We managed to finish the project on Saturday 6th May, and it really does look amazing. It will look even better when the concrete sets and we can take the fences down.

Appropriate that Martin Digweed was there at the finish, this whole Social Spaces project was started in 2014 by Martin. Thanks also to Rob Cox and Nigel Pateman for finding the funds, we also had external contributions from The RFU, Hungerford Town Council and Greenham Common Trust.

The clubhouse improvements which was the focus of the social spaces project have made a huge difference to our clubhouse, as our local RFU representative Dave McAteer said, “that is the best ten grand that the RFU have ever spent”. When you look at the improvements to the flooring, the toilet upgrades, new tables, chairs and sofas, the TV projector and screen, the porch and now the outside patio, HRFC have some of the best facilities in the region. And when we get the floodlights up and running we really will be the envy of all.

But most thanks must be reserved for our amazing volunteers and the firms who have donated their time, goods and services, which has meant we have been able to achieve so much with our budget. Firms to thank are Broadmead Estates for their continued support and supply of expert resources and Andy Deacon who provided over two hundred paving slabs.

Also the volunteers: Pierre, Diggy, David Hazle, Steve Mills, Nigel Pateman, Rob Cox, Simon Hanna, Simon and Toby, Aaron, Cren, Richard and Rich.

Thanks to everyone for all your help, it is amazing what you have achieved.

Timeline:
• Andy Deacon donated 125 paving slabs. Very generous thanks Andy
• Anna Gibbard has offered to fill the gap and make this up to the total number of slabs required.
• Sunday 19th February Pierre and team marked the area out for the groundworks
• Saturday 25th February – Broadmead Estates carried out the groundworks. Thanks to Jim and the team for that. Also assisted by Pierre, David, Cren, Coxy and Diggy
• Saturday 4th March – Laid 45 slabs. Well done Pierre, Toby, Simon, Steve and Rob
• Saturday 11th March – Laid 47 slabs. Great work
• Saturday 25th March – Laid 48 slabs Thanks Pierre, Martin, Cren and David
• Saturday 1st April – Laid 36 slabs, thanks to Pierre, Rob, David and Nigel
• Saturday 8th April – Jim and Broadmead Estates laid turf to level the patio and the grass
• Andy Deacon donated another 35 slabs
• Saturdays 29th April – relayed 27 slabs and laid 21 new slabs. Plus a number of other jobs
• Saturday 6th May – laid final 11 slabs, plus created a bike park alongside the patio – amazing stuff Pierre, Martin, David and Steve