Mar 2010: Wedding Bells

Congratulations to our Club President Mike Mower and his bride Pascaline who were married in a private ceremony on Monday 1st March at Benfleet.

I’m sorry there are no photos; you’ll just have to wait for the next edition of Hello or OK magazine who presumably have the exclusive rights.

Pascaline, what’s it like being the wife of a president?

13th Feb 2010: Valentines Dance at the Club
Gemma Hurry and Julie Lott organised a Valentines Dance at the Club on Saturday 13th February. Many thanks, girls....and thanks also for making the fruity but potent 'Love Juice' cocktail which cascaded from a cool cocktail fountain.

Music was provided by Troy, brother of our Club Coach Royston, and a fun time was had by the 40 or so people who came, a mixture of ages (you should have seen the oldies doing the Cha Cha Slide!)

Here are some pics....

Feb 2010: Two Left Feet
I have been told that our Mens Essex Vets League captain, Chris Frankis, arrived at a recent away match at Cranbrook Castle in Gidea Park. When he got his tennis shoes out of his bag, he discovered (you've guessed it) he'd brought 2 left shoes and no right shoes. Needless to say he played backhand but even then he kept running round in circles or veering off into the tramlines. Don't worry Chris, but from now you'll always be known as Chris 'Two Left Feet' Frankis.

On a Sunday afternoon in October with rather mixed weather, the Club held its Autumn Handicap finals. A good crowd turned out to give their support to the finalists. Unusually, none of the three finals went to three sets (back to the handicap drawing board, Ken). It was particularly nice to see three of our newer members winning trophies (Rob Buchanan, Jane Jacobs and Alan Sambridge). A special mention should go to Wally Greenwood for umpiring two of the three finals, including the Mixed which was played in a steady drizzle; any volunteers for umpire duties?

Congratulations to our Juniors for their impressive performance in the Leigh & Westcliff Junior Summer Leagues.

The Club entered five teams and four of them won their divisions with the other coming second only because another Hockley team came first in the same division.

The photo shows most of the victorious squad and their trophies. Unfortunately It was not possible to get the whole squad together for this issue, but you know who you are. Well done to all of you.

Watch out for Royston’s next Jolly News which I’m sure will give more coverage on this achievement.

Important Wimbledon 2010 Ticket Information
Remember that our club’s allocation of tickets for the 2010 Championships, will be based on the number of club members who have signed up for British Tennis Membership (BTM) as of 30th November 2009.

Furthermore, only BTM members can enter our club ballot for tickets. So, if you haven’t joined yet, do it soon; membership is still free. Contact Kate Bennett if you need help in joining.

Something Fishy at the Club
Jack and Val Birrell hosted their annual Fish Lunch on a sunny Sunday afternoon in October. Once again it was a sellout and 80 members and guests gorged themselves on the culinary delights from the seas and rivers, including fresh and smoked salmon, crab, prawns, mackerel, halibut, smoked trout, and hot fishy snacks. Oh, and don’t forget the good old jellied eels (Ken’s favourite). Thanks to Jack and Val and their helpers Julies B&L and Janice. This fish lunch just gets better and better!

Quiz Night - champs retain their title
On the night before the Fish Lunch, Andy and Moira Hubbard & Mick and Irene Palmer organised a most enjoyable Quiz Night. I must say that I’ve never been to a quiz night where the scores were up on the board so soon after the sheets were handed in, nor have I been to a quiz night where the best scores were on the Politics round.

12 teams attempted to become the Brains of Hockley, but in the end last years winners (Meldrum/Thompson and friends) retained their title, but it was a close thing.

Well done Andy, Moira, Mick and Irene for a well-run event; it was a fun evening.
Keep your eyes on the notice boards for future social events.

Folly Gossip
Steve Taylor and his team of fellow footballing doctors recently won the Medical World Cup for GB in Seoul, beating Brazil in the final (photo from Evening Echo).