Coronavirus: Lockdown stopped Hastings couple celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary just a day before planned stay at The Ritz

A Fairlight couple who were awarded a stay at the Ritz in London were forced to put plans on hold after the Government lock-down came in the day before.
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Tim Pearce, a long-standing member of the Hastings Seagull Water Polo team, was presented with the award of dinner and a stay at The Ritz by Club Captain Duncan Izzard to mark his long term service to the Club and his 80th birthday last October.

Tim and his wife Joanie had booked the visit for Tuesday March 24 to coincide with their 58th wedding anniversary.

Now they are hoping they can re-schedule.

Tim Pearce Ritz award SUS-200331-091948001Tim Pearce Ritz award SUS-200331-091948001
Tim Pearce Ritz award SUS-200331-091948001
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Joanie said: “Unfortunately we had to cancel at the last moment due to the current pandemic so we had a quiet celebration at home.

“The voucher is valid for one year so when this whole crisis subsides we will be able to take up our wonderful gift of a night at the Ritz.

“Maybe we can use it in June for my 80th birthday.”

Every year as part of Hastings week the Hastings Seagull Water Polo Team holds their tournament for The Observer Trophy.

Pearce Posers SUS-200331-110839001Pearce Posers SUS-200331-110839001
Pearce Posers SUS-200331-110839001

The huge trophy was give to the Club by the Hastings Observer back in the late 1800’s.

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In 1947 the Club hosted a visit from a team from Dordrecht, in Holland, which came to Hastings to take part in the tournament. with the purpose of celebrating sport and friendship. This was repeated every year and broadened out into a vibrant sports exchange.

It was this competition and link that directly led to Hastings being officially twinned with Dordrecht in 1982.