The club turned out in their best threads on Friday night to celebrate Royal Wootton Bassett RFC's 50th anniversary at a glamorous black-tie Golden Jubilee Dinner.
Following welcome drinks in the clubhouse, and an entertaining set by Wessex Male Choir, guests took their seats in the marquee for a sumptuous three-course meal.
The evening celebrated fifty years since the club was formed in 1971 and we were pleased to have guests in attendance from all through those decades.
Proceedings were brought underway by the MC for the evening, the fabulously funny Phil Steele (Newport RFC and BBC Wales).
Then guest speaker for the evening, John Inverdale (Sports broadcaster and RFU) took the floor to explain how impressed he was when visiting the club. "I walked into the clubhouse and thought, 'wow! this is great!' Then I looked at the pitch and thought, 'I wish I was younger so I could run around on that'. Everyone is so friendly, and there is such a great buzz. It is fantastic."
Royal Wootton Bassett RFC Charman, Chris Elias, thanked Martin Palmer from club sponsors, Imagine Cruising. "Martin has done a great job to help this event be a success, and Imagine has been absolutely fantastic in the way they have supported us today." The cruise company donated a commemorative gift to all attendees, plus an exclusive voucher for money off their next holiday.
Imagine Cruising also donated a 10-night celebrity cruise for the club to use in a Golden Jubilee Prize Draw. Proceeds from ticket sales have generated well over £2,000 which will help the club meet its ever-increasing outgoings. Chris pulled the winning ticket during the event. "The prize has gone to a Welsh boy," Chris began. "One of our players... Kyle Lovell! He's going to be unbearable this week!"
Chris also gave special thanks to Julie Bloxham, who headed up the club's organising team for the event. "Any event like this needs a coordinator to pull it all together, and luckily, we've got exactly that sort of person in this club."
Chris also thanked the army of volunteers who help make these events happen. "At the end of the day," he said, "everybody pulls together to make this club a success - and that's exactly what makes it so special."
