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Barry Twomlow Esquire, Gentleman
Sportcraft Dinner, Saturday 13th February 1999
I am so pleased to be with you on this your special evening
to add my own tribute to the many you have received and to
join with all those guests assembled to thank Mike Nally and
everyone at Sportcraft for so generously and thoughtfully
hosting this event.
It was in February 1970 that you first attended the NSGA
Show in Chicago, the forerunner of today’s Super Show.
I had offered you a 10-day or so expenses paid holiday in
the USA (I probably forgot to mention the weather in Chicago
at this time of year). Little did any of us expect that ‘holiday’
to last for almost 30 years.
It took me no time on that trip to realise what a good companion
you were, that you were conscientious, courteous at all times,
honest, trustworthy, hard working, charming, disarming, discerning,
quietly commanding attention and respect, a teacher, a philosopher,
a negotiator and, apart from the ability to consume prodigious
quantities of beer and similar beverages, you also threw a
mean dart , all without seemingly the necessity to sleep.
Sportcraft and their customers embraced you at once.
It was at breakfast in The Empire Room at the Palmer House
on the morning after the show that we talked of the possibility
of you joining Unicorn. You could earn your corn, I thought,
as a salesman and when we needed a dart or two thrown you
could do that too. It is a breakfast that I shall never forget,
for it set seal on an association and friendship that I will
always cherish.
I am sure that many stories will be told tonight by you and
others, but it will, I know, be said over and over again,
as it has been these last very many years, what an Ambassador
you have been for the sport of darts, for sportsmanship, for
Sportcraft and for Unicorn. You truly were in large measure
responsible for teaching so much of the World to play darts
and for gently bringing many Sportcraft customers to the realisation
that darts equipment would make a fine addition to their merchandise
programme. You never put anyone down by crushing them with
your magical skill, yet on the other hand you never let them
go until they absorbed a little of your passion for the game.
The time has come, much too quickly, for us all to let you
go, at least a little, for you cannot escape from our affection.
Margaret, who has supported you uncomplainingly the while
you travelled to every continent on gruelling schedules, needs
and deserves your attention and presence and you need time
to sort out the souvenirs, letters, gifts and memories of
a unique career.
You have our sincerest thanks and our every best wish for
a long, happy and healthy retirement. Ann and I raise a glass
to you, and drink to your health as we chat through the happy
memories that we are privileged to share because we are fortunate
to know Barry Twomlow.
Delivered by Stanley Lowy, Chairman of Unicorn
at a surprise retirement dinner thrown in Barry's honour in
Atlanta in 1999
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