Community helps Cirencester clean up
Having coped with the challenges of Covid-19 and just back at training, Cirencester RFC faced another lockdown after 26 traveller caravans arrived on two of the pitches and forced the cancellation of the minis and juniors Sunday morning session, and the closure of the clubhouse once more.
Eager to reopen on Saturday 17th April, there was a touch competition in the sunshine with the U16s and seniors, the outside marquee welcomed members back for hospitality and the till was ringing, before their pitches became unusable.
Club Chairman Dave Reeves revealed the club and the local community rallied around to help clear up and used JustGiving, social media and a GMS membership mailshot to help raise money for legal fees for their removal.
“It was a monumental week. We had over £4,000 in crowdfunding within 24 hours and 30 to 40 people turning up over two days to help with the clear up, as well as a specialist team from Cotswold District Council,” he said.
“What was so amazing was the support of the wider community, local residents and businesses helping both physically and financially. We are hoping to put ourselves back to square one but anything extra will be spent on additional barriers to stop this happening again. I would really like to thank the Executive Committee team who have all helped at the club.”
The club, which is in the town, has been offering other sports use of their facilities and have welcomed hockey, lacrosse, netball, taekwondo and boxing.
A club really at the heart of their community, they reaped the reward as the community weighed in to help, with litter picking and with many donations to the JustGiving campaign, at last count at over £5,000
Said Reeves: “Seeing everyone pulling together, the wide range of people willing to help was fantastic and something really positive coming out of a massive negative.”
