Many of you will have heard the sad news that long time Club volunteer Brian Mole lost his battle with cancer nearly two weeks ago. Brian’s funeral service will be held at Houndwood Crematorium on Wednesday 25th October at 11:30am. Club members are requested to wear Club colours and if at all possible Club tie or jumper. The family have requested that it is Family flowers only please. However if you wish to make a donation in lieu to Ward 1, Berwick Infirmary or to Macmillan Cancer Support then that would be lovely.

If you were to look in a Berwick dictionary for the word “community” it would simply say “See Brian Mole”. Brian’s contribution as a volunteer benefited the community he lived in far more than many will ever know. Brian was a perfect volunteer in that he did what he said he would do, and if he couldn’t he would let you know in plenty of time for you to make other arrangements. Or indeed on many occasions he had already arranged cover for his absence so that you didn’t have to.

As a fellow resident of East Ord he contributed and assisted with the local Village Show for many years. When I told my family of Brian’s passing one of the vivid memories they have of him was the annual show where he, and the family, helped with the set up as well as entering most of the classes. His leeks were a sight to behold along with his other vegetables. He had a friendly word for everyone and made a special effort to make sure that everyone felt involved. But he was competitive, and loved to win!

I got to know Brian better when he volunteered, or his daughter Sandra perhaps volunteered him, to cover the gate for First XV games at Scremerston. He would come along early, have a chat to the people in the Clubhouse and then make his way out to the “shed” to ensure that anyone coming along paid their entrance fees. Inevitably he would be joined by other volunteers selling the half time draw tickets. Brian’s devotion to the task meant there were not many who escaped inside without contributing to Club funds. His kindness and thought for others shone out from him. One of my daughters recalls that when the weather was rubbish at Scremerston then when she was selling the half time tickets Brian would share his “shed” to let her escape the worst of the weather. She remembers his kindness, humour and friendliness to everyone who came through the gate. Even those who were grumpy with him received service with a smile! I would usually head out to the ground early and inevitably have a chat with Brian as we updated each other on what was going on and what we were up to. Brian was always busy and took great pride in telling me about how his family were doing. He would also casually mention in a modest way the other things he was doing to support the community, be it helping out with Spittal Variety Group behind the scenes, or tending to his leeks to enter the various leek shows or supporting Berwick Bandits on a Saturday night.

I also had the pleasure of sharing many other moments with Brian over the years and he was a true gentlemen. My last proper conversation with him was outside Berwick Parish Church earlier this year after the service for another Club legend, Davy Scott. I sat with him on a bench outside in the sun as the congregation filed out. We offered each other comfort at the loss of our mutual friend. Brian had been to see Davy in the days leading up to his passing and was questioning if he would be able to be as brave when his time came. By this stage Brian’s battle with cancer was being lost and he was looking for the courage to carry on. I vividly remember trying to find some words of comfort but just at that moment Brian looked up and caught sight of his family who were standing further along. Without hesitation Brian said “but that lot get me through” as he then went on to share with me some recent happy family news that he had received. He told me that his family meant everything to him, and they did. When he lost his beloved wife Brenda it was his family and friends that got him through.

Brian was an easy person to like. He was kind in his words, slow to anger and enjoyed life. Through his illness he faced it with a steely determination and was always open and honest about what he was experiencing and what the next stage might be. He had a lovely sense of humour and even when the news was grim he would try and find some humour in it to make you feel better. His willingness to help others is the stuff of legend and made him popular wherever he went. Brian’s secret to happiness was to give rather than receive and he took delight in seeing others flourish. Brian in his nature liked to see things and people succeed, but he didn’t feel comfortable in the limelight, preferring instead to promote others. I know that he loved Berwick Rugby Club and that in return he had some of his happiest days at the Club. The Club will not be the same again but we will all be thinking of Brian when we next step through the gate and for me the laughter we shared each week will be a big miss. However, I am not alone as everyone involved with the Club will miss him and he was incredibly well liked and popular with all of his fellow volunteers.

Our Rugby Family has lost one of the best examples of the best in people. He set a standard we can all aspire to.

On behalf of the Club we pass on our deepest sympathy and condolences to Brian’s beloved family and to all his friends. We have been richer for knowing him and we are poorer for his loss. RIP Brian.