Weston rugby gets helping hand from local developer

The builder behind the major Haywood Village development has donated £2,000 to Weston-super-Mare RFC.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley presented the cheque to the club at its ground, the Recreation Ground, with local councillor and North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Sport, Cllr James Clayton.

The club – which celebrated its 150th anniversary this year and has over 20 teams encompassing senior, women, youth, and junior sides – will put the funds towards its various improvement projects from a new website and gym redevelopment to buying new equipment to replenishing medical supplies.

Persimmon’s Haywood Village site in the town is set to deliver 2,500 new homes for local people and includes the construction of two new primary schools and a local centre. Two, three, and four-bed homes are currently available from £240,000.

Persimmon donates £700,000 to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year as part of its Community Champions scheme. Recent local recipients include Haywood Village Food Bank, Backwell Playhouse, Yatton Junior FC, Ashton & Backwell United FC, Backwell Junior FC Girls, Nailsea & Backwell RFC, and Children’s Hospice South West.

The housebuilder also donated 10,000 bricks to Weston College last autumn to help students with their construction courses, and were joined by local councillors and Dan Alridge MP.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Sales Director Carly Spear said:

“As a local business with a significant development in Weston, it is only right that we support the town’s most treasured institutions.

“So, we are very proud to make this donation to the rugby club, lending a helping hand so they make progress with their improvement programme, demonstrating their ambitious character.

“Given Persimmon will be delivering 2,500 much-needed new homes in Weston, we will doubtless be building homes that will go on to serve future generations of players and fans for the club and, we hope, this donation will help with the club’s sustainability.”

Sam Waterman, Chairman of Weston-super-Mare RFC, commented:

“We are very grateful for this boost from Persimmon Homes. The club is experiencing a purple patch at the moment, and we want to match our performance on the pitch with a drive to enhance our facilities for players and fans alike.

“The club has plans to improve our online presence, redevelop player gym, and refresh our equipment so this donation will be a big help for us in realising that.”

Cllr James Clayton, Councillor for Weston-super-Mare South and North Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Sport and Pride in Place programme, added:

“It is really positive to see businesses and developers, like Persimmon, demonstrate their support for where they build through programmes like Community Champions.

“Having recently taken on the sport portfolio at North Somerset Council, I’m looking forward to meeting with many clubs across the county and supporting them with their ambitions and helping them do what they love to do.”