A few Wednesdays ago, twelve of the England Women’s Masters Over 55s rode in to The Hockey Museum (THM). Led by Ruth Hine, the ‘Red Riders’ regularly saddle up for the day as part of their team building and training. Having chosen somewhere to visit, they meet up at a suitable location and cycle the rest of the way. This particular Wednesday it was the turn of The Hockey Museum to play host.

The twelve team members, each in their pillar box red tops and navy-blue England Hockey Masters shorts arrived mid-morning and stayed for a few hours to view the museum and to swap hockey stories with our staff and volunteers. One such story, recalled by Hine, occurred during the Masters Over 55 World Cup in Easter 2016 when the umpire pointed out white astros were not permitted – cue white astroturf shoes being coloured in with permanent markers. Sara Walker also recalled her memories of playing for Ealing Hockey Club.

Not only did Ruth bring her team with her, she also brought some objects to donate to the Museum including a 2016 FIH Masters World Cup Women’s Over 55s winners medal which THM is honoured to have received.

At the end of the visit the ladies also treated us to a musical rendition of the Lady Masters Anthem!

England Over 55s Anthem- We Remember- My Favourite Things
Lyrics by Ruth Hine

We all remember the long headed sticks,
Penalty bullies not penalty flicks,
Roll in from the sideline and being off side,
Always five forwards with wings that stayed wide.

Remember the goalies with white cricket pads;
We wore canvas boots carried long, buckle bags,
On bouncy grass pitches we dodged the dog dirt!
Without any shin pads the leather ball hurt.

Remember the days when we cancelled for rain,
Painting the balls white was- Oh such a pain,
Playing on redgra and grazing your knee,
Bringing mum’s cake for a sociable tea.

Now our bodies weak and our bones creak
Our friends think we’re mad!
We have to remember the good hockey days,
And then we don’t feel so bad!

Now we bring ‘tenas’ but it’s not our match fee,
It’s harder to move with replaced hips and knees,
We can’t run like we used to but can use our brain
It’s just hard to remember the time of the game.

Our kids are grown up, we play hockey the same,
We sweat more at night than during the game,
We come off the pitch – can’t remember the score,
We think we enjoyed it so come back for more.

Now our bodies weak and our bones creak
Our friends think we’re mad!
We have to remember the good hockey days,
And then we don’t feel so bad!

All of us at THM would like to thank the Women’s England Over 55s Masters and we hope that they come and see us again soon.

Holly Parsons, June 2017

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