Sport

Sport Rugby lunch scores a stunning £36,000

The Diverse Abilities Rugby Lunch, hosted at Hoburne Park in Christchurch and sponsored by Dixon Stewart, raised almost £40,000 for the disability charity on Friday, September 17. The fundraiser featured guest speakers Gavin Hastings, Scottish former Rugby Union player, and David ‘Flats’ Flatman, former prop for Bath and English Rugby Union player. The event was compered by Ross Goode. Gavin Hastings said: “I was delighted to be able to support the Diverse Abilities Rugby Lunch and be part of an outstanding fundraising effort from all who attended. “I think the atmosphere in the room was one which we have all missed over the last 18 months or so and the energy manifested itself into a real party atmosphere. Congratulations to all involved.” With a grand total of £36,443 made on the day, the 10 years of lunches has raised £268,443 to help provide vital care for children and adults with disabilities in the county. Fundraisers on the day included a raffle, silent auction, live auction, and a game of the popular Knife, Fork and Spoon quiz. David Fuller, IT consultant at Avaloq UK, attended the event and commented: “The Rugby Lunch was a great chance to talk rugby, enjoy some great food and wine, and raise money for Diverse Abilities. “I took my two sons Richard and Jack along to get the younger generation involved. “Gavin Hastings and David Flatman were both excellent speakers and in conversation. “I hope that we can see them again soon. “Everyone involved in organising and running this event did a great job. “We were reminded of the great work that is done by Diverse Abilities in the community and how important these events are to raise funds. “We will be there again next year and I recommend it to all rugby fans.” Guests enjoyed a threecourse meal, provided by Hoburne Park, which was followed by a presentation by Hastings and a Questionand-Answer session with David Flatman. Guests were also able to purchase signed copies of Hastings’ new book ‘Legacy of The Lions’. Karen Hay, events manager at Diverse Abilities, added: “We’re so pleased everyone had such a fantastic time –there was a real buzz in the room, and we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible for us to smash through our £250,000 target.” Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events for details about the charity’s upcoming events.

A GOOD TRY: From left, Mark Powell, Diverse Abilities CEO, Gavin Hastings, David Flatman, and host Ross Goode with a Rugby Union top auction prize Picture: PAUL COLLINS

A walk around...

with retired Dorset rights of way officer Chris Slade

CHALBURY

Chalbury is a small hilltop village with distant views in all directions. Park near the historic church, which is usually open and worth a visit. You don’t see many box pews nowadays. The people are friendly: On one visit I saw a farmer spud picking in a field with a footpath crossing it. I mentioned to him that, back in my school holidays (well over half a century ago), I used to earn £4 a week spud picking. He instantly offered me a 25% increase! I turned him down as it wouldn’t cover the cost of fuel and it’s too far to cycle. Walk north-west through the village then down the road for a mile, crossing a road, to Didlington Farm, which is on the Hardy Way. Turn left and head south south-west for five furlongs until you meet a road that will take you north-east for a short distance to join a footpath on your right heading east north east for five furlongs uphill across fields, going past Glebe Farm to meet the road near a bend on top of the hill. Turn right and head back to near your car, then go left and head north down a bridleway past Chalbury Farm to a meeting of ways and turn right, taking a footpath heading south east for three furlongs to another cross paths where you turn right and head, once again, uphill and back to the village. To complete your exploration, it’s worth continuing through the village down the road south east for half a mile to Chalbury Common a settlement on the parish boundary more populated than the village itself but it’s all uphill back to where you left your car. The total distance for this walk is