Barry RFC's 125th Anniversary celebration dinner - and new kits! (From Barry And District News)

Barry RFC's 125th Anniversary celebration dinner - and new kits!

8:10am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

ON OCTOBER 15, 1887, Barry Rugby Club played its first game against Cardiff Harlequins and so it was appropriate that, some 125 years later, they celebrated the event with a dinner at Barry Memorial Hall last Saturday.

Some 200 members, sponsors and guests gathered to share an evening of exchanging memories, renewing friendships - in attendance were members of North Berwick Rugby Club with whom the club has links going back to the late 1950s - and being entertained by two guest speakers, former Wales and British Lions player and later manager Gerald Davies, and Rick O'Shea from BBC's Scrum Five.

The 'crowd' was welcomed by president Mal Scott, who provided a background to the history of the club; the longest three minutes many can recall!

Following dinner and the toast by Colin Ham, Steve Jones, a former captain of the club, toasted absent friends which brought back many memories.

It was then time for the official part of the evening which was opened by Andy Humphreys who, in his toast to 'Our Guests,' regaled the audience with anecdotal tales of the past together with some surprising stories about the main guests.

Responding to the the toast, Gerald Davies congratulated the club on its achievement and proceeded to enthral his audience with a speech not perhaps as expected full of rugby stories, but linked to what the game of rugby brings out of people, how it affects our lives in general, and the decisions we all have to make.

It is rare at a rugby gathering that speakers enjoy perfect silence but, on this occasion, it was the case, and a great credit to a wonderful player and, certainly in the eyes of the audience, a great orator.

To finish the evening, Rick O'Shea entertained with a host of humorous tales and stories, both from his young days in Cornwall to his role on 'Scrum Five.' Many a well known name came in for some flak; indeed, Gerald Davies was in tears of laughter as Rick told of his experiences with Irish broadcaster RTE.

So the evening came to end, a truly fitting occasion and one which should stay in the memory of those who were there.

The club would also like to thank our expert toastmaster for the evening, Allun Jones, and Becky Boffy and Ray Baker who ran the raffle and all those who kindly donated prizes.

Here's to 150 years!

To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the Barry Rugby Club has unveiled specially produced new kit for the senior sides. The club thanks the following sponsors who have made this possible: Gary Watson Motor Company, Band to Aid, McDonalds Barry, LDS Motor Factors and Vic Hopkins and Son, Butchers.