February 2021 – Herts Rugby Football Union

Passing of Bill Watkins – Hertfordshire Society of RFU Referees

February 24, 2021/in News, Obituary/by hertsrugby

Death of Bill Watkins of the HSRFUR

Bill Watkins being awarded the John Blanchard trophy by Jeff Blackett

We regret to announce that Bill Watkins of the Hertfordshire Referees Society passed away earlier this month. Bill probably had been the longest surviving member of the Society having joined in the mid-1960s. Alan Gibbs remembers him as a very pleasant person who enjoyed his refereeing in a relaxed manner.

When, in the mid-1980s, Bill retired from refereeing he became an assessor and he continued in that role until 2012. Anyone had the pleasure of Bill’s advice in this role will recall his great good humour and his very obvious love of the game.

However, it was off the field that Bill made his biggest contribution to the Society. He served as Treasurer 1979 – 84, after a short break re-joined the Committee in 1988 and was Grading Secretary from 1990 to 2000.

Bill was elected President of the Society in 1990, serving for two years, and in 2006 he was made a Life Vice-President. In addition, Bill was presented with the John Blanchard Trophy as Society Man of the Season for 2009-10.

Although little had been seen of Bill in recent years as he enjoyed a quiet retirement, he will be remembered with affection by members of the Society and the wider Hertfordshire rugby community.

Obituary – Joe Weed

February 6, 2021/in Clubs, Obituary/by hertsrugby

Joe Weed, long serving President of Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) rugby club, passed away at the end of January at the age of 89. He suffered a fall and broken hip earlier in the month and then developed Covid symptoms. Our sympathy goes to his son, Gareth, and rest of his family.

A proud Welshman, born in Tredegar, Joe had been a member of Camelot for over 60 years, having joined the club in 1959. Prior to that he had played for Hendon, generally at fly half, for several seasons.

Joe’s playing career at Camelot was cut short in by a head injury whilst playing for the 2^nd XV (Knights) in 1967. However, he almost immediately took up the whistle and joined the Hertfordshire Referees Society. He soon became one of the leading referees in the county, remembered by Daryl Hayler as a referee who “always gave a smile when he used to penalise us which always diffused the situation!”. One of the highlights of his career was, when in Japan on a business trip in 1977, he refereed a Japanese Varsity match between Tokyo and Nagasaki Universities. Much to his amazement this was in front of a very large crown and, we believe, television cameras.

Joe also became involved in the organisation of the Society, serving on the Committee between 1972 and 1978, during which time organised a highly successful dinner-dance for the Society.

In 1984 as Joe’s refereeing commitments were slowing, he was elected Chairman of Camelot, a position in which he served 16 years. During this time, he oversaw a significant extension to the Club house, an improvement in playing standards and a reorganisation of the Committee structure.

Then in 1990 he was elected President of the Club. On his retirement as President in 2019 he was elected President Emeritus in recognition of his 60 years service to Hemel Hempstead (Camelot).

Although Joe had been struggling in recent months with ill health and had become quite frail, he maintained his sense of humour and still loved a good laugh. Brexit and the ‘meddling French’, Boris Johnson and the Welsh squad for the upcoming 6 nations were his favourite topics of conversation.

Joe always made everyone welcome to Hemel Hempstead with his warmth and ready smile. He will be missed by family, Camelot and all his friends in the wider Hertfordshire rugby community.

(with acknowledgements to Jon Clapham and Gareth Weed)

Passing of Colin McArdle (Barnet Elizabethans)

February 4, 2021/in Clubs, Obituary/by hertsrugby

Death of Colin McArdle – Barnet Elizabethans

It is with sadness that Barnet Elizabethans have announced the passing of Colin McArdle. Colin not only was a parent of 3 boys who play at the club but also an age group coach too. Colin played his own rugby at Finchley RFC and he will therefore be greatly missed by all those who knew him at both clubs.

Colin was a keen cyclist and played a key role on the Tour De Herts fundraising day in September which Herts Rugby covered at the time.

The family have started a fundraising page in memory of Colin raising funds for The Anthony Nolan foundation through which Colin had received a bone marrow transplant giving him some additional time with his family and those around him. At Herts Rugby, we are more than happy to promote the fundraising campaign. If you’d like to donate please click here.

The BERFC obituary can be read here : https://www.berfc.co.uk/news/colin-mcardle–rip-2597730.html