WHAT does the word sesquicentenary mean to you? It is in fact the Sunday name for a 150th anniversary, and this is a milestone which Tynedale Rugby Club will be celebrating in 2026/27.

Although it still seems a long way away work has already begun on marking the occasion in some style. While most events are still at the early planning stage, there are proposals in the pipeline for :-

• a Pre-season Dinner,
• an End-of-season Grand Ball,
• a Series of representative games,
• Creation of commemorative kit and leisurewear
• and much more besides.

ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET
One of the main initiatives is the publication of a 150th anniversary booklet, featuring not only the club’s illustrious history, but also reminiscences and anecdotes about the characters and incidents over the last century and a half which have made Tynedale the club it is today.

The book will be packed with an array of fantastic photographs as well as quality text and we want players, ex-players, supporters, alickadoos and anyone else, to dig deep into their memory banks for tales of memorable matches, outstanding players, characters in the clubhouse or in the back of the stand, or exploits on tours.

Tynedale is obviously about more than the first XV- we want to hear about life in the junior teams, in the ladies’ section, with the mini rugby teams, on Worriers Tours etc etc.

Who remembers the fund-raising donkey derbies, the sulky racing, the sunflower competition, Eddie Kidd’s motor bike stunts, or the exploits of Tynedale RFC with the leather and willow at the annual Tynedale Cricket Club knockout in Hexham?

What about the pre-league days, when Tynedale embarked on epic runs in the John Player Cup and confounded the big boys, or the Northumberland Senior Cup successes against the green and white hoops of star-studded Gosforth?

We would be delighted to receive any contributions for consideration for inclusion in the booklet. Contributions should be sent to the publication working group Chairman, Brian Tilley, at trfc150@tynedalerfc.co.uk.

IF YOU HAVE TALES TO TELL ABOUT TYNEDALE RUGBYCLUB PLEASE WRITE TO US.