RFU president feeling positive

Nigel Gillingham is halfway through his year as president of the Rugby Football Union.

He took on the prestigious role at the start of August, a role he says is “a huge honour and a privilege”

His time at the helm has already seen him take in the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, a tournament that saw the hosts overcome England 34-21 in what proved to be a thrilling final at the end of last year.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but I think historically people will look back on the game as one of huge significance and one of the greatest Test matches ever played, either by men or women,” Gillingham told The Local Answer.

“I think it will be comparable for historic consequence with the men’s final in 1995 between South Africa and New Zealand.

“The drama, the excitement, it really was a great game of rugby.

“What we must do now is build on that World Cup final. The women’s game has grown but now we must grab that opportunity to attract more girls into the game.”

This year, it’s the turn of the men to take centre stage with their World Cup in France, a seven-week extravaganza of rugby that runs from Friday 8th September to Saturday 28th October.

And with this year’s Six Nations Championship almost upon us, the European club competitions in full flow and the domestic league and cup competitions at local, regional and national level all still to be decided, it’s easy to see why rugby remains such a captivating sport for so many.

And yet the sport of rugby, as with a good number of other

Gillingham

sports, is still getting to grips with the Covid fallout and the impact that the various lockdowns have had on the game.

“We are recovering after Covid and the game is not without its challenges,” admitted Gillingham.

“We are in a time of great turbulence, not just in rugby but in the country and indeed the world.

“But the way I look at it, these challenges provide us with great opportunities and in terms of rugby we must try to take them.”

Gillingham, who lives in Stroud, is a member of the Gloucestershire RFU and is supremely qualified to talk about the great game that is rugby, having been involved with the sport for much of his life.

He was a second row or back row for Leicester in the 1970s when they were the top team in the land, and was in the side that won the John Player Cup at Twickenham in 1980.

Rugby at the top level was a very different game in those days – for a start it was an amateur sport – and while Gillingham is most certainly someone who likes to look forward rather than back, there are certain parts of the game from yesteryear that he doesn’t want to lose.

“Rugby at the top level is much more physical now,” he said. “It’s all about winning the breakdown.

“In the past it was more about creating space and exploiting space, I don’t want us to lose the art of exploiting space.

“It’s so important that we educate children and teenagers, if we do they’ll bring those skills into the adult game.”

Reducing the number of collisions, even by a small amount, should in turn reduce the number of injuries, but while injuries are part and parcel of what is, after all, a physical game, Gillingham is keen to point out that there are huge differences between elite rugby and community rugby.

“I always say that the elite game is like driving an F1 car,” he explained. “You are given specialist training to do a job.

“Community rugby is like driving the family car, that’s a vast difference.”

Rugby’s recently launched ‘Game On’ initiative allows, at the lower levels of the leagues, matches of 10-a-side to be played.

And with other tweaks to the regulations, such as uncontested scrums and shortening the length of the game, the aim is to ensure as many players as possible, and a referee, get a game of rugby.

Gillingham is a big supporter of this type of flexibility.

“We have to recognise what today’s players want and how changes to society have affected what they want,” he said. “We need to look at different formats.”

Full story online.

4 February From The Ground Up Festival Of Sustainability

Following 2022’s success, the theme this year is ‘The LifeCycle of our LifeStyle’. 10am-4.30pm, St Philip & St James Church, Leckhampton. FREE entry, family friendly with exhibitors, talks and ‘Fashion Reframed’ (prebooking via Eventbrite), vegan food, children’s art competition displayed. Key partners: Ecotricity and Cleevely EV Motors. Come, be informed and inspired. Search @ftgu.festival on Facebook.

5 February

GARY DELANEY: GARY IN PUNDERLAND

Get ready to dive into a rabbit hole of the best jokes in the world! One of the most sought-after joke writers in the country and longstanding Mock the Week special guest, Gary has been through the laughing glass and he’s ready to bring you a brand new show with hit after hit of the kind of oneliners only a master could craft. 8pm. £21.50-£23.50. The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. More details at www.thesubrooms.co.uk

10 FEBRUARY - 16 APRIL

Lambing At Cotswold Farm Park

The much-loved annual lambing event is back, with over 300 lambs expected to be born on the farm. You’ll be able to see live births up close and personal, as well as enjoy talks from the Farm Park’s team of experts about all things lambing. Plus, you’ll be able to participate in all the usual play and exciting activities the park has to offer, from meeting and feeding the animals to exploring the beautiful Cotswold countryside. 9.30am-4.30pm. Keep an eye on the website for tickets. www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

11-26 FEBRUARY

The Big Hideout

Join us this half term in our bird hides and discover new adventures in bird watching. Bring all the family and take hiding to a whole new level. Winter is the perfect time to discover incredible wetland wildlife. Borrow our binoculars and telescopes and take a peek at bird life like you’ve never seen it. Hideout experts will be on hand with top tips to help you explore. For full details, please visit www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge 14-15 & 17-18 FEBRUARY

Rococo Players Present Great Expectations

Neil Bartlett’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ well-loved story, directed by Antoinette Wilson. St. Mary de Crypt, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP. (7.30pm, plus Saturday 2.30pm). £15 (£12 concessions). 01452 305235. www.discoverdecrypt.org.uk

15 February

THE ROYAL OPERA: THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

With vocal fireworks, scheming lovers and one very busy barber, Rossini’s comic opera is packed with fun and mischief. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. 7pm. From £12.75. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. For more information, visit www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

17 February

The Take That Experience

Acclaimed vocal performances, stunning replica costumes and iconic dance routines. This incredible show features hit after hit from Take That’s career spanning three decades – from classic 90s hits to their most recent triumphs. £25. 7.30pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

21

February

Cotswold Rda Open Afternoon

Come to our Open Afternoon and see the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cotswold RDA! Visit our facilities, meet the ponies and enjoy our musical ride, before a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Boodles Gold Cup and have your photo taken with it! Doors open at 12.30pm. Musical ride at 2.30pm. Cotswold Riding for the Disabled, Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, GL50 4SH. cotswoldrda.org.uk

22 FEBRUARY

FREE TALK: ENERGY

How can we bring down energy prices? Are renewables the answer? CEO of the Severn Wye Energy Agency, Sandy Hore-Ruthven MBE, discusses these big questions and more in a free talk in Charlton Kings. 7.30pm, Stanton Hall, Charlton Kings. For tickets, email ckfutures@charltonkingsparishcouncil .gov.uk

The Bon Jovi Experience

The world’s first and finest tribute to the great Bon Jovi. The band have toured to ecstatic audiences the world over. Whatever your favourite track – Livin’ on a Prayer, Keep the Faith or You Give Love a Bad Name –this is a night you won’t want to miss. 7.30pm. £22. Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, GL1 1NS. More details at gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

24 February

Circus Spectacular

Join us for the greatest show on earth! Our top-class artistes will bring skill and suspense with their acts, and will also be participating in the production numbers and comedy aspects of the show to make one truly unhinged experience. Circus Spectacular will have everyone laughing and cheering in this fantastic circus style variety show. From £16. 3pm. The Bacon Theatre, Hatherley Road, Cheltenham GL51 6EP. www.bacontheatre.co.uk

24 February

The Smyths

The world’s premier tribute to The Smiths are back! ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ is the album The Smiths never got to play live, having being released after the band had split. Using the 35th anniversary of the album’s release, The Smyths perform the album in full for the first time ever, anywhere! As well as featuring the tracks on the album, this gig will consist of a second set of hits and bsides from Manchester’s finest. 8pm. £19 (£24 on the door). The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. More details at thesubrooms.co.uk

25-26 FEBRUARY COLESBOURNE SNOWDROP OPEN DAYS SUPPORTING COBALT

Stroll around ten acres of garden with woodland and lakeside paths to see huge banks of snowdrops, hellebores and other winter plants. There are over 300 rare and unusual varieties of snowdrop to discover. Refreshments in aid of Cobalt charity. 1pm-4pm. Adults £10, children free. Dogs on leads welcome. Colesbourne Park, GL53 9NP. More details at cobalthealth.co.uk/ support-us/supporter-events

4 March Cheltenham Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing Show

By Deer Spirit Events. Over fifty fantastic exhibitors: 1-1 tarot, psychic, shamanic & clairvoyant readings, holistic therapies, self-help, crystals, jewellery, books, arts and crafts, healthy living products. Thirty talks and workshops, inside and out. Refreshments/parking on site. 11-5pm. Pittville Pump Room, East Approach Drive, Cheltenham GL32 3JE. www.deerspirit.co.uk

12 March Cirencester Vegan Market

Expect to see a wide range of vegan stalls including delicious vegan street food, baked goods and sweet treats, ethical clothing brands, cruelty free cosmetics, arts and crafts, charities and outreach, as well as free samples from our info tent. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Market Place, Cirencester GL7 2NW. www.veganfairs.co.uk

26 MARCH NATIONAL STAR’S SUNRISE WALK

Join National Star’s Sunrise Walk on Sunday 26th March 2023 from Ullenwood, Cheltenham. By putting your best foot forward you will transform the lives of young people with disabilities with every step. The beautiful 12k circular route will give plenty of opportunity to soak up the stunning views around the Cotswold Way. Registration from 4.30am with the walk starting at 6am. nationalstar.org/get-involved/sunrise-walk