We have resurrected this News/Snippets post to try and keep our members up to date with what is going on around the club and among our club members.
To achieve this we’ve sent our intrepid investigative journalists out and about to try and dig out as many interesting items as we can. We await any management contribution so we will do our best in its absence.
Items will be added to this page on a regular basis so do keep coming back.
If any member has any items they’d like adding please e-mail me with the details. wecousin@tynedalerfc.co.uk
Jack Stewart
Sadly, we have to report the passing of Jack Stewart. Jack has been a keen supporter of everything going on at the club for many years and apart from being a full member of the Club he, along with his wife Jonquil, were long-term supporters of the club in other areas such as the 100 Club, and Player Sponsorship.
Peter Johnson Fenwick
Tynedale RFC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Peter Fenwick on Thursday 20th March 2025.
Despite leaving the area many years ago Peter continued to be one of the club's most loyal and reliable members. He retained his full club membership right through, including this season, plus he always supported the Club where he could and was a regular sponsor of players.
David Walker Prest
We are sorry to report the death of David Prest on the 6th January 2025, two days after his 81st birthday.
David had always been active in the Humshaugh community and was a staunch rugby supporter. An ex-member of the Northumberland Referees’ Society David was later a gate-keeper for Tynedale home matches for many years.
A service of Thanksgiving was held at St. Peter’s Church, Humshaugh on the 27th. January 2025, and the rugby club’s flag flew at half-mast on 1st February 2025 when Tynedale played Wharfedale at Tynedale Park.
Kevin Angus Marshall - August 2024 died peacefully after a long illness, aged 56. Kevin was a mobile, aggressive prop who represented the 1stxV and 2nd XV in the late 1980's.
GENERAL
Clubman of the Week
For the past couple of seasons our Director of Rugby, Peter Southern, and his “committee” have selected a Clubman of the Week from nominations received from players and support staff.
This week winner is JOHN AUSTIN whilst previous winners this season have included:-
Chris Wearmouth
Linda Thomas
Rob Parker
Martyn Hastie
James Clark
Andrew Purves
Steve Turnbull
Dave Parkins
Spencer Tolley
Jake Rodgers
Karen and Tim Tatman
Jamie Hiles
Andrew Neal
Josh Schollick
Ethan Way
Chris Wearmouth
Group of senior coaches
Sam Harrison
David Batey
13th April 2025
This weeks award citation from Peter:-Thank you to all that sent in nominations. Again, it’s great to read about what other people are doing within the club.
This week's winner is very well known around the club, mainly for his photography skills each week. He takes amazing pictures of games every weekend and loads them up onto social media for all to see.
It’s probably this clubman’s work behind the scenes that quite often doesn't get recognised enough.
Any major project within the club wouldn’t happen without him driving it. The list is endless: fantastic new toilet and showers next to the changing rooms, the upgrade of the floodlights, the decoration of the clubhouse, and upgrading the changing rooms, to name but a few.
Without his drive and presence, none of this would be possible. Over time, the club has had evolve to meet changing standards within safeguarding and the women’s game, and this clubman has been at the forefront of this and we certainly wouldn’t have the up to date facilities without him.
Not content with this, he is also our County representative, which in itself is a very challenging role at times.
This week, let’s celebrate this clubman for all his dedication and hard work around the club.
"JOHN AUSTIN"
6th April 2025
This weeks award citation from Peter:-
"Thank you to everyone who voted this week, and for the first time in a long time, nearly all nominations have been for one individual.
This week's clubman has raised the bar for what is expected from our club captain. He leads on and off the pitch, setting the standard for all to follow in the club. When he speaks, people listen, from the changing room to the pitch, to standing in the clubhouse, delivering his post-match awards. He works hard and plays hard, but he also knows how to enjoy himself, which is still massively important at this level because, ultimately, we all play for the enjoyment.
Yesterday, this clubman reached 400 National League games, which is an astonishing achievement. I’m sure in the coming days, there will be a lot said and written about this outstanding clubman and his contribution to rugby, so let’s celebrate this clubman and be proud that he plays for Tynedale. CHRIS WEARMOUTH"
Our President
We are not too sure of the story behind the photo (below) which has fallen into our hands but we do know it features our shy, retiring president, Neil Foster, and his wife Lisa.
We suspect that the man with the dyed 'black' hair is Elvis Presley,
That one bloody Crow – November 2024
Five home 1stXV league matches and no victories – two draws and three defeats. IS THIS BAD LUCK?
Senior club member and consultant ornithologist Douglas Hamilton believes (along with many others we’re sure) that a single Carrion Crow may be playing a big part in our disappointing run of home results.
We will all have noticed before kick off at our home matches a single Carrion Crow standing atop the goalposts on the main pitch. Only one!
Douglas believes this is a clear omen – a harbinger of doom.
We believe our Director of Rugby, Peter Southern, is leaving no stone unturned in our quest for an elusive home victory and has a plan in place to either discourage the single crow or attract a mate!
TV Donation - November 2024
The Club are extremely grateful to have received the donation of a ‘very’ smart 75” TV from the Foundation Engineering Company Roger Bullivant Ltd.
Credit must go to long-standing club member Philip (Pip) Howard for organising this donation.
The TV has already been put to good use within the clubhouse.
Joe Marler at Tynedale
95-capped Joe Marler's recent retirement from rugby justifiably brought a mass of media coverage after a long successful and, at times, controversial career.
What many Tynedale people may not know is that Joe, as a young 19-year-old, played at Tynedale Park on Saturday 17th October 2009 when he turned out for Esher in National League One - at the time he was a Harlequins dual-registered player.
In the match, in which both sides scored 5 tries, Esher went on to win 42-27 with Joe scoring one try from a 40-metre dash. Esher went on to win the league with Tynedale finishing 5th.
Among other well known internationals who have turned out against Tynedale is Maro Itoje who played for Old Albanian whilst on Saracens's books.
David Tindle
Tynedale Rugby Club members will be sorry to have noted the absence of two of the club’s most dedicated spectators, David Tindle and his wife Pam, at this season’s 1St XV matches.
The couple have hardly missed a home match in recent years - sitting at the east end of the stand, two rows in front of Tynedale’s cognoscenti in the back row. There they exchanged banter and commented on some of the referees’ decisions (often in a much more thoughtful way than the ‘experts’ behind them.)
David suffered a stroke at the end of May whilst watching a televised rugby match and spent 22 weeks in hospital before returning home at the end of October.
Whilst David is now delighted to be home, he still has some way to go.
David and Pam have been sorely missed. We would all wish him well in his battle to recuperate.
Everyone was thrilled to see David and Pam at Tynedale Park for the Sheffield Tigers game. David was in good spirits and hopes to be at the final home match of the season against Leeds Tykes.
Pleased to see Davis and Pam at the Leeds Tykes game - they certainly enjoyed the performance that the lads put on.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership Update - April 9th 2025
We currently have 632 paid-up members/subscribers. Last season we finished up with 652 paid-up members/subscribers.
BE PART OF OUR GREAT CLUB - BECOME A MEMBER!
Membership Help/Support
Follow this LINK for membership advice.
Becky Stewart is our new Adult Membership Secretary. For any membership support/queries please e-mail Becky :- becky.stewart@tynedale.rfc.co.uk
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Our Clubhouse Cleaner, Jane, who has provided sterling service for many years has retired. The cleaning responsibilities have now been passed to a small local business.
The internal lighting in the clubhouse has been updated.
The pine cladding on the ceiling and walls has been painted in February 2025 with a view to offering a lighter/warmer feel to the place. The internal doors have been repainted.
Players' Toilets and Showers - December 2024
As part of the RWC 2025 Impact Programme, we were awarded a grant of £50,000 to upgrade the showers and toilets.
The first phase of this, the creation of toilets from the old baths, is now complete after encountering a few complications.
Work will then refurbish the original referee's room which will include the installation of toilets.
The refurbishment of the showers will take place at the end of the season.
Once the new toilets are opened, we will close the access from the changing rooms to the existing toilets.
As usual very little or zero communication from our management (its always so secretive!) but other clubhouse changes being floated around the rumour mill include:-
Floor Painted - August 2024
Chris Lynch has painted the 1stXV changing room floor with some special non-slip paint - it does help to tidy the place up.
GROUND
New roadway for caravan access - March 2025
As part of a deal with Northumbria Water they have built a hardcore roadway along the southern side of the cricket fence to provide a clean access to the main caravan parking area to the south of the river bank. This should significantly reduce the summer traffic over our playing areas.
Northumbria Water have been on site for several months working on a replacement pumping station on the northern outskirts of the Dyvels pitch.
Levelling of holes on Dyvels Pitch - March 2025
Andy Purves has been spreading some topsoil in lower 'pond' areas on the Dyvels pitch - work has not been helped by the spring drought which has hindered the germination and growth of new grass seeds.
Access to Beer Festival Marquees - March 2025
Andy Purvas has used some spare topsoil to ease the slope from the tarmac road to the area used for the Beer Festival. This is hoped to prevent our customers from toppling over.
Floodlights - December 2024
As part of a review of our energy usage, we identified reductions in both our carbon footprint and costs by changing our floodlights on the Dyvels pitch to LED.
We have been successful in obtaining grants from the Business Energy Savings Team (£12.4k) and Northumberland County Council through Nick Oliver's Members Local Improvement Scheme (£10k).
We are extremely grateful for both awards that have made the project possible.
Trees - December 2024
We are currently working on the management of the trees on the site, there are many! As part of this, we are unfortunately having to remove some diseased trees. We have all the necessary consents to do this.
A Decent Servant - December 2024
The grass cutting season is drawing to a close at Tynedale Park and its time for our trusty tractor mower to take a well-earned break. The mower will be taken off to Andy Purves's Engineer Department for a spot of welding and a thorough inspection.
The Trimax Procut mower was purchased by the Club in December 2012, a demo-model it cost the Club just over £4k so it really owes us nothing.
When time is called on our trusty mower the Grass-Cutting Team will be pushing to acquire a wider mower to ease the workload and free up staff for other jobs.
Large Car Park levelling - November 2024
Andy Purves and his big blue tractor have been busy attempting to get rid of all the various potholes which populate our large hard standing car park. This is a thankless task and it would help matters if cars and Chelsea tractors were driven in a slow, sensible fashion.
Dogs at Tynedale Park
The Club may have to follow the lead of many sports clubs and ban dogs altogether from Tynedale Park if irresponsible owners fail to keep their dogs on leads and clean up after their pets.
Tynedale Rugby Club has issued the warning in order to protect players at risk of contracting the nasty illness toxocariasis which can be found in dog muck.
The rugby club’s 35 acre site, has long been a popular dog walking area, but club members are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of faeces being found on the grounds (some in bags, some not) where players train and games are played. Club officials have complained about having to clear dog muck off the fields before training and games.
Rat Attack - August 2024
Our small compact tractor has twice suffered from rat attacks in recent weeks. Two separate diesel fuel pipes have been gnawed through with rats either finding the fuel pipes excellent material for maintaining a good set of teeth or perhaps they were desperate for a few drops of diesel in recent hot weather! Steps have been taken to prevent the problem recurring.
Line Marking Machine - August 2024
After 9 years good service our line marking machine is falling apart and not working as it should. Club stalwarts Tim and Karen Tatman have kindly funded the purchase of a replacement machine.
Goal Posts - July 2024
Some of our goal posts were taken down to allow for the summer's Balloon Festival. It was an ideal opportunity to give them a lick of paint so the club appealed for volunteers. (Surprise, surprise - the ever willing and very thorough Tony Cooke stepped forward )
Tony also rubbed down and re-painted the gate onto the main pitch which was badly rusted and a bit of an eyesore.
Padel Courts - July 2024
The club have had a couple of independent enquiries relating to the establishment of Padel Tennis Courts at Tynedale Park. Padel is an outside squash/tennis game which is rapidly growing in popularity throughout the UK. What is Padel?
BAR1876 goes 'On the Road'
Our highly acclaimed BAR1876 crew went mobile on Friday November 22nd when they set up and ran a bar at a Celebration of Life at the High School event held at the Winter Gardens, Queen Elizabeth High School.
Not surprisingly, although this was their first ‘on the road’ event, it was a huge success.
The team set the whole bar up with draught and bottled beer and cider, wines, spirits and soft drinks with a fully operating EPOS system and card reader in 1 hour.
Can't bring your party to the club? We can come to you!
Corbridge Sparkling Cider is now available on draught at BAR1876 in Tynedale Rugby Club’s club house.
Corbridge Sparkling Cider, which is made from apples grown in the village, is sold in aid of three local charities: -
County Champions, 2025 - March 2025
Congratulations to our Under 16's, Under 15's and Under 13's who won their respective County Cups. Hard Luck to our Under 14's who just lost out in their final. well done everyone.
Touring Season' - March 2025
Several of our age groups have, or are about to, go on short and very popular tours.
This year our Under 11's and Under 14's have both visited Cumbria whilst our Under 13's have been over the border in the Edinburgh and Stirling areas.
Youth Festival 2025
The hugely popular and successful Tynedale Youth Festival will take place on Sunday 27th April 2025. Note: o further entries - we are 'full up'.
Panthers representing Northumberland - January 2025
Congratulations to Tynedale Panthers May Murray, Sophie Richardson, Tilly Robinson, Emily Robson and Katie Sanderson who have been selected for the Northumberland U18 squad to take on Cumbria and Durham on Sunday 12th January at Billingham.
Under 16's selected for Newcastle Falcons Foundation Group - January 2025
Seven of our impressive Under 16's squad have been selected to join the 30-strong Newcastle Falcons Academy Foundation Group. They are Edwin Fenwick, Owen Forbes, Tom Lewis, Archie Neal, Matty Roe, Jake Tulip and Aaron Wilson.
Well done lads - a tremendous effort from all involved. ENJOY the experience.
The Australian Raptors Rugby Academy took on a North East Schools XV at Kingston Park on Wednesday 11th December.
Four Tynedale lads; Archie Neal, Aaron Wilson, Edwin Fenwick & George Laidler represented QEHS in the NE Side. Other schools in the squad included NSB, Yarm (Chris Webb), Durham (Scott Powell) & Kings Tynemouth.
The touring Aussies visited Tynedale on Tuesday night (18:30 onwards) for training & dinner.
On the tour, they play Belvedere College in Dublin (won 22-34), Ulster Schools & Edinburgh Reivers (run by Fletch, made up of players from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders.
Sport Tynedale Awards, 2024
Our Under 9's were shortlisted for the Youth Team of the Year award. The winner was announced at the 50th Anniversary of the Annual Sports Awards event which took place at the Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Mart on Sunday 8th December.
We didn’t win the category but it was a great experience for the children who attended and has given them something to work towards in the future.
All of them displayed fantastic behaviour tonight and we were all very proud of them smiling and clapping for the winners.
Great ambassadors for Tynedale, well done to all involved.
Rhys Beeckmans represents England - March 2025
Congratulations to Rhyss Beeckmans who has been playing in the England Under 19 team. Rhyss, a dual reg player with Newcastle Falcons, has impressed all season in the centres for our 1stXV.
Maltese International - Owen Vassallo
Our 1stXV backrow forward has been representing Malta in this season's Rugby Europe Mens Conference, Owen has played No8 in all three of Malta's games this season against Cyprus (won 43-21), Andorra (won 10-3) and Israel (lost 15-16).
Northumberland County U20's
Well done to the eight Tynedale lads who have represented Northumberland County Under 20's this season in the Jason Leonard U20 County Championship. Congratulations to Harry Askwith, Alfie Scott, Malins Mosedale, Will Laidler, Nathan Abrams, Harry Wilson and Ben Potts.
Colts win silverware - March 2025
Congratulations to our Colts who won two pieces of silverware within the space of 11 days, defeating Morpeth Colts in the final of the County Colts Cup then defeating Carlisle at Hawick in the final of the Borders Shield.
Raiders win County Plate - March 2025
Congratulations to our Raiders who defeated Medicals 1stXV in the final of the Northumberland County Plate.
Tynedale Colt in Scotland Rugby League squad - April 2025
Congratulations to Tynedale Colt Myles Michael who has been selected for the Scotland Rugby League U18 squad who will play matches against England, Wales and Ireland in this Summer's 4 Nations. Myles plays his rugby league for York Acorn in the off-season.
Tyne lads in Falcons Squads - January 2025
Conrad Thorpe and Ted Fletcher have been named in the Falcons U18 squad to play Leicester Tigers(away) on Saturday 18th January. Travelling with the U18's will be a Development squad (mainly under 17) who will play their counterparts - Jonny Douglas and Mason Proudlock are named in that squad.
Well Done lads - ENJOY!
Tyne lads selected for North Assessment Day - January 2025
Well done to Tyne Colts Ted Fletcher, Mason Proudlock and Alfie Taggart who have been selected in a 43 man squad to attend a North England U18 Assessment day to be held at Woodhouse Grove School, Bradford on Sunday 26th January 2025. ENJOY the day lads.
Sauna at the Club - December 2024
The club have been hiring a mobile sauna for use on Adult section training nights to help aid recovery/recuperation. The sauna trailer, which can accommodate 10 people at a time, has been hired for an hour on training nights from Northumbrian Sauna.
Carl Fearns Debut - November 2024
When one of our 1stXV flankers fell ill on the eve of our match at Hull Ionians our current coach Carl Fearns was persuaded to come out of retirement and sit on the bench for the match. After a whip around for some new boots the ex-Sale, Bath, Lyon and Newcastle Falcons player didn't take that much persuading and he was duly called on to come off the bench for the final quarter. In a tough match in difficult conditions it is fair to say that 35-year-old Carl made a very big physical impression on events.
After hearing the news of Carl's successful return to the fray Martyn Hastie immediately rang Dean Richards to ask if he also fancied a comeback with a run out for the Centurions in their next match against Peterlee & Horden II's.
Dual Reg Players - Dec 2024
After rumours that we would not be getting any dual-reg players from Newcastle Falcons this season its all changed and we now have five:-
- Rhys Beechmans (centre) - ex-Prudhoe HS, ex-Gosforth Academy, ex-Blaydon RFC
- Joseph Davis (scrum half) - ex-Barnard Castle School from Crook, England U18.
- Isaac Keller (prop) - born in Germany, attended Ponteland HS before Gosforth Academy, England U18 and U19
- Charlie Turnbull (flanker) - ex Sedbergh captain and Percy Park.
-Harrison Wood (Hooker/Flanker) - from Edinburgh, Scotland U18's, Watsonians RFC
All five youngsters have featured, and impressed, in 1stXV matches.
Future Senior Rugby Tours
Our President, Neil Foster, is keen to maintain momentum from the successful Canada tour and is hoping to stage a short tour in May 2025 followed by a longer distance tour in 2026 (our 150 Anniversary year). He is currently seeking the level of player interest for a short 4-day tour to Canterbury, Kent in May 2025.
Barnie Maddison - Sept 2024
Ex-Tynedale player Barnie Maddison has retired from playing and has been appointed Head Coach of Ealing Trailfinders Womens' Team.
Dean Richards gets new knee - August 2024
Coach Dean Richards is recovering from a knee operation so he may not be walking with his normal fluidity for a while.
Thorpes' and Fletchers' - August 2024
Two well known Tynedale names keep on producing quality rugby players.
Well done Conrad Thorpe who started at No12 for Newcastle Falcons U18's against Saracens at Kingston Park on August 14th, A tough match with Saracens winning 72-21.
Conrad was also selected for the next match against Yorkshire and congratulations to Ted Fletcher who started at No10 for the Falcons U17's who also played Yorkshire.
Ealing Trailfinders Women - August 2024
Premiership Womens side Ealing Trailfinders viited the north-east as part of their pre-season preparations and they held a training session at Tynedale Park on Tuesday 13th August after which they had lunch in the clubhouse. Ex-Tynedale player Barnie Maddison coaches the Ealing side which includes ex-Panther dual international Caity Mattinson, Caity was not with the Ealing squad at Tynedale as she was with the Scotland squad and will join up with the Eaking squad later in the week. The Ealing squad were staying in Allendale.
Colts expand
There is a big intake into our Colts from last season’s Under 16’s. To ensure game time for all our Colts are fielding two sides this season – a team in the HALBRO North East & Cumbria League will play on Sundays and a team will play in the Border League on Saturdays.
Gemma Bell
Ex-Tynedale Panther Gemma Bell was selected for a Senior Scotland Training Squad who held a 4-week training camp in july 2024. Gemma was a regular visitor at Tynedale Park in the week leading up to the camp putting herself through what looked like fairly intense fitness sessions.
Player Movements
William Jobling has joined Northern FC
Ben Blackburn has moved to live and work at Macclesfield and he has joined Macclesfield Rugby Club.
Ryan Scott has returned to Aspatria due to work commitments.
Micky Hall has joined Morpeth.
Henry Hayes has joined Ashington.
Joe Lilley has joined Wimbledon.
Jon Devereux has joined Old Albanian
Euan Forlow has rejoined Carlisle on-loan.
Ryan Gibson (Second Row}has joined us from Darlington MP.
Sam Turnill (Prop) has joined us from Darlington MP
Tom Mann (Back, ex-Wharfedale) has joined us after a time out from the game.
Dan Taylor (Half Back) has rejoined us from Blaydon.
Paddy Jobling-Purser (Hooker/Flanker) has joined us.
James Towart-Adams (Back/Flanker) has joined us
Harry Greenway (Flanker, ex-Newcastle University) has joined us.
Our current Head of Youth Rugby Andrew Neal has been appointed as Northumberland County Chair of Youth. Unfortunately this means Andrew will step down from his Tynedale role after many excellent years of service.
Dave Kendall has stepped down from the President role after two excellent years service and takes over from Andrew Cuthbertson as Secretary (or Honorary Secretary as it was known in the more sensible days). Andrew after many years service on the committee is stepping down due to work commitments.
Rodney Wallace is taking over as the Club's Safeguarding Officer
John Austin has picked up a new role with Northumberland County. He is now an "Independent Director" whatever that means! We are sure he'll do a cracking job whatever it is.
Ian Lewis has stepped down from his role as Adult Membership Secretary and has been replaced by Becky Stewart.