Club member turns 100

 Robin Kennard celebrated his 100th birthday on Sunday November 2nd 2025. His family held a birthday tea party at the sports club surrounded by members of his family, friends and a collection of hockey families.

Photo by Annabel Healy Photography

Back Row; Alan Collinge, John Leman, Chris Kennard, Will Buckley Chris Gregory, Jo Malkin, Peter Malkin, Anthony Malkin, Moira Malkin, James Leman, Richard Leman

Front Row; Christine Gregory, Roger Dakin, Yvonne Kennard, Robin Kennard, Anne Buckley

Robin was the Treasurer of the Hockey Club for 22 years, serving from 1956-1978, a record of service in that role that is unlikely to ever be beaten. Described as a very speedy right winger, in the club centenary book, he was a member of the 1stXI from 1954 for the next 10 years. He was also very involved in the purchase of the current sports club site from the Maharajah of Jaipur in December 1958. It was Robin who wrote out the cheque for £1750 to purchase the land on behalf of the Hockey Club. He then had to raise £5000 to help fund the building of the first wooden pavilion (the upturned boat) as well as supply the grass seed and prepare the ploughed field for hockey pitches.

The loan notes that were issued at the time were all personally hand signed and stamped by Robin. He decided to put various conditions on the back of the Loan Note, the last of which was most informative, "the loan holder is not allowed to request the repayment of this loan". A very shrewd move on behalf of the club.

In the photo taken on the day of the hockey members there were representatives of the Kennard, Buckley, Gregory, Malkin, Dakin and Leman families, all of whom played a large role in the operation of the club in the last century. Apologies were received from the Lloyd, Blunt, and Wormald families.

Robin has been a member of the Hockey Club for 77 years which is another record, having joined in 1948 when he was 23 years old and three years after the end of World War II, quite amazing

The Hockey Club wishes Robin and all his family very many happy returns and were delighted the tea could be held in the Ashdown Room, which is directly above the site of the old upturned boat, a very suitable venue to acknowledge his wonderful service to the club.

Richard Leman 

East Grinstead Sports Club Trustee