Brian Waller 17th November 1931 – 7th December 2023

/in , /by

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian Waller.

He passed away peacefully and pain-free after a short illness.

Brian was a late convert to rugby, he was an ever-present on the touchline, from the late 1970s until the present day. He fulfilled the secretary, Chairman, and President roles at Cheshunt Rugby Club and was a keen County member.

Funeral arrangements are at 2.00 on Tuesday 9th January 2024. Woollensbrook Crematorium, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon EN11 9BN. Then afterward at Rosedale Sports Club (Cheshunt Rugby Club).

Family flowers only please

Donations can be made to – Justgiving.com/page/brianwallerjoca

Supporting the JOCA charity

Tony Wesley

/in , /by

 

Passing of Tony Wesley

It is with great sadness that we announce that Tony Wesley passed away peacefully at home at lunchtime on 30th April 2023, ironically, on Julie’s birthday.

Tony was a hugely influential and much respected member of our club. Few, if any, have done more for Welwyn RFC.

His club CV reads as follows:
• Club Captain 1966-68
• Mini/Junior Chairman 1972-77
• President 2004-07
• Life Member

However, these achievements only tell part of the story. Tony played in the 1st XV for many years and carried on playing down the sides imparting his experience on to younger players once his 1st XV days were behind him.

He was also instrumental in setting up the Mini/Junior section of the club in 1972/73 and was the first M/J Chairman. Welwyn were ahead of the game on Minis/Juniors and were featured on BBC2’s Rugby Special in 1976.

In recognition of his achievements, he was made a Life Member of the club and was appointed President in 2004.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to his wife, Julie and his children, Steve and Clare.
He will be much missed.

Funeral arrangements are:
• 11.45 on Thursday 11th May 2023
• Harwood Park Crematorium, Watton Road, Stevenage SG2 8XT
• Club tie/blazer
• Family flowers only, please
• Donations can be made to Age UK c/o JJ Burgess
• Afterwards at Knebworth Golf Club, Deard’s End Lane, Knebworth SG3 6NL

Please let me know if you are intending to go so that I can advise the family on likely numbers.

Mark Elliott
President
president@welwynrugby.co.uk

Passing of Tony Wortley

/in , /by

Passing of Tony Wortley

Please see below the obituary for Tony Wortley by David Williams.  Herts RFU send their condolences to Tony’s family and friends.

Tony Wortley

The Hertfordshire Referees Society and Hertfordshire RFU are sorry to learn that Tony Wortley passed away recently.

Tony was a leading referee in the Herts Society in the 1970’s and ‘80s, covering matches at all levels in Hertfordshire and beyond, and was a member of the RFU County Panel for a number of years.

Tony served on the Society Committee looking after training from 1986 to 1989. Following a break he returned to the Committee as Chairman for the 2000-01 season before being elected President for a two year term, 2002-04.

Tony will be remembered not only for his excellent refereeing but also for his style of keeping his spare watch and whistle on “lanyards” which stretched between both pockets of his shorts. Although Tony rarely took any expenses offered he often accepted a few beers, to take home for later consumption, in a large polythene container he took with him for that purpose.

Although Tony had little contact with rugby in recent years his contribution to Hertfordshire rugby will not be forgotten.

Passing of Frances Fuller – Life Member HRFU

/in , /by

Passing of Frances Fuller – Life Member of Herts RFU

We regret to announce that Hertfordshire RFU Life Member, Frances Fuller passed away aged 102, at her Care Home in Kirk Hammerton, North Yorkshire. Frances, widow of John Fuller, Herts RFU President 1982-84, was elected a Life Member for her sterling work in running the Hertfordshire Fixture Exchange for many years. This was of course when everything was done by post or telephone before the day of e-mail websites etc. Our sympathy goes to her son, David, and daughter in law, Carol, who were able to visit her earlier shortly before she died.

The attached picture is of Frances celebrating her 100th birthday.

Passing of Bill Watkins – Hertfordshire Society of RFU Referees

/in , /by

 

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.

Passing Of Joe Weed Hemel Hempstead Camelot

/in , , /by

It is with great sadness we have to note the death of Joe Weed of Hemel Hempstead. His son Gareth informs us ” dad passed away on Saturday evening, Jan 30th, on Letchmore Ward in Watford General Hospital. As you know Joe had been struggling in recent months with ill health and had become quite frail, that said he maintained his sense of humour and still loved a good laugh. Joe had a fall at home on Jan 8th when he broke his hip and was admitted to WGH. He was operated on and during his recovery from surgery in hospital tested positive for Corona-virus on Jan 25th despite having had his first dose of the Pfizer-Biontech vaccine on Jan 7th. He was moved to Letchmore ward, a 28 bed ward all treating patients with COVID symptoms.”

Joe’s full obituary written by David Williams can be read here and the entry on Camelot’s website : https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/camelotrugby/news/camelot-mourns-a-legend-2597572.html

Graham Walker Obituary

/in , , /by

Firstly on behalf of all Hertfordshire Rugby I deepest offer condolences to Jo and the rest of Graham’s family.

David Williams and Mark Elliott have put together an obituary which can be found on our news page by following the link below:-


Graham Walker Obituary

Sad News for all in Hertfordshire Rugby

/in , , /by

It is with great sadness that we report that Joanne Walker has advised that her husband past-President, County player, coach and all round larger than life rugby character Graham Walker has passed away peacefully last night. He will be missed by all at Letchworth RFC and throughout the Hertfordshire rugby family.

Our condolences to his family and all his rugby and police friends at this sad time.

 

Passing Of Janice Brook Bishops Stortford Honorary Secretary

/in , , , /by

It is with incredible sadness and deep shock that we announce the passing of Bishops Stortford RFC erstwhile Honorary Club Secretary Janice Brook.

A full tribute written by Perry Oliver can be found on our News page by clicking on the button below


Click here

Passing of Paul Maxwell Bishops Stortford

/in , /by

It is my sad duty to report the death of Paul Maxwell. Paul was a member of HRFU for well over 20 years and a great supporter of rugby throughout the county as well as being involved as a volunteer. As you can see he was highly respected, he also became a Twickenham Volunteer which he did for many years. In addition to all Paul’s service to Bishop’s Stortford, he also served on the HRFU Executive Committee from 1989 to 1993, chairing the Playing Committee 91-93

For more on Paul visit the Bishops Stortford website:- https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bishopsstortfordrfc/

FIND A CLUB | VOLUNTEERING | COACHING | REFEREEING | NEWS |

All enquiries to Georgie Standen, Herts RFU Administrator, admin@hertsrugby.co.uk