The evening was organised by Dai Vaughan to honour Howard Thomas, Club Treasurer and former secretary for over 50 years of service to the Club, and to make our Annual donation to the Welsh Charitable Trust for injured rugby players. Unknown to Dai Vaughan, the Club were also honouring Dai for his own contribution to the Club over the last 50 years.

Some 85 Club members, Supporters, Dunvant Male Choir , Rotary Club members and wives were in attendance. Top Table consisted of W.R.U. President Dennis Gethin, Welsh Charitable Trust Secretary Edward Jones, Life Patron Dai Vaughan and wife Glenys, W.R. U. Regional Director Geraint Edwards with wife Daintree, Club President Dorian Samuel with wife Valerie, Club Chairman Martin Lewis with wife Jan, and Club Treasurer J.Howard Thomas.. Also in attendance was BBC Scrum V special guest speaker Rick O’Shea.

Guests were invited by Dai Vaughan to take their seats at 8.00p.m. with Howard Thomas as Acting Chaplain in the absence of Father Tim saying grace. The excellent 3 course carvery meal had been brought in by The Towers Hotel, and after a starter of Vegetable Soup, guests were invited to visit the Carvery where a choice of Pork, Beef or Turkey was available (or all three) accompanied by Roast and new potatoes, peas, carrots and gravy. This was followed by Cheese and Biscuits.

Once hungry stomachs were satisfied and thirsts slated with much wine and beer, Club Secretary Paul Loughlin made a presentation of £700 to Edward Jones, Secretary of the Welsh Charitable Trust with our annual donation from Dunvant Rugby Club. In reply, Edward responded that the Trust , entirely reliant on donations, cares for injured and disabled rugby players with help, support, wheelchairs and even cars. One such car is just being provided at a cost to the Charity of £61,000. The Trust is therefore extremely grateful to clubs like Dunvant for their continued and much needed support.

Dai Vaughan then called up Howard Thomas, who by now was standing in his favourite position behind the bar, excitedly watching the till being rung by our gorgeous barmaids. Howard joined Dunvant R.F.C. as a Youth player in 1957 and was an instrumental member of the team who had the vision to purchase the 13 acre bog known as Albert’s Bottoms which is our proud and much loved Broadacre home today. Howard became Secretary in 1969, a position he held until 2006. In 2002 Howard also became Treasurer, a position which he still holds today. A bachelor, Dai ribbed Howard for his not keeping up with modern technology like CD’s and DVD’s and “presented “ and old H.M.V. gramophone to him. W.R.U. president Dennis Gethin then said a few more words in honour of Howard whom he has known for many years, and presented him with a more modern DAB Radio. Other speakers then rose to also pay tribute to Howard including W.R.U. Director and former Dunvant Chairman Geraint Edwards, Club President Dorian Samuel and Club Chairman Martin Lewis.

The next presentation was made by Dunvant Male Choir Conductor Jonathan Rogers, who presented Dennis Gethin, about to depart to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, with a pile of Dunvant Male Choir CD’s to promote the Choir in New Zealand.

Dai Vaughan then called up Rick O’ Shea for the evenings entertainment, but unknown to Dai, he was also to be honoured for over 50 years of service to Dunvant Rugby Club and Rick had to wait in the background. Club Secretary Paul Loughlin provided the story, again added to by former players and colleagues such as Geraint, Martin and Dorian. Dennis Gethin then presented framed aerial photographs of our 13 acre Broadacre home to Dai Vaughan . WRU Director and former Club Chairman Geraint Edwards presented a similar picture to Howard Thomas.

With the presentations complete, Rick O’ Shea provided a hilariously funny half hour of stories and anecdotes which kept the assembled throng laughing till they cried.
What a great evening, and a great way to honour such servants to our Club, and of course to be able to make some contribution towards a better life for disabled and injured rugby players.
For photos of the evening click here:
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/photos/celebration-dinner-2011-166248.html