jose Tibbenham and Robert Stimpson (re preparation for the Village Games), David Cobbald and Andrew and Richard Longe (hedges and spraying) and John Pestell, Tony and Sue Williams, Peter Halls and Robert Stimpson (balcony).

I thank everyone who attended the ‘In The Mood’ picnic concert organised jointly by Harleston Lions, Harleston Scouts and the club and kindly hosted by Julian and Philippa Taylor at Starston. After initial concerns (particularly on my part) the event was well attended and as expected very enjoyable with Timescape putting on an excellent show.

Former GB and England goalkeeper Simon Mason will be taking a Goalkeeping Day at Dereham HC on Sunday 7 September. The day is aimed at goalkeepers of all levels. If you wish to attend please ring Karen Young (Active Norfolk) on 07827 308998.

My thanks to David and Christine Johnson and their team of club members who so efficiently organised the car parking at the Heveningham Hall Country Fair on Sunday 6 July thereby benefiting the youth section to the tune of £500.

Congratulations and very best wishes to Neil Toulson and Anna Truman and to Chris Reeve and Tracy Baker on their recent marriages.

For the past three years the men’s 1sts have been kindly sponsored by Durrants, the well known local firm of chartered surveyors, auctioneers, valuers and estate agents. Following the expiry of the sponsorship agreement we are actively looking for a replacement company. If you have any ideas please let me know. The same applies to firms which might be prepared to have a pitchside advertising board at the club.

Congratulations to Carl Sitch on his selection to play for England U18s in the 4-nations tournament currently taking place in Cardiff and on his selection to play for England in the UK Schools Games between 28-31 August in Bristol and Bath.

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

POST FILLED * *
BAR PERSON REQUIRED AT CLUB

Laura who assisted me with the bar last season is unable to continue next season. I am therefore looking for people who are interested in a regular part time position which will mainly be Saturday afternoons, but could involve the odd Sunday and evening...

Experience in this work is not essential but applicants should have an interest in people.

A rota can be drawn up so that one person is not always committed.

Interested people should e-mail or call me to discuss this position.

Robert Stimpson
Clubhouse Manager
e-mail r.stimpson@btconnect.com
Tel 01728628243

MONDAY 18TH AUGUST,
THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2008

THURSDAY 28TH AUGUST,
FRIDAY 29TH AUGUST 2008

For Boys and Girls, 9 to 14 yearolds

COST:
£12 FOR ONE DAY AND
£8 FOR ANY OTHER DAY

10.00am-4.00pm Each Day

This is for outfield players only. Regrettably no goalkeepers on this course.

DETAILS: Please meet in the Clubhouse at 9.45am with the intention of starting on the pitch at 10.00am. Depending on the weather conditions, we will normally work for one hour on the pitch followed by a break. The emphasis will be on practicing the skills of the game as well as a variety of fun games.

Please bring your own packed lunch although soft drinks, crisps, etc can be purchased from the Clubhouse. Please bring appropriate clothes for the weather conditions . As the sessions are held on artificial surfaces trainers or astro shoes are essential. No studs.
Non Club Members are welcome.

Organiser Nick McAllen 01508 493269

DO NOT JUST TURN UP ON THE DAY – PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE
USING THE FORM BELOW

>> Click here for application form <<

PLEASE RETURN THE APPLICATION FORM WITH A CHEQUE PAYABLE TO
NICK MCALLEN
46, RECTORY LANE, PORINGLAND, NORWICH NR14 7SL

To assist the organiser please bring your own stick or borrow one from school.

Annual General Meeting

At the meeting I thanked everyone who attended. I also thanked, of course, all officers and officials for their invaluable work during the past season and members who were elected to serve for season 2008/9, including our new president Irene Bicker and new deputy president Tony Williams. On behalf of the club I was pleased to make a presentation to our outgoing president David Alexander in recognition of all his hard work in that role over the past three years and before that as deputy president.

I made it clear at the meeting that I was extremely disappointed that we were unable to fill the positions of a) playing manager (once again), b) men’s club captain and c) men’s fixture secretary. But I was quite rightly reminded (politely!) that nearly everyone present already served HMHC in some capacity! I am pleased to report that since the meeting two members have kindly come forward to share the role of men’s club captain and that our new president and I are hopeful of filling the men’s fixture secretary role. If we are unable to find a playing manager in the very near future we will advertise the job on the website including, as suggested at the AGM, details of what the job entails.

In my next ‘Chat’ I will include the list of officers and officials for season 2008/9.

At the end of the meeting Irene congratulated and made presentations to the following 2007/2008 trophy winners.

Female Club Person of the Year
Kirstin Cumming
For yet another season of remarkable devotion to the Club as amongst other things equipment controller, equipment seller, meeter and greeter to visiting teams, member of the youth and tournament committees.

Male Club Person of the Year
Nigel Bedingfield
He won this award in 2004/5 and he deservedly wins it again for his invaluable help to the club by the sponsorship and management of the Club’s website which is quite easily the best there is. Nothing is too much trouble for him.

The Magpie Cup (To mark a season of outstanding service)
Richard Larkin
He has captained a successful team, played with great enthusiasm every week, helped out on many occasions at hockey and social events, taken a wide interest in all aspects of the club – and written inspirational pre-match poetry! The youngest ever winner of this award.

Male Young Player of the Year
Jimmy Wheeler
This year the award goes to a player who came on leaps and bounds during the season especially in the role of an impact player. He turned games when coming on from the bench snatching vital goals on many occasions resulting in him being the highest goal scorer among the younger players.

Longe Trophy (For outstanding Youth coaching services)
Leigh Sitch
The award goes to a young coach who has delivered weekly coaching sessions to the U13 Boys all season. In addition he has had the outstanding achievement of leading the U18 Boys to both Indoor and Outdoor National Finals.

Leeder Cup (Men’s 1st Team Player of the Year)
Andy Hipwell
For the second year running the award deservedly goes to this outstanding forward who helped the team capture the East league title with his 48 goals for the season – a truly remarkable achievement.

Rushworth Ward Trophy (For outstanding long service)
David Alexander
To mark his very successful and enthusiastic three years as deputy president and three years as president in addition to his many years of other distinguished service to the club as both officer and player.

Betty Whipps Cup (Ladies’ 1st Team Player of the Year)
Lucy Hayman
For the second year running she has been voted player of the season. In a testing season she had plenty of opportunity to prove once again that she remains one of the best goalkeepers in the country.

Female Young Player of the Year
Lucy Miller
This award goes to a player who completed her first full season of national league hockey. She has made tremendous improvements as a player as well as bringing a crucial battling spirit to the team.

Strawberry Luncheon
I thank Jill and Roy Whipps for kindly hosting this very enjoyable and successful event. I also thank everyone who attended and, of course, chief organisers David Alexander and Daphne Beckett and their ‘team’ for all their hard work.

Olympics 2008
Congratulations to Richard (Ratty) Alexander on being selected for Great Britain’s squad for Beijing. Unless I’m very much mistaken Richard is the first player who learnt his hockey at the club to receive this honour. It is a wonderful achievement and we wish him and the rest of the squad all the very best for the weeks ahead.

‘In The Mood’
Please bring your picnic and be entertained by the evocative music of Timescape at this open air event being organised by Harleston Lions, Scouts and Magpies Hockey Club on Sunday 13 July 2008 at Bone Hill, Rouse’s Lane off Low Road, Starston, IP20 9NT. Gates open at 3.30pm with the live musical entertainment commencing at 4.30pm.

Since their formation in 2004 Timescape have played at many venues and events throughout Norfolk and beyond performing the memorable songs and music of Vera Lynn, Glenn Miller, Anne Shelton and many others. A most enjoyable afternoon is assured. Please bring your relatives and friends for a really enjoyable summer’s afternoon. For tickets - £10 adults, £5 U16s with U5s Free - please contact me as below.

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