THRIVING BRIGHTON
Why local publicity is vital for safeguarding the future of EBAS
ONE EBA that’s doing well in these difficult times is Brighton, who meet at noon on the second Sunday of the month at The Nevill pub, Nevill Road, Hove. Brighton moved there earlier this year, and, said Secretary Jane Davison, “Everybody loves it. Our old place was restricted – there was no back garden, and the parking was diabolical. Everybody kept getting tickets!
“Here, there’s loads of parking on-site, and a nice garden. And it’s so easy to get to – you come off the motorway, and you’re there!”
Every Association needs a strong committee, and Jane was full of praise for her colleagues, especially Harry Scott, who deals with the PR. “He works really hard – we’d be lost without him,” she said. “He’s an absolute diamond. He’s great at getting celebrities to come and visit us.”
Looking at the list of Brighton’s officers, I was struck by how many are in the media. President is BN Editor Matt Christie, and among the Honorary Vice-Presidents are TV commentator (and former pro boxer and BN staffer) Steve Holdsworth, radio commentator Ian Hart and reporter Mike Legg of the Brighton Argus. Getting publicity – especially local publicity – is vital for EBAS, and other Associations might consider contacting their local papers, giving them stories, and letting the readership know they’re there.
Brighton hold two annual events – the Summer Barbecue and the Christmas Party. “The Barbecue was very successful,” Jane said. “It was the first one at the new venue, and there was a garden where everyone could sit out.
“This year, for the first time, we had to charge – £5 per head – because we had to pay the chef. But to make up, we’re charging £5 per head for the Christmas Party, instead of £10. There’ll be raffles, an auction and some kind of entertainment.”
Brighton know the importance of supporting other EBAS. “We love our little days out,” Jane said. “Recently we’ve visited London and Croydon, and we regularly visit Hastings, and they regularly come to us. We get a party of about 10 from Hastings virtually every month. And [Croydon EBA Chairman] Barry Penny’s a great supporter.”
Plymouth EBA started in 1982, but, like so many, they have noticed a decline in membership. “No newcomers,” Chairman Tom Stevens said sadly. “But we still stick to it. It’s a pity to see it decline. And we support other Associations. We regularly visit the Wales Association, and they come to us.”
Meetings are on the last Sunday of the month at 11am, at Raffles, 5 Ermington Terrace, The Motley, Plymouth. “We have an annual reunion in August, and a Christmas Dinner,” Tom said. “At our reunion this year we had visitors from Wales and Bournemouth.”
Wirral EBA meet at 11.30am on the second Sunday of each month at the Royal Naval Association Club, 2a Park Road East, Birkenhead. The Association started in 1974, folded briefly and then re-started. “We’ve kept going for a long time now,” Chairman Terry Carson said. “We’re lucky that we’ve got a lot of members who have never boxed, but they like coming along. We couldn’t survive if we restricted it to ex-boxers.”
That’s such an important point. Everybody is welcome at an EBA meeting – you don’t have to have boxed, or even be associated with the game. If you love boxing, go along to your local EBA – you’ll get the chance to meet, and chat with, boxers, ex-boxers and fellow-enthusiasts.
That’s the way to keep the EBA movement going. Many EBAS organise special events, and Wirral are no exception. “The week after Remembrance Sunday, we always hold a Wirral Boxers’ Remembrance Sunday,” Terry said. “This year it’s on November 19. It was [former top middleweight] Les Mcateer’s idea. We get together at the Club, and remember all the local boxers who have passed on.
“And we have a Christmas Dinner – only we have it in January, to let people get over the festivities!” EMAIL simonoldtimers@googlemail.com with you ex-boxer association news. DON’T MISS Thursday December 7
Bournemouth EBA Christmas Dinner, Parley Country Club, Ferndown. Sunday December 10
Brighton EBA Christmas Party, The Nevill, Hove (12pm). Sunday December 17
Home Counties EBA Christmas Party, Bricket Wood Social Club (12pm).