President
C.D. Roberts
Chairman
M. R. Evans
Treasurer
D. Cottrell / Hoylake R.F.C.
/
Secretary
T. A. Kellaway,43 Dovedale Road,
Hoylake,
Wirral,
CH47 3AN
Dear
I am writing to you on behalf of the “Bridging the Gap” Project team at Hoylake Rugby Club:
As you will see from the letter head the club was founded in 1922 which means we are about to celebrate our 90th anniversary. In the last decade we have followed our Twickenham adventure with promotion through the league structure to where we are now; competing at the highest level in the clubs history against notable opposition and once again we are on course for a top half finish.
However, the clubs facilities, despite worthy efforts over the years are largely as they were in the 70’s when the current clubhouse was constructed, indeed the ravages of time have seen significant deterioration. If we are to sustain and improve upon our success on the playing side it is essential that we develop our facilities both playing and social to match our aspirations; hence the project title “Bridging the Gap; a project designed to refurbish our clubhouse to a standard whereby the clubs long term survival and growth is assured in what is becoming an increasingly difficult environment for Rugby Clubs to attract and retain playing and non playing members..
The Project team is Mark Evans, Jack Kurton. Sam Lavin, Huw Pearson, Tom Cassidy, Ben Flint, Rich Young & John McNeill and a motlier crew cannot be imagined however, a significant amount of work has already been carried out and we received the great news recently that we have been awarded a large grant from Sport England. This coupled with assistance from the RFU and fundraising activities already undertaken means that we are over two thirds of the way to raising the funds required for the first phase of the project (the business case accessible on the club website details the phases and costs). But, and there’s always a but we need to raise more, which is the reason for this letter.
We are asking members past and present to consider “buying a brick” which in real terms means making a contribution to the project costs and having this donation recognised by your name appearing on an individual plaque. All purchased plaques will be prominently placed around the Bar in the clubhouse, each one occupying a single brick. We are asking for a minimum donation of £60.00 which includes the cost of the plaque; however the exact amount is whatever you consider appropriate. Included in this letter is a Pledge Form which we would ask you to consider completing at your earliest convenience and either handing to member of the team named above, or you can complete one electronically (available on the website) and return via e-mail to : you will note that on the form you are given the option of just making a donation and not taking up the option of “Buying a Brick”
Also enclosed is a copy of the plan detailing what we are trying to achieve and information on fundraising web sites that I would urge you to use (at no cost to you)
Hoylake Rugby Club is a very special and unique place and events both on and off the pitch are sometimes sublime, sometimes ridiculous, but never dull and all our lives at some stage have been enriched by our involvement. Whilst we are looking to improve we are determined that the heart of our club will remain unchanged. Now is the time to do something positive so that we can build upon our playing success but also and as importantly ensure that this “Great little Rugby Club” is here for another 90 years, because if its anything like the last 90 it’ll be quite a ride.
Please do whatever you can.
John McNeill (Macca)
On Behalf on the “Bridging the Gap” Project team