The New Milton Table Tennis Club usually have their annual dinner at the end of the season, but it was decided to have a get-together to see in the New Season this year.  Twenty three members and guests celebrated the best ever season for the club and saw in the new season at the Amberwood in Walkford.

The club’s committee was well represented in the shape of President Bob Fagan and his wife Sandy, Treasurer/Press Officer Malcolm Floyd and his wife Helen, Chairman/Development Officer Shaun Newcomb, Secretary Bev Scott-Johns, Welfare Officer James Lewis and new committee member Julie Smillie and her husband Nigel.

In his brief after-dinner speech, secretary Bev Scott-Johns welcomed the members and guests and gave a quick resume of a fantastic year for the club.  It was a year ago that the club was awarded the prestigious Premier Clubmark accreditation.  The club came runner-up of the national Premier Clubmark club of the year and won Premier Clubmark club of the year for the South East region.

Nine teams were entered into the Bournemouth and District league and two of the teams (C & H) won their divisional titles.  The A team were runners-up of the Premier having narrowly avoided relegation the previous season and the F team only just missed out on winning the Div 4 title.

As well as brilliant performances from some of the teams, there were also many individual success stories.  Ten year old Matthew Daish won the Div 5 Individual trophy and also the Dave Woodcock Trophy for most improved player of the league.  Julie Smillie won the league’s Elsie Carrington Trophy for Sportsmanship, and James Lewis won the league’s Coach of the Year award.  Roy Hobbs shared the Trevor Parry award for the best championship match, and Bev Scott-Johns was awarded the league’s Michael Wettstein Cup for outstanding service in administration.

The club held a another very enjoyable and challenging set of internal tournaments this year, and special mention must go to Steve Hemmings for winning all eligible singles titles (Scratch Singles, Handicap Singles and Vet (Over 40s) Singles).

Bev also took great pleasure in announcing that the running of Mudeford Wood Community Centre (the club’s main league venue) was a step closer to being transferred from the Christchurch Borough Council to the Mudeford Wood Community Trust.  Bev along with the other Friends of Mudeford Wood has been very active behind the scenes in trying to prevent the centre from potential closure since the end of 2009.

Bev said that following the club’s success in the league last season, the club has decided to enter ten teams in the league this season.  He closed by wishing everybody in the club a very successful and happy season.

There followed the raffle conducted by Malcolm Floyd in his inimitable style with the prizes donated by club members, and £42 was raised for club funds.

The evening was hailed as a great success by members and guests who were already talking about doing it all over again next year.  Thanks go to Bev Scott-Johns for organising the evening and also to the Amberwood for providing such excellent food in a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.

The new playing season is already under way and the club is always looking out for new members, from experienced players to novices.  Coaching is available from qualified coaches, and players have the use of the club robot to hone their skills.  Any reader interested in joining our very friendly club, whether to play competitively or just for a bit of fun should give Bev Scott-Johns a call on 01425 619552.