40 years of history is a lot to look back on.

This is exactly what Julie Aylmer, Painswick ladies’ hockey club’s chairman and umpire, had to do when she was contacted by The Local Answer.

“I have played and been involved with the club since 1980, when it was formed, but I’ve given up playing now. The club was started by Daphne O’Neil with help from Painswick Rugby Club,” she said.

“They bought Broadham Fields, just outside of Painswick, and we played there with them until we had to give up playing on grass, more’s the pity.

“We no longer play in Painswick as we can’t play on grass, but the name lives on.

“We now play all our home games at St. Peter’s School pitch in Gloucester. We train on a Monday night at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse.”

It’s clear that Julie is passionate about the club and all things hockey.

“I played hockey for about 30 years. I started playing while I was at school in Stroud,” she said.

“I had to give up playing because of the pressure that’s put on your knees, hips and ankles when on the modern surfaces.

“At the moment we have about 16 players, which does vary from season to season.

“I am proud of the fact that the club, being small, manages to survive despite many difficulties with rules and recruiting new players. Many people work hard for this to happen.”

So, what’s so great about hockey for Julie?

“A team game like hockey helps you bond with your fellow players, learn how to adapt and help one another and gets you out in the fresh air,” she said.

It’s not surprising, given her long-term commitment to the sport, that Julie has some great memories to share.

“There are many memories, but this particular one was some years ago,” she says.

“We went to Hay-on-Wye when we were still playing on grass. When we arrived it was cold, frosty and very foggy. The pitch was very white, and you had trouble seeing from one side to the other.

“We proceeded to the changing room which was in a hotel next to the pitch, where we were told the match may not start on time due to the conditions. We were asked if we would like a drink while we waited. It would have been rude to refuse, and we assumed it would be tea or coffee.

“We went to the bar area to discover about 12 glasses of brandy lined up for us – a very nice warming gesture. The game eventually went ahead. I can’t remember the score or much about the game, but a good time was had by all. Health and safety had no part to play in those days.”

In order to achieve great things with the sport though, or in fact anything in life, it’s so important to stay dedicated and keep improving, which is something Julie knows all too well.

“Several players, over the years, have gone on to play 1st 11-a-side hockey for bigger teams than ours after starting out with us learning the game,” said Julie.

“It is important to practice, watch other players and learn the game to enable skills and teamwork to continue improving.”

The club pride themselves on having a friendly and feel-good atmosphere, which is one they’d like others to benefit from.

“Our aim is to keep the club going and to continue to encourage as many people as possible to play – whatever their age or ability – to improve their skills and try to keep the enthusiasm and love for the game alive,” said Julie.

The end of season prize-giving always proves a highlight for the team’s social calendars and serves as another example of their positive attitude.

“We always enjoy our end of season prize-giving,” said Julie.

“To see the look of joy on the faces of people who win trophies, voted for by their fellow players, is a great moment. Seeing young players rewarded for their playing ability and improvement over the season is also great.”

Whilst achieving and improving is valuable, actually enjoying what you do is perhaps the most important thing.

“We are a very small club with no major sponsor,” said Julie.

“In some ways, this works to our advantage. We are a friendly bunch who, young and old alike, try to encourage each other to improve.

“We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We try our best to win but if we don’t it’s not the end of the world.

“If we can win some matches along the way all the better. The main thing is to enjoy it,” said Julie.

These are wise words that can be applied to a lot more than hockey alone.

If everyone involved with Painswick hockey has this attitude, then they’re sure to be enjoying the sport for many years to come.