Lucy

The weekend just past signalled the beginning of my diamond birthday celebrations. Well if the Queen can have a couple of birthday's why not I?

Twenty of us attended the England v France rugby at Twickenham in a lads and dads day out. A couple of the attendees I had known since we were ten and at school together, and a few were people I had been introduced to, by them, over the years. One chap was an old friend from my working days and several I had met while playing rugby for Twickenham RFC. Indeed one of those used to chase the same girls as me when we were in our early thirties!! All together they were an eclectic group who got on famously.

The match kicked off at 5pm on the Saturday which is not our favourite time to attend, but on this occasion it did give us a chance to visit a local Richmond restaurant, Rock and Rose, for some pre-match tucker , and very good it was too. So with suitable ballast on board, we boarded the bus and sang our way to the ground as we have done for more years than I can remember.

One of my old school friends, Stu, and I have been attending games at Twickenham since early in 1972. We first saw John Dawes Welsh side play. We stood on the old West terrace watching as they beat us comfortably. The only thing that made it bearable was the fact we were in the company of a young Welsh girl from Plymouth,  with whom I had plans later.  Sadly even that went pear shaped as she had already arranged to meet a lad who was a session musician and singer, elsewhere on the manor.

Some years later when I moved from Croydon to Kingston and started playing for Twickenham RFC, it transpired she married said musician, and he was playing second row at the same Club. We are all still good friends. The subsequent forty years following England around Europe have continued to illustrate just how small the World is, made even smaller by the rugby playing community.

I have played in a few World Golden Oldies rugby festivals over time, and should I do so again, I will be able to wear red shorts. This will mean I can only be caught and held, and not tackled. When I reach 65 I would then be able to wear gold shorts, cannot be touched or tackled and can subsequently run for 15 metres unopposed. That might be worth a go!!!

The celebrations continue in a few days with a family Sunday lunch, after which, like the Queen, I will start to tour some of our colonies. I think I will start with Scotland!!

Zimmer frame sport

So back to Edinburgh and I find that the City is embracing the World Golden Oldies rugby festival. This is an event close to my heart, as my club, Twickenham, were one of the hosts when the event visited England in 1989. The Edinburgh event is the first time since then it has been back to the UK mainland.

Gullivers Travels continue to be the travel agent of choice so it was good to meet the 'management' again. Gavin Hastings was the main celeb front man and it was good to see him kilted up on the initial parade.

The organisers had been quite smart with the opening ceremony as they used the stage and seating for the tattoo, and then marched the teams down the Royal Mile, behind a pipe band. As my project at work is Chicago based I thought this team particularly interesting, but there were also old favourites from Japan, The Fuwaku, from the States, The Washington Poltroons, Mystic River and The Jersey Jets, as well as the usual large contingent from Australasia. Teams were also there from Russia, Poland, Italy and the Pacific Isles, so a really good mix. I was unable to infiltrate the opening party, but judging by the state of guests in the hotel the next morning, it was a blast.

The rugby took place over three days, and the traditional dress code had been modified slightly. Up to 60 years old, black shorts are now worn, unless you do not want to be tackled, in which case red is the mode. Red are worn by all 60-64 year olds, 65-69 is gold and 70-84 is purple. Any older players are then presented with 'committee' shorts to wear. The Japanese have a number of players who have been awarded committee colours. Anybody not involved in tackling can run a maximum of 25 yards before releasing the ball or if fronted by a player with arms out stretched, must immediately pass.

its all good fun, referees occasionally score and with the biggest clubhouse in the world being erected at Murrayfield, the traditional social aspects have been maintained......now where did I put those special shorts of mine!