A story worth telling

In keeping with modern trends I wondered if this year I should share with you a podcast, or a video message - like youngsters using TikTok do - but in the end I decided to stick to the simple means of writing! Like a good story, writing seems to have a permanence about it. People like stories. There is something about a story that we can immerse ourselves in, imagine ourselves in, relate to. And good stories are told over and over again, mostly because the story has a purpose and by repeating the story it ensures it is not forgotten. If you have ever read a good story to a small child you will know that quite often they like to go back to that same story time and time again, because a good story bears repeating. And gradually they get to know every word of the story.

A good story that is worth repeating is the story of Bath Street Marine Table Tennis Club. A story of following a dream, a story of loyalty and commitment, of friendship and service by faithful volunteers. Almost a rags to riches story - not that our club is wealthy, but one can be rich in more ways than money!

It really is a pleasure to tell the story of this great club again this Christmastime. The past year has been a funny one in many ways. There has been the re-building necessary following from the effects of the covid pandemic and lock down. There has been more fabulous growth in both our adult and junior membership. An expansion in the amount of junior coaching time that the club is now providing. A growth in daytime social table tennis where some gentle, healthy exercise and meeting up with friends old and new over a cup of tea and a chat enhances the wellbeing of so many. We have been able to take some table tennis into schools, and have school students come to our club for a table tennis session. We have been able to increase our participation in the Liverpool League providing an avenue for competitive play for those that want it. Then there have been tremendous social occasions, with great entertainment and great company. Who wouldn't want to tell a story like this!

I like to think that the Christmas story is another story that is worth repeating. Not the Victorian story of Santa, Christmas trees and presents, rather the story depicted by my Christmas card to you all below. Ah yes, Christmas cards. Many people this year seem to have swapped the tradition of sending cards, for the 'modern' idea of posting a message to people they know, and often people they don't know, on social media. But it seems a little impersonal to me. So in our house we are continuing with the age old story of sending a written, personal, greeting to family and friends again this year. Often to people far away who we no longer see on a regular basis. I am only sorry that I have not sent a personal greeting to each one of the fabulous people involved with this great table tennis club. Please accept this as my Christmas greeting to you.

I would like to wish you all the very best for Christmas and for the New Year, whatever you are doing and however you are feeling at this time. I fully understand that not everyone has a happy Christmas. Exactly why the Christmas story is a story worth telling again, and again.......

I am also confident that 2023 will be a year when there will be another great story to tell about our table tennis club. I shall look forward to hearing it, and seeing you in it!