Witham RFC were about to celebrate their 40th anniversary in style. A fancy marquee was ready for almost 400 guests about to arrive for a champagne reception and dinner. A gallery of memorabilia dating back 40 years awaited, a band and photographer was booked and the World Cup was due to make an appearance. And then disaster struck.

The wind that had been gusting all day whipped up into a gale. A corner of the marquee broke loose. In no time the whole structure began to collapse, smashing the bar, bottles and glasses, wrecking tables resplendent with flower arrangements and destroying all the hard work and aspirations for a night of celebration, including presentations to county and local volunteers in the company of VIPs like Essex President Dai Davies and England international Jeff Probyn.

Frantic phone calls were made but some guests arrived in dinner jackets and ball gowns to join those in jeans and T-shirts who had rushed to help. With the marquee held up by players and guests, some of the tables were cleared by forming a human chain carrying what could be salvaged into the clubhouse. They managed to rescue the band equipment and a few tables and chairs but everything else was ruined so everyone went to drown their sorrows in local hostelries before returning to the clubhouse to discuss fundraising ideas and a possible rerun of the event
in August.