Dear Touchline
At one of England’s internationals before Christmas I was amazed at being presented with a huge bouquet by Bill Beaumont. When I saw Bill approaching my first thought was that no man that size should be seen with flowers in his fist. When he presented them to me I was almost speechless - and that would be a first!

For the past 20 years I have stood at the players’ entrance to give a red rose and a card (with instructions on how to play the game) to the England captain and squad. I have to say that watching England has, for me, been better than hormone replacement therapy and certainly more satisfying than making marmalade which seems to be how the other old dears down here get their kicks.

I am 73 now so I cannot promise to be there to greet the boys for a further 20 years but if I never see another try as long as I live the sight of Dan Luger scorching the sacred turf after I had received that bouquet will stay with me forever (or until the next one!)

Thanks to all at HQ
Kind regards
Mary Tootell
Dorset & Wiltshire Rugby Football Union
Dear Touchline
Having read of the Treasury and Charity Commission’s information regarding Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) I can understand why the proposals have been described as ‘like the curate’s egg - good in parts.’ Key issues such as business rates and rate relief for CASCs do not appear to have been addressed.

Parity with Charity was the aim but it seems that the Charity Commission will not recognise voluntary sport as charitable but will align sport as charitable but will align sport with ‘the promotion of health’. Angling could fail to meet this criterion but think of the good it does by relaxing participants and in relieving stress, so it promotes mental health. One should not have to argue for the inclusion of such sports.

Other points -
Taxing fruit machines (an essential ingredient in balancing the books in many CASCs)
The need to set up a separate trading company if you have a bar in the club.

CASCs are charitable per se - they raise money to keep the club solvent to improve facilities so that members may play their game. Here in Salisbury we have an amateur operatic society and a Rotary Club - both have charitable status. Why should the rugby football club not have the same status but have to conform to a different criteria? All amateur organisations and service clubs should be considered in the same way.

The ethos of the rugby football club differs from that of many other sports. Rugby players want to own their own pitch and club house. They appreciate help from the local authority but go it alone if need be.

The Charity Commission has already stated that the new proposals are complicated. If volunteers find that life is to be more complicated after struggling with ever increasing restrictions and rules they will walk away. The government will then see how much it will cost to replace them. I hesitate to think of extra costs to the NHS if the nation becomes even more unfit.

Yours sincerely
Arthur Bowden
Hon Gen Sec