Adventures of a new Famous Five.
By Geoff Ware.
from left to right:
Standing- Sanja Clements- Hugo Pang- Tressa Armitage- Matt Ware- Damien Nicholls
Front sitting - Andy Seward (umpire) and Gary Gray
Dusk was setting on a still May evening and all was quiet and peaceful in the sleepy village of Child Okeford in the heart of deepest Dorset. You could easily hear the sound of crickets chirping and serenading in the adjacent meadow, the occasional clucking screech of a male pheasant, and the sweet smell of new mown grass wafting around. The five approached the old building from the winding narrow lane. Sanja being the oldest of the group said to Matt “Are you sure this is the right place” as the five walked quietly towards the huge old rustic oak double door that led into the Village Hall!
“I can hear several voices coming from inside the hall, so this must be the place” said Damien to Tressa, and ten year old Hugo spoke in his quiet and angelic voice saying “I can hear people talking too, Damien”. Matt assured the others that this was the place they had to be and at 6pm sharp, according to Uncle Gary’s instructions. Matt pulled the heavy and creaky door open as the five strolled quietly into the lobby entrance of the Old Village Hall. Laden with all their heavy bags and rucksacks they were eager to get inside, take the weight of their shoulders and meet everyone. Uncle Gary appeared from the hallway and welcomed them into the playing hall where an instant loud cheer from a packed audience of over 100 people greeted the Famous Five.
The 25 year celebrations of the Child Okeford Table Tennis Club were soon under way with the five, Sanja Clements, Tressa Armitage, Hugo Pang, Damien Nicholls and Matt Ware all performing their skills in front of a packed village hall audience.
International umpire Andy Seward gave up his time to make the evening professional and to order. Coach Rowden Fullen started off proceedings by doing a multiball session with ten year old Hugo Pang (recent double gold winner at the Primary Schools International Championships) to an amazed crowd of locals and table tennis enthusiasts and then Hugo was challenged to a match by 80 year old local personality and table tennis enthusiast Alan Hislop. The 70 year age difference was soon evident although Alan did manage to win a few points off the young star he gave it his best shot and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. Alan is off to the World Veteran Championships in three weeks time and accompanied by another eager spectator in the audience 84 years young Nell Penney and was given loud applause and it goes to show that at any age table tennis can be played as it gives so much entertainment and enjoyment for all. Next up to demonstrate their skills were Sanja Clements (England National Women’s Veteran Champion) against 15 year old Tressa Armitage (the new kid on the block who has enjoyed a phenomenal rise up the rankings to number 2 in cadets) and they put on a super show.
A half hour break between matches was scheduled to supply the packed audience with refreshments that included tea, coffee, cakes, sausage rolls and sandwiches all supplied and served by Rachel Hicks and Julie Ware. This was very much appreciated by all.
Damien Nicholls and Matt Ware were next up to enthral the audience with a brilliant display of speed, spin, placement and back from the table topspin rallies with banter and fun mixed in which had the entire assembly in awe of their unique talents. Various challengers from the audience stepped forward to have a knock with the famous five and all had a great time. This was followed by a mixed doubles match between Tressa Armitage and Matt Ware against Sanja Clements and Damien Nicholls which, would you believe went to deuce in the fifth, however their were no losers in this match, only winners! The evening finished with a large raffle and photo shoot with the local press in attendance and then opportunities to chat with the players and get their autographs.
Samantha Berry, a young lady in the audience who had never witnessed any sort of table tennis before, commented “I did not realise the energy and athleticism that went into playing table tennis at this level - it was just incredible”.
It was an amazing evening to celebrate the Child Okeford club’s 25 year history providing table tennis for all in the surrounding community. Every year the club enters several teams in the three divisions of the local Blackmoor Vale league. Mr Child Okeford himself, Gary Gray has put a huge amount of his life into the running and success of the club and was instrumental in the organisation of this exhibition and demonstration on Saturday the 8th of May to promote table tennis for everyone to enjoy- well done Gary!
More information on Table Tennis can be found on the English Table Tennis Association's website www.englishtabletennis.org.uk
