Left to right; Peter Green, Executive Head Master of Rugby School; Livi Williams, Rugby School First XV Captain; Mark Pawsey MP; Dave Bennett, Rugby School First XV Captain; Darren Tosh, Shakespeare’s England
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Bulkington, swapped the House of Commons benches for the hallowed turf of Rugby School to celebrate rugby union’s bicentenary and mark English Tourism Week.
Mark met with the captains from Rugby School’s First XV teams, Dave Bennett and Livi Williams, as well as the School’s Executive Head Master, Peter Green, to find out more about the School’s year-long programme of events to mark the 200-year anniversary since William Webb Ellis took the ball in his arms and ran with it on The Close at Rugby School.
It is anticipated that the programme of events will be attended and watched by over 40,000 people from around the world, highlighting the unique link between the town of Rugby and the sport that bears its name. Celebrations are taking place throughout the year and in the build up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, due to kick off in Paris in September. More information about the programme can be found at: https://www.rugbyschool.co.uk/200-anniversary/events/
The visit also coincided with English Tourism Week (17-26 March), which is an annual celebration of the tourism industry, showcasing its economic importance to local economies and communities. The event was organised in partnership with Warwickshire tourism board, Shakespeare’s England, as part of English Tourism Week to highlight tourist destinations in the region.
Speaking after visiting Rugby School, Mark said:
“I was delighted to welcome representatives from Shakespeare’s England to the birthplace of rugby football as part of English Tourism Week. The bicentenary of the game is an historic opportunity to really highlight Rugby’s tourism offer and celebrate the history of rugby locally, nationally, and internationally. I’m particularly looking forward to the game we have arranged in April between the Commons & Lords Rugby Team and a team of veterans from local clubs, and doing my bit to support these celebrations.”
Peter Green, the Executive Head Master of Rugby School added:
“Celebrations marking the bicentenary of the game of rugby are well underway here at Rugby School and it’s been great to welcome so many people both from Warwickshire and further afield to watch and participate in the events we’ve held already. The next few months promises to be very exciting, with various sporting spectacles planned including a number of rugby festivals for younger pupils at schools from across the region, an attempt at the world record for the largest uncontested rugby scrum, and a day of rugby involving local teams. All of which anyone can attend, bringing new visitors to the town, to explore more about the heritage of the game of rugby, and to see what Rugby town has to offer.”
Darren Tosh, from Shakespeare’s England, commented:
“Rugby union’s bicentenary presents a unique opportunity for Rugby School – and the town – to shout about its historical links to the game and attract visitors that are on its doorstep and from further afield. It was fantastic to meet with Mark Pawsey to reinforce how important Rugby School’s programme of events and other destinations are to the local tourism industry, and the region’s economy as we gear up for the peak summer season.”