News

As part of the recent Natwest Rugby Force initiative, volunteers at the club recently undertook an extensive refurbishment of our changing rooms.

After an initial grant application by Stuart Barter, the club was awarded a grant of £500 toward the works by Natwest via the WRU.

It had been some time since the much used changing rooms had received any TLC and some would say these works were much needed.

With preparatory works begining in July, the reality of the work needed began to become apparent, as can be seen in some of these pictures.  The changing rooms are used by both 1st and 2nd teams and their respective opposition, Vale Schools, football teams as well as the older teams in our growing Minis & Juniors section.

Thanks to the efforts of numerous volunteers, notably Ken Langley, 1st XV Captain Lloyd Davey, 2nd XV Captain Ian Buckley, Chairman Jonathan Vaughan, Simon Clarke and Dom Hedges a deep clean was undertaken along with stripping of paint and various other tasks ready for decoration.  Minis & Juniors coach Alun Watkins also pitched in with carpentery work and already the rooms were looking much better.

It was at this stage that much needed assistance arrived in the form of Huw Long of G&R Long, a local Penarth decorating company - Huw is also the father of Oly who plays with our Under 9s team.

Bringing his significant expertise, he and his team spent countless hours, often working into the night to help the club.  The results speak for themselves and can be clearly seen by those using the facilities.

With local artist Melanie Gape-Wood currently adding the final touches, the changing rooms will be one more thing of which the club can be very proud and the number of members involved whose ages ranged from 8 to 70+ is testament to the One Club ethos that is Old Penarthians.