A LONG-STANDING Tavistock sports club marks a very special date in its history this year — and is looking for members old, present and new to help celebrate the occasion.

Tavistock Hockey Club was formed 60 years ago this year. Originally the club played on a grass pitch at Grenville Drive in Tavistock, which has now been sold for housing.

Times have changed — sticks are no longer wooden and players now use artificial pitches, hence the sale of the old Grenville Drive pitch two years ago. The club is now based at the all weather pitch at Kelly College.

Club chairman Phil Honey said: 'Once the club moved away from the grass surface, the club really started to develop.

'Initially, we moved to Bickleigh Barracks to play but once the surface became available at the College, we moved the club to that facility.

'It has been a great partnership, with the club and school working together and benefitting.

'Tavistock is our home and it is important to play in the town.'

To celebrate its diamond anniversary, Tavistock Hockey Club is holding a major party at The Wharf in Tavistock on Friday September 11, to include live music from two local bands, Dads Dancing and the up-and-coming Indigo Nights, plus a hog roast.

Phil said: 'This should be a fantastic night for all concerned, with players from today and the past coming together to celebrate.

'We are aiming to invite people from other local sports clubs to join us.

'We are also hoping Berlin Hockey Club be there for the weekend, following our memorable end of season tour to that city during March.' 

Anyone who has ever played for the club is very welcome to come along, have a good time, re-live some memories and meet and make friends old and new.

The invitation is also extended to the patient mums and dads who have ever spent their weekends cheering on children on the sidelines during matches, or driving their offspring to pitches around Devon and Cornwall.

Tickets are available at £5 from Bridget Passmore on 07870 402671 or [email protected]">[email protected]