Issue
No 45
December 1971
December 1971
 The team march into the arena. |
We wined and dined at the hotel, and whilst we basked
in the sun a local alpine choir yodelled merrily in the background.
After considerably more wine the British team showed the Swiss how
yodelling was intended to be done (not surprisingly they were e neither
convinced or impressed); dancing followed, but unfortunately the party
had to be called to a halt because the games were the following day. `Rise and shine' or more correctly `Wache Guten Morgen' cried our German hosts. Wednesday was upon us. The degree of tension and excitement felt by everyone that day, only persons actually in the squad will ever know, although encouragement from the B.B.C. officials and friends, and supporters who had just arrived from Kendal in a car cavalcade, tended to ease the pressure slightly. Nevertheless, every nerve was taut as we kitted out in our now familiar colours, marched and sang our way to the assembly |
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| point, outside the 14th century gates of the town.
No one would have dreamt there was a nerve between us - if only they
knew. Then Boom - cannons roared and cowbells slung round the waists of 200 children rang as they danced their way into the arena, followed closely by the teams. We were on the box or more correctly 120,000,000 boxes (this incredible figure is the estimated viewing public throughout the continent and England). The actual games, to onlookers were a mixture of pantomime and skill enjoyed by all - spectators and competitors alike, and although at one time holding 3rd place, the British team were eventually placed 6th. However showing good humour in the face of defeat we managed to collect our somewhat depressed spirits and took the town by storm once more (the Kendal team were second to none in the popularity stakes and this includes the home team) ; certain members of the Italian and French teams and also of course our team manager and coach were sentenced to a drink in the town fountain. At the reception it was the Kendal team which led the dancing and singing into the small hours, cheered on by all opposing teams. The following day both German and English papers referred to Kendal as `The team that won hearts instead of Glory' and `The team that won the hearts of Europe, if not the field'. And so in the same blaze of sunshine we flew home on Thursday morning, being extremely proud to have taken part in a competition of this nature which must, and does contribute to international friendship and understanding. |
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