The minutes of the 2007 BRSC AGM are attached along with the 2008 Accounts. see link
Tickets are selling fast! Please remember to forward a cheque (payable to BRSC) when sending in your booking forms to Penny Dale. Prices are £25 for BRSC members and £27.50 for non-members.
Doors will open at 7.00pm. Time 7.30 for 8.00pm. Smart casual (preferably collar and tie for the men and smart wear for the ladies). No jeans, T-shirts or trainers, please (apart from the players).
Saturday 13 December: Depart Bath 0700hrs for the journey to Glasgow.
Sunday 14 December: Return to Bath after game.
Cost : £85.00 per person sharing double/twin room - Supporters' Club Member £90.00 non-member £15.00 single supplement and includes a Christmas Party night in restaurant.
Glasgow Swallow Hotel is a modern hotel on the outskirts of Glasgow city centre. All bedrooms have private bathroom, satellite t.v., hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities. There is a leisure club with indoor swimming pool, spa bath, sauna etc.
Interested? then please telephone Jan/Mike on 01380 871416
The latest Newsletter is now online. Please go to the tab marked Newsletters and click on July 08. There are already a couple of amendments!
In the Discounts column, the Yak Yeti Yak Restaurant has recently moved away from Argyle Street to 12 Pierrepont Street, Bath, BA1 1LA. Also, we know where it is but the Bath Rugby Shop is at 1 Argyle Street, Bath (not No. 12).
The BRSC has sent out details of this annual event with its latest Newsletter. Prices are £25 for members and £27.50 for non-members. Guest speaker - Jimmy Deane.
The BRSC will be holding its AGM on Wednesday, 27th August, at 8.00pm, preceded by a Pre-Season Perspective given by Steve Meehan, starting at 7.30pm.
Doors and bar open at 7.00pm.
Bath Rugby will be holding their annual "Supporters' Evening" and Kit Launch at the Rec. The BRSC will be there, so come and visit our table in front of the Clubhouse; renew your membership (if you have already sent in applications, then please collect your new badges and cards from the Mem Sec); book your seats for the Awards Supper; purchase your BRSC tie; find out about coach travel or just come and have a chat.
The Supporters' Club Coach Travel is in the process of arranging a package for the Glasgow game on Sunday, 14th December. Coach to leave Bath on Saturday, the 13th and return after the game on Sunday. Price to include hotel accommodation on Saturday night - bed, breakfast and evening meal. More details available on 7 August at the Kit Launch.
Register your interest then or telephone Jan/Mike on 01380 871416.
We have already had thanks from the Warringtons to those who participated. We now give our thanks to them:
A most enjoyable evening was spent discovering Bath last Friday night. Approximately 35 BRSC members and friends gathered outside the Clubhouse to collect their questionnaires (and gaze in horror at the tents on the pitch!), before setting off to find answers to the clues and ending up at the Boater for a much-needed drink and burger.
Many thanks to Jan and Mike Warrington for organising this close season get-together.
We are very sad to announce that Tommy passed away on July 16th. Tommy, who played for Walcot, Bath and Somerset will be remembered at a service in Haycombe Chapel at 2.00pm on Friday, July 25th. Our sincere condolences to Tommy's family
A big thank you to all of those who turned up on our mystery walk evening. Everyone appeared to have had a good evening, we certainly did!
Spread the word and hope to see more of you next year.
Many thanks, Jan & Mike
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ann Stanton, last Saturday, shortly before her 94th birthday. Ann had been a season ticket holder for years and a member of the BRSC since inception in 1997. She attended every home game last season. Our sincere condolences to son, Neville.
Neville would like it to be known that the funeral will take place at Urchfont village church, Devizes, on Monday, 14th July at 12 noon. All Bath Rugby supporters welcome.
The BRSC will be holding their Mystery Walk on Friday, 18th July.
Meet outside the Clubhouse between 7.00-7.30pm to collect your route questionnaires. Cost will be £1 for BRSC members and £1.50 for non-members.
Come along to explore Bath and have some fun.
Register your interest with Jan/Mike on 01380 871416
Don't forget to return your voting forms to Penny Brunton or email your nominations to her.
The categories are:
Player of the Season; Young Player of the Season; Try of the Season; Ladies' Dish (female vote only); Unsung Hero.
Sincere condolences from the BRSC to family and friends, Neath Rugby Club and supporters following the tragic death of Gareth Jones.
A follow up to 'The Rugby Club' on BBC 4 (116) on Tuesday 24th June 2008 21:00 to 22:00
"The Rugby Club.
Series which finds out what happened to people featured in past BBC documentaries. In 1997 a series charted the highs and lows of Bath Rugby Football Club as it moved from the amateur to the professional era. At the start of their first pro season Bath were at the top of their game but as the year went on cracks began to appear. Ten years on, there's a look back at the series and we discover the long-term impact of professionalism on the game and on the players who went through the transition"
POOL 1: Munster, Sale Sharks, ASM Clermont Auvergne, Montauban
POOL 2: London Wasps, Leinster, Castres Olympique, Edinburgh
POOL 3: Leicester Tigers, Perpignan, Ospreys, Benetton Treviso
POOL 4: Stade Français Paris, Llanelli Scarlets, Ulster Rugby, Harlequins
POOL 5: Toulouse, Bath Rugby, Newport Gwent Dragons, Glasgow Warriors
POOL 6: Biarritz Olympique, Gloucester Rugby, Cardiff Blues, Rugby Calvisano
I have put some of the less blurred pictures that I took on Sunday in the Picture Gallery.
To Steve Meehan, Mark Bakewell, Brad Davis, all the players and the back-up team, thanks for a great season. Congratulations on bringing home the silverware but tearful farewells particularly to Steve B, Olly, Zak and Nick.
The Supporters' Club will be running three coaches to Gloucester for the European Challenge Cup Final this Sunday. If you are travelling with the BRSC, please look out for the only three Stones coaches in Great Pulteney Street, which will be numbered 1, 2 and 3. (Hopefully, Bath Rugby will be labelling their coaches from 4 upwards.) Coaches will depart punctually at 9.30am from Pulteney Street and 9.45am from Lambridge (bottom of the 'old' Gloucester Road).
Allez Bath.
OK, so let Wasps and Leicester knock seven bells out of each other - who cares?
Now, come ON, you Bath boys!
COME ON, YOU BATH BOYS!
The May Newsletter has now been posted out to all members; it can also be viewed on this website. Just click on Newsletters and go to May 08. If anyone requires more Voting forms, please contact penny@dwaalkop.demon.co.uk and a copy will be emailed to you.
The BRSC has now filled all three coaches booked to take supporters to the Premiership play-off semi-final against Wasps at Adams Park this Sunday.
Come on, you Bath boys!
PS: Despite what the Wasps supporters would have you believe - "Allez, allez, allez, Bath, Bath, Bath!" has been the rallying call since we visited Brive in the Heineken Cup pool match in October 1997.
Supporters' Club Coaches will depart Gt Pulteney Street 09:00hrs/Lambridge 09:15hrs
Cost £11 Supporters' Club Member/£13 Non Member
Ring and reserve your seat(s)
Jan/Mike 01380 871416
Having been denied, by a single point, a home playoff semi-final, we now face the prospect of an away game against Wasps next Sunday. The BRSC will be running coaches to this but, obviously, have to wait until Monday before details can be put in place. Jan and Mike Warrington are, however, taking names. Watch this space.
We understand that Bath will receive 20% of the ticket allocation and, as Adams Park holds 10,200, we estimate that to be 2,000 (and 40?) available for Bath supporters.
The Bath Ticket Office will be closed to all personal callers, phone callers and emailers on Monday, as they take delivery of the tickets from Wasps and place them into the system. Keep an eye on the Bath Rugby website for details of sales.
Keep the faith. Allez Bath!
Great game; great scoreline and cheque presentation to the Community Development Foundation. See Picture Gallery.
All three of the BRSC coaches for the European Challenge Cup Final are now full and we apologise to our members who have been unable to book through us. If you are looking for coach travel to this game, then please contact the Club.
Come on, you Bath supporters!
We want to develop our ground. We have been pulling out all the stops to lobby the Charity Commission to allow us to extend our facilities at the Rec.
YOUR team is playing in the European Challenge Cup Semi-Final tomorrow (Saturday, the 26th) and yet there are still 1,000 tickets available. So, get down to the ticket office in the morning and pick up your tickets for what should be a cracking game. Watching it on Sky is just not the same.
Kick-off is 12.30pm - be there!
There are pictures of the trophies and winners from the Race Night, on Friday 11th April, in the Picture Gallery
We are sad to announce the untimely death of Robbie Lye, following a heart attack on Saturday morning, 19th April 2008. Our condolences to his widow, Teresa and to the rest of his family.
Calling all supporters who are taking the coaches to Worcester. The pick-up times are 12 noon from Great Pulteney Street and 12.15 from Lambridge. Please be punctual, as we have actually been promised parking at Sixways, provided we get there in good time!
On May 3rd 2008, immediately after the final whistle goes at Bath Rugby’s last home game of the season against Saracens, a team of Bath supporters will run out on the Rec to take on Bristol supporters in the fourth playing of the now annual Moz Memorial Match, aiming to raise £4,000 for Médécin sans Frontières (MSF).
This year the 2008 Bath supporters’ team will unusually feature three separate sets of brothers, as well as an uncle and nephew, all running out in the blue, black and white of Bath. In another first, the match will be played under floodlights, due to the 6.00pm kick-off time for the Bath v Saracens game, a huge contrast from last year’s game, which was bathed in the Easter sunshine.
The Moz Memorial Match is played in memory of Tim ‘Moz’ Morris who died aged only 30 in February 2005. Tim was an avid Bath fan but also took a keen interest in Bristol Rugby Club, sponsoring a player from both teams (Andy Higgins from Bath and Sam Cox from Bristol) and he was a frequent poster on numerous internet rugby boards, where he posted under the name of ‘Moz’.
As a tribute to Tim, Bath and Bristol supporters played the first match at the Recreation Ground on 30 April 2005 and the teams met again in 2006 at the Memorial Ground, before returning to the Rec last year. Speaking after the bruising second encounter, Premiership referee Ashley Rowden, who officiated the game, commented “It’s fantastic to see such fierce rival rugby supporters getting together in this way for such a worthy cause. Tim would have been proud of all of those involved.”
Jim Carter, one of the event organizers, said “Tim was a genuine sports lover and enjoyed rugby because of its fair-play ethos. For once we can genuinely say that this game is about the taking part. Last year’s match was an exciting battle between two well-matched teams and the result was in doubt right up until the final few minutes. The crowd, including ex-England coach, Andy Robinson, were thoroughly entertained by the spirit and quality of the rugby played.”
“We are very grateful to Bath Rugby for all their help in supporting this event and are hoping that our efforts will help to raise another substantial amount of money in Tim’s memory.”
All of the results of the three previous matches have gone Bristol’s way but, more importantly, have also raised over £20,000 for Médécin sans Frontières, which has been used towards a children’s project in Uganda. This is the highest sum the charity has ever received in the name of an individual and there are high hopes that the third game will see the total figure raised in Tim’s memory approach the £25,000 mark.
Admission to the game will be free after the final whistle of Bath’s fixture against Saracens, the Clubhouse bar will remain open throughout the game and both Moz Match teams would welcome any and all vocal support as they get the chance to play on the same pitch as some of their heroes.
A Just Giving site for donations has also been set up at: http://www.justgiving.com/mozmemorialmatchfour.
Please note the game against Saracens on Saturday the 3rd May will Kick Off at 18:00 on the Rec instead of 14:15.
There are still tickets available for this European Challenge Cup quarter-final. So come on, give the Bath players a great welcome when they run out on to the Rec on Saturday and give them every support for these last few games of the season.
Congratulations to Bath Ladies who won a tight game against Richmond on Sunday afternoon. They finish top of the southern region of their league and now go into the play-offs.
Never mind the Grand National or Cheltenham - come along to your home Bath Meeting!
Races to be won, Horses to buy
Live it up in the Owners’ Enclosure
Put your shirt on a hopeless outsider
Enjoy a curry supper in "the pavilion"
All proceeds to The Starlight Charity (who help to grant the wish of a lifetime to a seriously (or terminally) ill child.)
Please note: "Race Going" gear optional!
Entrance to the course: £5.00 Supporters’ Club Member/£7.00 Non Member which includes supper.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of 50p’s.
Tickets available from the Supporters’ Club desk in front of the Clubhouse or by telephoning Jan & Mike on 01380 871416.
Amount raised - £2,053! Thank you to everyone who contributed and congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to make it such a success.
Get better soon, Tamara.
The latest Newsleter is now available on this site. With apologies for being so late.
This has been delayed for two months, in order to be able to include news about the Rec. Surprise, surprise - there is still nothing to tell, although we gather we may have a decision by next week. However, the Newsletter has already gone to press and will be posted out on Thursday, the 6th March.
All proceeds from the raffle this Saturday will go towards the fund set up for injured Bath Ladies No. 8, Tamara Johnson. The shirt up for grabs this week is that of Shaun Berne, with the added bonus of the winner also receiving a shirt signed by Jonny Wilkinson! We would ask you all to dig deep.
Our very best wishes go to Tamara for a speedy recovery.
Thanks to all who attended and helped to make it such a successful evening. Thank you, too, to Jack Cuthbert and Ben Williams for taking part and judging the array of teddy bears!
The winners on the night were Simple Minds, the winners of the BRSC quiz evening in November. They were a bit good.
Dave Stock will be holding a Quiz Night in aid of the Forever Friends Appeal on Friday, 29th February in the Clubhouse. Tickets are £5 a head and the price includes light refreshment.
The BRSC is backing this event and tickets are available by contacting Penny Dale on 01672563089 or Rachel OConnor at the RUH on Bath (01225) 825825.
Doors and bar open at 7pm, so make up your team of 4, bring your teddy bears, if you wish, as a couple of the Bath players will be on hand to judge the cutest and the cuddliest. Come along to support this worthwhile cause.
On behalf of the SOS/iRB Kit Aid, we are writing to say thank you to the Bath Rugby Supporters Club, for their time and effort in supporting SOS on Saturday.
The day would not have been such a success without your endeavours and the support of Bath Rugby. The supporters were great and very interested to find out what we were doing there! You will be pleased to know that we collected the most amount of kit ever (2 x car loads) at a Premiership match. Well done, Bath. We also promoted our cause and made a number of contacts with people, who, in time, may well be donators of kit and further contacts for us to follow up with local Rugby Clubs - everything we were after really!
Once again thank you and our very best wishes for the rest of the season.
The Lords Taverners, Western Region, will be holding a Curry Night at the Eastern Eye, Quiet Street, Bath. The panel will include Bath boys, David Barnes and Tom Cheeseman, with Dave Flatman acting as question master.
Tickets are £35 each, with tables of up to 12 available. There will be a pay bar.
To book, contact Mark Runacres on 01179 609 727 or email him on markandcarley@btinternet.com.
Sincere thanks to Steve Meehan, Mark Bakewell, Brad Davis and technician, David Reed, for a most enlightening and entertaining evening on Wednesday, 13th February. Another packed house was able to listen to the Bath coaching team philosophies and ask a wide variety of questions.
Thanks, guys.
Steve Meehan, Mark Bakewell and Brad Davis will take the floor on Wednesday evening to update supporters on the season to date and what we hope is still to come; followed by a Q&A session.
Usual format - doors and bar open at 7 o-clock, for a 7.30pm kick-off. Admission free to BRSC members and £2 for non-members. Put the date in your diaries now.
The BRSC will have a collection point at the Wasps match on Saturday, 16th February. Look out all your old (but clean and usable) rugby kit and bring it along to the table in front of the Clubhouse before the game.
Over 120 people packed the Clubhouse on Wednesday, 23rd January, to listen to Tony Spreadbury explain the nuances of refereeing Premiership games. He held the audience enthralled for two hours, answering questions and asking questions as he went.
Thank you so much to Spreaders for a great evening!
The Bath Rugby Seat Exchange is an official service of the Club, allowing Bath Rugby Season Ticket Holders to sell their seats for matches at The Recreation Ground that they cannot attend and for Season Ticket Holders and Supporters to purchase those additional seats. Season Ticket Holders that are not able to attend the match can now list their seats for sale, and will also, along with fellow Bath supporters, be able to purchase additional tickets available exclusively on the Bath Rugby Seat Exchange, including matches that have sold out.
The service adds significant value for the Club, Season Ticket Holders and Supporters, helping to maximise attendances at The Rec, reward Season Ticket Holders with a re-sale facility and give as many supporters as possible the chance to see Bath Rugby home matches.
Homepage - http://bathrugby.seatexchange.com
Register / Login - http://bathrugby.seatexchange.com/login/Login.aspx
Fixtures - http://bathrugby.seatexchange.com/buy/category/rugby
Tony Spreadbury will be the guest speaker for a Q&A session on some of the contentious refereeing decisions that have set blood boiling at the Rec. Doors and bar will open at 7.00pm and the evening should get underway at 7.30. Entrance is free to current BRSC members and there will be a charge of £2 for non-members. You can either pay at the door or get tickets by phoning Penny Dale on 01672 563089 to reserve your place.
SOS Kit Aid would like our help. See link
Due to an oversight, the October newsletter is only now available on this site. Whilst the BRSC has committed to posting quarterly Newsletters, the January letter has been postponed until there is something to report regarding the Charity Commissions decision on the future of the Rec.
In the meantime, congratulations to the Bath team for being second seeds and thus guaranteeing a home quarter-final in the European Challenge Cup.
Good Luck to all the Bath players!
This game will be the last on Sky before the long-awaited decision from the Charity Commission as to the future of Bath Rugby at the Rec. All Bath supporters need to make it clear the importance of this decision.
The BRSC would like to wish all the Bath players, supporters and officials a very happy and successful 2008 - both on and off the pitch.
Allez, allez, allez, Bath, Bath, Bath!
We have, at last, had the date and time of the away Parma game confirmed as being played on Saturday, 12th January 2008 at 3.00pm. This news will be gratefully received by Bath’s travelling supporters. What a shame it took so long to confirm!
To those who have still not renewed for the current season, don't forget you can do so at the BRSC table in front of the clubhouse on home match days; download a form from this website and post it off with your cheque to George Barratt, Membership Secretary or, if your contact details remain the same, renew by standing order:
Bank: Barclays Bank plc.
Branch: Keynsham, Bristol
Sort Code: 20-13-42
Account No: 30924741
Beneficiary Name: Bath Rugby Supporters Club (or BRSC)
Reference: BRSC Membership no. and then your name.
We should like to give most sincere thanks to Daniel Browne, Jack Cuthbert, Ed Jackson and Andrew Higgins for having the courage to join 80 female Bath supporters for a really fun evening!
Despite the fact it was actually her birthday, Penny Dale, with assistance from Emma Sparks, had arranged for the following stallholders to display their wares:
Virgin Vie – cosmetics, jewellery and homeware;
The Pampered Chef (including a brief cookery demonstration);
Partylite;
Phoenix Cards;
Brokerswood Country Park Gift Shop;
Mum’s the Word;
Sparkle and Hide.
Each stallholder provided a raffle prize, as did Club sponsors, Wilts Electrical, who also supplied the shopping bags. Thank you to them all and to Danny Grewcock for providing a signed shirt and to Em for the RWC Final signed programme.
There was plenty of opportunity for Christmas shopping, having a drink and a good old chinwag, to say nothing of asking the players searching questions and playing ‘silly party games’, which Jack Cuthbert won for being the best Christmas angel! Daniel Browne can now add raffle ticket seller supreme to his CV and Ed Jackson and Andy Higgins, despite their misgivings, will be thankful they did not have to stay home and watch a woeful game of football.
Jane Powell, a representative from the Hospice, was on hand to advise about the valuable work being done by the organisation, which relies on private funding and she gave her thanks to the BRSC for holding this fund-raiser.
Thank you again to the players, to Penny and to Em and to Louisa (aka TRG) for acting as MC.
The raffle raised £153 and there is still money coming in from some of the stallholders but we are hopeful that in excess of £300 will go to Children’s Hospice South West to help them in their wonderful work.
Unfortunately, although plenty of pictures were taken, we are having camera problems and the players, at least, will be pleased to know that we do not currently have any available for the Picture Gallery!
We are all looking forward to a good Christmas shopping spree on Wednesday evening. All the proceeds from the event will be going to the Children's Hospice South West.
The following stalls will be displaying their wares:
Virgin Vie; Pampered Chef; Sparkle & Hide (jewellery and leather goods); Mum's the Word (silver goods for men and women); Broker's Wood Country Park Gift Shop; candles, cards and chocolates.
There will be a raffle for Danny Grewcock's shirt and, although he won't be attending, the following players have agreed to come along - Jack Cuthbert, Ed Jackson, Lorne Ward, Andrew Higgins and Daniel Browne. (Matt Banahan has been forced to pull out - for some reason, he has to go to Dubai!)
Doors open at the Clubhouse open at 7pm; entry is £3 to members and £5 to non-members, which price includes 'nibbles'.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The incomparable Stocky (Dave Stock) gave a great evening to those who attended last Wednesday. 19 teams took part and the eventual winners were new BRSC members 'Simple Minds' - aka Nicki and Simon Jefferis and Lynne and Pete Brown. Congratulations to them.
Many thanks, as always, to Stocky; to the players, 'Eli', Jonny and Jack Cuthbert who contributed brain-power(?) to the proceedings and to Dean and all the staff at the Clubhouse for a highly successful event.
Photographs are now in the Picture Gallery.
Jan & Mike deeply regret that they have had to cancel the proposed trip to Albi.
There are still a few tickets available for this popular event in the BRSC's 'social calendar.' Contact Jan Warrington on 01380 871416 to reserve your place.
The BRSC would like to pass on their deepest sympathies to the family of Ray Gravell and to his friends and supporters at Llanelli Scarlets and beyond. A sad and untimely loss to the rugby community.
For all those supporters travelling to Auch next weekend, we are, hopefully, assured of a warm welcome at the Irish Bar, as under:
"If you want to have a good time in the capital of the Gascogne, join us at the IRISH CORNER PUB RESTAURANT in the old town (near the church/cathédrale). In a very beautiful place, we offer you a large kind of beer, local and pub food with a rugby spirit and a friendly and warm atmosphere."
The address is: Halle aux herbes, 32000 AUCH. Tel: 05/62/05/02/01
Sounds as though it could be worth a visit!
Admission: £3 to BRSC members, £5 to non-members. (What better time to join the Supporters' Club?) For those of you who have attended in previous years and and wondering why there is a charge, we should point out that Virgin Vie are offering 10% off all their items on production of an entrance ticket (which you may purchase at the door!).
We now have many more stallholders selling their wares - from cosmetics, candles and jewellery to stocking fillers and household goods. Come and join us, buy some Christmas presents, get something to eat and meet the players.
Doors (and bar) open at 7.00pm.
Whilst we thrilled to our five try bonus point win against the Falcons on Sunday, we have no gloating rights over their generosity in entertaining Bath supporters prior to the match at Kingston Park on Sunday afernoon and to their kind donation to the Dorothy House Hospice in memory of past Chairman, Jerry Keeling. (See pictures in the 'Picture Gallery')
Thank you, Newcastle.
A great night was had by all who attended our first attempt at a Bingo evening. Special thanks go to Belly for being such a magnificent caller, to Amoree for organising the evening so well and to the Keynsham British Legion for lending us their bingo equipment. The proceeds from the raffle will go to the British Legion.
(See photos in the Picture Gallery)
We now have a range of stalls organised for the ladies to get cracking on their Christmas shopping – everything from make-up and jewellery to stocking fillers and items for the kitchen. Doors and bar open at 7.00pm. Contact Penny Dale on 01672 563089 to reserve your place.
The price of £3 to members and £5 to non-members includes light refreshments (food, that is) to keep the hunger pangs away.
Quiz Night is now confirmed for 14th November. Doors and bar open at 7pm,kick-off at 7.30pm. Teams of 4 are invited to come along or teams can be organised on the night (if you are unable to make up a foursome).
Tickets will be on sale at the BRSC table in front of the Clubhouse at home games or by contacting Jan Warrington on 01380 871416.
Cost: £5 to members and £7 to non-members. This price includes a pasty and chips or pie and chips supper. Veggie pasties will also be available.
The Falcons Supporters Club has been in touch with the BRSC, offering the following before the Newcastle game:
"We are putting on a beer and butty social in the downstairs room of the Hiding Place at Kingston Park at our home game against Bath on 21 October. For £5, Falcons and Bath supporters can socialise over a pint of Fosters or John Smiths, a bacon butty, or veggie sausage burger, and can mingle together and have a bit of friendly banter before the game. The event starts at 12.00 noon through to kick off."
We have advised there may be about 50 but, if you would like to add your name/s to the list, please contact their Hon Sec, Margaret Smithurst at: margaret.smithurst@nepia.com and we'll see you there.
Before the Sale game on 29th September, Ula Keeling received an engraved vase, a life membership to the BRSC and a cheque payable to Dorothy House in memory of Jerry.
See Picture Gallery.
The date for the Quiz Night is now confirmed for Wednesday, 14th November 2007, 7.00 for 7.30pm. We are currently sorting out what to have for supper and will advise costs and tickets soonest.
Come and join us on our 1st Bingo & Baps evening. 7pm - 7.30pm start
Star Caller: Duncan (Bellie) Bell
Admission includes supper £4 Supporters' Club Member / £6 Non Member
Ring Amorée on 0796 943 8701 to reserve your ticket.
We are desperate for numbers on our Newcastle weekend. Our prices are based on 40 persons and at present we are short of this number. This will be the first time in seven seasons of running coaches that we may have to cancel our trip. So if you are short of something to do on this weekend then please come and join us!
For £85.00 pp sharing double/twin room you get luxury coach travel, an excellent evening meal at The Sea Hotel, South Shields and a full English breakfast, a pleasant stroll along the beach on Sunday morning and then an excellent game of rugby.
For more details ring Jan/Mike on 01380 871416
A number of people have enquired how these donations are to be made. Cheques payable to Dorothy House Hospice should be sent c/o W F Dolmans, Funeral Directors, 9 Walcot Terrace, Bath BA1 6AB.
The details for Jerry's funeral are as follows: Thursday, 27th September 2007, 2.00pm at St John's RC Church, South Parade, Bath; Bath Rugby Clubhouse afterwards.
Please note - special request from Jerry - no black, plenty of colour and, gentlemen, your brightest of ties.
Official notices will be in tomorrow's (Friday's) Daily Telegraph and the Bath Chronicle.
Donations in his memory to Dorothy House.
Tickets for this event are now on sale, £4 to members; £6 to non-members. To reserve your tickets, telephone Amoree Radford on 07969 438701 or visit the Supporters' Club table in front of the Clubhouse before the Sale home game.
Don't forget - Belly (Duncan Bell) has agreed to be our bingo caller for the night. Should be a good evening - come and join us.
The presentation that took place at half time on Saturday 15 September was from proceeds of rafffles held on the Bath Rugby Supporters' Coach Travel. A cheque for £1,800 was handed to Jonathan Cooper by one of our staunchest travellers, Ann Finch. Jonathan suffered traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident in which he was an innocent passenger. After initial treatment at Frenchay and the RUH. Jon was transferred to the Mineral Hospital for rehabilitation. This is where Headway Officers contacted, visited and started the support that has helped both Jonathan and his family come to terms with the life-changing events and to face the challenges to come. See 'Picture Gallery' for photo of the presentation.
It is with the utmost sadness that we announce the death early this morning of Jerry Keeling, founder member and long-time Chairman of the BRSC.
Our sincere condolences to wife, Ula, and to children, Angus, Bruce and Emma.
The BRSC has coach travel in place for both these away matches, arranged by intrepid travel organisers, Jan and Mike Warrington (see earlier item).
For the 'not sures' there are also flight packages available through 'Living with the Lions.' See link.
For those 'doing their own thing,' we should warn you that the rail network between Toulouse and Auch is liable to disruption due to engineering works and therefore a train journey is likely to consist of coach-train-coach in each direction.
Whichever route you choose, we trust everyone has an enjoyable trip with plenty to celebrate post-match.
See attached Link
See attached link
New items have been added. Please click on the relevant tabs at the top of this Home page for more information.
There are pictures of the Awards Supper in the Picture Gallery
Don't forget, if you are already a member and your contact details have not changed, you can now renew by standing order, as under:
Bank: Barclays Bank plc. Branch: Keynsham, Bristol
Sort Code: 20-13-42. Account No: 30924741
Beneficiary Name: Bath Rugby Supporters Club (or BRSC)
Reference: (If renewing) BRSC Membership no. and then your name
Amount of Usual Payment: £10 (family); £5 (adult); £3 (junior - under 16 at 31.8.07)
When Paid: Annually
Date of Usual Payment: 1st September
Continue until further notice: YES!!
The Awards Supper passed off highly successfully last night. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, although sadly, our 'Dish' Joe Maddock, was unable to attend but thank you to Matt Banahan for acting as his double! Photographs of the evening, the awards and the winners will be available in the Picture Gallery shortly.
We should now like to remind you of the AGM, to be held next Tuesday, 4th September. The doors and bar open at 7pm; Steve Meehan and Mark Bakewell will kick off with a preview of the forthcoming season and the AGM proper will start at around 8 o'clock.
Membership cards must be shown on the door but, if you don't have yours yet, you will be able to renew your membership when you arrive. If you are unable to attend, please send your apologies as soon as possible to Hon Sec, Craig Hodges or e-mail him on CraigHodgesBRSC@aol.com. If you have not already registered your Committee votes, please advise Craig or, alternatively, you will be able to vote on the night.
Having sorted out the provisionals from the definites, we now find that there are 4 (yes, four) places available for the Supper on the 29th August. So, if you were thinking of booking, please contact Penny Dale on Tel: 01672 563089; Mob: 07778 653665 or e-mail: ollieandraff@aol.com.
Congratulate our prize winners - Danny G - Player of the Season; Nick Abendanon - Young Player and Try Scorer of the Season; Joe Maddock for being the coolest (shorn) Ladies' Dish; Dave Barnes, propping up the front row for virtually the whole season and being our 'Unsung Hero.'
Be there!
The BRSC has been contacted by the 'Beeb' and have agreed to place the following cri de coeur!
The BBC's 'Money Programme' is making a programme about Guinness for their next series. They are looking for people who are devoted to the 'black stuff,' who would like to tell them why. There may also be some taste-testing involved. If you have a passion for all things rugby and Guinness and are interested in finding out more, then please contact: Debbie.Fabb@bbc.co.uk or call 0208 752 6041.
Saturday 20th October
Depart Bath 09:00 travel north to the Sea Hotel at South Shields, arriving hotel approx 17:30/18:00 including a 2hr stop for lunch.
Check into the Sea Hotel with dinner at 19:30.
The Sea Hotel is popular with locals as well as guests. All bedrooms are en-suite with bath and shower, colour t.v. with Sky, telephone, hairdryer, trouser press, hospitality tray and many are now air-conditioned.
Sunday 21st October
A leisurely breakfast, vacating rooms by 10:30 Depart hotel approx. 11:30 and travel to Kingston Park to arrive 12:00 for 14:00 k.o. Leave after match at 16:15 for return journey to Bath, allowing for courtesy stops en-route with an estimated arrival time of 23:45.
Cost incl.
BRSC member £85.00 per person sharing double/twin room.
Non-member £90.00 per person sharing double/twin room.
Single supplement £11.50 per person.
Deposit £25 per person on booking (non returnable) Balance to be paid by 6th October 2007.
Register your name. Telephone Jan/Mike on 01380 871416
This event, on Wednesday, 29th August, is now fully booked.
For those of you who have already paid but not completed your menu choices, please forward these to Penny Dale as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Coah times and prices are now available for the new season. See 'Coach Travel' Page.
Many congratulations to the Bath players, who are included in the England squad - Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Steve Borthwick and Olly Barkley. We are proud of you.
Our commiserations, of course, go to Nick Abendanon but we think you are the best, which is why you are our Young Player of the Season and the Try Scorer of the Season. Well done, all.
The following message has just been received from Matt Perry:
To Penny and everyone at the Supporters' Club
Thank you for all your support during my career and especially for your kind donation towards the Pink Ribbon Foundation during my testimonial year.
Your support has been second to none and my glass memento has taken pride of place!
Look forward to catching up soon.
Best wishes
Matt Perry (Pezza)
The BRSC raised a total of £814 for Matt's chosen charity, the Pink Ribbon Foundation, at the Ladies' Night in November and the Race Night in April. He was also presented with a Bath Aqua rugby ball at the last home game of the season. (See Picture Gallery.) We have been proud to support such a great player.
The Club has advertised this as a supporters' evening, not to be confused with a Supporters' Club evening. However, the BRSC will, of course, be represented at the Rec on Thursday.
Come along to the BRSC tables in front of the Clubhouse to join or renew your membership; book coach travel; book your tables for the Awards Dinner on 29th August; check out the merchandise and/or offer to help with matchday raffles.
Gates open at 5.30pm and we look forward to seeing you there.
The Notice convening the meeting has already been posted to all BRSC members, as follows:
Bath Rugby Supporters’ Club will be holding its eleventh Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 4th September 2007 at 8.00pm in the Clubhouse at the Recreation Ground.
The AGM will be preceded by a Pre-Season Perspective to be given by the Club’s Coaching Team. This will commence at 7.30pm. Doors and bar will open at 7.00pm.
Please note that three of the current Committee of eleven are not seeking re-election this year and, of these, one is in the ‘named’ position of Honorary Secretary. Of the eight remaining Committee members, all are prepared to continue, including the Membership Secretary, who has completed her two-year stint. The Chairman and Honorary Treasurer have a further year remaining of their two-year terms.
In the July Newsletter, BRSC members were asked to propose and second prospective Committee members. Nominations closed on 20th July 2007. In a departure from the normal procedure of voting at the AGM, all members are now given a chance to vote for the Committee and the necessary form is enclosed with this Notice. (Note: As only one form was included per envelope, members are asked either to make a copy or add columns for other voters in the family.)
Apologies and any Agenda items for consideration at the meeting should be notified to the Honorary Secretary not less than 7 days before the date of the meeting, that is by 28th August 2007.
Craig Hodges, 18 Tylers Way, Brimsham Park, Yate, Bristol BS37 7FB.
Tel: 01454 324472; Mobile: 07709 302994.
The Minutes of last year's AGM and the BRSC main and coach accounts have already been posted on this site. There will be further copies available on the evening.
The Minutes for the 2006 AGM are now available. See link
The BRSC Accounts are now available. See link
All BRSC members and Season Ticket Holders have now received their entry forms for this worthwhile competition. For only £20 per season, you stand a chance of winning tickets for a Bath home game; signed Bath Rugby merchandise, including framed shirts and case rugby balls and other special prizes. All proceeds are donated to the Bath Rugby Community Foundation and used to fund community projects involving young people in the region.
The draw takes place at half-time during the first home match of each calendar month.
Don't delay, send in your entry to the address quoted on the form.
Hatts Travel of Chippenham are running a 4-day trip to this match. The package of £399 per person, based on sharing a twin room, includes coach travel from Bath/Chippenham/Swindon; ferry from Dover to Calais, B&B hotel accommodation and the all-important match ticket. For more details, contact Dawn Bailey of Hatts on 01249 740444.
For those of you who have already paid your subscriptions for the Season 2007/08, we apologise that you have not had an acknowledgement. The new membership badges and cards have now been received and will be sent out over the next few weeks.
Thank you for your patience.
A big thank you to those who attended our first Treasure Hunt. From your responses we take it you fully enjoyed the evening and well worth repeating. With a little help from the weather and your spreading the gospel, we will increase our numbers next time. Our thanks to the Boater for their hospitality and laying on a bbq at short notice.
A thank you to Mr & Mrs Sutton (Tom and ?), who were unable to take part in the event but who kindly donated their entrance monies. We look forward to seeing you when you finally move into your new home in Bath.
Don't forget -
Our first "Treasure Hunt!"
Meet at the Clubhouse at 1900hrs, collect your questionnaires and enjoy a leisurely stroll, which should take around 1½ hours. The cost of this "new" venture will be £1 to Supporters' Club Members and £2 to Non-Members.
Come along and give it a try - after all it's what you make it.
Graham Coe is looking for a driver to take him and his collapsible wheelchair to watch Internationals at Twickenham.
If anyone can help please contact Graham at graham.coe3@btopenworld.com
A group of Bath Rugby fans are putting the final touches to their preparations for participation in a rugby tournament this weekend. But this is sports training with a difference, as it is likely to involve drinking large quantities of beer and eating pasties, pies and chips in the run-up to the actual competition. For more information on the Fat Bloke Sevens see link.
We need your votes for Player of the Season; Young Player; Try of the Season; Unsung Hero and Ladies' Dish. Please forward your votes to Penny Brunton - this can be done by phone or email, if you have lost your voting form. DEADLINE is Friday, 20th July.
If you live in or near Salisbury and travel to Bath home games, are you able to help? Phil Philbrick has written to us as follows:
"I am an 88 year old season ticket holder living in Salisbury. I need someone to travel by car with me. I have, in past seasons, been provided with a Disabled Parking permit and shall apply for one for the coming season."
Mr Philbrick can be contacted on - Phone/Fax 01722 322823; mobile 07771906897; email philphilbrick@aol.com.
The July 2007 Newsletter is now available. Just go to Newsletters on this site and click on July.
If it has not already been received, you will shortly be receiving the latest Newsletter, dated July 2007.
With an eye on the rain and the lack of tennis and cricket, we regret that there are 'minor' printing errors in the article on the Rec Development and the spelling of Mr Claassens' name in the opening salvo, for which we apologise.
A correct version will be available on this website very shortly.
Hurry, hurry! Do not forget to advise Penny Brunton of your nominations for Player of the Season; Young Player; Try of the Season; Unsung Hero and (female vote only) the Ladies' Dish. If you have lost your voting form, email or phone - contact details are on this site.
Our first "Treasure Hunt!"
Meet at the Clubhouse at 1900hrs, collect your questionnaires and enjoy a leisurely stroll, which should take around 1½ hours. Cost of this "new" venture will be £1 to Supporters' Club Member/£2 to Non-Member.
Come along and give it a try - after all it's what you make it.
Bath Rugby has at last been advised that the Charity Commission has accepted the recommendation of the Recreation Ground Trustees to grant the East Stand extension for next season.
The Club is now able to launch its season ticket campaign. The development project, which is the Option 2 Scheme, needs to start immediately to ensure that there are no problems with the East Stand again next year.
You may have seen the following information posted on the Bath Rugby website:
"We have been advised today that the Charity Commission has asked for more information from the Recreation Ground Trustees before they will approve the Trustees’ recommendation to grant Bath Rugby the lease extension for the Helphire (East) Stand for next season.
"We understand that the information will be supplied from the Trustees by return and therefore hope that a positive decision will be forthcoming from the Charity Commission within the next few days."
We all hope that the campaigning efforts made by so many of us will bear fruit.
The BRSC will be running a coach to Stradey Park on 25th August - KO 17:30.
Depart Gt Pulteney Street 1400hrs/ Lambridge 1415hrs
Cost: £10 Supporters' Club Member /£12 Non-member
To reserve your seat ring Jan/Mike on 01380 871416.
A very positive meeting, whereby Bath Rugby's 'Option 2' headed the poll. The following are the proposals to be put to the Charity Commission and a final decision is to be given by Tuesday, 12th June 2007:
STRATEGIC REVIEW REPORT (Report 9).
RESOLVED that the Trust Board
(1) Accepts Senior Counsel’s advice concerning the ownership of the Leisure Centre and car park and acknowledges that it is indeed owned by the Trust having been provided as a gift by the Council;
(2) Requests that Bath and North East Somerset Council confirm that the Leisure Centre was provided for the Trust as a gift;
(3) Requests that the Council further agrees that the net operating loss emanating from the gift of the Leisure Centre and car park to the Trust is financed as a further gift by the Council for the remainder of the life of the present building;
(4) Rescinds its previous decision to dispose of the Leisure Centre and car park by sale to the Council;
(5) Agrees the proposals contained in Option 2 as the preferred direction of travel for the future of the Recreation Ground Trust and instructs officers to notify the Charity Commission of its decision;
(6) Instructs officers of the Trust to arrange an urgent meeting with the Charity Commission to discuss this decision with a view to moving the preferred solution forward in the most expeditious way;
(7) Instructs officers of the Trust to inform the Commission that it will consider the future trusteeship arrangements for the Trust when a way forward has been agreed in principle;
(8) Requests the Charity Commision to make a scheme to deliver the following:
(a) The regularisation of the Leisure Centre to allow it to remain on the Recreation Ground and allow its reconstruction from time to time to be determined by the Trust Board or until such time that the Trust Board determines that it no longer wishes to accommodate a leisure centre on the Recreation Ground;
(b) The facility to dispose of further land to Bath Rugby Club in furtherance of the Trust’s proposals subject to agreement of future leases and significant further charitable benefits to be agreed in conjunction with the Charity Commission;
(c) Redefinition of the objects of the Trust in accordance with Section 13(1)(e)(iii) of the 1993 Act on the grounds that the original purposes in whole or in part have, since they were laid down, ceased … to provide a suitable and effective method of using the property available by virtue of the gift, regard being had to the spirit of the gift and as based on the Recreational Charities Act 1958 to deliver a modern fit for purpose Recreational Trust and as described in the report;
(d) Provision of express powers to be included within the objects to enable the hiring and/or disposal of property, application and income of capital and extension of trusteeship and any other provisions as necessary to facilitate the modern operation of a Recreational Trust;
(e) Setting out trusteeship arrangements, following further consideration by the Trust Board;
(9) Instruct officers of the Trust to invite proposals for the future of the land occupied by the Rugby Club, and any extension required; and
(10) Will consider a further report to the Trust Board following the outcome of discussions and decisions of the Charity Commission.
We hope that these resolutions will finally see the long-awaited enhancement of the facilities at the Rec. However, we should not get too carried away - these are all subject to Planning permissions!
Dear Supporters Club
I just had a call from the funeral director, who told me about your incredibly generous cheque for Dorothy House in Richard's memory. I was really overwhelmed.
I know that Richard would have felt really proud. Thank you so very much! Apparently over £600 has been raised so far, which is quite fantastic. Also, thank you to those who were able to attend the funeral and for the supportive cards and messages.
With love and sincere thanks.
Sue
Now that the season is complete, we require your votes for the players you feel deserve awards. A reminder of the various categories:
Player of the Season; Young Player; Try of the Season; Unsung Hero and (female vote only) Ladies' Dish.
Voting forms were posted out with the April Newsletter and the tries to be added are as follows:
Sale - Walshe and Barnes;
Newcastle - Short, Bory and Berne;
ECC SF v Saracens - Beattie, Grewcock, Bory and Berne;
ECC Final v Clermont Auvergne - Maddock.
Please return your completed forms to Penny Brunton or email your choices. Contact details are under 'Contacts' on this website.
The BRSC was articulating the views of supporters heard over a number of years and not merely those expressed following the ECC Final. There was nothing in the article that was not already in the public domain.
The BRSC will continue to work closely with the Club on behalf of the supporters and assist in every way possible to achieve the long-awaited goal of being able to improve the facilities at the Rec.
Much has been said on the subject on other sites already but the BRSC should like to add its support to the comments made by the players.
No one should doubt the players' efforts on Saturday, nor doubt that they were as 'gutted' as the rest of us with the result.
We have worked hard behind the scenes to assist the Club in every way possible but it is a two-way street and it is time the Club listened to its players and supporters.
Success breeds success - let's get back to being a successful Club.
Anyone considering making a donation should send it c/o F R Stier, Barker & Courtiers, Funeral Directors, 52 Bond Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 0AS.
As stated previously, the funeral is to be held at 3pm on Thursday, 24th May, at the West Wilts Crematorium, Semington. For those using a route finder or satnav, the postcode is BA14 6HL.
Good luck to the Bath boys from all at the BRSC for the Final at the Stoop. We shall be there in force to act as the 16th (and 17th, if necessary) man!
To save any confusion, the two Supporters' Club coaches will be leaving Great Pulteney Street at 11.30am. These are completely separate from the 17 coaches being run by Bath Rugby.
On arrival, these two coaches will be parking at the Rosebine, which is the grassed car park on the same side of the dual carriageway (A316) as the Stoop. We have the trestles, the food and the drink, so bring your picnics and come and join us!
In Memoriam by Peter Hall. See attached.
"Dear Supporters
I hope you do not mind me posting this message - it is the only way I know to send you a personal thanks for the fantastic support you give the team week in week out!
I have been bowled over by the number of fans that travel away - a lasting memory is of 2,000 Bath fans standing in the rain at Connacht 2 hours before the game!
Sadly, I have had to step down as Team Manager after only 7 months - we thought it was a job that could be done part time but it is very clear the players need a full timer.
Please enjoy the day on Saturday - let's hopefully celebrate a great win - the players will return to the Clubhouse for a drink at about 11pm, so we will see you then.
Simon"
Message to Simon Jones:
Thank you, Simon, for all your hard work during the short time you have been at the Club; for your input and your complete approachability! Good luck with your full-time job and we hope we shall continue to see you down at the Rec.
It is with much sadness we advise that Richard passed away this morning, Wednesday, 16th May, at the RUH. Richard had been ill since the end of December and had spent much of the last few months in Haygarth Ward.
Richard was a Past Player and a stalwart Bath Rugby supporter for many years.
Our deepest sympathies go to Sue, Robert and Jenny.
The funeral is to be held at the West Wiltshire Crematorium, Devizes Road, Semington, at 3.00pm on Thursday, 24th May 2007. All welcome. Donations, in lieu of floral tributes, to Dorothy House.
Both Elgar Jenkins and Jonathan Gay have lost their seats. This means that only Gerry Curran remains as an elected Trustee. B&NES has yet to sort itself out and Bath Rugby is once again in limbo.
Please post your letters in to the Chron; the antis are 'on a roll' and will see this as a means of getting Bath Rugby to leave the Rec.
Well done to Leicester but, once again, we see that those who top the Premiership fail to win the ultimate prize. The BRSC send their condolences to Glaws - we were rooting for you.
Now, come on you Bath boys, uphold the name of the West Country!
Stalwart travellers, Jack & Anne Richards, have finally decided to hang up their scarves & call time on away travel.
Jan & Mike Warrington made a small presentation at one of the stops on the return to Bath on Sunday after the Newcastle Match. See link for picture.
Many congrats from the BRSC to 'Molly' and Belinda on the safe arrival of baby Joshua.
It has been confirmed that the final of the European Challenge Cup between Bath and ASM Clermont Auvergne will be played at the Stoop, Twickenham, on Saturday 19th May at 17:30.
Tickets are priced at £14, £18 and £28 with concessions available at £9, £12 and £18 for under 16s, students and over 65s. Tickets will be distributed through Bath Rugby and ASM Clermont Auvergne. Full details will be released shortly.
The Supporters' Club is proud to be the chief sponsor of the Bath Rugby Community Foundation, raising funds through matchday shirt raffles and the ‘2 in a Bath’ competition. On Saturday, 7th April, Doug Gibbs handed a cheque to the value of £11,650 to the Foundation’s main man, Jimmy Deane.
Despite so much happening on the pitch at half-time on Saturday, 7th April, the supporters did indeed say their own farewell to Matt Perry.
If you missed it, photographs are now in the Picture Gallery.
A highly successful Race Night was held in the Illustrious Suite of the Hampton Stand ohn Friday night.
Despite slightly cramped conditions, the atmosphere was excellent and all the punters joined into the swim of things. We were pleased to have Matt Perry as the Guest of Honour and he was ably supported by players Matt Banahan, Chris Goodman and George Hughes, who took it in turns to pick the reels and present the prizes to the winning owners.
Thanks to them and special thanks to Jan and Mike Warrington for their great organisation; to Jan Gregory who produced all the race cards and printed matter; to Steve the compere and to all those who helped with the tote.
A total of £600 was raised for Matt Perry's chosen charity, the Pink Ribbon Foundation.
Photos now in Picture Gallery.
The third annual Moz Memorial Match at the Rec on Saturday, 7th April, between Bath and Bristol rugby supporters, has raised its target of £4,000, which means that the three matches played so far have raised in excess of £20,000 for Medecins sans Frontieres.
Played in the Easter sunshine in front of an enthusiastic crowd, which included former England Rugby Coach, Andy Robinson, the game was an exciting battle between two well-matched teams, where the final result of Bath 38 - Bristol 53 was still in doubt until the last few minutes.
Congratulations to all who participated, both on the pitch and rattling the buckets. Particular mention must go to Jim Carter and Matt Clark, who have done their friend proud by organising an event which ensures that Tim 'Moz' Morris is not forgotten and brings together two clubs with a proud history of playing tough, uncompromising derby matches.
A Just Giving site for donations is still online, see Link.
See Picture gallery
Do not forget that, after the final whistle of the Bath-Gloucester game this afternoon, the Bath supporters take on the Bristol supporters in the third running of this annual fixture in memory of Tim "Moz" Morris.
All proceeds from this match go to Medecins sans Frontieres - £16,000 has been raised to date and the organisers are hopeful that the £20,000 mark will be passed today.
The Supporters' Club will be organising coaches to Euro Challenge Cup Semi Final on 22 April.
As kick-off is at 12.30pm, coaches will be leaving Great Pulteney Street at 07:30 on Sunday morning.
Cost to BRSC members - £11; to non-members - £13.
Please reserve your seat on the coach by telephoning Jan/Mike on 01380 871416.
Please note, due to a double booking at the Clubhouse, the BRSC Race Night has been forced to move to the Illustrious Suite in the Hampton Stand.
Pitch up as normal (doors and bar open at 7pm for a 7.30 start) but you will be guided under the East/Helphire Stand to the Hampton Stand; up two flights of stairs to the revised venue.
Overlooking the pitch from the 'wrong end' will be a new experience for many but will certainly not detract from the evening. Come along and enjoy the evening (with a curry supper). Tickets will be available on the door - £5 to BRSC members; £7 to non-members.
An excellent evening. Come and have a flutter, buy a horse, drink in the Owners' Enclosure.
Entrance to the Racecourse: Supporters' Club Member £5/Non member £7
The price includes supper.
Come and get in good voice before Gloucester the next day!
Tickets are available from Jan/Mike Warrington on 01380 871416 or from the Supporters' Club desk in front of the Clubhouse.
The meeting was called, primarily, to discuss, at Agenda Item 7, the Strategic Review - Public Consultation Report; Item 8 - The Recreation Ground, Bath - Land for East Stand - Bath Rugby.
The FOTR were out in force and, of the 8 who spoke, they were all singing from the same hymn sheet, calling for the resignation of the Trustees and for the meeting to be adjourned instantly, with proceedings to wait until after the local elections.
Bob Calleja used his 3-minute slot to advise that the Review had received overwhelming support for the Club to improve its facilities at the Rec and asked for permission to extend the lease on the temporary East Stand for a further year - to the end of season 2007/08.
Jeff Bishop presented the results of the Public Consultation Report and answered questions from the floor.
The three Trustees in charge of the Review passed the following recommendations:
1. Note the findings of the public consultation;
2. Authorise additional expenditure (funded via council loan) to clarify outstanding legal issues in relation to tenure, liability and risk of challenge, and the possibility of altering the terms of the Trust Deed (subject to a cap of £40,000);
3. Agree to meet with the Charity Commission to discuss further relevant issues.
The Trustees also passed in principle the following recommendations:
1. Consider whether, in principle, it is in the best interest of the Trust to grant a further lease to Bath Rugby plc of the land for the temporary east stand;
2. Authorise the Trust’s advisors to engage consultants to negotiate the rent payable in respect of the new lease;
3. Receive a further report at a future meeting on the outcome of the negotiations.
The actual agreement to extend the lease of the East Stand rests with the Charity Commission and the Trustees have recommended that a meeting to discuss this and the other matters should take place within the next two weeks.
We await the outcome of all deliberations with fingers firmly crossed.
This was, supposedly, a repeat of the 1996 Pilkington Cup Final, which Bath won thanks to Steve Lander awarding a penalty try in the dying moments.
This time around it was a Matt Perry/Leon Lloyd Testimonial match. Many Bath supporters stayed over in Leicester following the hard-fought loss in the Premiership to Leicester on Saturday, the 17th, to enjoy a 'fun game' on the Sunday. Unfortunately, the Tigers' supporters don't know the word 'fun' and howled support for players who had retired but a couple of years ago, compared with the majority of Bath players who retired shortly after 1996!
Needless to say, Bath lost (45-15) but we take our hats off to the players who turned up to be counted - and tortured: Shep, Dawsey, Russell Earnshaw, Eric Peters, John Hall, Charlie Harrison, Hollywood, Addie, Sleights, Audley Lumsden, JC et al, plus, of course, Pezza. Bath had a few Academy ringers but, try as they might, a blizzard and the Welford Road experience, with the likes of Back, Johnston and Healey, held the upper hand. Even S-Lander could not save the day this time.
However, well done, boys - the Bath supporters and the rest of the crowd of 8,237 salute you.
Apologies for tardiness in posting.
Jeff Bishop made his report public on Friday, 16th March, and this can be found in full (all 42 pages of it) on http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/committee_papers/Bath%20Rec%20Trust/BathRec070323/00AGENDA.htm.
The BRSC responded to a query from the Bath Chronicle thus:
Agenda Item 7:
It has made an interesting read!
We have been aware of the facts, allegations and counter-allegations that have come to light during the course of the consultation process. We feel that Jeff Bishop has produced a very fair, informed and balanced report and we are pleased to note that the vast majority of those consulted have come down firmly in favour of Bath Rugby being able to remain on the Rec. Mr Bishop has rapped the knuckles of both ‘The Friends’ and, indeed the Lib Dems; he has described significant divides in terms of possible future solutions, which have generated ‘more heat than light.’ The BRSC has used a different cliché (on many occasions), in that other options entering the debate at a relatively late stage have merely served to ‘muddy the waters.’
However, we should be relieved that the recommendation would appear to be that Bath Rugby remains where it is and that the next major hurdles are the legal and planning aspects. There is a long way to go yet.
Immediately following on from this is Agenda Item 8 – Land for the East Stand, Bath Rugby: We know that the Club was unable to issue season tickets for the East/ Helphire Stand until August 2006, awaiting a decision on a further year’s lease. This put both the Club and the season ticket holders in an untenable situation. This lease is once again up for renewal. The papers in support of this Agenda item state, inter alia, that Bath Rugby has been ‘a good tenant’ and it is ‘therefore considered that it is in the interests of the Charity to grant Bath Rugby a further leas