About Ancient Britons Hockey Club :-
As far as the Ancient Britons Hockey Club is concerned, time began at an Easter Hockey Festival in 1987. It was the Monday of the tournament, not far into April, with a cool wind blowing and two wives complaining about watching hockey in such inclement weather. They suggested there had to be better things to do and seemed likely to take their support elsewhere.
A cunning plan was devised whilst 'Wise Man' Bob Moorhouse took counsel with Chris Webb over a beer. They decreed that every second year, wives, partners etc. would be invited to take part in an exotic trip to a sunny destination many miles away. So excited were the wives at the prospect of visiting such places, they readily agreed and promised that, during these holidays in the sun, they would not only allow their husbands to play hockey when they wished, but would watch the matches shouting support with great enthusiasm from the touch-line.
Many beers were consumed in the search for a suitable name and so it was in 1988 the dream came to pass and the Ancient Britons Hockey Club was formed. The tours were to be designed for both players and their partners as a 'Holiday with Hockey'. Since then much enjoyment has ensued for both players and their partners.
The first tour, to Australia in 1989, was such a resounding success that two Aussie opponents have since joined the ABs and accompanied them on subsequent tours.
Although the Ancient Britons Hockey Club was established with the primary intention of touring abroad, some 'home' games are played each season, mainly in the South and Midlands. The Ancient Britons are nomadic and, therefore, don't have a home ground , however the ABs have played in Bath, Bournemouth, Bridgnorth, Cardiff, Chippenham, Dereham, Jersey, Lichfield, Newbury, Newport, Odiham, Oxford, Reading, Salisbury, Slough, Warwick and Woking.
Prospective Ancient Britons should be over 40 (the nearer to 40 the better as the team's accumulative age usually exceeds 550 years), interested in touring abroad (it is appreciated that not everyone can afford the time or the expense to attend every tour), and be available for some of the home games. In addition they should be interested in the social side of the game and where applicable, have a partner that upholds the Ancient Britons objectives.. a good sense of humour is also a useful quality, and -on occasions - essential.
The following is a list of Honorary Life Members:-
John Carrick
Angela Davies
Trevor Davies
Julia Greenhough
Val Haggett
Lynn Mathews
Chris Moorhouse
Wendy Webb
Margaret Perryman
Tony Perryman
John Peirce