WELLINGTON Rugby Club have completed phase one of their ambitious plans to provide additional playing and training space at the Athletic Ground. 

The club have been able to carry out the work due to a generous £80,000 grant given to them by the former SW&T Council from the Infrastructure Levy placed on new build homes in the Wellington area.

Keith Hazelden and his team have laid new drainage, dug out new culverts and landscaped and levelled the playing areas. This will eventually allow for a new training area and additional junior pitches for the club’s thriving Mini and Junior section.

Despite initial concerns from sections of the Wellington Community, the club has at all times followed planning, ecological and arborist advice prior to commencing the project. The cub has spent a significant amount in ensuring that all guidelines have been followed and are delighted that in September they will be planting circa 40 semi mature trees at the top and bottom ends of the site. 

Some of these trees are to be planted in memory of deceased members of the rugby club including an oak in memory of Richard Fox, a past supporter of the club and keen conservationist in the town.

Further work this summer will see the erection of a boundary fence and enhancements to current drainage.

Secretary Ashley Colman has thanked everyone for their hard work and perseverance over a number of years and in particular Phil Braddick for his crucial involvement in dealing with all the relevant agencies.

He said: “Wellington Rugby, Football and Cricket Clubs are at the heart of our wonderful Wellington Community and we wish to voice our 100 per cent support to the tootball and cricket clubs who are desperate to secure the additional playing fields they require. 

“The 3G facility at Court Fields School is a welcome addition to the town and it is hoped that the proposed additional junior pitches will be provided within the Green Corridor area. We are very lucky to have some wonderful sporting facilities in our town but as the local council’s own Playing Field Strategy has identified, further pitches are desperately needed.”

Meanwhile, Wellington Rugby Club will be celebrating its 150th year anniversary season with a number of events during the winter, including a big gala dinner in a marquee at the Athletic Ground next April.

Their players have also reported back for pre-season training - on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Wellington’s first team will again be playing in Regional Two South West and kick off the new season with a home game against Cullompton on Saturday, September 7.

Former England and Bath hooker Graham Dawe will be continuing as the club’s head coach