RAMPAGES – July 2026
The Official Newsletter of Rampages!
By Ross Loveday
Rampages is sent to mainly the older members of the Club and as we approach a new season, I want to update you on where we are now and what our future holds. This will be my final Rampages owing to a recent spell of ill-health. Thanks to all who have contributed over the years.
Over the last year the Club has moved on considerably under the new chairmanship of Paul Eynon. The new membership fees mean that if you are a paid up member, you should be receiving constant emails about the Club. If in doubt, please email membership@harlowrugby.club
Harlow is also undergoing a resurgent in its fortune. Under the Chair of Council Dan Swords much of the town centre has been redeveloped and new large tech and pharmaceutical companies established.
The Harlow Civic Awards presentation evening was held at our Club and it was a very successful evening. We have new sponsorship deals with several of these companies and there is a feeling that at last we are becoming more financially stable.
How does that affect you? I would like to feel that you have wonderful memories and friends from your playing days so if you can pay your subs now and come to as many players’ lunches it’s an ideal day to meet up with past friends and players eg. Kenny Gladden organises a table for all his old pals including Andy Harris, Bobby Ellis, Martin Stoker and others. So why not plan a table for yourself. To book yourself in you need to email Alan Price (President) on president@harlowrugby.club
Dates for Home Lunches 2026-2027
| 26th September
17th October 31st October 21st November 12th December 19th December 16th January 6th February 27th February 20th March 10th April |
Thurrock
Chelmsford Wanstead Braintree Rochford (Buffet Lunch) Cheshunt (Past Players Lunch) Bury St Edmunds 2nds Finchley Woodford Wymondham Brentwood |
Ideal Venue
The Club is an ideal venue for private functions including wedding receptions, birthdays and even ‘wakes.
Several families who have lost loved ones have arranged for their ashes to be spread behind the goalposts. Should you lose a loved one who played for the Club or when the day comes for you to join members who have passed on the pitch in the skies, your ashes spreading can be arranged for you, providing an opportunity for all friends and family to meet and say farewell with afternoon tea or drinks at the Club.
Harlow Rugby Club Blazers 
Orders are now open. £250 each man’s and ladies Length Short Regular, Long and Extra Long. To order please email clubshop@harlowrugby.club with your size or
Membership
Harlow Rugby Club is a Members Club for the use of its members. Membership Fees are normally paid by Direct Debit. Non playing membership is very reasonable (VPs £180 Associate Members £120 per year) and helps the club continue to do what is does best, provide rugby. Your membership really helps us achieve this.
Members receive a 10% bar discount and an opportunity to buy international tickets. The membership team are working to get everyone to pay by monthly direct debit rather than yearly, as this will keep the cash flow even throughout the year.
More details are available here: https://harlowrugby.club/membership-details/
We know there may be exceptions and you can speak to Linda Eynon or Nichola Shambrook by emailing membership@harlowrugby.club if that applies to you.
We are in the process of trying to introduce a Membership Card on your mobile phone, which will speed up ordering over the bar and making sure everyone is a member.
Secure our future
When we sold Ram Gorse and paid for the new Clubhouse, we had a contingency reserve fund. This has sadly diminished so we must do something about it or the future is looking bleak for Harlow RFC. We have some talented Trustees and a new enthusiastic chairperson in Paul Eynon and a revitalized Executive Committee.
The Scrum Club 
Jim Beaven and I (both members of Harlow RFC for over 50 years) with the legal help and steady hand of John Roberts (Whiskers Solicitors and a Life Member and sponsor for over 30 years) have formed the Scrum Club. Bishop Stortford and Cheshunt RFC have a similar schemes.
Hopefully, you have now heard about the Harlow Scrum Club CIC (Community Interest Company) which is run independently of the Club. It now has over 30 members and £8000 in the bank through monthly standing orders and donations.
The Scrum Club has been registered legally as a Community Interest Company (CIC) by Ross Loveday and Jim Beaven and will be joined on a management board with John Roberts, Kelly Smith, Ken Potter and Mark Leppard MBE as President. 
The Committee receive no payments or expenses. All income received goes towards good deeds for the Club e.g.. the first payment will go to updating the Honours Board and the memorial Brass Plaques.
From our Scrum Club CIC President
Despite leaving Harlow in 1996 to work overseas, I have always stayed in touch with the Club and visit when home because Harlow Rugby Club gave me so much growing up. Not only wonderful playing experiences all the way to the 1st XV but it gave me a core of friends I am still in touch with today and helped shaped me as a person. For that reason, I signed up for the Scrum Club CIC to give back and hopefully support today’s young players to gain similar opportunities as those that I was fortunate to experience. Mark ‘Leppy’ Leppard MBE
Scrum Club Subscriptions
£15 per month standing order
£180 per year standing order
£1800 founding member Life Patron
We also receive one off donations.
You can pay by internet banking or GoCardless by emailing Jim Beaven for details jimbeaven@gmail.com
Name: Harlow Scrum Club CIC
Sort Code: 40-23-10
Acc. No: 02100967
What you can do now for the future of our Club
- Make sure you have paid your membership as a VP or Associate Member
- If you are a Life Member and are exempt a membership fee, why not join the Scrum Club (£15 per month DD) or make a donation.
- If you are not a member but have strong affiliation and memories of your days at Harlow why not join the Scrum Club and be a part of the Community again.
- Consider a legacy in your will.
- We also have a memorial area for ashes to be scattered.
- You are now able to access Harlow RFC news on your phone through social media
- Come to more lunches and support our 1st XV and meet up with old friends
| President | Alan Price |
| Trustees | Steve Barrett, John Roberts, Derek Fenney |
| Club Executive | |
| Chair | Paul Eynon |
| Vice Chairs | Steve Foreman, Nichola Shambrook |
| Treasurer | Gordon Reid |
| Secretary | Paul Adams |
| Members Representatives | Victoria Broad, Becca Middleton |
| Chair of Rugby
Membership |
Vacant
Linda Eynon Nichola Shambrook |
A Final Whistle
After so many editions of Rampages, this is where I say goodbye.
It has been a privilege to keep in touch with so many former players, members and friends of Harlow Rugby Club. The stories, photographs and memories you have shared have reminded me that whilst matches finish and players hang up their boots, the friendships made through rugby last a lifetime.
Although ill health means it’s time for me to step away, I leave knowing the Club is in good hands and hopeful that future generations will enjoy the same camaraderie, laughter and pride that so many of us have experienced.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Rampages, sent news, shared memories and, above all, continued to support Harlow Rugby Club. It has meant more than you will ever know.
Take care of yourselves, look after one another, and if you can, come back to the Club from time to time. There will always be a warm welcome waiting.
Thank you for reading.
Ross Loveday
Please forward this Rampages to any past member that may have moved away but you are still in contact with.
