Investing in the Community
Supporting ‘The Blues’
Box & Charnock has been a proud sponsor of Bedford Rugby Club, ‘The Blues’ for several years.
The Club was founded in 1886 after an amalgamation between Bedford Rovers and Bedford Swifts, two local teams which had close connections with Bedford School and Bedford Modern School. They play in colours of dark and light blue thought to be a reflection of the schoolmasters’ association with Oxbridge and the full badge colours are based on the strip of Swifts (black) and Rovers (cerise). The Blues are based in the heart of Bedford town centre on Goldington Road and regularly attract crowds of around 3,000 spectators.
During 1905 the ‘All Blues’ managed to bring the ‘All Blacks’ to Bedford, a match which proved to be a great attraction with the town’s schools and factories closing for half a day to enable people to attend. Unfortunately the result was not the desired one with the All Blacks winning by 0 – 41.
Some of the older members of the club consider the late twenties and early thirties to be the club’s best ever period with practically every member of the team in 1938-39 being very close to international honours. Some of the internationals who have played for the Club include, Budge Rogers, David Perry, John Orwin, Rory Underwood, Martin Offiah, Rudi Straveli, Martin Bayfield and Andy Gomersall, to name a few.
Following various up and downs since the war years ‘The Blues’ are currently in National Division 1 and have the well-known ex-Welsh International Coach, Mike Rayer working with them.
Headway
Each year we choose a special charity to support. This year, Box & Charnock’s nominated charity is Headway, which helps people who have an acquired brain injury and has provided considerable help and support to the wife and family of one of our team.
In September this year a team from Box & Charnock undertook a sponsored Cycle Ride – please click here to see the photo and write-up that appeared on the website of the local newspaper.
Plumbers make “Headway” cycling up the River Ouse
Box and Charnock, Bedford’s leading plumbing company, recently turned out in strength to raise money for the local branch of Headway, a registered Charity which helps people who have an acquired brain injury. The Box & Charnock team cycled from The Wash at Kings Lynn to The Embankment, Bedford following the route of the River Ouse where possible. This proved to be a journey of approximately 110 miles and so far has raised in excess of £5,900 in sponsorship money.
Headway is a registered charity and the Bedford centre is located at Bedford Health Village. An acquired brain injury can happen to any one, at any time and at any age and the Centre offers help to all affected by this serious illness to help them regain lost skills and acquire new ones to live as near a normal life as possible. The Centre also offers help and advice to family members.
Box and Charnock wanted to say a big ‘thank-you’ to Headway for everything they have done so far for Julie (wife of a staff member), who had sustained a brain injury back in 2004 and who has received considerable help from Headway since 2008. Headway have played a big part in Julie’s rehabilitation and enablement so far by helping with her cognitive and social skills. Without this help Julie would not have been able regain the near normal life she lives today.
Pictured above are the team members of Box and Charnock’s staff who participated in the ride, shortly after they arrived back at The Embankment Hotel on Saturday 19th September.
