Friday the 13th is a superstition associated with bad luck! Try telling that to our Chairman, Neil Jamieson, who, very ably supported by his wife, Myra, and the rest of his family, did a tremendous and successful job in organising our first ever Beer Festival to celebrate our 25th Anniversary of “going it alone” on the 13th!

In conjunction with Great Ale Festivals and supported by our three main sponsors: Blueline Taxis; Advanced Adhesives and Ringtons Tea – along with 30 other like-minded individuals from amongst our members and friends, the two-day festival attracted around 750 visitors to Broadway West. The weather was kind, which allowed people to mingle safely both inside and outside the grand marquees.

There was a selection of 30 local ales, ciders, pilsners and frizzante (draft Prosecco!), which were all exhausted over the two days and had to be supplemented by beer from our own cellar! It was tremendous to see faces – old and new – of players, members and supporters from near and far (the furthest being Abu Dhabi!). One thing they all had in common was “having a great time”. Entertainment was provided each day by local groups – Dusty Train, The Graduates, Percy and the Piglets, and Stevie Stoker - with plenty of exuberant dancing and singing on show as the evening (and drinking!) progressed. To help absorb the alcohol, there was also street food on sale.

Following the event, the Club has received some great feedback from satisfied customers via social media (thanks Laura and Vicki) and Gosforth Rugby Club is now well and truly back on the map in its ancestral home of Gosforth. It would be somewhat invidious to mention individuals by name in what was a “rugby family” affair with some 30 + green and white T-shirted volunteers on show [They know who they are!] However, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the tireless work put in over several months by Neil and his own family, to whom the Club is eternally grateful.

Not a bad result for a first effort and here’s to August 2022. See you all there and “Forth to the Field!”

Mal Stokoe