Focus on... A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN

Living in Rugby we are all aware of the world-famous independent school whose grounds wraps around the town. Often you may notice coach loads of visitors arriving for tours. So why have you never thought of going on one of these tours yourself?

Lots of us have been entertained at The Festival on the Close, The Open-Air Cinema, The Macready Theatre, or watched our children perform at the impressive Temple Speech Room. But how many of us have been intrigued and have wanted to step through those doors to see where the smartly dressed students disappear to, the girls gliding along in their smart floor length long skirts, the boys in their various coloured ‘house’ ties and lovely tweed blazers? Who would like to find out just what is behind those amazing wooden arched doors?

Rugby School is open to anyone for tours and that includes us locals! On the day we visited recently we were joined by a touring 75 strong Rugby Football Group from Portland, Maine, and accompanied by 3 guides, Annie, Julie & Angus who enthralled us not only in the history of the school, but also the game of Rugby. We have all heard about in 1823, local lad William Webb Ellis, with a fine disregard for the rules of football, took the ball in his arms and ran with it, originating the game of rugby football. But after a tour around the school, you will know there is much, much more to their story and so much more history within its walls.

Our tour started at the Temple Speech Room, into the Upper Bench Room, The New Quad, (the UK’s first ever school science lab) from there to School Chapel, past the Birching Tower, along to the Bicentenary Exhibition: ‘He ran with it’ and Museum before finishing at the School Shop. It’s not just the buildings that will leave you wide eyed but the storytelling, the history of the school, some of the people who have worked & studied there and of course the beauty of the whole place. As a working school, each tour differs according to availability, and on your tour, you may find you go into different places to us, but we know you will see and hear amazing things, whichever parts of this wonderful vast school you get to see. We won’t go into detail too much about the tour as it will spoil it - you need to find out for yourselves. But why is it that last month people travelled as far from the States, Italy and France to take a history tour when we have it on our doorstep.

We’re sure you will leave wondering why you’d never been sooner, and we are positive you will love it as much as we did. Oh, and when you do the tour be sure to ask to see the Death Cart in the museum! Prices for the tour are just £8.50 adults and £6.50 concessions but you can get a £2 discount per ticket when you quote The Rugby Register at the time of booking! (Discount valid until the end of 2023).

To book a tour go to: www.rugbyschoolenterprises.co.uk or call 01788 556169 (Term -Time).

This year celebrates 200 years since the birth of the game of Rugby Football when William Webb Ellis took the ball in his hands and ran with it and Rugby School have organised a packed calendar of celebration events for you to enjoy and get involved with. Each month The Rugby Register will be publishing upcoming events but if you want to see and book them go to www.rugbyschool.co.uk/200-anniversary/events (see page 3) and/or follow them on social media @RugbySchool1567

During this special celebratory year, the Schools archivist has put on display an amazing exhibition called ‘He ran with it’ showing many of the schools archives relating to the game. This can be viewed in person for the next few months with the exhibition open during tours (until Easter) and when events are happening at the Close. It can also viewed online at www.rugbyschoolarchives.co.uk, and from September to December it will be on display in Rugby Art Gallery. You may or may not be aware of the Rugby School Shop and you can be forgiven for assuming that this is purely for Students of the school. However, if you pop along as part of a tour, or just when you are next in town you will be surprised at all it has to offer. Yes, it has school items, but it is much, much more, from clothing & sportswear, footwear, games (like Monopoly Rugby!), a number of fascinating books and a whole plethora of great gift ideas, it really is worth calling in. The ladies in there, Anne & Julie will give you a very warm & friendly welcome. Tours can also be booked from here. The shop is located on Barby Road, opposite the entrance for Horton Crescent, through the black wrought iron gates and is open term time: Mon-Fri 8.30-2pm / Sat – 9-2pm.

£2 DISCOUNT PER TICKET

Just quote: The Rugby Register at time of booking!