Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 04/04/2008 16:37

Wednesday 30th April 2008

St Ives RFC

Cornwall Fire Brigade Rugby Section is celebrating its 50th Season with a charity event on Wednesday 30th April at St Ives RFC and is appealing for players from the past 50 years to join them and celebrate in style.

The Cornwall Fire Brigade Rugby Section was formed in 1957, and was made up of wholetime and retained firefighters as well as non uniformed staff, as it is today, initially with the squad playing other local clubs around Cornwall. Now in their 50th season, the club were 2007/2008 Fire Service English Cup Champions.

To celebrate the 50th Season, a match against a Cornwall RFU President’s 15 will take place, followed by a dinner, charity auction and raffle on behalf of the Fire Fighters Charity (formally the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund) and the Precious Lives Children’s Hospice in Cornwall. The star auction lot is a signed and framed England World Cup Squad 2007 shirt.

John Leverton, a member of the 1957 team who was a firefighter in Truro said, “I can hardly believe it’s 50 years since that first game. It will be great to see some of the old faces as well as the new ones at the event so I hope veterans do get in touch.”

Rob Jose, one of the newest members of the current squad, who is retained and stationed at St Just added, “It is incredible to think that the rugby section was formed 28 years before I was even born! The squad has gone on to win the Fire Services English Cup 9 times since then and I was proud to be part of the cup winning team in 2007/2008.”

Colin Hatch, Cornwall County Fire Brigade rugby section Chair commented, “We really want to see players from years gone by at the event as they are very much a part of the history of the Cornwall County Fire Brigade Rugby Section. We’re trying to get the word out to as many people as possible in the hope that we get a few veterans there on the night.”

If you, or someone you know have been a part of the Brigade’s Rugby Section please contact Mark Boeck at Falmouth Fire Station on 01326 212412 or e-mail mboeck@fire.cornwall.gov.uk. Tickets are £10 each and must be purchased by 18th April.

If you require further details or would like to bid for the charity items then please do not hesitate to contact Colin Hatch at Brigade Headquarters on 01872 323775 or chatch@fire.cornwall.gov.uk

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