A New Vision is Coming | 100 years in the making
Withies on Wheels: The Challenge is Nearing
The epic challenge approaches for our brave cyclists
In a little over three weeks on the 23rd & 24th July, a dozen or so cyclists will embark on a fundraiser in aid of the club’s Vision 24 project. The aim will be to ride around Devon, some 287 miles (462km) in distance with a total elevation climb of 7374m, all in 24 hours.
The route around Devon will take in Exmouth, Dawlish, Torquay, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Plymouth, Tavistock, Bideford, Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Lynmouth, South Molton, Tiverton, Honiton, Colyton and Sidmouth, returning back to Raleigh Park. Many of the destinations to be visited are homes to some well known rugby opponents.
Although the demanding route will be broken into a relay, giving some willing volunteers the chance to ride the start and the end of the circuit, five riders will attempt to complete the entire route.
Former Withies player Martin Gill will be joined by Andrew Cotton, Bill Blurton, Paul McCarthy & Rob Dustan.
The ride will start at Raleigh park on Friday 23rd at 4pm and will be estimating to return a little under 24hrs later at 3:30pm on the Saturday during our Family Fun Day, where we’re hoping that our President, Tony Rowe, will be joining us all to welcome in the riders at the finish.
As mentioned above, we’re still welcoming anyone that would like to jump on the saddle and join us on the journey. You can ride as much or as little as you would like, we’re very flexible!
Anyone interested in coming along is more than welcome to join us for the briefing meeting at Raleigh Park which will be held tomorrow (2nd July) at 7:30pm.
Even after this time, further details or information can be found by contacting Rick Libbey on 07909 686479 or rick.libbey@withycomberugby.co.uk.
More information on the Withies on Wheels challenge can be found on the WoW page here.
Finally, even if you can’t join us on the road, we know the cyclists will really appreciate your support by donating to the challenge via our JustGiving page at: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/withiesonwheels
Thank you in advance and we look forward to seeing you all either on the road or on the 23rd & 24th!
Looking to the future at Withycombe Rugby Club
Our statement on an exciting future ahead at the Club...
Withycombe Rugby Club (WRFC) is delighted to be opening the gates again this Saturday (17th April), inviting members old and new to their freshly refurbished outdoor hospitality and beer garden.
A new look
Over the past 12 months, the doors have mostly been shut but the work has continued at WRFC. The club has been blessed with volunteers and members dedicating their time and effort to give the club a fresh new look - including a refurbished bar, loos, club house and outdoor space ready to host COVID-safe events.
Diversity at the club
Started in 1924 as a traditional community based sports club with one men’s team, Raleigh Park is now proudly home to 13 successful teams of all ages, genders and abilities, and is continuing to diversify with plans for regular walking rugby and mixed-gender touch rugby events. The clubhouse also serves the community by hosting events from playgroups to Zumba, and everything in between.
Plans for the future - Vision 2024
On the pitch, the club’s recent growth has meant that the community needs for the space have outgrown the available facilities at Raleigh Park. Plans are afoot to double our changing facilities so that we can mark our centenary year with a statement of our intent to keep growing and supporting rugby in our community.
Planning permission has already been received for the works and the club has a dedicated fundraising team in place to deal with raising the necessary finance. Community events, grant funding and member contributions are all part of the fundraising plan.
The fundraising project has so far been approved by local MP, Simon Jupp, who has endorsed the new plans: “I was absolutely delighted to visit Withycombe RFC. The club has a fantastic spirit and provides a great focus for rugby in the community. The club’s plans to extend their facilities to provide yet more services to the people of Exmouth is something I fully support. I wish them well in their fundraising efforts and look forward
to helping out.”
If you are an individual or business owner who would like to support the ongoing community impact of our club, your contribution would be most welcome. In the meantime, come and see our new bar and beer garden for yourself! New members are always welcome.
It’s been a tough year. We’re looking forward to seeing you.
