After a lot of fundraising (thank you members), a generous grant (thank you SODC), equally generous match-funding (thank you Rectory Homes) and the offer of a loan (thank you Thame Town Council), the board have pressed the button on the extension to the front of the building.

Classic Builders of Watlington have taken on the challenge and are due to start on 9th May. The target is to be finished for the start of the season – it may be tight, but the builders and everyone at the club will do their best to have a shiny new entrance and the alterations complete for the start of the 2016/17 season.

The outcome of the building works will be to provide a new, modern entrance to the club (with a lift inside the building), revamped and enlarged WCs, a dedicated shop and a bigger kitchen. The existing club office goes and is replaced on the ground floor. Ancillary works include new drainage, a new intruder alarm and improved access to the changing rooms.

Our esteemed president John Ashfield said of the project: “It is great that we have made the decision to get on with it – everyone within and outside the club has been so supportive. We want to improve the experience for all our members and for every visitor to the club. This is a first and significant step on that journey. The plans are sound and we are looking forward to the works being completed with the minimum of disruption over the summer”

Practicalities mean that summer touch rugby and some events will need to use the doors direct into the changing rooms on the ground floor or the bars upstairs. Further details will be disseminated through team captains and age group coaches in due course. Questions about the building works should be directed to any committee member or to Alex (Hon Sec).