Monthly Archives: December 2014
I remember when…
Twickenham Stadium Tour Guide Andy Bustin recalls his earliest experiences of the game and a first trip to Twickenham back in 1967… I was not ‘into’ Rugby as a child; both my father and grandfather were on the committee and … Continue reading
Nadolig Llawen!
With Christmas fast approaching I wanted to delve into our stores and see what festive cheer I could find. Hidden amongst team photographs and aerial shots of the stadium I found this Christmas postcard: Sent on Christmas Eve 1903 to … Continue reading
RUGBY DYNASTIES: The Gould and Bancroft Brothers
There have been many sets of brothers over the years that have played international rugby for their countries, but it was two particular sets of brothers who played pivotal parts in the rise of Welsh international rugby from 1881 to … Continue reading
The Official History of Rugby Officials
When the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football were agreed following the formation of the RFU in 1871, no provision was made for the use of independent arbiters. Instead the captains on either side would agree on whether an … Continue reading
The Varsity Match
The Varsity Match was first contested in 1872, a year after the first international match. It was moved permanently to Twickenham in 1921 and has remained an annual fixture ever since. Traditionally held on a Tuesday, it has more recently … Continue reading
The Voice of Rugby
In 1938 an innovation that would, in time, have a profound bearing on the game of rugby, was trialled at Twickenham Stadium. The 52nd Calcutta Cup would be played out in front of cameras that would broadcast the game live … Continue reading
Lest We Forget – Francis Eckley Oakeley (England) 01/12/1914
Francis Oakeley was the fifth son of the vicar of Holy Trinity, Hereford. His father James and his mother Frances had 11 children in all. He was educated at the Cathedral School in Hereford from where he went at the … Continue reading
