Morpeth Rugby Club has been a center of community and local sports in the town for the last 66 years.
Founded in 1947, Morpeth Rugby Football Club, whose First Team play in the Rugby Football Union North Premier League, fields 4 senior men’s sides and a senior lady’s team, regularly playing each weekend. In addition, they have a thriving Colts set up, three girls rugby squads and a strong and popular Minis/Junior rugby section with teams ranging from U to 16, trained and coached by qualified volunteers.
As part of their recent extensive club house renovations, ensuring that the facilities are, not only, fit for purpose for the club membership, but also to provide quality facilities for use by the wider local community, Northumberland Freemasons, through the Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund, donated £3000 for the purchase of a public address system which was integral in the running of their recent Community Fireworks and Bonfire Nights and is regularly used to replay films taken from activities preceding celebration events.
Ken Fraser, Honorary Secretary for Morpeth Rugby Club, explained
'Morpeth Rugby Club are really grateful for the donation received from the Freemasons of Northumberland towards equipment for their redeveloped clubhouse. Already, the increase in bookings is reflected in what the enhanced facilities can offer.'
Members of the Development Group, with Chairman Simon Harries, were delighted to meet the Head of the Northumberland Freemasons, Ian Craigs, at the Clubhouse recently to record their thanks. The money received was used to upgrade the communications system which will help considerably in the larger premises.
The facilities are used by a wide variety of people within the local community, so this donation will benefit many. Club members themselves use the facilities on Saturdays post-match, and children of various ages on Sundays. Throughout the week various events are hosted on-site, such as Christenings, Weddings, Funerals. The space is also regularly used for training groups, and the regular meetings of local societies.
Each year the two biggest events hosted by the town at the Rugby Club; an annual Bonfire and Fireworks evening, and a beer festival at which thousands of local people can either watch a safe firework display in November or sample a variety of refreshments in Sping.
Ian Craigs, Head of the Northumberland Freemasons, said;
'I was delighted to present a cheque of £3000 to Morpeth RFC to help with the new sound system in their wonderful newly developed clubhouse.'
This money comes from the Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund, which provides grants from the Freemasons in Northumberland to local worthy causes. This donation will give a boost to a very successful Rugby Club in Morpeth at both junior and senior levels.
