Swaffham Newsletter

Swaffham Rugby Club
The weather was great for our Family Fun Day and
opening game of the season on September 3rd -
although the players may have appreciated it being
a bit cooler! Our aim was to increase the profile of
our Club in Swaffham, and attract new players in all
sections, supporters and volunteers.
Visitors arrived from 1pm, and depending on ages took
advantage of the bar, barbecue and bouncy castles, all
of which did a steady trade throughout the event.
Younger visitors had an opportunity to sample our
game, with throwing and passing skills activities
throughout the afternoon.
Visitors were treated to an exciting match when
Swaffham beat worthy opponents Lakenham Hewett
48 – 21. The score is not a true reflection of a hard
game, where the opposition kept pushing Swaffham
until late into the second half. Those Magnificent Men
stuck to their plans and with the forwards supplying
good possession, the backs were able to do their thing.
Swaffham Men’s Shed had some of their creations on
sale, and offered badge making for the younger visitors.
The event was a result of a great team effort – the
entire Committee of Swaffham Rugby Club, supported
by bar staff and volunteers got involved before, during
and after the game. Thanks to all for their contribution.
New players, supporters and volunteers are always
welcome at our club.
On Saturday 15th October at 3pm we will welcome
Watton to North Pickenham Road. Bar will be open
during and after the game.
On the 29th October our game against Thetford will
be preceded by one of our famous Vice Presidents
Lunches – for further details contact : vpsecsrufc@
btinternet.com
Regular sessions at our club include:
• Mini’s Tag Rugby Wednesdays at 5:30pm
• Junior Training Wednesdays at 6:30pm
• Senior Training Thursdays 7:00pm for 7:30pm, with
the bar open from around 8:30pm.
Contact details for all the above are included on the
Contacts Page of our Website: https:/swaffhamrugby.
co.uk/contacts
6
Swaffham Clean Up
The Swaffham Clean Up started in February this year. To
date a staggering number of over 700 bags of litter plus
other larger debris have been collected by the volunteers
who turn out every Sunday morning come rain or shine.
Although in the first few weeks a substantial amount of
litter accumulated over several years was removed, this
is unfortunately a never-ending job. Every week we are
filling 15 to 20 bags of litter from our streets and open
spaces. Please imagine if these volunteers did not do
this what our town would look like! Our environment is
being spoiled and polluted by litter.
Cigarettes are a particular problem, as they are too small
to pick up during a litter pick and get washed into the
roadside gullies when it rains. The filter tips are made of
plastic material which will never break down naturally
and so is washed down the drain, into the streams and
rivers, and then into the sea. As well as being plastic
they also contain toxic chemicals from the tobacco and
so are poisoning our seas.
We have asked the Highway Authority to let us
know when they are about to cut or strim verges.
Unfortunately, they do not litter pick beforehand, so the
litter often gets chopped up into small pieces. So if they
alert us, we will try to concentrate litter picking where
they are about to cut or strim.
Swaffham Clean Up exists because, like you, we
want our town to look clean and tidy, and to save our
natural environment from pollution. Want to join in?
It’s simple, we meet up on Sunday mornings at 10.30
am outside the Greyhound pub in town. You can also
check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.
com/groups/313415790821852/, where you will find
further details, and see postings about the sites we have
cleaned up.
Royal British Legion
May I, on behalf of Swaffham Branch
Royal British Legion, offer our sincere
condolences to King Charles III, Queen
Camilla and all the royal family. Our thoughts and prayers
are with them at this overwhelmingly sad time. Queen
Elizabeth II was Patron of the Royal British Legion for
many years. She was a wonderful role model for us all
and will be greatly missed.
Our meeting in October will be on Tuesday 18th at
8pm. There will be a committee meeting prior to that
at 7.30pm. We welcome anybody who wants to join us
at 8pm.
The Poppy Appeal Organiser has started to phone people
regarding helping during Poppy Appeal fortnight. If you
would like to help please ring Anne on 01760722611.
In the last Newsletter the date of our AGM was incorrect.
It will take place on Tuesday 15th November at 8pm in
the Conservative Club Swaffham.
Anne Thorp
Hon President & Poppy Appeal Organiser