Some people stand out, they epitomise an era, a place, a time… one of these people was Rupert Shoolbred who sadly at the age of 87 we lost as a club member on Saturday 4th November 2023

Rupert epitomised an era of hockey that was played on grass, come wind rain or shine, no plastic pitch in sight, anywhere. Shirts were thick cotton as were shorts, plain red with navy blue, thick unforgiving socks, football boots and occasionally tracksuits were worn to complete the club look, no high-performance fabrics or synthetic body hugging lycra.

Hockey sticks were wooden with a hook, handles wrapped in cotton, no sign of carbon fibre or comfort grips. In goal, keepers wore cricket pads for protection from the game ball covered in muddy leather, no expanded foam shoes, just steel toe caps.

Games started at 2pm and for everyone at Berkhamsted Hockey club this was on all six grass pitches, 1stXI in front of the clubhouse, the other teams on the surrounding pitches, scores marked up on a blackboard. Everyone came into the clubhouse for teas, a club house built by club members with a small bar in the corner. No sofas, heaters, cubes, curry, or lager. No mobile phones, just the one landline, a dart board at the end of the bar, fag smoke filled the air, a mass of men and women players, kids and dogs drinking brown beer and white wine, maybe a rum and coke.

Rupert Shoolbred epitomised this era but was not by any means stuck in it; a man from this fondly remembered time but a man with an eye on the future. He was so often the catalyst for change.

Rupert supported the integration of Hemel Ladies into the club, he supported the buying of the additional pitches 5 and 6 to help keep up with growing numbers. When the club was at a turning point, Rupert was the funder for the redevelopment of the original part of the club house, all quietly done in his usual understated manner.

Of course, he held roles at the club, but like many of us he just pitched in and helped to make things happen, like getting the inmates at the Mount to make sets of goals which we still use. He was the secretary for many years, doing whatever was needed, arranging committee meetings which were held at his house. Camilla, his wife was at his side for club socials and his daughter Penny used to cook the teas at the club. His other daughter Lucy, many of you would have met at the opening of the Astro, a hockey family that knew how important the club was to their father.

Rupert played and many will reminisce that he was a formidable opponent, always fair but if he was badly tackled or roughed up there was a consequence, discreetly played out on the opposition, only Rupert could do this… he was a quietly spoken, kind and gentle man but tough as nails, as you would expect from an ex paratrooper.

A dry sense of humour, a chuckle, always on the move often with a plastic bag with his kit bundled inside…yet again he had not been totally clear with Camila that he was playing hockey or when or if he would be home. The land line would ring at the end of the packed bar, conversations would become muted, ears would prick up, the phone would be answered by the bar staff, has anyone seen Rupert? No, he left sometime ago… The phone would go back on the hook and conversations would pick up, a pint would be finished off and Rupert would be off. Sometimes you have to look back to see how far you have come.

Many members remember Rupert and we are collecting anecdotes to remember him by, a start below.

Roger Payton
On honeymoon in Italy going up a mountain, VERY SLOWLY IN FIRST GEAR in an original Fiat 500 with a canvas roof. THE FIRST car behind, in the convoy of traffic piling up behind them and unable to pass, is tooting and gesticulating wildly and making a fuss. Rupert in full Para mode is half way out of the roof waving his fist at the lot of them shouting he’s going as fast as he can and for them all to back off.

I’d have loved to have seen the tough little Para trying to jump from the roof of a fiat 500 and get stuck in, with Camilla holding onto his shorts and cajoling him back into the cabin, it’s a tale I never forgot.

Rupert will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him at BHHHC. Our sympathies to Camilla, Penny, Lucy and the family at this sad time.

Rupert’s BHHHC friends are very welcome to the funeral, 1pm Tuesday 28th November, Eastbourne Crematorium BN23 8AE with a gathering after at The Wellingtons 33 Steyne Road, Seaford, BN25 1HT”. If you plan to go, please drop Lucy a line so she is aware of numbers.