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Tour – Birstall are coming here because we are planning on going to them. Nolan has done a fantastic job of booking the hotel & sorting out games etc. Can you all please reply to this email to say YES or NO re tour. If you are going we need £30 from you by Saturday. Babz will be collecting money on Saturday.

County’s Birthday game – a very muddy affair in which his team won by the slimmest of margins 5 – 0! A good day had by all & hopefully one or two new players to come to the club from it. As the pictures on Facebook show the mud was the real winner! & also I did make it onto the pitch even if my presence was somewhat slow!

Food for matches – If anyone can help with food can you please let Waz know. His number is 07929733382. We only have 3 more home games & need someone to do the food for the Birstall Sunday game.

Committee – We have a few roles that people are stepping down from & need some of you to join us. If you are interested, please speak to Babz on Saturday. It would be great to have a few more current players represented. Flanny is also stepping down as 2nd XV after doing a magnificent job over the past 2 years. If anyone is interested in taking on the role of 2nd XV skipper, again please see Babz.

Thanks to all of you that do so much “behind the scenes” to keep this club going. The guys that sort the club, pitch & changing rooms for games, the bar team, & kitchen. All the bureaucratic jobs & financial organisation. Playing rugby is so much more than turning up on a Saturday!

I would like to thank Pete Groundsel for all the excellent work he has done with the pitch this season. Thanks to him we are again playing on a great surface that does our style of play justice.

Finally LETS GET BEHIND THE TOUR! £100 ALL IN IS A FANTASTIC PRICE. ROMANS IS THE THEME & AS EVER WE WILL HAVE A GREAT CRACK…..& REMEMBER….WHAT GOES ON TOUR GOES ON FACEBOOK! I think we have about 15 confirmed places, another 10 would be great, 15/20 more would be fantastic. All welcome any age welcome!

Cheers Babz

PS Don’t forget your RFU Grand Draw raffle ticket stubs and cash. This is the last weekend coming up so bring them to the club when you come to the promotion-crucial game against the Nomads at Watcombe on Saturday (13th March)

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Babz’s Blog No 15 – 22nd September 2009

• Well the season has started & after a good win, we came unstuck at home v Wootton, shame as we had a great “Bollene RemeMbered” VPs day. There were many photos etc, & I appeared in a few….but I couldn’t remember! Must have been the Pastis!  A good win for the 2^nd XV though & with the promise of a few other players things look good. I am sure the lose will just inspire the 1^st XV to greater things & we will get revenge over at Wootton!
• Thanks to all the players who have been organised by Tim in sorting out the cleaning at the club, its great to see everyone getting stuck into jobs & making your club a better place to be.
• Bar – if you are able to do a few stints behind the bar, let Nige know, we are always looking for volunteers, I know the guys & girls who work the bar would appreciate your help.
• I am sure everyone is aware of the situation with Billy Bob’s Brother up in Leicester. The club are looking of ways to support him & the family (Nolan is looking at touring there) & if you have any good ideas of ways to support this cause please let us know, also there is a link on Facebook & if you haven’t signed up please do.
• The Black Dog awards are going down well with the players, what we are looking for is someone to make a “black dog” costume to fit a child, any ideas?
• Don’t leave it too late to order your Blue Bricks, don’t end up with your name at the wrong end of the bar….buy yours now!
• For those of you who want to have a laugh please check out the Breakdance master classes from Bob & Myself at the bestival last Sunday, its on Facebook…….we may even perform it at the Dinner!
• Finally, in October, I am running in the Great South Run. I am doing it for the Barely Born Appeal, & would ask that you make a small donation to see this old fellah run the 10 miles! I have attached the link & if you could spare a few pounds it would be much appreciated! http://www.justgiving.com/babz6/

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Hi all halfway through this glorious summer (oh those weathermen have a lot to answer for!) & plenty of activity at VRFC!

Since my last Blog & the festival we had a number of great mug shots (VRFC Mugshots), both at the festival & also from Billy Bob who represented the club in South Africa. Once again he played for the Commons & Lords Parliamentary team. From what Bob has told me I don’t think the South Africans knew that the British team had a lot of old men in it who could hardly run! All a bit of a mauling!  He’s also still fuming about the guy who broke the mug:  he is convinced that he could have persuaded Stephen Jones to use it as a kicking tee during the third test!

The club have had a couple of great Social events. In June we had the Car Treasure hunt, which was excellent, although the Social committee accused the Chairman of cheating!

Last Sunday, we had the Silly Olympics at the club, this was an excellent day with a number of great events coupled with an excellent barbecue run by the Jackson Brothers (not Michael & Tito – Colin & Rob). Thanks again to Zoe & Claire for organising the event. The team Turner won followed by Afternoon delight & the Babcoles. It’s great to see things happening at the club outside of the season, well done girls! (And thanks to Babz and Helen for running the bar – Ed)

This weekend we have a “hands on” session at the club, painting the changing rooms, clean up & also building the float for the carnival. Contact Zoe for times, but basically all day Saturday & Sunday (07769 693425).

Talking of the Carnival, we have a float & will be entering as “Ventnor Rugby Club Carnival Queens”.  The dates for the carnivals are 12th August and 15th August.  Again contact Zoe for more info or keep your eye on this website.

Training has started at Ventnor Middle School (while the pitch is being sorted) starting at 6.30pm on Wednesdays. A reasonable turn out so far, but we need more old, & new players, so get yourself along. Many thanks to Derek Harvey for letting us use his paddock at Ninham for the first session.  We have now moved back to the Middle School to get us closer to the equipment at the club.

Also on Tuesday nights at 7pm, there is the all new VRFC Ladies rugby training. From what I hear there was a good turn out yesterday & a lot of laughs!

Tickets are now available for the Investec Challenge Autumn Internationals.  England play Australia (7th Nov), Argentina (14th Nov) and the All Blacks (21st Nov).  Check the website and apply to Billybob.  Please note: only members who have paid up their 2009 – 2010 subscriptions are eligible to apply.

This website has been completely revamped by Andrew Cooper of Gamson Gray and is a huge improvement.  Thanks Andrew.  Among many new features, you can now buy VRFC merchandise through the website using a credit card. Visit the VRFC shop here.

Lots of news & I hope to update you with progress from this weekend next week & more carnival info (meet times, costumes etc).

Have a good summer!

Babz

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Quick pre festival Blog (dated 11th June 2009)

Had a really good positive meeting on Tuesday night. The addition of Zoe & Clare & their great ideas for social events were inspiring. They have already organised a Car Treasure Hunt for Sunday 28^th June & a Silly Olympics on 26^th July, so make sure you support these events. Also they had a Carnival meeting last night & we hope to announce the details soon.

Rog has been giving all his love & attention to the pitch & we hope that Bill will be soon rallying the troops to start work on the changing rooms & kitchen

The bricks for the bar have slowed down & in an effort to raise money for new kit this season we really need to fill the bar. So if you haven’t already bought your brick, please contact James now with your wording & £20!

Lions 20^th June: I think we may try & support the Boniface Arms & watch the game there, as they are keen to sponsor us next season, I will update you all next week if it is a goer.

Last Sunday Nigel & Dawns son Louis had his first Communion & I think the church & the whole of Shanklin were surprise to see myself, Helen, James & Paula sat in the church! That’s the 2^nd time the Malkins have got me into church! (He spent his whole time making paper darts with the service sheets.  JM)

Finally, for all those going to the festival, you have my mobile if you fancy meeting up for a beer (07974084564) the other confirmed VRFC Festival goers are: Nige & Dawn, Billy Bob & Kay, Waz, Dave Martin, Loz (and her friend Gemma from the navy), Zoe, Damo, Ofsted, Shaun Williams, Dave Champion, Goose(who is playing on the bandstand 1.30pm Saturday) Steve Rogers, Louis V and Lewi M. Hope to see you there!

Have fun, hope to update you with all the festival news next week, along with photos.

Cheers

Babz

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I want to say well done to all those who have played this season, and also to Ferg and Dave for their hard work. It just shows how commitment to training and good coaching can make things happen. I also want to congratulate Flanny on his work with the 2nd XV who, had the opposition honoured fixtures against us, would too have been promoted (and may be still dependant on decisions by the HRFU).

The most pleasing aspect of all is the way in which both teams have played, open and attractive rugby, and hard and resilient defence.

The week before the final championship winning game we had our annual Easter tournament which went well on the pitch and even better off it! The Oompah night was a terrific night full of song, beer, games, beer, music, beer and nakedness! There are many pictures on Facebook!

The season has been a real success and this is done to great commitment form so many people, and I would like to thank the following people:

Dave for his commitment to the coaching this season

Both Skippers, well done lads (one game cancelled all season is true testament to the work you put in)

All the committee for your support and hard work

All those who have worked in the kitchen and behind the bar

John Newton for the food

Zoë for her efforts with the players, getting them fit and back playing

Damo and Rosco and their team of domestics who have been cleaning the clubhouse.  Really great work.

All of our sponsors, much appreciated and I hope we can count on your continued support

All of our supporters, both home and away.

If I have missed anyone , sorry!

Our next event is the Annual Dinner Dance at the Eversley. If it’s half as good as it was last year, it will be a great night. We have some tickets remaining, so please get hold of Dave Martin ASAP on vrfc@tiscali.co.uk or 07794 308103.  It’s on 9th May in case you didn’t know!

The AGM is on 22nd May at the club and all draught beer is £1 a pint, and please make every effort to attend.

We are running the Grand Auction in July, and we need you to start looking at “promises” and also thinking of what you can donate. If you have a holiday home, a boat or can donate some time that would be great . . .  Anything you can do please let me know so I can put together a list of Auction items.

If you haven’t already bought your brick for the front of the bar please do so (only £20) it would be nice to have a full bar before the beginning of the new season in Division II. Contact James with what you require on your brick.

Rog Evans has organised the pitch to be re-seeded and have some work being done on it, so currently the pitch is out of bounds. I will be putting a sign up saying “keep off the grass” this does refer to the pitch and not a reference to Rosco and Jim’s smoking habits!!!

Finally Zoë is organising a VRFC team to take part in the Row for Life taking place in Newport 3rd – 5th July. If you fancy helping or taking part contact Zoe on 07769 693425 or check out the website www.africaschild.org.uk

Thanks again to EVERYONE for a great season and I hope that you have a good off-season and see you at the Dinner. I will keep you all in touch over the summer with developments and any other news.

Cheers

Babz

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Babz blog

Babz’s Blog No. 11

Sorry for the long break in the blogs, but here goes the news from the world of Babz!

Number One – Ventnor are promoted! Well done to Fergie and all of the players who have represented the 1^st XV this season. A great effort but now we must push on to actually win the league & become Champions!

A big thanks has to go out to Dave Ball for his commitment to the coaching this season – a massive factor in our promotion. Another factor has to be the 2^nd XV being so strong (and knocking on the door of promotion from their Merit table themselves. Well done Mike & all of the 2^nd XV lads!

Although promotion is ours and the championship is within our grasp, the players must not let up with training. There are 2 sessions a week at the club now & it is vital that as many attend as possible so that we are in tiptop condition for the final push!

A big thanks to Damo & Rosco who have taken on the cleaning of the club twice a week. They could do with a hand so that the walls, outside, the shower and toilets can get a good going over too. If you can spare an hour a week please contact Damo (07900628637).

Tour – as you know Nolan has organised the tour for this year, please contact him regarding payments and numbers. I hope to have an update on Tour news by next week, in a special Tour edition!

Congratulations to Trist & Gemma on their recent Marriage, I understand a good night was had by all those who attended their reception on Saturday

Over the next couple of months we have some big social events coming up. On Easter Weekend we have the Tournament – I think Andy has 3 teams confirmed, plus the Oompah night. For those of you who have been over the last few years you know what a great night this is, so go dust off your Lederhosen & hats! In May we have the Annual dinner at the Eversley & we hope to have our grand Auction sometime in June. Plus I think Nolan has a couple of events up his sleeve!

This weekend, Billy Bob moved house. He’s moved upmarket to the “Blackgang Road” end of Niton – no coincidence that it is nearer to the pub. He has enlisted the help of the Babington, Champion & Taylor removal firm, who did the bulk of the work with Tom! In fact Rory (Matt’s young son) lifted more than Bob. I found my missing rugby boots in one room! Bob’s idea of packing left a lot to be desired, & in the end we moved the fridge, Freezer & washing machine with all their contents still intact! I hope he got it all done in the end!

I have been on Jury service this last week, unfortunately when I did get selected to appear as a juror I knew some of the people involved in cases! (Surprise, surprise, ed’) I was determined to send someone down! I am not sure the black cap & cape went down to well!

Congratulations to the 2^nd XV who won again away from home at Aldershot & Fleet they are doing their chances of promotion no harm at all.

Finally James has set up a challenge for all to have their “Mugs” (VRFC Mugs) photographed in the most unusual places. Check the website for more photos (when it’s back up!)

James also reports that the RFU Raffle deadline is now closed. Thanks to everyone who managed to sell tickets in these difficult financial times. The eventual total was £836 which means £752.40 (90%) goes into the club’s coffers. A great effort.

Well that’s the news for now, we have a committee meeting on Tuesday & will keep you posted on any news coming from that.

Well done to one and all for Promotion, the club is back and on the up, keep it going & keep supporting YOUR club.

Cheers

Babz

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Both teams continue to perform well and although we lost on Saturday to Division One side Eastleigh in the cup, our first half performance was very impressive: and maybe the game got the Xmas indulgence out of the way!  As we go to press it looks like this weekend’s games against Chineham are going to be postponed due to the frozen pitches, but hopefully we will get another chance to run out next week (17th Jan) as both teams have home games versus Nomads.

John Newton has no come on board full time with the kitchen & bar. He will be sorting the bar stock etc & hopefully we will have snacks available to buy too. Many thanks to Nige for sorting the bar recently & for organising the rota for the rest of the season. If you fancy helping out on the bar please let Nige or John know. Thanks as ever too to Cliff, Rog, Ron & Micky for their help in the kitchen.  I know John appreciates you assistance & would like you to continue.

Bill Bob’s raffle is going well, & there is now a leader board up with which member has sold the most number of envelopes. I think Bob is leading the way after last week’s sales, although young Engles & Guy Entwhistle are close on his tail! Cooper & AP you have slipped down the pecking order. Remember this is a great way for us to raise cash for the club, & maybe a chance for you to win Twickenham tickets.

Over Christmas we had a game on the Saturday, this was a memorial game for Charlie Holbrook & was a Ventnor XV v The IW Fire Brigade. The day was a great success & all monies have gone to Charlie’s family.

The whole day was initially kicked off with a Vets match ( mainly made up of guys who played with Charlie) against a Ventnor XV.  Although the Vets were narrowly defeated, they certainly looked the better & more inventive side & showed how the game can be played!

Team: Bill Bob, Matt Taylor, Andy Walton, Mike Knight, James Morton, Nige, Steve Camm, Charles Guy, Mark Rogers, Babz, Graham Simler, Woz Fresle, (Guest appearance – Beast!)

Its good to see the club busy & lots of old & new faces coming up to the club. We need to start filling the bar-front with the blue tiles so please get your orders in now, we have sold a few more now & the front of the bar is looking great!

Also for those of you with RFU Draw tickets get selling soon & get the cash back to James ASAP.

Finally, Mike Flanagan has asked me to remind all that Beast has his stag doo on Friday 16th January, so keep that date free.  The arrangements are: 5.00pm meet at the Bargemans or

7.00pm at Yates’s in Newport.  Call Mike Flanagan to find out where they are on the night – 07859348607.  It is fancy dress but no real theme, but it must be something!

I think that’s it for now, I just want to thank everyone for making the club a success in 08 & especially all of you who have put yourselves out to help the club.

Lets hope 09 is equally successful

Cheers

Babz

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It’s been an interesting month with both teams continuing to perform well, & the 2nd XV are in a great position where people are trying to get games rather than Mike chasing people. The 1st XV are training hard, but we have been let down by the opposition of late, which has impacted on the league position & the players. And because of the late cancellation of these games, all attempts to get alternative fixtures have been unsuccessful. There has been a number of letters to the HRFU on this subject, especially in relation to sides travelling to the Island. Thanks to Dave Ball for taking the lead on this on the club’s behalf.

On a brighter note, James has purchased a new digital picture frame for the clubhouse, & we have been downloading pictures for the frame. We have some great shots, haircuts, jumpers & even some where Nige & I have hair! Also James is able to video bits of the games played & immediately download onto the frame, so the guys can watch their fine performances. If anyone has any old pics, of teams, games, tours carnivals, dinners etc please scan then, & put them onto a disc for James & he will upload them*.

I was speaking to Rog Evans last week who said that he couldn’t believe the great atmosphere at the club at the moment long may it continue!

Its also great to see a fine crop of young players currently playing, some of which are names form the 70’s 80’s & early 90’s – Rogers, Champion, Morton, Babington, Engelgardt.  It was really great to see & also really good to see Steve Champion at the club last week. Steve – through his company Island Food Services in Ventnor – has also provided us with a new coffee pot and his excellent filter coffee so we can make a decent cup. Cheers Steve.

A quick update on the Chairman’s new activities.  Last week Kev Wheeler popped round with some Pheasants & Partridge.  I made a great game pie, after plucking & gutting the birds, very nice thanks Kev!

Finally, for all those travelling to Twickenham for the forthcoming Autumn Internationals, have a good day out, & anyone going to the game Saturday v Australia & you fancy meeting up for a beer give me a call (07974 084564). I think we will be meeting – weather permitting – at the Barmy Arms.

STOP PRESS.  Ron Gisborn’s windows were installed in the clubhouse yesterday (Wednesday 12th Nov).  Not only do they look fantastic, they are aslo secure and double glazed. What with A J Wells’ wood-burner and Ron’s windows, it will like a funace in the club this winter!  A huge vote of thanks to Ron from all the club and supporters.

Cheers

Babz

*  All photos welcome.  If you cannot scan them, lend me the prints and I can do it.  All photos, press cuttings, discs etc will be returned.  Also, has anyone got any old VHS videos?  I remember a Bollene game at Watcombe in the 70s that was professionally filmed and there were probably others including the Cup run in the 90s.  We can get these converted to DVD.  Yours James – info@foxhillsofshanklin.co.uk or 862329

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As well as great news on the pitch, there was great news off it, with the unveiling of the clubhouse coinciding with the first VP day of the new season. We had a really good turn out & the clubhouse was well received. Special thanks go to Bill (a legend, that man! he even missed part of his granddaughter’s 18th celebration to tile!) Tommy for sorting the fire, lighting it & making the clubhouse a warm & welcoming place to come. James for moving in!  Nigel for his co-ordination of many different skilled craftsmen (& for giving James a white rinse!  Poor White Avenger!).  To Emile who oversaw much of the final works. To Rob Newton, all the players & members who gave up their time to clean, decorate, tidy & buy lunch! And to Ady whose contribution was to leave his son as a slave for the day! The club looks great!

Along with all the above, we saw Nathan & Benny at the club, proof that Nathan is still alive! They both promised to come training this week & were eager to return to the fold!

The only low point on Saturday was when we couldn’t find any match cards & after much searching of the kitchen, cellar & behind the bar, Bill Bob announced he had thrown some stuff out earlier. On searching the bins, we found the said cards. Bob now tried to claim he saved the day!!! Clearly not, and a very dirty pint (courtesy of Kay) was his punishment.

I hope that over the next few weeks those of you who haven’t visited the club will come up & see our improvements & enjoy a pint in a lovely warm bar! We are also in the process of selling some tiles for the front of the bar that will have your name on & message (a chance for you to be forever linked with our great club) all for just £20. We have sold a number already & if we can sell them all, we can invest the money into more improvements! Finally 3 more thanks, to our 2 match sponsors on Saturday Susan Soccia (no it wasn’t bling she was wearing Dawn!) To Anton “he bit my fingers sir” Lavers who braved the slope at the school & the elements to watch the whole of the 2nd XV demolition of Millbrook. And last – but by no means least – to Ron who has kindly financed some new windows for the clubhouse (you can throw a car at them & they wont break!). What a star that man is!

Cheers one & all see you all soon

Babz

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