–

It is with a heavy heart that i address you following what is now the third devastating flood to affect our club in just four years. The impact of these events continues to challenge us, but the resilience of our community shines through every time.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union (GRFU) and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) for their invaluable support in these trying times. Your backing has been instrumental in helping us tackle the immediate aftermath and plan for recovery.

A huge thank you as well to Brandon Tool Hire in Gloucester and DJB Cleaning supplies. Your contributions have provided essential equipment and materials that have enabled us to respond swiftly to this crisis. Without such generosity, our efforts would undoubtedly be much harder.

Most importantly, I want to highlight the extraordinary work of our team of volunteers. Time and time again, you have stepped up when the club has needed you most. Whether is clearing debris, cleaning facilities, or rallying morale, your dedication has been nothing short of outstanding.

Thanks to your hard work, we are hopeful to get the club back up and running in time for this Saturday’s crucial match against Exmouth, who currently sit at the top of the league.

This match will be an opportunity for us to not only showcase the fighting spirit of Lydney RFC on the pitch but also demonstrate the unbreakable community spirit that defines our club off the pitch.

Lets all come together, as we always do, to ensure that Lydney RFC remains a beacon of rugby and community pride, no matter the challenges we face.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours in Rugby

–

‘It brings a tear to your eye’: Lydney RFC overwhelmed by support from community after flooding

A rugby club which was badly damaged by flooding caused by Storm Bert has said the response from people offering to help with the clean-up operation has been “incredible”.

Lydney RFC, in Gloucestershire, was left completely underwater after the River Lyd burst its banks following torrential rain on Sunday 24 November.

Water several inches deep entered the clubhouse, changing rooms and kitchen and also covered the pitches.

Chairman Duncan Sleeman said it is the third “devastating” flood to affect the club in the past four years.

“We had previously installed some flood defences to help protect the clubhouse, but the severity of the weekend’s storm meant the water rose above the defences,” he said.

The club said a huge clean-up operation is underway, and it has been “overwhelmed” by the number of people who have stepped in to try and get the club up and running again ahead of its match against Exmouth at the weekend.

“It brings a tear to your eye when you see people willing to come and help to get the club going again,” Roger Pike, media manager at Lydney RFC, said.

“It’s so overwhelming. Some of the people down there who’ve been mopping up the water are well into their 70s. That’s what is quite inspiring – when you see somebody of that age coming down to help.”

He added: “We’ve had all sorts of people contact us, offering to give their time for free. It’s heartwarming to see.

“The rugby club is the heart and soul of the town. Everybody knows everybody and they just want to help.”

Mr Pike said he believes it will cost around £10,000 to repair the damage caused by the flooding, adding it is “heartbreaking” for the club.

He said the club will then need to spend around £50,000 to try to protect it from future flooding.

“We cannot survive if we’re not protected,” he said. “We’re not cash-rich and we survive from year to year.

“It’s going to take a big fundraising effort to try and protect ourselves from future flooding,” he said.