The fundamental heartbeat of the charity. What we are all about. The first project was the creation of a Wooden Spoon room in the “Living Skills Area” of Chailey Heritage School in Mid Sussex. This required the Committee to commit to raise £25,000 which has been done. This development will be completed in a few weeks and then early in 2008 year we will attend the official opening.

We now have approval from the Trustees of Wooden Spoon to support our second project. This is to help a local charity, FSN in St Leonard’s on Sea, develop the “Wooden Spoon Outdoor Sports Area” at their youth club. FSN does tremendous work with the young people in the local community and we are committed to providing £45,000 to develop this facility.

Fundraising to support the nominated projects

Funds have continued to be raised in two ways

• Events organised by the Committee

• Funds raised by the rugby community in Sussex

We have now held two successful golf days at the East Sussex National Golf Club near Uckfield and of course had the Treorchy Male Choir at Lancing College Chapel (officially) and Shoreham RFC Christmas Party (unofficially!!). 

In May this year the Spoon Committee took over the running of the Sussex Rugby Clubs Golf Championships at the Cottesmore Golf Club in Pease Pottage. 16 teams took part and in the end it was a team from Pulborough Rugby Club (again!) that prevailed. I’m delighted to say that Alex King, our resident has kindly agreed to provide a winner’s trophy as we look to grow this event in the future. 

The rugby community in Sussex has been fantastic and been both helpful and very generous. In addition to the fundraising at many Vice President lunches we have also worked with:

• Sussex RFU, selling programmes at both men’s and women’s County games and benefiting from the proceeds of the end of season Curry Night.

• Hove RFC at their inaugural golf day, where Spoon helped to fill the “goody bags” and source speakers for the dinner – Phil Bennett and Dean Richards no less!

• East Grinstead RFC at the 50th anniversary of their fantastic Sunshine Sevens tournament.  We helped provide PR and branding for the event and kitted the refs out in Wooden Spoon shirts kindly provided by Spoon’s partner Kukri.  A SpoonAAs team also reached the ¼ finals before being knocked out by the eventual winners, The Army.

To the Clubs, County, referees and everyone else involved in Sussex rugby we say “thank you” and look forward to working with them this season and beyond.

The committee that have steered (stirred?) Spoon in the opening two years have been fantastic. There is, of course, always a lot to do - maybe you could act as a link between your club and Wooden Spoon or helping with an event.  If you would like to help in any way please get in touch with me, Ian Braid on 07949 533737 or imbraid@hotmail.com