News 2017

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Havant GB caps
 

Great Britain honours cap recipients on the steps of Havant Hockey Club.

James Midgley (on behalf of Roger Midgley), David Whittle, Don Williams, Chris Pickett, Brian Purdy, Val Lewis (on behalf of Jimi Lewis), David Faulkner, Calum Giles, Sean Rowlands and Rob Hill with their GB international honours caps.

Photograph: Keith Woodland; courtesy of Havant Hockey Club.

 

On Sunday 12 March 2023, the great and the good of Havant Hockey Club came together to celebrate their nine Great Britain (GB) players through the presentation of their international honours caps by GB President Sheila Morrow.

In a remarkable stint of organisation, the club managed to have all nine players either present or represented by family. Two of them attended virtually from Germany and whilst they could join in the chat, their families were present to receive their GB caps.

The players spanned from Roger Midgley, a bronze medallist at the 1952 Olympic Games who was represented by his son James, through to the present day. They included their Club President David Faulkner who masterminded the attendance, and Russell Garcia who joined from Germany, both of whom won Olympic gold in Seoul.

The Hockey Museum’s first clubhouse cap presentation proved to be a very special and emotional day and it was and our first use of Zoom to ensure everyone could be present in some form. It was a great success so if other clubs fancy a similar event please get in touch. Two of the players had previously received their caps at Lee Valley but returned with their caps on the day to join their seven clubmates.

A beautiful frame containing nine replica caps in miniature was also presented on the day. It will provide a permanent memento on the clubhouse wall.

Other clubs may well have nine GB players, but few can boast two GB Managers who were in charge at multiple Olympic Games. Havant HC therefore took the opportunity to honour David Whittle and Chris Pickett for their incredible service to both club and country.

 

Mini GB caps
 
Mike Smith, Hon. Curator and President of The Hockey Museum presenting the mini GB caps to Havant HC Chairman and former GB Manager, Chris Pickett.

 

Last month The Hockey Museum (THM) hosted a group visit by Halow Project. They are a local charity which supports young people (16+) with a learning disability on their journey into and through adult life.

Halow project - nurturing independence

 

Halow Project visit 01     Halow Project visit 04
     

Photographs from the Halow Project's visit to The Hockey Museum in February 2023.

Images above and below courtesy of Halow Project.

 

The morning visit was organised and hosted by our volunteer Education Officer Jon Rye who travelled up from Kent especially, with input from Curator Shane Smith. Jon reflected that it had made his month such was the students’ enthusiasm and evident joy!

Our visitors were treated to an exhibition tour and an object handling session which drew on both replica and genuine heritage items to bring to life aspects of hockey history such as the development of hockey sticks and balls, and Olympic medals. They even had the opportunity to hold a London 2012 Olympic torch!

When the students were asked what the best part of their visit had been, the response by one excited young lady captured it all in just one word, “Hockey!"

 

"The group had a wonderful time. They can find new experiences a little overwhelming so thank you for making them feel so welcome.”

-- Sonia Booth, Building Futures Year Leader, Halow Project.

 

Halow Project visit 02
 
Halow Project visit 05

 

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan

The Halow Project visit followed the launch of The Hockey Museum’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan which was approved by the Board of Trustees towards the end of 2022. The Plan will span several years and build on our current inclusive practises to uncover hidden histories within our collection and open up THM to new audiences in increasingly accessible ways, in-person and online – hockey and its history and heritage is for everyone.

Our Action Plan aims to align THM with the EDI goals of our key partner England Hockey and better position ourselves to be in receipt of heritage sector grant funding as we seek a sustainable future and a permanent home.

The Hockey Museum (THM) is indebted to have received recent donations from the National Hockey Foundation, Tramps Hockey Club (both of which came from their residual funds prior to winding up) and the John Laing Charitable Trust. These donations are really helping us towards bridging our annual deficit for 2023.

 

 

National Hockey Foundation presentation
 
Tony Billson, Chairman of the National Hockey Foundation, presents a cheque to THM Hon, Curator Mike Smith and Museum Vice President Katie Dodd.

The National Hockey Foundation was created to charitably distribute the money left from the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes. 30 years later, their residual funds have been given to THM to support our work to educate young and adult minds alike in the history of hockey.

 

 

Trust fund donations - can you help?

The John Laing Charitable Trust donation came about because one of our volunteers, a retiree from the John Laing Group, suggested that the Trust might like to support THM with a donation.

Should you know of any trusts that might be persuaded to assist us, please put pen to paper, finger to keyboard or make contact in any way that suits you.

Should you wish to discuss opportunities or enquire after THM’s financial position, our Trustee Head of Fundraising, David Knapp, and Treasurer, Mike Barford, can be contacted via our online contact form.

Contact Us (hockeymuseum.net)

 

Why you should support The Hockey Museum

THM is undoubtedly one of the real success stories of English and British hockey during this century. Prior to THM there was no concerted effort to preserve the history and heritage of our sport, a great shame since hockey started in the UK just over 150 years ago.

THM has accumulated over 80,000 artefacts, developed into a fully accredited museum, attracted some 70 volunteers and employs two professional staff. Importantly, we have a home at 13 High Street, Woking, that includes space for careful collection storage and small exhibitions. We are already growing out of the premises we occupy.

All this progress costs money and to a certain extent it is money that we don’t have! That does not mean that THM is going broke, but it does mean that we are currently operating on a significant annual deficit. As with many philanthropic organisations there is a need to continually raise funds from donations and other sources to balance the books. We are always looking for more financial support to enable us to keep up, expand and improve upon THM's amazing progress in giving hockey’s history a future and sharing engaging stories representative of our sport’s evolution, values and people.

We are extremely grateful to all who have contributed to our cause over the years and could not continue our work without you. Thank you.

The Hockey Museum (THM) is saddened to convey news of the recent passing of two notable members of the hockey family whose involvement and successes within hockey had a positive and lasting impact on many.

 

Joan Wall, 1933-2023

Joan was a former England international player and an accomplished county-level track athlete who also had an outstanding record in the development and promotion of hockey. As a player, Joan became a world champion with England at the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) Tournament in Amsterdam in 1959. As a grassroots administrator she founded two hockey clubs and became heavily involved in the governance of the Midlands indoor hockey scene, ultimately rising to the level of England indoor selector.

Joan was also one of THM’s very first volunteers. She donated her personal hockey collection to the museum on her first visit in March 2012 and began volunteering thereafter.

Click for Joan's obituary: Joan Wall, 1933-2023 (hockeymuseum.net)

 

Bill Felton, 1940-2023

Bill was a dedicated match official and administrator whose commitment to hockey, despite not having been a player himself, saw him receive recognition from England Hockey and the Hockey Writers’ Club.

Click for Bill's obituary: Bill Felton, 1940-2023 (hockeymuseum.net)

On 28 January, the third Great Britain (GB) honours caps presentation in Scotland was held at the Scottish Indoor Finals at Bell’s Sports Centre, Perth.

Dennis Hay, the only Scot to be both a player and a coach for GB at the Olympic Games (1972 Munich and 1992 Barcelona, bronze medal winners) presented the honours caps.

 

Scottish GB honours caps Feb 2023
 
The recipients (left to right): Amy Gibson, Marie MacGregor, Ken Dick, Stuart MacGregor, Gerry Carr, Charlie Donald.
Credit: Scottish Hockey.

 

Marie and Stuart MacGregor are the only Scottish husband and wife combination to receive GB caps.

It is very fitting that the presentation was at Bell’s as there is a historical link with some of the cap recipients. The first ever men’s indoor international played in Scotland took place at Bells in January 1975, 48 years ago. It was televised by the BBC! Ken Dick was the Scottish captain on that day, Dennis Hay was the coach and Stuart MacGregor was the organiser of the event, working on behalf of Perth Council. Marie MacGregor, then as Marietta Craigie, was a superstar of the women’s indoor game in the 1980s and developed her indoor skills as a youngster at Bells, often training with the men. Gerry Carr played indoor hockey at club level and coached hundreds of youngsters at Bells.

The Torbay Easter Hockey Festival returns to the English Riviera for the 71st time this April, following a very successful post-pandemic event in 2022 (note the witty festival pennant). Along with the festivals taking place in Blackpool, Canterbury, Folkestone and Skegness, Torbay is maintaining the historic tradition of an Easter hockey festival.

 

1st Torbay Easter Festival      Torbay Easter Festival pennant 2022
     
Left: Souvenir programme from the first Torbay Easter Hockey Festival in 1951.
Right: Pennant from the 2022 Festival with its witty nod to its two absent years caused by the COvid-19 pandemic.

 

Taking place from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, on two local pitches at Clennon Valley Leisure Centre, Paignton and Torquay Girls Grammar School, ten teams have entered to date, maintaining the level of entries seen from 2017. One of the most notable of the features enjoyed by the Torbay Festival is the remarkable loyalty of the participating clubs – eight of the ten will have attended for at least sixty-one festivals, with the average attendance of sixty years.

Although an eleven-a-side men’s festival, women players are encouraged to supplement the team. Youngsters also participate; indeed, the Festival does not ban under 18s, as do some other some festivals around the country (both at Easter and in the summer).

The Torbay Festival is semi-competitive. There are two cups to be claimed: the Bill Stickells Cup for highest scoring team over the weekend and the Redcliffe Cup for fair play (judged by teams’ opponents). Last year, the Buffaloes (Smethwick HC) won the Stickells Cup with 42 goals and the Redcliffe Cup was awarded to the Oddfellows, the only ever-present team.

Normally, the Festival would be opened by a flag raising. The tradition was started at the sixth Torbay Festival in 1956, where the ceremony took place on Good Friday morning at Victoria Park, Paignton.

 

TEHF circa 1986
 

The flag raising ceremony at Torbay Hockey Festival, around 1986. Festival President, David Powell, is flanked by the Torbay Mayoress and the Mayor, with Tony Forward, Festival Chairman on the latter’s left. In his forty years of raising the flag, David Powell never got to understand the mechanism involved, as illustrated in the photograph.

Image credit: Mike Carter, Festival Historian and Archivist.

 

In 1989, the opening was moved to the Clennon Valley Leisure Centre and carried on to 2019. In 2022, the plan was to once more to open the Festival traditionally but, on arrival, the gathering was faced by a hole where the flag pole should have been – the Council had removed the pole without informing the Festival Committee! This led to the impromptu alternative flag raising ceremony pictured below.

 

Torbay EHF Flag Raising
 

The new form of flag raising ceremony in 2022.

Image credit: Mike Carter.

 

Torbay Festival 2023

In 2023, there are no Council dignitaries to lend support to the Festival President, Ms Nicole Amil and Chairman James Carter.

The Committee is keen to attract another two or three teams to maximise pitch use and to this end have pegged the entry fee to the pre-pandemic level.

You can find out more about Torbay Hockey Festival, one of the few festivals continuing the historic Easter tradition, on their dedicated website where you can also register to bring your team to the English Riviera!

Easter Festival | Torbay Easter Hockey Festival | Torbay (torbayhockeyfestival.org.uk)

 

Festivals Research Project

Meanwhile, The Hockey Museum’s research into historic festivals continues. For more on this project, click below.

Festivals (hockeymuseum.net)


By Mike Carter
Torbay Festival Archivist and volunteer with The Hockey Museum.

Many of our supporters will fondly remember Alan Walker who passed away nearly five years ago. Alan was a great devotee of The Hockey Museum (THM) and one of hockey’s great historians. Thankfully his very considerable collection (approximately 100 boxes) was collected by THM from his house last Saturday. At his late widow’s request, we have not been able to access this unique collection until now, but it is in good order and now in safe hands.

 

Alan Walker presentation
 
Late Navy hockey historian Lt. Cmdr. Alan Walker RN.

  

Lieutenant Commander Alan Walker was a Royal Navy man through and through and a totally committed hockey enthusiast. Fortunately, he also loved history. His collection represents the second largest that THM has ever received – we are not aware of anything as big still to come.

Alan was secretary of Royal Navy Hockey for a quarter of a century and his collection naturally contains an enormous amount on Navy Hockey and significant Navy hockey players. However, he was also one of the few that set up the English coaching qualification system around 1970. He went on to become an England team manager; he was significantly involved in Combined Services Hockey; he founded Gosport Hockey Club and the list goes on! Alan was also responsible for our Hon. Curator’s son joining the Royal Navy.

We have managed to ‘borrow’ a small warehouse to temporarily house Alan’s immense collection and vitally sort it into its different areas. We moved all the material to Woking last Saturday; now we must organise and archive it. If you would like to assist with this fascinating work, please let us know using our online contact form.

Contact Us (hockeymuseum.net)

 

Alan Walker Archive 1200px 03     Alan Walker Archive 1200px 04
     
Alan Walker Archive 1200px 01   Alan Walker Archive 1200px 02
Mon Pickergill Mike Stoddard 29122022
 
Monica Pickersgill is presented with her Lifetime Achievement Award by England Hockey President Mike Stoddard.

 

On 29 December 2022, former All England Women’s Hockey Association (AEWHA) and English Hockey Association President Monica (Mon) Pickersgill was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by England Hockey (EH). In a surprise visited co-ordinated with her family, Mon was presented with her award by current EH President Mike Stoddard.

Mon was one of the most influential and significant figures in bringing the men’s and women’s hockey associations together as a joint association in 1997 and led the new organisation, the English Hockey Association (EHA) as it was known, as its first President for a full three-year term.

 

Mon Pickersgill 2010 wembley legends
 
Mon Pickersgill presents the trophy for the Wembley Legends vs Celtic Warriors exhibition match during the Women’s Champions Trophy at Nottingham in 2010. Sandie Lister (right) was captain of Wembley Legends team on the day and was joined by Jill Atkins (left) to receive the trophy. Both are former England captains.

Credit: England Hockey / The Hockey Museum.

 

The Hockey Museum’s (THM) former Chair Katie Dodd and long-time THM supporter Sue Catton were instrumental in lobbying for Mon’s overdue recognition. This award is a recognition of her foresight, influence and her work to unite and professionalise the governing bodies of English hockey.

Mon has been a great supporter of THM over the years and in 2014 she presented us with the official AEWHA President’s brooch. As the final AEWHA President, her name concludes the President’s Honours Board (pictured below) which is now held by THM.

 

AEWHA Presidents Honours Board low res
 
 
AEWHA brooch 02     AEWHA brooch 01
     
The All England Women's Hockey Association (AEWHA) President's brooch. It was donated to The Hockey Museum by Monica Pickersgill following the merger of the AEWHA with the Hockey Association (HA) in 1997.

 

Further Reading and Listening

Read about the presentation on the England Hockey website: Monica Pickersgill awarded Lifetime Achievement Award by England Hockey

Listen to The Hockey Museum's oral history interview with Mon Pickersgill: Oral History Interview: Monica Pickersgill (hockeymuseum.net)

Marjorie Pollard Goes Home

22 December 2017
Marjorie Pollard Goes Home

THM Curator, Mike Smith presents cine films featuring Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation to the Bampton Archive. In the decades either side of WW2, one of the biggest names in hockey was undoubtedly Marjorie Pollard. She played cricket for England as well. Marjorie was a player, coach, journalist, publisher and film...

A Festive Friend: Leandro Negre Visits THM

21 December 2017
A Festive Friend: Leandro Negre Visits THM

Former FIH President Leandro Negre at the Board meeting with the THM Trustees and Museum Mentor, Liz May.Standing: Liz May, Philip Kimberley, David Balbirnie, David Wareham, Mike Barford, Dil Bahra, Lucy Newcombe, Imogen Gibbon.Seated: Katie Dodd, Leandro Negre, Mike Smith. We were delighted that the former FIH President and current...

THM Takes On New Trustees

02 October 2017
THM Takes On New Trustees

These are exciting and challenging times for THM. The Trustees recognised the need to take on additional museum and business skills at the strategic level to ensure we deliver on our ambitious plans to develop hockey’s heritage and bring it to a wider audience. We are therefore delighted to announce...

Helen Richardson-Walsh Donates Her Rio 2016 Astros On The Anniversary Of GB's Gold Medal Triumph

17 August 2017
Helen Richardson-Walsh Donates Her Rio 2016 Astros On The Anniversary Of GB's Gold Medal Triumph

One year on from the women's hockey final of the Rio de Janiero 2016 Olympic Games, Great Britain gold medallist Helen Richardson-Walsh has continued her support of The Hockey Museum by donating her astro shoes from the Games (right). Helen's donation will help to keep the memory of GB's success...

Remembrance Corner At World League Semi-finals

29 June 2017
Remembrance Corner At World League Semi-finals

Photograph courtesy of Steve McCarthy   As well as the excellent hockey on display at the Hockey World League series in London last week, there was also a small display, put together by the Hockey Writers' Club, celebrating the work of the late hockey journalists and photographers Peter Savage, Bill...

The Hockey Museum Visited By England Masters Over 55s

13 June 2017
The Hockey Museum Visited By England Masters Over 55s

  A few Wednesdays ago, twelve of the England Women’s Masters Over 55s rode in to The Hockey Museum (THM). Led by Ruth Hine, the ‘Red Riders’ regularly saddle up for the day as part of their team building and training. Having chosen somewhere to visit, they meet up at...

Staff Appointment And New Volunteers

09 June 2017
Staff Appointment And New Volunteers

THM's Curatorial Assistant Holly Parsons.   Holly Parsons completes the Museum’s curatorial team. She joined as Curatorial Assistant in February. Since leaving the University of Portsmouth in 2011 she has been volunteering at museums in London and the South, including the Old Police Cells under Brighton Town Hall, Marlipins Museum...

Seoul Gold Medal-winning Manager Roger Self Passes Away

07 June 2017

The Hockey Museum is deeply saddened to learn that former GB and Wales Manager Roger Self has passed away after a long illness. Read his full obituary, penned by Bernie Cotton, on THM site here.   Funeral Arrangements Roger's family are holding a private cremation next week, however, there will be...

The Amazing Story Behind The Wheeler Plate

11 May 2017

Jo Halpin, journalist and THM supporter, recently came across this fascinating article in the Irish Times featuring the 107-year-old former Irish international Dorothea Findlater. Findlater turned 107 years old on 27 December 2016 making it 81 years since she won her first Irish cap in 1936. It earned her a slow...

WA Baumann Exhibition

03 April 2017
WA Baumann Exhibition

   Wilhelmina Augusta Baumann   Exhibition: Wilhelmina Augusta Baumann The Hockey Museum is currently showing a small exhibition on Wilhelmina Augusta Baumann, one of the most respected and important women in hockey during the 1920s and '30s. The exhibition, which explores Baumann's playing and pioneering administrative career, ties in with...

Juan Calzado Visits THM

02 April 2017

Last Tuesday (28 March 2017) THM was delighted to host former International Hockey Federation (FIH) and European Hockey Federation (EHF) President Juan Calzado and his family. Following his visit Mr Calzado said: "It was a real pleasure to visit The Hockey Museum. The work that you are doing is fantastic...

Just Over 1 Month Left To Apply For THM PhD

22 March 2017

The Hockey Museum and The University of Wolverhampton are delighted to announce that the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have approved funding for a collaborative PhD post to be jointly supervised by The University of Wolverhampton and THM. The title of the research project is An Oral History of...

THM Wins Funding For An Exciting New Collaborative Research Project

06 February 2017
THM Wins Funding For An Exciting New Collaborative Research Project

THM is delighted to announce that the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) have approved funding for a collaborative PhD post to be jointly supervised by THM and the University of Wolverhampton. The title of the research project is An Oral History of England and Team GB Women’s International Hockey...

The National Hockey Stadium Featured In Milton Keynes 50th Anniversary Exhibition

17 January 2017
The National Hockey Stadium Featured In Milton Keynes 50th Anniversary Exhibition

      The Hockey Museum has provided imagery to an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Milton Keynes. Held at in the central forum of thecentre:MK, Milton Keynes shopping centre, A New City comes to Life celebrates the stories, innovations and communities that have made Milton Keynes the vibrant...

Trustee Opportunities At THM

16 January 2017
Trustee Opportunities At THM

The Hockey Museum (THM) is seeking enthusiastic and experienced people to join its Board of Trustees. Trustees will be strong advocates for the organisation, support the implementation of the Museum's vision and help to raise its profile. We are looking to increase the number of Trustees to give the Board a more...

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