Woodbridge Rugby Club gets new fully equipped tractor with support of Eastern Counties Rugby Union and Sport England Grants

Woodbridge Rugby Club has a new tractor, trail mower, aerator and slitter paid for with the help of a Sport England Small Grants Award, an RFU Local Club Facilities Grant administered by Eastern Counties Rugby and tremendous fundraising throughout the Club.

The award of £7,500 by Sport England enabled the Club to purchase a Trail Mower and Aerator outright largely thanks to some generous discounting by machinery and equipment supplier and Club sponsor Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS). Eastern Counties Rugby supported the Clubs RFU application for further funds to top up the significant £11,950 of fundraising by the Club’s Membership to reach the five-figure sum required. NFU Mutual is donating insurance cover.

TNS will continue to look after the equipment from their nearby branch based in The Street, Melton. The equipment will enable Head Groundsman Garry Sykes and his team of other volunteers to maintain the Club’s three pitches to a high standard. The Club has a reputation for mud-free, flat, well-drained and well-floodlit pitches overlooked by their comfortable, well-catered Clubhouse.

Volunteer Bob Double, who together with Garry Sykes, coordinated the grants applications commented; “I would like to extend the Club’s gratitude to Eastern Counties Rugby, the RFU and Sport England in support of the Club’s fundraising efforts that has enabled us to provide this equipment. Groundsmen’s work may be unglamourous but it is essential and best done with the right kit. Thanks to these grants we now have it in place”.

Chairman Rob Simpson added “Bob and Garry have done a first class job getting the grants and a good deal so that we can invest in our assets. I would also like to thank Club members who raised a significant proportion of the price in the period running up to Christmas when money can get tight. It’s a great way to celebrate the end of the Club’s 50^th anniversary year”.

For further information WRUFC contacts are; Simon Ballard on 07766 136554, pressofficer@woodbridgerugby.net or Bob Double, bobdouble87@googlemail.com.   Chairman Rob Simpson on 07904 584502 chairman@woodbridgerugby.net

TNS Contact; Andy Rayner andyrayner@tnsgroup.co.uk or by mobile 07798 585618

For ECRU Contact; John Winders john.winders@btinternet.com

Woodbridge Rugby Union Football Club, Hatchley Barn, Orford Road, Bromeswell, Suffolk, IP12 2PP.