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        Table Tennis 

    I have always enjoyed a game of table tennis. First a little history.
    The game originated in Britain in the 1880's It was first played among the "upper classes" as an after dinner 
    parlour game and was commonly known as "Wiff-Waff'. A row of books were stood up on end to act as the net and 
    two books served as bats, with a golf ball becoming the table tennis ball. There have been many changes in the way
    the game is scored. The modern system is 11 points to a game, with 5 or 7 games for the match. Bats and balls
    have changed over time. The balls are slightly bigger which slows them down. Bats have had different surfaces i.e
    plain, dimpledand sponge, introducing a high degree of spin into the game. In 1988 table tennis became an 
    Olympic sport.
    We were one of the earliest groups to be formed. A sound recording taken on most Wednesday afternoons would 
    sound like a typical 1950's Youth Club. Most "Third Agers" I have met acknowledge that we were born in the 
    right era economically and health wise, as we still have the energy to enjoy a game of table tennis and also take part
    in many other pursuits.
    Long may this be the case.