Society News

Just before the Lions embarked for the Southern Hemisphere we held our AGM at Rhymney RFC. Without fear of contradiction, it was the finest event we have held. There were many members there, including some new to the Society, and so many stall holders the big room we were in was bulging. Excellent stuff, and I'm grateful to all the stall holders and the members for coming and making the day a great success. Particular thanks go to Phil Atkinson for organising it all. Undoubtedly the highlight was the talk by Brian Price. The former Wales and Lions second row, who later enjoyed a successful career as a broadcaster with Radio Wales, was outstanding. He spoke for over an hour about his career, some of the experiences of touring with the Lions and the thrill of captaining Newport to victory over New Zealand in 1963. He also spoke of the contrasting experiences of playing with and against Neath's Brian Thomas. There was a lot of humour, honesty and an intense love of the game. It was wonderful stuff. I feel sorry for those members who were unable to attend - you missed out on something special. Anyone wanting a copy of the minutes from the AGM should send a SAE to Dave Fox at the normal address.

We are very pleased and proud to have been asked by former Wales and Lions second row Allan Martin to auction his extensive collection of memorabilia for him. Allan is very keen to make sure the memorabilia from his extensive playing career goes to genuine collectors and not to those who will sell them on at a profit. This is a wonderful gesture and very refreshing in these days where money rules. Having said that, it is important that we raise as much as we can for Allan. The first batch is detailed on the enclosed list. We will be auctioning his memorabilia over the coming months.

It's with great pleasure that I welcome the following new members to the Rugby Memorabilia Society:
John Smith. John is a big collector and has 1871 Neath items at the top of a long list of favourite items in his collection. He collects Wales, Lions and New Zealand programmes, shirts, ties, books and badges in particular but in reality collects "anything (I mean anything) to do with God's game"! Well said, Sir! John is currently looking for Lions programmes and lives at ======== ==== ===========. Telephone =========, email: ============

Tony Price Tony is Chairman of Old Cranleighan RFC where he has just completed his 25th consecutive season as a first XV player. He is a rugby fan who has turned his interest in the sport into a business. A collector of old rugby books, Tony has an extraordinary range of framed images from rugby - and other areas of life. These can be seen on his website www.lordprice.co.uk Tony's address is ==============, telephone ====, email ========

Clive Jones. Clive is heavily involved with Carmarthen Athletic RFC. He has served the West Wales side as Secretary and web master. He is now researching a book on the full Welsh Internationals who have played for the club. He collects anything that moves as far as Wales, Lions, Barbarians, and Llanelli are concerned. His address is ========. Email: ======

Chris Price. Chris has recently joined us from the USA. We don't know too much about him but he collects Lions memorabilia and his address is ===== ======== Email: ========

Robert Powell. Robert collects rugby programmes, jerseys and balls. He is looking for Lions programmes in particular at the moment. Robert is a member of Llantwit Fardre RFC and lives at ====== telephone =======

It's also welcome back to "Van" van der Vyver. For those not familiar with Van, he collects everything imaginable to do with South African rugby from ties to jock straps . His address is =========

Have a good summer - or winter, depending on where you are.

Dave Fox

Noticeboard

BRITISH LIONS AND ALL BLACKS EXHIBITIONS In Lions year, the Museum of Rugby at Twickenham have a superb display of old Lions memorabilia. This is a special display and will be on until the end of the summer. They will have an exhibition of 1905 All Blacks memorabilia on display this Autumn. "More than a tour - the 1905 All Blacks" runs from 6th September to 8th January. The Museum of Rugby is also hosting a conference on the All Blacks - "All Blacks and the 'mother country' 1905-2005" takes place on 12th September 2005.

2005 SUMMER TOUR PROGRAMMES The Lions programmes are now ordered and will be delivered after the tour - date unknown. We are having material in from North America. Tri Nations programmes will be ok. The contact in Japan seems to have temporarily evaporated, so we may struggle with the Ireland in Japan programmes. Fingers crossed, though. Otherwise, I propose to send out what I have at the end of July, then the remainder in September.

SOCIAL EVENINGS Llandaff North RFC - NEW VENUE The next Wales and West Social evening is at Llandaff North RFC on Thursday 14th July. As usual, it's 7:00 for a 7:30 start. I hope we see many there. This is the first time we have been there. Many thanks to Howard Ahmun for making the arrangements. Directions from the Llandaff North RFC website are: Take Turning off Roundabout by side of Village Hotel. A4054 (2nd Turning off roundabout from the East. 5th Turning off roundabout from the West). Follow road to 1st roundabout and take 3rd Exit. Follow road through to Llandaff North. Over Railway Bridge, take 1st right after bridge. Down to end of Road - Left then Right and Club is at the end. It's not far from the BBC Wales studios. The following social evening will be at Abergavenny RFC on Thursday 8th September.

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Tickets Please!
Tickets wanted to complete the 2005 Six Nations - France v Scotland, Italy v France, England v Italy. I am prepared to buy at reasonable prices.
Alan Price

I have the following programmes for sale by offer in cash or cash and exchange for programmes
1. 1973 Welsh Cup Semi Final Cardiff v Swansea Score On Cover 2. 1973 Welsh Cup Semi Final Llanelli v Neath score centre page 3. 1972 Welsh Cup Semi Final Neath v Cardiff Excellent 4. First English Cup Final Gloucester v Moseley Excellent 5. 1947 Scotland v Australia Small Tear 6. 1980 Fiji v Australia Mint 7. 1964 British Columbia v Scotland Mint 8. 1970 Australia v Scotland Excellent 9. 1973 France v Wales Mint 10. 1939 Wales v Scotland Sellotape To Spine
All programmes are as described and all have a reserve. All offers to Neil O'Brien by the 20 July either by post, email or telephone Tuesday To Thursday 7pm - 8pm
Neil O'Brien

All successful bids will be notified within 5 days of closing date
Wanted: Swansea v Barbarians programmes - 1946, 1947, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1968. Will buy or exchange.
Dave Fox

Programmes and tickets for sale, for a catalogue please send a SAE or email to Duncan Jardine

Programmes Wanted: Snelling Sevens 1957, Newport v Barbarians 1952. WRU Cup Semi Final Llanelli v Cardiff 1999, Wales v England 2003 (August), Ireland v Wales 2000, Wales v Argentina at Llanelli 1998, Wales v Barbarians 2002, 2003, Wales v Romania 2002 at Wrexham.
Malcolm Jones

Wanted - From the 2004/05 season:- Romania v Scotland, Scotland U21 v Ireland U21, Scotland U21 v Italy U21, England U21 v Scotland U21, France U21 v Scotland U21, Plus France U19 v Scotland U19, Scotland U19 v England U19, France Schools v Scotland U18, Scotland U18A to IRB Tournament in France
Mark Jackson

Wanted: South Africa internationals at home v British Lions - all pre war plus 1955 (2nd), South Africa away - all test matches on 1906/07 and 1912/13 European tours.
Van van der Vyver

Lions programmes wanted:
1971 v Wanganui/Kings Country, South Mid Cant/North Otago and West Coast / Buller. 1974 v South West Africa, Eastern Province, South-West Districts, Western Province, South African federation, 1st Test, Quaggas, Orange Free State and African XV. 1977 v Fiji.
Will swap or pay top price for good to mint examples.
Chris Price