Club bar reopens to raise a toast to £16k in pledges
WIDNES RUFC opened their club bar for the first midweek evening since early March last Thursday.
This was timed to coincide with the successful conclusion to the club’s Crowdfunder campaign.
The early evening sun shone on socially-distanced picnic tables as members basked in the knowledge that, since its launch in mid-June, £16,180 had been raised from 160 pledges.
Whilst the original target of £10,000 was always considered achievable, the level of support went far beyond anticipation.
Past President John Barrow said that he realised this about two weeks into the appeal: “More and more people seemed to be talking about the Wids and how important the Club was in the town and their own lives.” John’s only regret was that coronavirus still renders dominoes an impracticality.
With the AGM provisionally arranged for August 20, returning Chairman Ged Snee’s intention is to use the funds for a resumption of the building refurbishment programme which had garnered such praise from visitors in the early season.
He commented: “The outdoor grounds look superb at the moment, largely thanks to the efforts of Graham McLean and the Tuesday DIY Club.
“I want to make sure that we are ready to welcome guests and functions back inside the premises as soon as restrictions are lifted.”
With a smile from ear to ear, retiring President John Loughnane raised a symbolic glass as a toast to all those who have made such a positive contribution through this difficult period.
“Particular thanks must go to the Widnes Weekly News whose launchpad article on June 11 started the ball rolling much further than we could have dreamt of.
“I’ve learned more about the value of the Wids in the past seven weeks than I had ever done since my first appearance here in 1972.
“We’ve received pledges not just from all over the country but from all over the World.
“Unless I’m greatly mistaken in my calculations, these have come from players and ex-players of every decade dating back to the 40s.
“That says a lot about these individuals and their value to Widnes RUFC. Thank you. I’ll be in touch with you all; it just might take me longer than I thought.”
Members of Widnes RUFC are reminded that the new date for the previously postponed 61st Annual General Meeting is expected to be held on Thursday August 20 at 8pm.