In Remembrance

Remembering those dear friends no longer with us

Yet more sad news, The passing of Sandra Preece.

Many of you who were playing when Chiltern and Thames Valley were one region would have known Sandra a lovely lady who was very active in the sport.

MIKE MURPHY 1946 - 2008

Mike Murphy was a major figure in the British game in the 1970s and early 80s when the game was undergoing a rapid expansion. His achievements in the game are many having played for Great Britain, coached enthusiastically in those early days, helped organise the 1979 world championships in Southampton, been the Eastern Region president in the 1970s and the second National President from 1976 to 1978.

He moved into what was to become the Chiltern region in the 1980s, settling in Langford, Bedfordshire. Whilst his major achievements in the game were prior to this move he also had a profound affect on the game in the region. Most players there are probably unaware of this. During this time he played at both the Golden Lion (Clifton) and the Plough (Langford) as well as representing the region in the inter-regional championships in 2001 where he enjoyed both the competitive spirit and the opportunity of meeting up with old mates.

He maintained his love for the game even when golf took up a lot of his leisure time. He was a great Francophile, which he was able to indulge in trips to France, and always retained his passion for what he termed “proper boules” – as you might expect an aggressive game where the opposition are despatched with style.

It was this commitment to playing proper boules and what could be achieved in the game that was Mike’s legacy. When Greene King launched a league a few enthusiasts got together with the sponsor and Mike was able to draw on his experiences both of playing nationally and administering the sport to excite the audience on what could be achieved and the enjoyment and camaraderie that goes with the game. As the league started to attract players, Mike was able to coach and dispense advice to the new players.

Mike was always a big character and very generous. He was involved in creating a number of terrains, but sometimes he got carried away with his enthusiasm. When a new piste was established in his home village Mike immediately offered to help, as he always would - he was one of those people for whom nothing was too much trouble - and once started was sometimes difficult to stop. The site for the piste was an old shrubbery, which he set about with gusto (and a machete). He was about to chop down a small laburnum tree when he was stopped and a few minutes later the piste had a new feature that was to frustrate and challenge players for many years. That was Mike - always willing to lend a hand, both with ideas and in practice – he will be greatly missed.

A Personal Tribute To A Wonderful Lady

Vi Sanders

A small lady with a big heart. She would do anything to help new players and to promote the game and, as such, was affectionately known as “Auntie Vi”. However, she had the heart of a lioness and, if you were doing wrong, she let you know in no uncertain terms – hence the sobriquet “Auntie Violent”!

When I first joined the Ouse PC – of which Vi was a founding member – I was often partnered with her in the doubles. I think they felt that the inexperience of youth(!) should be put with the experience of age and steadiness. It worked. I learnt a great deal – not so much how to throw the boules but how to play the game. I vividly remember the first doubles game we won. The opposition had thrown all their boule as had I. I was down watching the head when Vi’s boule came in onto the coche. I threw my towel into the air and cavorted down the piste towards the circle with arms out-stretched expecting a big hug. Vi stood their motionless. When I got to her she looked at me and said “That makes it twelve. Shall I throw my last boule?” I had miscounted. Needless to say Vi put her last boule beside the first and we won – despite my efforts to put her off.

After the separation from my wife when my daughter, Eleanor, used to stay with me every weekend and nights during the week, I might have stopped playing had it not been for Vi. She was like a surrogate mother to her. Even if she were not playing she would be there and look after Eleanor. I can say, with hand on heart, that none of the songs that she taught her had ‘beep’ words in them!

It is unfortunately true that we only realise how much certain people have meant to us over the years only when they have gone – I sit here with all the memories flooding back. What I can say is that is was a privilege to know Vi and her memory will be with me always.

John Luke

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