Sadly, we have been informed that Neil Hubbard died recently following a heart attack. Neil was a recruit from The Palace pub in Leamington, together with Cled O’Connell, John Faulkner, Pete Lines and other gentle folk who liked an “early orange” before the game. Neil started playing in the Tigers (5th team) in 1971-72 as a prop and he worked his way up the sides during that decade including a few games for the first XV. The funeral will be on 26 June – Canley Crematorium at 10.30 (to be confirmed) and afterwards at the Club at 11.30

Also, we are informed of the passing of Ada Robertson, mother of Jim and John Robertson after an illness. Funeral details are not yet available.

Tony Grimes’s funeral event on Sunday 7 June at 3.00 at the family farm in Long Itchington. This will be a celebration of his life and all are welcome.

Normal bar opening this week. The Royals are playing their first home game of the season, against North Midlands Knights, kicking off at 2.30 on saturday

If you are visiting the clubhouse you will see that our 100 year history board has now been completed and installed. Our thanks go in particular to Toni Reszka, Lucy Ramsbottom and Gareth Wilkinson, who all helped me with this, plus Russell, the designer (from Progressive Imaging) and Nigel the printer (from Creative Design) who produced it

Events coming up are

• The club annual dinner this Friday 5th June at 6.45 (for 7.15) at the club. This is being organised by the players. Alikadoos are welcome and there will be a supporters’ table. Price is £30 and if you want to attend you can let Tom Chandler or John Brear or me know PDQ and make your payment direct int the club account – 16-23-15. 11851701 - “players dinner”

• We still need volunteer Marshals for the Two Castle Run on Sunday 14 June, from about 7.30 am to 11.00 am. For everyone we provide we get £50. Please contact Lucy Ramsbottom on +44 7904 105584 or lucy@ramsbottom-events.co.ukThe Centenary

• Centenary Golf Tournament on Wednesday 24 June, organised by Pete Forrest at Leamington Whitnash. Entry fee is £65 including bacon bap on arrival and dinner afterwards. Contact email peteaforrest@hotmail.com

• The club AGM will be held on Wednesday 29 July. Please put this in your diary and if you are interested in coming forward to help with the running of the club, please let me know. Papers will be sent out in due course

• We have an allocation of tickets for the Nations Championship games in November - against Australia on 8th and New Zealand on 21st We can also apply for the Japan game on 14th and the finals weekend of 27-29 November. The application form is attached

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com