One early evening in late December 2013 Dick Webb with his trainee guide dog was nearing the end of his usual walk to the clubhouse for his Saturday pint(s) when he met Bob Thwaites who was just leaving the club to catch the 248 bus back home to his flat in Upminster.

They chatted at the bus stop for 15 minutes or so and he recalled to Dick the recent conversation they had just enjoyed with a number of the more mature members of Havering Hockey Club. The opportunity had been used to catch up on old times and provide updates on people’s activities.

Comments had been made that it would be a great idea to repeat this and arrange regular gatherings of this type so that “old gits” would then know a like-minded group would be in the club at a particular date and time. Hence Bob Thwaites instigated the Six- Five Special Club to meet on the last Saturday of the each month at 6.05pm.

Bob borrowed the name from a 1956/57 BBC TV programme which was broadcast on Saturday evenings at 6.05pm. It was the first TV programme directed at teenagers and young adults, the Six - Five Special being a steam train shown with the credits at the start of each episode. Examples of the programme can be found on YouTube.

Very sadly Bob died a few days later and never made the first meeting.
However, the club is still going strong with Dick Webb sending out each month an invite to over 30 potential attendees. On only one occasion (in the Firkin) was Dick the sole attendee but at least he was accompanied by his dog!

The last Saturday of the month date is not always strictly adhered to - this is to take into account the availability of the more regular club attendees and to sometimes coincide with other clubhouse functions.

Other venues are used during the summer and have included the Firkin (aka Bull) and Railway pubs and the Hop Inn micropub in Hornchurch. The regular summer venue over recent years has been the Upminster Tap micropub. To add variation this summer’s venues included “Jolly Boys’ (and Girls’) Outings” to Leigh-on Sea and the Whitechapel area.

January 2024 will be the tenth anniversary of the Six-Five Special club (meeting date to be arranged) and will be celebrated in the usual manner. With agreement from Bob’s relations his ashes were buried outside the clubhouse and every year on the anniversary of the first meeting of the club a few words are said and a pint of lager is poured over the spot – this was Bob’s favourite drink in his later years.

On the odd occasion that none of the members present are sure of the exact location of the ashes an approximate spot is used – it is assumed that Bob would certainly have no problem finding a pint of lager, especially if it was going free!

Bob worked hard to obtain for the club an annual invite to the Thanet Hockey Festival. Havering attended every year from 1976 until its sad demise after 2000. 100% attendance over the years was achieved by Geoff Johnson and the late Gee Wilson – Dick Webb unfortunately missed the last festival in 2000 as he was living and working in America.

Therefore on these anniversaries it is traditional for attendees to wear an item of Thanet clothing or suitable sportswear in memory of this.

The 605 Special Club is a way for old members to get back involved with the club and stay in touch with old friends. Its a way for you to get BACK TO HOCKEY, or give you a way to remain part of the club without playing.
If you wish to be involved with 605 Special Club, please contact a member of the committee who can pass your details on to Dick Webb the organiser.