As it’s current Chair, Barrie Mair has been in post for the last 5 years, taking over from a chain of battle-scarred ex-rugby playing captains of industry. Barrie tells us that having brought up five healthy kids, with his wife Jill, and having time in retirement to give a little back to society, that the Spoon provides the ideal vehicle to help children from less fortunate backgrounds.

He has been ably supported over that time by a team that continually refreshes itself with new volunteers arriving to pick up the baton. One constant feature has been the immense frame of Nigel Timson - one of the founder group of 10 Spooners, who now combines his role of Trustee with that of the Christmas Carol Cruise organiser. Our able treasurer keeping the books in order is Tim Leverton.

Martin Sanders, Managing Director of Honda powered products, finds time in his busy palm-top to combine active support of the Chilterns with his position as a Trustee. Likewise, Keith Lawton, a solicitor who the profession will not allow to retire completely, combines an emeritus role with that of President of Maidenhead RFC, and Spoon adviser extraordinaire.

For any issues relating to your spoon membership, please contact our membership secretary Robert Metcalfe. Tel : 07782 328550

We can expect, with reasonable confidence, that these events and associated donations will bring in circa £80,000 of income to the region. This is then doubled from centrally raised funds to give us approximately £160,000 per year to spend on projects for disabled and disadvantaged youngsters.

In addition to the outstanding success of, ongoing encouragement given by our first regional President, Sir Clive Woodward, we have acquired the luxury of a second President in Matt Dawson. To both of you gentleman, the world of rugby thank you for your outstanding contributions.

In 2004 Spoon joined in the memorial game at Abbey Rugby Club (Reading) where a day of festival rugby took place to celebrate the life of Chris Kays, who was killed alongside many other players in the Bali bombing. His parents, Ray and Lynn, together with the Management Committee of the Club, decided to give the Lions share of the proceeds of the day – some £10,000 – to the Spoon.
Picture: Ray Kays holding the ball with Abbey RFC President, Ray Hocking Barrie Mair and Tony Fiddy from Spoon

Maidenhead RFC, led by their President – Keith Lawton – have provided much of the backbone of support for the Chilterns Spoon. Making this year a donation of some £200 from a bartop collection, they also provided the facility to recruit another 50 members to Spoon during their rugby festival.

Parrish of Reading RFC thought life on earth was getting rather boring, so he jumped out of an aeroplane and donated the £500 raised as a result to the Spoon.

Lt Colonel Adrian Pearce of Tadley RFC, together with Mr & Mrs Dunham (landlords of the Hatchgate Inn ) produced a cheque for £360 from their Christmas Raffle and Bottle.