The 2014/15 60th Anniversary Annual Dinner was a fantastic evening that will forever live on in the memories of all those present. Here is a run through of the events of the night and all the winners (and 1 loser).

When ex-Kingswood Grammar School Head Boy and Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, arrived at the club to undertake his role as guest speaker, we knew instantly we were on to a winner when he said “Oh goodness, you still play in brown and blue”. After serving him tepid tap water slightly tainted with lime cordial (not our finest ever moment), we moved on it to our beautifully decorated marquee for the presentation ceremony and dinner.

Once our Club President, Mark Phillips, had welcomed everyone to the dinner and former President, Rodger Windsor, had given his emotional toast to Kingswood RFC’s absent friends, there was then a lovely moment when we were joined by Carly Baldwin of the University of Worcester, who awarded our little hero, Sarah Shaw, with the Vice Chancellor’s Award, for her actions in saving Dar’s life. There was also a fantastic ‘3 cheers’ from the teary onlookers. This award is the first ever handed out by the University. Well done Sarah and thank you once again.

Next it was the turn of our Chairman, Jim Stacey, to speak. Mr Stacey reiterated his belief that for Kingswood RFC to succeed and grow, every single member of Kingswood RFC needs to believe in Kingswood RFC, needs to do there bit for Kingswood RFC and ultimately be proud of Kingswood RFC. With the words still ringing true in people’s ears, it was then time for our guest speaker, Mr Richard Scudamore, to take centre stage.

During his speech, Mr Scudamore made light of the letter he received from Alan Bell asking if he required a fee for his guest speaker appearance. “I’ve never spoken at a rugby dinner before and in about 15 minutes you will see why, so I’m certainly not going to charge you for the privilege. Quite on the contrary in fact, I have spoken to my friends at the Premier League Charity Foundation and I have here a cheque for £2000 for Kingswood RFC”.

It was a hugely generous and unexpected action from Mr Scudamore and the Premier League Charity Foundation, which quite rightly led to a standing ovation from everyone in the marquee. Kingswood RFC would at this point like to once again thank everyone at the Premier League Charity Foundation and indeed Mr Scudamore for not only the donation, but for a fantastic speech that went down a storm.

Next it was on to the awards. Vacating Club Captain, Dave Tomlin, stood and gave a frank and rousing speech about how the victory over league Champions, Longlevens, following the clear the air players meeting at the end of the season, proved how Kingswood should have been challenging for promotion, not getting relegated. But Dave said what has happened, has happened, and that next season if we all get behind the club, we should mount a real promotion challenge to bounce right back to where we belong in Gloucester 1.

The list of award winners were as follows:

1st XV Players of the Year – Mark Oakley
Head Coach’s Award – Harri Richards
2nd XV Players of the Year – Dan Valentine
3rd XV Players of the Year – Tony McCarthy
Players’ Player of the Year – Mark Oakley
Young Player of the Year – Alex Burnett
Most Improved Player of the Year – Charlie Spokes
Clubman of the Year – Paul Nicol
The Jeff Brimble Arsehole of the Year – Alan Bell (For having 115 programmes made - All with the wrong date on)
President’s Award – Stan Bailey

There was then some Port. After that things get hazy. Photos from the dinner can be found here.

Here is to 2015/16