Linda Doulin Memorial event & Christmas Party -
Strongfield Stud Southbrook November 2014
Report
Happiness and fun was the order of the day.
On the 16 November 2014 Warwick Club members put on their brightest colours and biggest smiles to celebrate the life and memories of a very special club member, Linda Doulin. Many wore trinkets of Linda’s and tied some of her huge collection of scarves to their carriages.
Fancy dressed drivers headed off early to beat the blazing heat on a treasure hunt with a difference. The contents of sixteen red buckets revealed the course as you zig zagged around the paddock, through the obstacles and trees. In true Linda form, everyone was a winner with prizes a plenty at the end. Thanks to Alan Doulin, we were able to have a lucky dip for all drivers and grooms from the bottomless pit of Linda’s supplies.
The Harambee Shield is to be presented annually at this event in memory of Linda Doulin for ”significant contribution to the Club”. Harambee ( pronounced ha – Ram-bay) is Swahili for ‘pulling together’ and is the national motto of Kenya. Linda spent her formative years in East Africa and was a great advocate for “Harambee”. The size of this trophy is as big as Linda’s heart. Crafted by Alan Doulin its stands tall with its African mask watching over all who ‘pull together’. Linda’s legacy will live on through this gesture of love and dedication. In its inaugural year, Linda’s husband Alan requested that he decide who the first ‘winner’ would be. It was wonderful to see Alan make the trip out to Strongfield Stud for this event where he presented the winner of the 2014 Harambee Shield to Eugen DIllmann. Eugen and Linda had a wonderful friendship that went beyond words. It was touching to see the immense amount of work , love and dedication that Eugen has put into building this carriage driving facility for everyone’s enjoyment, be recognised in such a special way. It certainly meant a lot to him. The other award that was presented on the day was for ‘Club helper of the Year’ which was won by Jim Stewart. Jim is tireless in his efforts and is always there when things need to be done. Well done Jim and thank you for all your hard work.
Christmas lunch followed with more prizes and Secret Santas. The food and company was great and I feel pretty sure Linda was with us all the way.
It was a great way to finish off a very successful and fun year of competitions and driving. We are blessed with a club whose members are always there for each other and really do ‘pull together’. In many ways, everyone in Warwick Club wins the Harambee Shield – and that’s just what Linda would have wanted!
On the 16 November 2014 Warwick Club members put on their brightest colours and biggest smiles to celebrate the life and memories of a very special club member, Linda Doulin. Many wore trinkets of Linda’s and tied some of her huge collection of scarves to their carriages.
Fancy dressed drivers headed off early to beat the blazing heat on a treasure hunt with a difference. The contents of sixteen red buckets revealed the course as you zig zagged around the paddock, through the obstacles and trees. In true Linda form, everyone was a winner with prizes a plenty at the end. Thanks to Alan Doulin, we were able to have a lucky dip for all drivers and grooms from the bottomless pit of Linda’s supplies.
The Harambee Shield is to be presented annually at this event in memory of Linda Doulin for ”significant contribution to the Club”. Harambee ( pronounced ha – Ram-bay) is Swahili for ‘pulling together’ and is the national motto of Kenya. Linda spent her formative years in East Africa and was a great advocate for “Harambee”. The size of this trophy is as big as Linda’s heart. Crafted by Alan Doulin its stands tall with its African mask watching over all who ‘pull together’. Linda’s legacy will live on through this gesture of love and dedication. In its inaugural year, Linda’s husband Alan requested that he decide who the first ‘winner’ would be. It was wonderful to see Alan make the trip out to Strongfield Stud for this event where he presented the winner of the 2014 Harambee Shield to Eugen DIllmann. Eugen and Linda had a wonderful friendship that went beyond words. It was touching to see the immense amount of work , love and dedication that Eugen has put into building this carriage driving facility for everyone’s enjoyment, be recognised in such a special way. It certainly meant a lot to him. The other award that was presented on the day was for ‘Club helper of the Year’ which was won by Jim Stewart. Jim is tireless in his efforts and is always there when things need to be done. Well done Jim and thank you for all your hard work.
Christmas lunch followed with more prizes and Secret Santas. The food and company was great and I feel pretty sure Linda was with us all the way.
It was a great way to finish off a very successful and fun year of competitions and driving. We are blessed with a club whose members are always there for each other and really do ‘pull together’. In many ways, everyone in Warwick Club wins the Harambee Shield – and that’s just what Linda would have wanted!
Photos
Photography by Kurt Dillmann
