Cippenham Table Tennis Club celebrated the 19th anniversary of the opening of the purpose-built centre with a party and awards presentation tonight.

The evening was organised and presided over by Charles Mitchell, who began by presenting chocolate gifts to the club’s many volunteers.

The first of the main presentations of the evening was for the Senior Player of the Year. This went to Ricky Hardcastle for having won the Maidenhead Closed Men’s Singles title the previous season and for becoming the first and only player to defeat Mark Banks in the Maidenhead League over a period of five years.

Next was the Alan Farral and Terry Boxall Junior Players of the Year Award. The presentations were made by club Chairman and Head Coach Ken Phillips. The choices were obvious: Jemma Walker for the great progress she has made in the last year, culminating in a 100% performance during the second half of the Junior British League to steer her team to the divisional title; and Shae Thakker, the youngest ever club champion and this weekend the club’s latest internationally recognised player.

The main event on such an evening is the presentation of the Karen Mitchell Outstanding Contribution Award. This award, not open to the officers of the club, is made to the person who, in the eyes of the Committee, has made a big difference to the club.

This year the worthy winner was Catherine Hayes. A previous Events Officer of the club while still at school, for which she was recognised as ETTA Young Volunteer of the Year, Catherine has more recently helped the club greatly by organising the huge Young Player Festival tournaments. The presentation was made by Karen’s widower, Charles Mitchell.