Saturday, 8 September 2007 - Pendle Sports Awards Ceremony – Colne Municipal Hall.

Mr and Mrs Peter Stobbs, George Haisman and ‘er indoors represented Pendle Paddlers, one of the two ‘watery’ sports clubs nominated for an award.

The evening began with a promising start, Buck’s Fizz or Fizz-without-the-Buck for some, being offered on arrival !  Guests were then directed to their allocated table – Pendle Paddlers being on No.12.  Just as well it wasn’t 13 – full of big, braw Rugby players !!

As the Pendle Paddlers contingent numbered just 4, it shared its table with 3 judo supporters and a fanatical Football Mum, there for a night out on the town without 10 year old son who was a master at “Keepie-Uppies” (I kept my mouth shut !)

Once all the guests were seated, the MC outlined the evening’s agenda before we all got down to the immediate business of dinner, a more than adequate buffet which would sate the largest of appetites (I’m naming no names !)

Dinner over, there was general chit-chat with the other table guests before flashing lights filled the auditorium along with a funky rendition of “It’s the Final Countdown” – a good indication that the presentation was about to commence. 

Various sporting categories were honoured with the first being that of Community Club of the Year – we hadn’t long to wait. 

There were 4 nominated sports clubs in that group: Brierfield Celtic, Colne Amateur Swimming Association, Pendle Paddlers and Pendle Forest.  In reverse order from the third place, the runners-up were announced and then, with only 2 clubs remaining – a nail biting moment – and then “And the award goes to – PENDLE PADDLERS”.

George strode towards the stage with a few nifty ‘hip-flicks’ on the way as he passed-by the tables (rolling practice obviously has its pluses !) 

Accepting the award on behalf of the club, he was presented with a shield and an engraved glass trophy, the latter for the club to keep, before he made a short (unlike his club memos !!) impromptu speech.

Before returning to the table, a photocall then took place with the 2^nd and 3^rd runners-up.

Prior to the evening’s closure, the winners of all the sporting categories gave short interviews to the local press recorded on a video-cam so, watch out on the local newspaper website for an all-singing, all-dancing interview in glorious technicolour, fabulous cinemascope and stereophonic sound !

This award is well-deserved for the club not only in recognition for what the club has achieved from its humble beginnings 10 years ago, but up to this year when it was awarded the BCU “Top Club” status and Sport England’s Clubmark.

Well done to all involved for the time and effort you dedicate to this sport.

Here’s to a successful future.

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