Ledbury defences boost (From Malvern Gazette)

Ledbury defences boost

10:41am Friday 25th January 2013 in Sport

LEDBURY Rugby Club have moved a step closer to building essential flood defences at their clubhouse after receiving a grant for £38,000.

The Ross Road club, who celebrate their 130th anniversary this year, have been given the money by Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund to put towards the project, which will cost around £80,000.

Following years of disruption and loss of revenue through flooding at the site, which is used by many community organisations, the cash has come as welcome news.

Events will take place to raise the rest of the money so that work can start in May.

Chairman David Fotherby said: “We are delighted, it’s the catalyst to move forward and get the thing done.

“Over the last 10 years the clubhouse has been flooded twice which cost us the use of it for six months each time and did untold damage.

“The knock-on effect was that it took five or six years to recover the business that we had lost.

“In the last few years we have missed being flooded by a couple on inches and in December it was lapping against the door.

“We decided the way forward was to put a waterproof bund around the clubhouse to secure it. Sport England agreed it was the way forward to preserve the facility for playing sport.”

Anyone able to help with fundraising can call club president Tony Wargent on 01531-630231 or email at a.wargent@btinternet.com Meanwhile, the club will be hoping for better weather tomorrow when they host Woodrush in Midlands Three West (South) (2.15pm).

The third-from-bottom side, whose visit to Pinley fell foul of the elements last Saturday, have picked up their relegation fight since December with wins over Old Wheatleyans (29-15), Redditch (48- 17) and Evesham (31-16) and a 13-13 draw with Cheltenham North.

Meanwhile, Ledbury Town Football Club, three points off leaders Newport Town, go to Mahal Reserves in West Midlands League Division Two tomorrow (2pm).

The New Street outfit’s trip to Wolverhampton Sporting Community Reserves last weekend was postponed.

* Gloucester Division One leaders Newent Rugby Club were handed a walk-over against Gloucester Old Boys, who could not raise a side, go to Hucclecote tomorrow.