An audience of over 50 people welcomed Henry Elwes, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire to East Glos Club earlier today to watch him present Club President Mary Eyre with her MBE.
Mary had decided she did not want to face a long journey up to Buckingham Palace so the investiture took place in more local and very familiar setting. As Henry Elwes remarked in his opening address it is often more fitting that the event takes place closer to home so that friends and family can be present at the ceremony.
The Lord Lieutenant has a team of six cadets who accompany him to official ceremonies. On this occasion Jack Brown (pictured left) attended. Jack had the privilege of reading out the citation.
It read as follows:
“Miss Mary Eyre is a highly respected and outstanding ambassador at all levels of the game having played at club, county and national levels.
She has given a life-long service to hockey and, at the age of 81, still continues to devote her time and energy in a voluntary capacity to East Gloucestershire Club.
She was a major contributor to the well-being and success of the Western Counties Women’s Hockey Association where she played for 30 years and was President for twelve years.
She was a formidable goal scorer and was selected to play for England during the 1946-1949 seasons.
Totally dedicated to any roles she undertook, she became a leading international umpire, putting her playing experiences into these duties in a total of 28 internationals, ten of which were played at Wembley Stadium. She also umpired at Wimbledon for fifteen years.
She played for Gloucestershire Women’s Hockey Association and was Secretary for 53 years and President for seven years.
She is currently President, Trustee and Executive Committee Member of East Gloucestershire Club and is still organising league and junior teams on a day-to-day basis.
Over the years she has encouraged and supported everyone with whom she has been involved, and has shared her knowledge and experience by coaching and training players and officials at all levels of the game.
For many years she served as player selector and was appointed an umpire selector and assessor. She has coached generations of children in schools and continues to be a very strong supporter of junior hockey, having encouraged many schoolgirls into the game.
She has brought energy, dedication and commitment to all her work and her enthusiasm has been an inspiration to those who had the privilege of receiving her coaching and working with her, where she set high standards for everyone.”
Following a lengthy applause, Mary made a short speech in which she thanked East Glos Club and its staff for hosting her investiture. She commented how grateful and proud she was to be receiving her MBE. Mary also paid tribute to her mother, the late Margaret Eyre, her family and Sheila Davson for the wonderful support they had given her over the years.
By Julian Wellings, editor East Glos E:News.