Birthday Bash for Cumbria Chairman
From French Barbarians to truffle hunts: Cumbria RU's new chairman, Neil Marston, had a 60th birthday to remember.
Neil Marston has had plenty to celebrate recently, becoming chairman of Cumbria RU, turning 60 and, with his two sons James and Matthew, playing for the club of which he is chairman, Upper Eden RFC, in a celebratory charity match against a French Barbarian side.
Upper Eden first met the visiting team from Lyon, Les Sans Genie De Lovale. in 2009 at a Vets tournament for Over 35s in France. They have since formed a regular link which has seen Eden Vets on a winning streak as the Cumbrians toured twice to Lyon and their visitors came to them twice.
Both sides are still enjoying their encounters and the latest raised around £1,500 for the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF) and the Great North Air Ambulance.
Neil said: “I chose these charities as the air ambulance serves us so well and we have used this service at the club. My nephew, Wayne, suffered a catastrophic rugby injury many years ago while playing for Kendal so I’m very aware of the support offered by the IPF.
“We had a great time, having developed a very special bond with the French over the years which has seen us making friends for life.”
Liam Nicholls, RFU club developer, played for the French Barbarians alongside some serious Vets talent. One of the visitors, Stephane Weller, is a former France international who played with the likes of Serge Blanco and was marking David Campese on the opposite wing.
The Kirkby Stephen Silver Band played both national anthems before the game and said Neil: “There were 14 French couples, many of the ladies never having been to the UK, and the majority of the men playing in the game.
“They arrived in Kirkby Stephen on the Friday and we visited Keswick on the Saturday on a double decker bus taking in a cruise on Derwentwater followed by traditional English afternoon tea, cricket and a barbecue at Long Acre wedding barn Keld Kings Meaburn where the owner, Johnny Addison, took our French guests on a farm walk and truffle hunt with his two pigs.
“After the game on the Sunday we held a full court session as this is something the French love. Catering was a hog roast from Fell and Dales and we had live music from the Seals.”
Not a bad birthday bash, Neil!
