CHINNOR RFC Thame has awarded Honorary Life Membership to John Ashfield for his outstanding long-lasting contribution to the Club.

The announcement was made at last week’s Annual General Meeting and it was met with full approval from the Members in attendance.

John has been a Club Member for an incredible 47 years and remains a Non-Executive Board Member, recently stepping down as President after being in the role since 2016.

We have a lot to thank John for - not least his extensive list of contacts - and the number of people who wanted to speak to him at the AGM just speaks volumes.

We asked John for his thoughts on becoming an Honorary Life Member and he sent us the following:

I was both surprised and honoured to be awarded Honorary Life Membership at the AGM last Thursday. Having been a member since moving to Chinnor in 1975, the Club has been a source of friendship and the occasional moment of sporting endeavour for me and now my wider family.

The reason I have volunteered and lately served as President is because I believe that the Club is a thing of great value to us all and over the years has developed into a Club that has deep roots in the community and further afield. Therefore, I am deeply honoured to be a Life Member and thank the Membership for this privilege.

I decided to step down as President as I had been in post for more than 8 years and I felt it was time for a new voice as the next generation take over the reins. It was not an easy decision as I have enjoyed the role and the people I have met. We do have on our Board committed members who work in the community for the best of the Club and its members and staff. I do not claim any credit for the work that has been undertaken in growing and changing our Club, but change it has. We have received support from our local Councils that recognise the Club as a source for well-being in the community, and our Sponsors - many of whom are local businesses - provide support to allow the Club to grow. On the pitch, we play at a high standard in Senior Men's Rugby, have a thriving Women's section and this year have grown our Girls Programme, while our Junior section continues to flourish.

The overriding feeling is one of thanks. Thanks for the years of fun and laughter. Thanks for helping us to settle in the community. Thanks for always finding a way no matter what is thrown at us.

I was asked to be remain as a Director of the Club, which I accepted, and I am also preparing my application for the Friday Club.