• All community rugby activity in England is suspended until further notice
• All adult and age grade rugby training and fixtures must stop
• We return again to Stage A on the Return to Rugby roadmap
• Indoor gyms and sports facilities will remain closed
• Outdoor sports venues, including rugby clubs, must close
• People can still leave their homes to exercise, alone or with one other person, once a day, within their own local area and maintaining social distancing

We are expecting some communication from the Midland Division concerning the adapted rules competition planned to start at the end of January which we assume will now be suspended.

Whilst this is not the start to 2021 that we had hoped for, the club accepts that it must play its part in protecting the community and minimising the risks to people’s health. We hope this will result in a normal way of life returning in the coming months as the transmission rate slows and the vaccine becomes effective. We will keep you in touch with things as they develop

Barrie Hopkinson RIP
I am sorry to have to start the New Year with news of the passing away of another club member. Barrie (Bazza) Hopkinson our Chairman of Vice Presidents, who died suddenly at the weekend.

Bazza played most of his rugby in London as a hooker for Old Millhillians RFC and the Cougars (a multi-national Sunday team) where he encountered our club President, Dave Ward. The Cougars toured Leamington and played friendlies against us on a number of occasions and Bazza liked the Leamington spirit so much he decided to move here to live, with his American wife Cheri in 2007-08. He started to play for us for us including on tour to Denia and Magaluf.

He was a big personality who lived to the full and was a major contributor to the social life of the club and had recently taken on the role of organising the VP lunches. He will be greatly missed. our condolences go to Cheri and his family.

johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com