News

Getting into the festive spirit!

Tis the season to come together sharing some memoires and even play the odd game or two! This has certainly been true four our Clubs across Great Britain as they’ve been hosting their Christmas parties and lunches.

The special Christmas sessions are normally held to round-off their year of Sporting Memories activities with Club facilitators, volunteers and members all joining together for some fun and usually a bit of festive grub too!

Below we’ve highlighted some of the Christmas activities undertaken by our Clubs, including gathering of several clubs for big parties and lunches, as well as some of our Clubs being invited to take part in local community-focused festivities!

Sussex

Our Sussex Clubs gathered together at the Hove Cricket Ground, to enjoy their annual Christmas celebration event, thanks to the wonderful support of our partners Sussex Cricket Foundation. On a brilliant afternoon enjoyed by members and volunteers from across Sussex, a highlight was the awards presented to the many volunteers across Sussex, with our CEO Chris Wilkins on hand to do the honours on behalf of Sussex Cricket Foundation.

One of particular award handed out was to our Patron and volunteer Alastair Hignell (below, right). In a speech to the audience, Chris referenced how Alastair had reached out to Sporting Memories in 2016 to start building a network of Clubs in the local area, which in turn began our relationship with Sussex Cricket Foundation which now sees them host five Clubs in the county.

Marden

Our Marden Club joined other local good causes in Kent for a special Christmas lunch thanks to Balfour Winery. You can read more about this here.

Queen’s Park

Our Mearnskirk and Glasgow Golden Generation Clubs were invited to the Festive Friends lunch held by Queen’s Park Foundation at The City Stadium. Entertainment was provided by Year 7 pupils from King’s Park Primary School with everyone from the Sporting Memories clubs enjoying a great day out.

Calderwood and Westwood

Our Calderwood and Westwood Clubs paired together to enjoy a Christmas Get Together, with over 20 members in attendance, alongside volunteers and Carers too. There was a three-course lunch to be had and each table took part in a special ‘pass the parcel’ competition!

Renfrew

Our Club at KGV Sports Pavilion enjoyed a wonderful Christmas session earlier this month, with plenty of laughter and activities along the way!

Club members Sarah did a brilliant job putting the picture quiz together as one of the activities for everyone to get stuck into, with members Graham and George winning the musical chairs and picture quiz competition respectively.

Dragons Community

Our partners Dragons Community, invited all of their Sporting Memories Clubs from across South Wales for a brilliant afternoon of Christmas cheer and fun in Cwmbran. Over 100 members from across the Clubs attended a brilliant day, filled with great entertainment and food!

Stratford Sports Club

Our Stratford-Upon-Avon Club welcomed Year 2 children from St Gregory’s school along to sing some beautiful Christmas songs, before the usual sporting quiz, which was then followed by many games and activities including festive pass the parcel, heads and tails and Irish bingo!

Preston 

More than 40 members and volunteers enjoyed a round of Crazy golf and a Christmas meal as part of their Christmas celebrations, which was followed by a session reflecting on their own sporting memories through a book they have produced. 

Sudbury 

Over 60 members and volunteers were in attendance for the final Sudbury session of the year, with plenty of fun and live music from Martin Weavers and local band ‘Cardy & Coke’. The session was amazingly organised by Liz Brightwell in memory of her husband, Club Member, Wayne who sadly passed away a few months ago. 

Penarth 

Our Penarth Club finished their year in style as they hosted a Christmas party for their members at Penarth Rugby Club.

Exeter and Tiverton

Our Clubs in Exeter and Tiverton combined to enjoy a Christmas meal just before Christmas with plenty of fun had on an enjoyable afternoon!

Rumney Hub 

There was time for plenty of sporting chat and sweets at the final session of our Sporting Memories Club at the Rumney Hub in Cardiff too!

Andover 

Our Andover had a lovely time at their Christmas gathering of Sporting Memories and they also shared Christmas Cards with each other and our volunteers!

Velmore

There was fun games and great food aplenty as our Velmore group in Hampshire enjoyed their Christmas party at the Velmore Community Centre.

We would like to take this opportunity to take everyone involved with Sporting Memories Clubs a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year – here’s to more fun in 2025!