Luctonians to celebrate their 60 years in style
1:05pm Friday 25th April 2008
LUCTONIANS are counting down to the festivities for their 60th anniversary in May.
And the Kingsland club are still hoping that they may be able to celebrate their diamond jubilee as a National League club if all goes according to plan in their Divisional 1 play-off at Huddersfield on Saturday.
Luctonians have come a long way since their small beginnings as ‘Old Luctonians’ - named after nearby Lucton School - back in 1948.
Sixty years ago, a set of rugby posts were erected in a farmer’s field for their early games.
Now, the club can boast excellent social and sporting facilities and the official opening of their extended clubhouse will be incorporated in the celebrations over the weekend of May 16-18.
Luctonians now boast 22 teams playing rugby, cricket and netball from their Mortimer Park home and hundreds of schoolchildren from local schools regularly visit the ground for coaching sessions.
The newly-extended clubhouse can seat more than 200 people for a variety of functions and sportsmen have access to eight new and well-equipped changing rooms - and 20 acres of ground to play on.
The weekend of celebration begins on Friday, May 16 with a black-tie dinner.
The following day, barbecue-style food will be available from the club house with a back-drop of two cricket matches taking place during the afternoon.
The evening will see the presentation of the senior rugby awards for the 2007/8 season with two live bands playing at the club.
The official opening of the club house, at 2pm on Sunday, May 18, which will be carried out by Ali Davies and Bill Thomas, two members of the original 1948 side, forms the centrepiece of a very varied and full day.
There will be a church service at Kingsland Church at 11am followed by a beer in the Angel Inn at noon.
After the official opening, a pig roast will be available and the junior rugby awards will be presented before the club’s under-19 side will be playing a rugby match from 3pm.
Everyone, young and old, is welcome at the celebrations when it is hoped that as many people as possible will come along to join in.