AN EVENING of celebration will be held by Helston Rugby Club on September to commemorate their golden anniversary, writes John Olive.

The main event will be the unveiling of a 50th anniversary plaque which will mark the occasion as current and former players look back over the years,

As well as the unveiling there will be a youth rugby demonstration, a real ale bar, marquee with buffet lunch, an appearance from comedian Jonny Cowling, a raffle and a disco among the festivities.

Helston rugby club was formed in 1965 by a group of Helston men who decided to create a new team for the hard-hitting game and it has continued to impress ever since.

Founding member Carol Collier recalled some of the early hurdles the club had to overcome.

Collier said: "One of the first tasks undertaken by the club was the erection of the changing rooms which became known in later years as the ‘shack’.

"Both teams changing rooms were provided with two galvanised tin baths, one bath being referred to as the dirty bath and the other as the clean bath.

"After a game players were meant to wash the mud off in the dirty bath and then rinse themselves in the clean one.

"The disadvantage was that after a game on a muddy pitch, it only took a small number of players to use the bath before both looked the same colour of brown."

Achievements of Helston include being the first junior club in Cornwall to score 1000 points in a single season in 1981.

They continued to strive and grow with various successes through the 1980’s and 1990’s, such as being runners-up in the Pilkington Shield, play-off finalists for promotion to Cornwall/Devon League for two years in a row and many league title wins.

Helston has been the starting point for many players who have gone on into professional careers, including former Exeter Chiefs hooker Neil Clark.

This has been achieved using top quality coaching from staff that are dedicated and inspire the players at the club.

Likewise, the women’s and colts rugby is back to full strength and is progressing more each year.

Tickets for the celebration day cost £25 per person for the full day or £5 for the evening events alone.

To purchase a ticket or for more information, visit www.helstonrfc50.com.