ACROSS THE REGIONS

Our regions have been busy holding amazing events and raising funds to support local projects in their regions. Here are some highlights from the events across the UK and Ireland.

fond farewell to JOhn

As John Sumnall steps down from our Cornwall committee, we reflect on his memorable moments of the last 24 years.

In 1999, John Sumnall and Ron Spencer formed a committee with WH (Bill) Bishop as President – Bill was RFU President from 1995-96. John took the role of Chair.

John describes Cornwall’s first big fundraiser: “Willie John McBride spoke at our first dinner in 2000. As I introduced Willie John, I could not finish – the 150 guests rose as one and gave him a magnificent welcome. I have never experienced such respect given to one person.

The fundraising started with a flourish; John tells us: “Our first project was with the

Bishop’s Forum to refurbish a Cornish fishing boat for wheelchair users to sail. A bottle was cracked, and the boat was presented by Bill Bishop to ‘Bishop Bill’ –the media had a field day!”

John retired in 2010 and moved to France, handing over the Chair. Family matters saw him return to Cornwall in 2015 and then to Wooden Spoon.

“I had had just enough wine at a Cornish Pirates match to finally give in to pleas to reform the branch, as it had disbanded in 2013,” he said.

For John, the reward has always been meeting the beneficiaries: “It has given me much joy and was often very moving. I remember working with a school for children with profound physical and medical disabilities to refurbish their play area and garden.

“They gave me presentations of how they would like it to be, and I fought back the tears. At the opening the children presented their drawings as a remembrance. There was no holding the tears this time and I struggled to say thank you.”

From all the Wooden Spoon family, we wish John a long and happy retirement and thank you for all the hard work during those 24 years.