IT’S PARTY TIME!
London and Leicester EBAS stage their Christmas festivities LAST week, both London and Leicester EBAS held their Christmas get-togethers, and both went very well. Travel problems meant I missed the first part of the London do, but President Stephen Powell kindly filled me in. As it was Christmas they dispensed with some of the formalities, but a minute’s silence was held to mark the passing of former champions Bunny Grant and Bunny Sterling, and Jean Francis – whose late husband, Roy, was a fine amateur boxer and pro referee.
“I remember Bunny Sterling from the early days at St Pancras ABC,” Stephen said. “We used to spar together. He chipped my front tooth! I saw his pro debut, at Shoreditch Town Hall, against Joe Devitt – who later joined LEBA. Bunny lost that one on points, but he kept going and ultimately became the first immigrant to win a British title.” (Sterling beat reigning champion Mark Rowe – another LEBA member – on a fourth-round cuts stoppage in September 1970 to take the British and Commonwealth middleweight belts.)
Committee member Bob Cheeseman paid tribute to Jean Francis, describing her as “a very caring and loving lady – well known in the boxing community.”
The meeting duly sang Happy Birthday to committee member Chas Taylor, who turned 80 a few days later (December 5). Chas is also Treasurer of the Home Counties EBA, and their Membership Secretary, Terry Clarke, was on hand, selling tickets for their Christmas Party this Sunday (December 16). Tickets are a very reasonable £5 per head, to cover the buffet.
“This year we have Mick Mancini to entertain our members and guests, along with our usual DJ, The Pink Panther,” Terry said. “There will be an auction, plus a raffle. We look forward to greeting many of our friends from other EBAS.”
LEBA Secretary/treasurer Ray Caulfield brought along his Special Icon Award from the Nordoff Robbins evening. Ray explained he had accepted the award on behalf of everyone at LEBA who had worked so hard to make the event a success – especially all the champions who had attended.
Mike Taub gave his monthly Young Guns round-up, complimenting Lucy Wildheart on her recent win over Elaine Greenan in Brentwood.
I was delighted to see Colin Lake, now out of hospital. A pro in the ‘60s, Colin went on to become a trainer – looking after, among others, the very popular Ivor “The Engine” Jones (another LEBA regular).
The buffet was excellent, and Dean
Ferris kept everyone entertained with a variety of songs. Members were invited to do a turn, and among those who obliged were Pat Thompson, Mark Taha and LEBA Vice President Peter Kent, in fine voice at 93. Singing unaccompanied, Peter treated us to a medley of wartime favourites and then came round (as he always does at Christmas), collecting for St John’s Hospice.
Two days later (December 4), Leicester held their Christmas gathering. “It was a very happy occasion,” President/chairman Mick Greaves said. “About 35 turned up, including [former European, British and Commonwealth middleweight champion] Tony Sibson.
“It’s true we don’t get the numbers we used to. We’ve lost a lot of older members, and aren’t getting new ones. But we’re a happy bunch, and there’s a group of stalwarts who always turn up to meetings and get-togethers.”
North Staffs EBA have their Christmas meal at The Leopard, Burslem, next Wednesday (December 19). From next February (there’s no January meeting) North Staffs will be going back to holding their monthly meetings there (first Wednesday of the month, starting 7.30pm).
There have been some changes at Central (Midlands) EBA, with Chairman Martin Florey and Treasurer Stephen Florey standing down. In the current newsletter, Secretary Paul Nutting thanks both for all they’ve done for the Association, and notes that both will carry on as members. That’s good news. Gary Bate has taken over as chairman, and Paul Nutting will be taking on the treasurer’s role as well.