HOWZAT?
England’s most capped player
of all time, Jason Leonard
bowling out former England
AT RUGBY SCHOOL
Cricket Captain, Chris Cowdrey
and Leicester and England back
row, Lewis Moody taking a
brilliant catch in the field. The
On Saturday 14th July the Close at Rugby game was played in fantastic
School was the scene of the inaugural spirit with both sides enjoying
Cassidy Group Martin Johnson Celebrity the afternoon, thanks partly to a
Cricket Event that successfully raised a rare appearance from the
significant amount of money for Wooden sunshine.
Spoon and the English Schools Cricket Martin Johnson, Captain of the
Association. Wooden Spoon XI said,
A host of sporting celebrities were present “The players and their families
Above: Martin Johnson’s Cricket team lined up with
as World Cup winning hero Martin Johnson have really enjoyed the day today. It’s been
some well know faces including l-r Austin Healey,
led a Wooden Spoon Cricket XI including six great to catch up with old friends, play some
Greame Rowntree, Will Greenwood, Neil Back and
Leon Lloyd, seen here with two children attending
of the victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup sport and support such worthy charities in the TNTea Party
team, against the world renowned Bunbury the process. We are disappointed that we
Cricket Club led by the charismatic David didn’t win the match but of course there is day very special, especially the players who
English. Before playing the 35 over match the always next year!” have all given up their Saturday to help
players joined title sponsors, the Cassidy Warwickshire Region organised this support the charities.”
Group and other VIP guests for a fantastic wonderful event and representative Jai Wooden Spoon proceeds from the event
summer lunch in the grand marquee. Purewal added, “As Rugby’s Charity it’s are going towards funding a much need
The Bunbury team led from the outset with important that we build on our relationship specialist Toy Library at Exhall Grange School
England cricket legend Graeme Hick, top with the town, the school and the and Science College in Coventry. The centre
scoring with 89 runs and Great British athlete inhabitants of Rugby. We have all had a great will provide hundreds of families across
Du’aine Ladejo testing the rugby players with day, the sun shone, the crowds came and Coventry and Warwickshire with access to
one or two pacey deliveries. everyone got to see their favourite sporting specialist toys and equipment that would
The Spoon team had their moments with stars. Thank you to everyone who made this otherwise be too expensive.
ALL CHANGE AT THE TOP
Regional Golf
Wooden Spoon regrets to announce
that, after six successful years of service,
Final St Pierre
its Chief Executive, Geoff Morris, has Chepstow 28th September
decided to leave the Charity to pursue
other interests. This was effective from 30 Regional teams from all over the
30th September 2007. UK and Ireland descended on St Pierre
During his tenure as Chief Executive, for the Wooden Spoon Regional Golf
the Charity achieved very strong Final. Teams from as far a field as the
growth, both in its annual surplus and in Borders, Northumberland, Ulster, Kent
its volunteer supporter base. The surplus and Cornwall played for the right to
increased from approximately £700,000 be named Wooden Spoon Golf
to more than £1,700,000, with the Champions 2007.
volunteer base growing from 20 The result of a very close fought
Regional Committees to more than 40. contest produced some magnificent
Geoff presided over a period of rapid competitive golf. The Welsh team
change: updating the Charity’s brand finished top by virtue of a count
and image, recruiting a strong team and back with Northumberland and right
improving the public awareness of on their tail was Somerset in third
Wooden Spoon, while at the same time place. The sponsors’ prize was won
delivering record fundraising results. by Neil Pugh's team from Glamorgan
An interim management team headed Telecom. The final was the
by Wooden Spoon’s Chairman, Roger culmination of 36 regional golf days
Davies, has been put in place and and which this year raised over £200,000,
former trustee Chris Gill has become the a hugely important part of regional
interim CEO. It is hoped that Geoff will fundraising.
continue to be involved in some of Thanks once again go to the national
Spoon’s fundraising activities in the sponsors for making the golf days such
future. a success. These include: Armada
The Charity wishes to thank Geoff for Finance, Wilson, Master's Golf, Manwood
Above: Teams have fun at the Chepstow course
competing in the Wooden Spoon Regional Golf
his contribution and wishes him Wines and Office Water Coolers.
Day Final.
continued success in the future. The Golf Final itself through sponsorship,
You can read an interview with Geoff raffle and a particularly well supported auction Thank you and see you at the final
Morris on page 28 raised a record £41,000 for Spoon nationally. next year!
Spoonews Autumn 2007 5
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