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. 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.
Club members themselves will benefit on Saturdays for the formal part of the day after the match, while the huge age grade section use the facilities on Sundays. Wider use by the public in this community club is varied with the base used for christenings, weddings and funerals and other celebration events. Training events are run and local societies have regular meetings. The biggest town events of the year are the annual Bonfire and Fireworks evening and the beer festival at which thousands of local people can either watch a safe firework display in November or sample a variety of refreshments on a Spring weekend.
Already, the increase in bookings is reflected in what the enhanced facilities can offer.”
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. We consider this donation will give a boost to this very successful rugby club in Morpeth at both junior and senior level.”
If you have a story, event or news item you would like to have published on the Provincial website, or social media, please get in touch with our Communications Team at news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk