Old Richians RFC Vice Presidents 2017/18 Season –Newsletter
Gardenholme, Sussex Avenue, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5AJ 01989-768063
Dear Everyone,
This is to provide details of what we have to look forward during the forthcoming season and to let us havea general update and which is pleasingly considerable. As regards the chosen league matches for our lunch and socialget togethersthese appear to be the most fitting.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 4TH 2017OLD BRISTOLIANS
SATURDAY DECEMBER 9TH 2017 CHOSEN HILL FORMER PUPILS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17TH 2018 CHELTENHAM
The latest news from Club Secretary Iain Morris is all highly encouraging. As the 1st XV looks forward to their return to Western Counties North League rugby after several years’ absence, we still have the support of those who helped to initiate successive years of promotion. Congratulations to Luke Carr as Club Captain with Michael Spencer-Tonks continuing as our Club's 1st XV Captain and the squad againin the care of Jack Petello and Terry Fanolua as Club Coaches.The news about the health of Doug White is also positive and one of stability. Clearly we wish them the very best in all their endeavours.
As the Club’s General Committee would like to work more closely with us, Rich Mathews has been assigned to link in with our own endeavours to sustain our existence and recruit more Vice Presidents and obviously this is welcomed and makes good sense.Mark Wheeler (son of Tony) has succeeded Doug as Club Chairman having brought in new blood from his playing generation over the last 12 months in preparation for Doug standing down. Doug remains in a Vice Chairman role for the next year to help the transition with Greg Fowke in the wings to become Mark’s Vice Chairman. Iain Morris (Secretary) & Pat Strutt (President) remain in their long standing roles to assist Mark & the new team.
There is also news that Steve and Rita Lewis, who have considerable experience in the trade through Spartans Rugby Club have taken over from Sharon in the running of our Clubhouse activities. In welcoming them with our sincerest best wishes and that they can rely upon our full support, I was delighted to learn that Rita is thesister of Rob Gough of whom we have fond memories from the days when we were in Rob’s care. Clearly it would be remiss of me if I failed to recognise the massive debt that we owe to Sharon for all that Sharon and her team have brought to Old Richians Rugby and to add our grateful thanks and appreciation.
The Stan & Jeanne Bradford family legacy left to the club with the specific wish to use on facilities is now moving forward at a pace. It was decided to refurbish and extensively extend the small patio area to run the length of the club house. Council leases on the land & pitches have finally been signed off and work is about to begin on the ‘Stan/Jeanne Bradford’ patio and new patio furniture will be acquired. Furthermore the legacy will also provide for upgrading the flood light training area, new LED lamps will replace the older existing poor lamps and 4 new floodlights will be placed on the railway line side of the training area to illuminate a much larger training area for all youth & senior sides to benefit from. The older lamps will be positioned to illuminate the area of the school field where the scum machine is used.
Over the summer we have also upgraded the upstairs small changing room into a dedicated physio room and L & W Builders (Simon Walker) has sponsored the units & provided labour to install them all, together with a small band of club volunteers helping out.
One of the reasons why November 4th has been chosen is that Joyce Longney plans to be with us as part of her 3 weeks visit to the UK from Australia so it will be marvellous for us to be able to welcome Joyce back into our fold for a few hours. How can we forget her late hubby Mike and his continuing influence in our hearts and minds? Along with Gerry Stone and Frank Jordan, who are also sadly no longer with us they represent a trio whose significance in Old Richians Rugby history in establishing our Club to become where we are today is a real given.....enough said.
As Steve and Rita are sponsoring the home match on Saturday September 30th when the 1st XV entertain Coney Hill we are encouraged to support the event which will provide a nice opportunity for us to meet and to get to know them. I shall be absent unfortunately as I am looking forward to another hip replacement operation planned for September 15th but the timing should mean that I will be ship-shape for the Nov 4th get together if not before.
I will call for lunch numbers for that occasion nearer the time.
Fondest Best Wishes, Keith