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125th Anniversary Dinner Dance

To celebrate Finchley Manor's 125th Anniversary the Club held a Gala Dinner Dance in the Great Hall of University College School, Hampstead on Saturday 2nd December 2006.

The occasion was a great success, especially as many former members took the opportunity to attend and catch up with present members and friends from the past. 185 were welcomed to the wonderful setting of the oak panelled Great Hall at University College School with champagne and canapes and to the accompanying music of Toms Ostrovskis on piano and Tatjana Kaminska on violin. They enjoyed a superb meal, prepared by the school's catering staff, perfectly presented and served by a most efficient team of waitresses. Just a pity that the succulent fillet of beef might have been a tad too rare for a few!

Over coffee, Peter Hughes, Chairman, welcomed representatives from Middlesex Tennis, Brenda and Aidan Stewart, representatives from Middlesex Squash, Norman and Myra Wilby, Pam Walker former long serving Club Secretary and Elyot Rowland who had been Chairman for some 30 years, a term unlikely to be matched in the future! He was particularly pleased to welcome Helen Rance and to be given the chance to thank, publicly, Peter and Helen for the many, many years of loyal and unstinting service to Finchley Manor, recognising the innovative spirit and drive that Peter, supported by Helen, always gave to the Club.

In his absence, Brian Simpson our groundsman was thanked most sincerely for his 25 years of unmatchable service to Finchley Manor. A presentation will be made later to express appreciation from all our members.

In introducing the next part of the programme Peter reminded guests that, although tennis was the original activity, Finchley Manor has developed into a multi activity club with a strong squash section, established 40 years ago, and a consistently growing fitness section. It was marvellous that all sections were so well represented at the Dinner Dance. This being so, it also had to be noted that the age profile of the assembled company tended to suggest that not everyone would be attending the 150th Anniversary celebrations! However, to ensure the future of the Club, much is being done to foster Junior development in both tennis and squash and, in support of this, Peter handed over to Neil McNaughton and Patrick Keane to run an auction of donated lots. The proceeds to go to Junior Development at the Club.

In somewhat shambolic fashion Neil and Patrick then succeeded in cajoling members into contributing the very impressive sum of £1600 for Junior Development.

A huge vote of thanks goes to Glen Duckworth, Bishu Das, Neil Eden, Michael Oats, Judy Williams and Peter Hughes for their generous donations.

Peter then introduced our Guest Speaker, Baroness Billingham, Member of the House of Lords, former MEP and former Mayor of Banbury and one time member of Finchley Manor. In a succinct, pithy and direct address the Baroness paid tribute to clubs like Finchley Manor for the work that they do to promote the development of sport at all levels. She recognised the difficulties that are often faced in trying to improve provision and she pledged her active support to clubs in their battles with planning authorities to move forward in creating the best facilities possible for the advancement of our activities.

On the conclusion of the formalities of the evening the Oscroft Brothers, with their perfectly pitched musical style, soon had the many pairs of, by now increasingly restless, feet prancing about the dance floor demonstrating just about the same range of competence, dexterity and timing that is so often to be seen on our squash and tennis courts. A spot of overtime seems to be testimony to the determination of everyone to have a good time. Happily, only one moment of personal impropriety to report; dealt with immediately and appropriately!

Finally, thanks go to everyone at UCS for ensuring the success of the evening, to our bar staff - Edwin, Lucy and Veronica, to Claire Carey for lots of bits, to Lisa for a couple of months of increasing 'anxt' and total involvement in all the preparations and to Vija Hughes for the table and floral decorations and for promoting the idea from day one.

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Greetings from Bobby Wilson. 13th October 2006

Dear Peter,

Once again let me say how sorry I am that I will not be at the Club's anniversary but as I told your son I have had to re-arrange a holiday in order to cover for my mother in law and will be abroad on the 2nd December.

I have many very happy memories of my time at the Manor. The first tournament I ever won was a girls doubles because I was the only boy at the Manor at that time 1946.

Mopping freezing cold water off the courts with a large sponge into a bucket so we could play after rain as the courts had puddles on them. Can't see members doing that today!

The club tournament finals day played in front of the Mayor and other civic dignatories. The mens final was the best of 5 sets. In 1951 I lost to Laurie Procter in 4 sets but beat him in the winter tournament that year in 4 sets. I think it was 1956 when the club had 5 members playing at Wimbledon. Procter and myself in singles. Hillaire Newbury and Gertrude Preston in doubles, Procter and Natalie Fieron in mixed. Quite an achievement!

The special meeting of the club to vote on having alcoholic drinks at the club. Procter, a solicitor, spoke for it and Major Cole against saying strong drink was evil and would be very bad for lady members, especially the younger ones. It was a big argument and created a lot of bad feeling.

I had great times at the Manor and without the support and help from people like Lawrence Procter, Peter Rance and others I would not have gone on to achieve what I did in tennis.

I wish the Club every success in the future.

Bobby Wilson