Vees Newsletter - May 2021

Vees Newsletter - May 2021

‘With a positive approach the future is bright’

Thank you to all those who have contributed to the running of the Club since the last newsletter.

Thank you to those who have newly volunteered on our sub committees and to do other essential tasks around the Club, much appreciated.

With the resumption of training there has been a great enthusiasm to get fit and active again, and attendance at all levels has been good, even without the usual contact rules in place.  

We are looking forward, when restrictions are lifted, to having some social events and hopefully another work party, as successful as last year.  A Friday night social evening periodically where the bar is open, youngsters can let off steam on the field  and food is available is also being considered.

There will be a number of improvements made to the Club during the summer. You will be informed of these when they are completed. 

One such is floodlight improvements and to this end Adam Rees is setting up crowdfunding to help pay for these.  This will give us more areas to train on when dark and hopefully spread wear and tear on the pitches.

Lastly, thank you to those who have donated money for flags for our flag poles, there is still one needed at £100.  Contact committee member if you wish to donate

Stay safe, stay cool.  Please stay committed to THE VEES!  You are our future!

Ian Graham - Chair 22nd April 2021

Next month we begin the history of the Minis and Juniors.

Senior Training

Senior training continues on Thursdays from 7.30pm.  The focus will be on conditioned games, fitness and enjoying our rugby.

I am sure new recruits will be very welcome.  Any questions please contact George Harding at gcharding1@gmail.com

Mini and Junior Subs Refunds

All Mini and Junior parents should have received an email advising them of the process for claiming their subs refund.  This is being paid in recognition of the stoppage in rugby this season due to Covid.  If you, or anyone you know, hasn’t received their email please get in touch with me and I will resolve it for you.Nicola Diplock     nicoladiplock24@gmail.com

This is our Club Leadership Group.  Names and roles are as follows:

Top Row from left:

Paul McGoohan - Secretary

Rob Lines - Coaching Co-ordinator

Ian Graham - Chairman

Middle Row from left:

Tony Charlwood - Minutes Secretary

Colin Gentleman - Mini & Junior Co-Chairman

John White - President

Bottom Row from left:

John Penn - Mini & Junior Co-Chairman

Phil Gerrard - Treasurer

David Trounce - Pavilion Secretary

HI My name is Ian ‘Shanks’Graham

I am Club Chair, long time events chef  ( VPS lunches, Sports Dinners including one with the legendary Willy John Macbride Ireland and Lions Legend, and which we seated 168 in the club room, cosy , county ball and our 50th Anniversary Ball in !998 which 300+ attended) and booking secretary amongst other things.

My first game for the club was early in 1963 as a school 6th former when I played for the 2nd XV away to Old Twickenhemians, now Feltham, prior to the Calcutta  Cup match at which Richard Sharp scored his wonder try. England won 10-8.England went on to win the home nations in that year.

I  trained to be a teacher at St Luke’s  College Exeter, where in my final year I captained  2Nd XV and  where I  was privileged  to play and train with England legends Don Rutherford and Mike Davis, and Welsh internationals Geoff Young and Dickie Uzzell.

I started playing for the club full time in the 1966-67 season captained the club from 1967-70 and 1972- 74.

In that time we won several county and other 7’s trophies and had arguably the best season in the club where our record in the 1972-73 season  was : 

As well as my present time in office I have been chair on two other occasions 1976-77 and 1978-88 

PLAYED 40 WON 35 LOST 5 FOR 977 AGAINST 300. In new points approx. 1250 for 400 against.

I captained the county 2nd XV on a number of occasions and played a couple of games for the 1st XV in none competition games.

I have particularly enjoyed the development of our junior and mini sections. Our seniors have had a hard time of late but there is, in spite of covid,  enthusiasm in all  sections of the club  to move forward into more normal times. 

APPEAL FOR HELP FROM APRIL 2021

CAN WE APPEAL TO ANY MEMBERS WHO HAVE A PETROL STIMMER TO GIVE AN HOUR OF THEIR TIME.  

*TO STRIMMING OUR BANKS, RUGBY POST BASES AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE, AND IF YOU HAVE A BRUSH CUTTER THE DYKE AREA AT THE BACK OF THE CLUBHOUSE, AND CHANGING ROOMS IF SO IT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATED. * PLEASE CONTACT David Trounce 07752591440,  John Penn 07557910708 or Ian Shanks Graham  07803677213

ALSO

AS SOON AS COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LIFTED WE HOPE TO ORGANISE SOME SOCIAL EVENTS.

A. IMPROVEMENTS IN HAND AND APPROVED OR FINISHED

1.NEW FANS IN SHOWERS AND TOILETS

2. WATER SOFTER TO ALL AREAS refurb done

3. NEW ICE MACHINE

4. FRENCH DRAIN BOTTOM OF 1ST XV PITCH AND OUT TO ROAD  SIDE DYKE.

B. ITEMS IN HAND STILL YET TO BE APPROVED

1 NEW BAR   STORE COOLER

2. NEW HOT WATER PROVISION TO TOILETS, BAR AND KITCHEN

3. VERTIDRAINING OF PITCHES

4 FURTHER ROOF REFURB

5. IMPROVEMENT OF FLOOD LIGHTS

6. GENTS TOILET REFURB

There are a number of willing volunteers working on some of these projects and we have professional advice and help to complete others.

Many Thanks to all involved

Specific Volunteer Requests

Urgent - Club Data Officer 

To take on the RFU GMS system and master it.  This is a computer based job.  Basic computer skills required.  Attention to detail, tenacity and time are the main components for this job.  Job holder will be required to hold a DBS certificate - the Club will apply for this for you.

Contact Nicola for more details

I hope that you are enjoying this newsletter.  If you want it to continue I really need more articles and photos - all items in this newsletter were written by two people.   Short is fine.

My email address is nicoladiplock24@gmail.com