TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
On this day in 1778 Captain James Cook discovered the Sandwich Islands, now known as Hawaii. I prefer Sandwich because no pizza should contain pineapple.
Dr. Thomas Stoltz Harvey stole Einstein’s brain during the autopsy and cut it into 240 pieces searching for the secret of intelligence. The idiot never found it!
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Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
Witney Calling!
Today sees our First Team welcome Swindon to Hailey Road following the first Chairman’s Lunch of 2025. Let’s have a great lunch and then we can get properly behind our boys. Our Twos are on the road to Abingdon for a very important midtable clash whilst our Threes travel to high flying Risborough. Tomorrow our Angels welcome Buckingham Swans, a fixture which sees Naomi Godfrey celebrate her 150th game in a Witney shirt. Our Academy boys welcome Reading Colts A in a long awaited, much re-arranged league fixture that should see our boys climb back up the table.
I want to draw your attention to a fund raiser that is close to all our hearts:
Witney Calling!
Georgie’s fundraiser for RFU Injured Players Foundation
Most of you will recall the tragic event during Witney Veterans’ game against Banbury Veterans in November when John Baker, JB, was badly injured with catastrophic impact to his vertebrae between C3 and C6. This has resulted in paralysis to his arms and legs, a major blow to anyone but to a very active man in the prime of his life it is devastating.
His daughter, Georgina has decided to raise awareness and funds for RFU Injured Players Foundation. The RFU Injured Players Foundation is a foundation that supports rugby players who have sustained a catastrophic spinal injury or an active traumatic brain injury and help prevent future injuries through research and education. This foundation offers lifelong and immediate support to the players that were injured and to their families.
Witney Calling!
Banbury player John (JB) Baker sustained an injury during a VETS match at Banbury RFC against Witney RFC in November 2024. Unfortunately JB has been left paralysed from the chest down losing function in both arms and legs. His Daughter Georgie has taken on the challenge to complete 12 hikes around the UK in 12 months, something which JB would be both immensely proud of and, also somewhat jealous. If you want to know more about the family, the challenge and donate then visit Georgie’s
JustGiving page
Witney Calling!
I wanted to make you aware of a serious issue surrounding health, the subject is suicide. We rarely talk about it, which is one of the problems, there is a stigma attached to it. Before we look at how we can be better placed to help, here’s a few statistics:
Almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, nearly twice the number who die by homicide.
For every death by suicide, there are approx’ 20 suicide attempts made. Each death by suicide leaves behind a community of bereaved family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. For every death by suicide, at least 7 to 10 people are directly affected by the loss.
Research shows that mental illness is the most important risk factor for suicide. More than 90% of people who die by suicide struggle with their mental health and/or addiction. Researchers estimate that up to 60% of people who die by suicide have major depression.
In the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50.
So, what can we do? I believe the first step is for as many people as possible to be made aware of the signs and behaviour which could indicate somebody is contemplating suicide. Fortunately, there is a free online training aid available, which I would encourage as many people as possible to participate in. It takes about 30-40 minutes and can be found Here & Here
In the meantime if anyone has any concerns then please feel free to reach out to Ian Loughborough at l8est55@gmail.com or on
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
Saturday 25th January 2025.
Our very own Andrew Nixey is performing at Fat Lil’s with his band, Trauma UK. So pierce your nose, hang some paperclips off it, and don a black bin bag. Or you could just get along to Fat Lil’s for a great night of Punk and Rock. Tickets available here!
Saturday 8th March 2025
Chairman’s Lunch kicking off at 11am. Some places still available. Thornbury will be the opposition this day, they got all 5 points in the earlier fixture in Bristol, let’s hope Witney can return the compliment.
What’s On @ Hailey Road!
If you have burried your head for the last couple of months, then you probably won’t be interested. But if you are Human, then you will know that the 2025 6 Nations is nearly upon us!!
Why not watch everything at Hailey Road, you know it makes sense.
1st Things First!
Gordano First XV 12 : 13 Witney First XV
(HT 5 : 5)
Witney got off to a flier with a try from young Jacob Hayter in the first two minutes, quite rare for our boys to get off to such a powerful start. It didn’t last long and on the 10-minute point Gordano were back level. In the second half Gordano scored a converted try to take the lead 12 : 5. That’s how it stayed until the last 5 minutes and step-up young Jacob again for his second of the game, unfortunately Ollie Dawkins failed to land the conversion and we were 12 : 10 down going into the last couple of minutes.
Witney were pressing and with a catch and drive from a 5m lineout found our pack camped onthe try line beneath the Gordano posts. The pressure was too much and with the clock in the red, Witney were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Step up Ollie Dawkins and a winning conversion, we will take 1 from 3 so long as we get that result. Want to see that closing play, click here
We also had something else to celebrate with three pairs of siblings donning the Black and Blue: Matt and Dan Webb, Finn and Cameron Ayris and our half back partnership of Nick and Ollie Dawkins. Proof if any were needed that Witney is a family club.
This week our First XV welcome Swindon. Last time out in Swindon, Witney bagged all 5 points after a thrilling end to end fixture. Hopefully this weekend with a home crowd behind us we can secure another 5 points. So come on everybody, get behind our boys in Black and Blue.
Come on you Black and Blues!
Just 5 points separate 7th and 10th!
1st XV - South West Division
Regional 2 Tribute Severn League Table
Walk-In Hairdressing & Barbering
2 Be or not 2 Be!
The weather struck again and the Vipers were frozen out of their Chesham fixture.
Today our Two’s Boys travel to Abingdon for a massive local derby. Last time out here at Hailey Road, we were treated to an exceptional game, 6 tries in beautiful sunshine. Abingdon trail us by 9 points in the league but with a game in hand. A win today would put some clear water between us. Whilst we can’t guarantee the weather, although it looks likely to be fine, be certain our 2s will attempt to entertain and more importantly, bring home the points.
Abingdon XV vs Witney 2nd XV
2.30pm KO
Come on you Black and Blues!
Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
THREES A CROWD!
The Wallingford game also fell victim to the weather and so this week we concentrate on this week’s trip to Risborough. Risborough are riding high in second place and the last meeting between the two resulted in a cavalcade of tries for the visitors to Hailey Road.
It’s fair to say that our Threes were struggling to field a full squad back in October, hopefully having had a week off we will have plenty of Witney Prime Beef putting their hands up to join the Threes on the road this weekend.
Risborough XV vs Witney 3rd XV
KO 2pm
Come on you Black and Blues!
Veterans @ Hailey Road
lar belief, you to have: enches of WWI a pacemaker! g either of preclude you aying, a letter from rent.
The Reality is:
You have to be over 35 years old and have been a member of Witney RFC for at least 4 weeks before match day. Sound like this could be for you? Why not come along to Club training nights; Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you need to ease back in gently, we have Walking and Touch Rugby on Thursday evenings. Contact Simon Copperwheat on: 07904 360561
I sit and wait, Does an Angel contemplate my fate?
Watch the Witney Angels
@Hailey Road
Sun 19th Jan 2025
KO 2pm
Witney Angels vs Buckingham Swans Ladies
Sun 9th Feb 2025
KO TBC
Rugby Lionesses ladies vs Witney Angels
Sun 23rd Feb 2025
KO TBC
Coventry Welsh ladies vs Witney Angels
Angels Calling!
No match report as the Old Northamptonians game fell victim to the weather.
This week the Angels host Buckingham Swans Ladies II. The Swans sit up in 2nd having won 6 from 6, and last time out in Buckingham our Angels put up a brave fight but went down 37 : 14 having held Buckingham to a close battle in the first half. Two tries from Ellen Raymond, converted by Naomi Godfrey brought us our points last time out.
This time out it’s Naomi’s 150th game in an Angel shirt in her 25th year as a player member of our wonderful Club. In the 25 years, Naomi has been player of the year 3 seasons and the players player of the year in her second year in rugby. Despite being a lock forward, Naomi will often be the chosen kicker, a bit John Eales for those that remember. As well as her performance on the pitch and in training, Naomi has been Team treasurer, coach driver, and agony aunt. A huge member of the Club and Witney community, delivering smiles, anecdotes, laughter and warmth to all she meets. Thank you, Naomi, for all you have done for the Angels and the Club, good luck on Sunday and for the rest of your playing days with Witney Angels.
Fingers crossed the Team Sheet is full on Sunday and the weather is kind. Go Angels!
Witney Angels vs Buckingham Swans Ladies
KO 2pm
Witney Academy
Let’s Get Back To Winning Ways!
With no match last weekend to report on, we concentrate on this weekend’s fixture against Oxford Harlequins Colts A.
Quins Colts are in the League above our boys but currently sit bottom of the pile with none from three. That won’t matter to them as they will be hoping to get their season underway against lower league opposition. Our Academy boys will have to be on their A game if they want to unsettle our neighbours.
Before we take to the field, we have some good news to pass on. Our very own Charlie Greenslade has got through to the final stages of selection trials to represent South West Region U18s. Well done Charlie and good luck at the next stage.
Come on you Witney Boys!
Witney RFC Walking Rugby.
The Witney Wizards is a group of older players, some with no previous rugby playing experience, all with one aim, to enjoy some fitness in a happy, social environment. We train once a week on Thursday evenings. Skills sessions, tactics, and competitive games, followed by a Supper Club and a social drink in our Hailey Road Clubhouse. The Wizards welcome people of all ages and backgrounds; we do have female players but could always do with more. The Wizards have played competitive matches at home and away, always draws a big crowd and above all else, is always fun. Think this is for you, why not come along and give it a Try!
The club have 8 tickets for England v Italy @ Twickenham on Sunday 9th March. Great tickets at only £119 each. Available to Club members and Sponsors on a First come First served basis. Contact Ian: tickets@witneyrugby.co.uk
To book a table or individual places please contact WRFC Chairman, Bob Fisk. email: robertfisk@btinternet.com
Sponsors: All sponsors are welcome to attend, Some sponsorship packages include chairman’s lunch, otherwise charges apply
VP’s, Club Members & Guests: All welcome, price per lunch may vary between £30-35 per head
