Grimsby Table Tennis Association organises Winter
and Summer Leagues, Tournaments, Coaching Sessions and Practice Sessions. Most
of this activity is conducted at Clee Sports Hall, Ladysmith Road, Grimsby.
There are other venues at Immingham and Keelby too. Most sessions at Clee
Fields are in the evening, but “Thursday Practice” is from 10AM to Noon.
Sure, I practice on Friday nights and Sunday
teatimes occasionally. But since I took early retirement in 2006 I have
regularly attended Thursday Morning Practice. It is this Practice I’d like to
tell you all about.
For me it is Family. Especially as my “blood
relatives” still live in Yorkshire. When I first started at this Practice,
NALGO Club Secretary the late Don Newton ran the show. I played for NALGO for
many years so I knew Don well. We now have a Hard Bat Tournament named after
him. I need say no more.
But when Don “retired”, Auntie Jean and Uncle Brian
Ashwell took the reins, ably assisted by Stewart Dean and Dorothy Fuller. These
committee members have all put in a remarkable shift over the years. In fact
the whole committee do sterling work throughout the week. Some, such as Mick
and Jon Corry, Colin Woodford and Sean Brown pop in to practice on a Thursday
too.
In the Sports Hall we can easily fit seven tables
down the far side from the main door. And maybe another six down the “near”
side. With our new lighting and flooring, plus new barriers etc. the place is
looking good. But again I repeat, it’s the “Family Feeling” that does it for
me. There is lots of socialising and banter between games and “knock-ups”. Of
course, I’m very quiet myself hehe.
Players of all abilities practice here on a
Thursday. They range from National League players to Non-League. Just recently
I played doubles with some non-league “Walking Club” lads and gave them a few
coaching tips. And I too get coached informally by the likes of Steve Carter,
Ray Simpson, Keith Baker, John Whitfield and Stewart Dean to name but a few
Premier Division-class players. Not to forget the genius that is Nick Borst.
Actually I have had a rare break recently during
this prolonged UK heatwave. I have also missed Wednesday Evening Top Table too (run
by Eileen Allison and her helpers).
Players who attend Thursdays have gradually changed over the years. Current “Regulars” include my Nemesis Team Captain Brian Lomas, Philip Yang, Bob Bartle, John Padley, Trevor Broughton, Bill and Chris Bygott, Don Ellis, Alf Evardson, Roy Smith, Brian Todd, Mike Gettings, Val Winslow, Ian Campbell, Stuart Pollard, Darren Aldous (when not working), Ray Corke, Colin Grey, Lee Radley, Michael Louca and John Butterfield. I’m sure I will think of many more later. These are only the summer ones. Two of Grimsby’s best players, Sean Ward and John Hancock pop in occasionally too.
My old team-mate Bob Want makes an appearance whenever
his gammy knees allow it. And Dave Hall makes the odd showing too, even taking an
excellent photograph of the session once.
Of course, when I see the likes of Tony Roberts in September
I know then that the Winter Season is on its way. Ha ha.
Philip Yang is even a fan of this very blog. What more
could I ask for?
Thursday Practice is indeed well recommended. Thanks
for reading.
PS Thanks to Dave Hall (Grimsby\Immingham Player) for
his loan of a photo he took of the session in progress).
Paul
Butters
©
PB 30\7\2018.
