Silver celebration and a song

9:18am Wednesday 14th May 2008

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HOCKEY: Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club celebrated its 21st season with a mass gathering at the Shap Wells Hotel and an unexpected song by club founder Jeanette McWhirter.

More than 130 players past and present, coaches, umpires and sponsors - old and new - celebrated the club's progress from a single ladies team to one of three ladies and a men's sides.

The town became one of the few in Cumbria to have its own all weather pitch at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and Sports College and, in 1997, the junior section of the club was established. It has 90 players and fields competitive teams at mini, U11, U13, U15 and U19 levels and has enabled KSHS to become one of the first in the county to obtain Club First status.

At the senior end of the spectrum, the current ladies' first team has played in the North Feeder League since 1994.

During the evening there were speeches from the founder of the club, Mrs Jeanette McWhirter, with a rather surprising song to start off the evening's entertainment. Alex Birtles, ex-chairman and now chairman of Kirkby Town Council, then reminded everyone of the history of the club and paid tribute to all involved in achieving its major milestones. At this point the opportunity was taken to pay tribute to Debbie Barr for her long and distinguished service to the club by making her an honorary life member, a distinction before only awarded to Jeanette, the club founder.

Finally, after the presentation of the annual trophies for the teams' most improved players and other awards (some more serious than others!), the dancing, drinking and general catching up went on into the early hours.

The evening was organised by Linda Johnstone, Andrea Dixon and Claire Sproat.

l Despite the deserved rise of Wigton's 1st team to North Premier League, Kirkby proved in their last weekend of full hockey that they are also well equipped for a bright future when their second team (Cumbria League) and third team (Netherwood Development) beat Wigton sides 8-0 and 8-2.

l Training for next season starts on July 31 at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. New players at any level are welcome. Contact Litini Newcombe on 015396-23294 or email kirkbystephenhockeyclub @hotmail.com for more information.