THE Swindon Advertiser recognised Ernie Howell’s dedication to table tennis in the town on Thursday night by presenting the former player and coach with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Howell, who had been coaching at the Link Centre for more than 30 years prior to retiring recently, was completely unaware that he was being honoured when he arrived at the Four Pillars Hotel for the presentation ceremony on Thursday night.

But at the end of the evening he was pulled up on stage by compere Clive Fisher to receive the special memento, saluting his achievements. Howell has been integral in developing several generations of keen table tennis players in the region, the 80-year-old estimates he has taught around 500 youngsters the art over the course of his career.

“I’m extremely proud,” he said afterwards. “All my life I’ve been playing table tennis in Swindon and I just get on with it, enjoy the game, enjoy how the youngsters develop but I never thought it would come this far. Swindon is my home and it is where my heart is.

“My son and my wife said ‘come on, we’re taking you out for the evening’ and I had no idea whatsoever. It was a surprise and a great shock but one I’m extremely pleased with.

“It’s a very proud moment and when I look back on everything that’s happened down the years it’s great.”

Howell might not be coaching on a regular basis any more but with a cheeky grin he admitted that he’s become something of a local celebrity in his old age.

“I’m quite well-known in Swindon,” he said.

“I am truly happy with what I’ve done, I enjoy being recognised, walk into Sainsbury’s and have someone say ‘Hello Ernie’. The wife says, ‘who’s that?’ You can’t go anywhere without being recognised by somebody.’ “I suppose I’m a bit of a extrovert, I love talking to people and I love my game.”