TheWitneystoreisatruecommunitystore, servingthevicinityforthepast40years. Stockingeverythingfromwinetowetwipes andbreadtobananas,CannonPool(asit's affectionatelyknown)isaonestopshopfor HaileyRoadandthesurroundingvillages. On Sale from
Today is the 266th anniversary of the birth of Scottish poet Robbie Burns. The first Burns Supper was held on 29th January 1802 by friends of his who got his birthday date wrong. The following year they got the date right and his memory is now celebrated every year on the 25th of January. Freddie Burns, no relation, played 131 times for Gloucester and 5 times for England.
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WRFC Walking Rugby
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Barry Bowles & Tony Maycock
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Come & Watch Rugby @Witney RFC!
Witney Calling!
Today sees our First Team welcome Drybrook to Hailey Road at 3pm, whilst our Twos look to get make it wins home and away against Chesham. 2pm kick off. Our Threes will hopefully welcome Wallingford II for a 2pm kick off. I say hopefully because our Third Team will suffer from lack of player power as players from the 2s & 3s opted to book holidays over what was supposed to be a rest weekend for them.
We do not like to cancel fixtures, it sticks in the throat, and we endeavour to put out 3 senior Men’s teams every week. I would ask all of you to talk to your friends and neighbours and let’s see if we can’t get player numbers up across the playing spectrum.
We are fortunate to have a fabulous Minis & Juniors set up across all age groups and genders from 4+ to Academy level at 16-18yrs. The Academy have been filling senior positions all season and enjoying the challenge, it would be great to see even more youngsters enjoying Sunday mornings and regular fixtures so please spread the word.
Witney Calling!
Georgie’s fundraiser for RFU
Injured Players Foundation
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
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 a performance from our Vipers away at Abingdon last week. 8 tries, seven of which were converted by Liam Cook, delivered one of the worst defeats Abingdon have suffered this season at home. One could argue that had Witney not been playing with 14 men for at least 40 minutes of the game then the score difference could have been even higher. Tries came from Rory Atkins who greedily grabbed three. Richie Craig, Dan Boshell, Joe Turberville, Montgomery Hinge and Josh Rihan all bagged one a piece. A great result with plenty of positives and a timely reminder of the dangers of getting on the wrong side of the match official.
This week sees our Vipers welcome Chesham to Hailey Road. Chesham sit down in 10th but with 2 games in hand will be looking to make ground on the Vipers.
Witney 2nd XV vs Chesham XV 2pm KO Come on you Black and Blues!
Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North
THREES A CROWD!
Risborough First XV 54 : 29 Witney 2nd XV (HT. 14 : 5)
This week our boys welcome Wallingford II XV. Wallingford sit just one place above us in the league and it would be brilliant if we were able to close the gap between us and them.
Witney 3rd XV vs Wallingford 2nd XV
Come on you Black and Blues!
Counties
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 9th Feb 2025
KO TBC
Rugby Lionesses ladies vs Witney Angels
Sun 23rd Feb 2025
KO TBC
Coventry Welsh ladies vs Witney Angels
Witney Academy
Let’s Get Back To Winning Ways!
Witney Academy 15 : 15 Reading
Colts A
A positive start to 2025 rugby with a draw against the team sitting one place above us. Bad weather meant it had been a while since the Academy had been able to train and play properly, so to see positive signs during the match was reassuring.
Of course there are always things to work on, but the attitude in the first half was spot on; focused, determined, positive. Tries from Jack Larkin and Reuben Owen and a conversion from Jacob Hayter added to a penalty from Ed Bee gave us our points. Ed bee was rightly nominated Man of the Match.
The second half was a bit more chaotic which allowed Reading back into the game. Frustration spilled over into ill-discipline and a series of yellow cards were duly dealt to Witney players, very disappointing. Our focus in training moving forward will be on maintaining focus throughout the entire game. We know we’re capable of it.
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
