Popular Warwickshire referee, Gwyn Airdrie, was the guest of honour at Warwickshire Society of Referees’ annual dinner, marking his 40 years of community refereeing.

Airdrie took up the whistle at 16 and has been through the grades on to the RFU Panel and National Panel of touch judges, before returning to grassroots rugby at local level. He was presented with a crystal decanter by the Society chairman, Dave Drabwell and a Value the Volunteer tie by RFU Referee Panel Development Officer, Steve Savage.

Other awards made at the dinner were the Gerry Brownlee Memorial trophy for the most improved referee, which went to Rugby School teacher, Rob Scanlon. Peter Tolan won the Society’s award valuing the volunteer for his services to the society over many years and Old Leamingtonians RFC took the Bob ‘Scratch’ Arnold Whistlers’ Trophy as the club voted by referees for best administration, team discipline and hospitality. Former Leicester and England international, Les Cusworth, was the guest speaker.