It was 20 years ago today...(some bloke called McCartney nicked that line from me).
by Nigel. Mon 10 Aug (Updated at Mon 10 Aug)I just wanted to say how brilliant it was to see so many people enjoying the Anniversary weekend - and a big thank you to Ian, Paul, Ed, Robin and everyone else involved for putting on such a great event.
Unfortunately, I could only attend on Saturday, and had to leave mid-afternoon because of prior commitments - but it was great to meet some new faces and catch up with some old friends.
I still can't quite believe that the club is 20 years old!
It seems a very long time ago that about six of us got together in the back room at The Cannon pub for a couple of beers and few games - and back then I never expected the club to still be here two decades later - and certainly never dreamed that it would have flourished and grown to the extent that it has.
This is, in no small measure, due to the efforts of many others. Every single person who has come along to the club over the last 20 years has played a part in its success, but there a few people who deserve a special mention...
Firstly, David Male, who kindly took over running the club when I had to step back because of family commitments. David, who joined the club very near the beginning, was the one who initiated the first website for the club, and while over the previous years the membership had slowly grown from the original half dozen to a total of about 20 members, it was David's website that helped publicise the club and started drawing in new members on a more regular basis.
Secondly, I am sure everyone who currently goes to the club will appreciate how much time and effort Ian, Paul, Ed and Robin have put in. When they took over from David a few years ago, they have built upon what he achieved and have taken the club on to a whole new level in terms of a new website (thanks to Dan), membership, events, etc, and even luxuries like carpets, blinds and swanky neoprene mats - none of which had even been invented back in 2006. :-)
When they took over from David, I did worry that Paul and Ian might be a bit too shy and quiet for the job, but I think they are starting to come out of their shell a little bit... ;-)
Seriously though, they have really turbo-charged the development of the club, while still keeping it a friendly, welcoming environment for new members. There have also been other unsung heroes in the background over the years, who have all helped the organisers in various ways. I won't name names because I don't want to risk missing anyone out, but they all also deserve a big thank you for their time and efforts.
Last of all, but certainly not least, any kind of club can only survive and flourish for this long if it has an enthusiastic and supportive membership -so all of the current members, together with everyone else that has been part of the club over the last 20 years, deserve huge credit for the ongoing success. The club probably wouldn't be here, and definitely wouldn't be what it is today, without all of you.
For various reasons, I have not managed to get to the club anywhere near as much as I would have liked to for the past few years, but it is heartwarming to see it doing so well, and to see so many people getting so much out of it - so a big thank you to David , Ian, Paul, Ed, Robin, Dan etc - and all of you - for making the club what it is.
…and thanks again to the current team for putting on a great Anniversary weekend.
Best wishes to all, and I hope to see you a week on Thursday.
Happy gaming,
Nigel
P.S. Steve - I think you still owe me your entry fee for that first session at The Cannon. ;-) (Ed - please make sure he coughs up!)