Ashbourne RUFC

Ray Wason moved to Ashbourne in 1997, he played rugby previously for Old Penarthians in Wales. Ray joined the Rugby Club immediately as a social member and soon Became great friends with Alan(Spaghetti) Harris, Dave Clift and Ian Brunton-Reed. He became a member of the selection committee and not as many headaches on selection as he Club now has with so many senior sides and juniors. Like so many members, Ray frequented he Coach and Horses to discuss rugby and sport in general under the watchful eye of landlord Les Selfe. With his business acumen, Ray was the Clubs auditor for many years and continued to support the Club until his death and both Ray and his wife Jennifer were pleased to support Mick Pepper during his time as Derbyshire RFU President. It is thought that Alan Harris and Ray actually donned their rugby gear in readiness to play when the seconds were very short but only stayed on the touch line. Ray was very active in the Club and especially when he son, Greg, started to play junior rugby for the Club and then again when his grand children started to play in the minis. Ray was manager at RBS, Ashbourne from 1977 to 1992 when he retired and was always available to his customers and many times over a pint in the Coach!!, Ray loved the annual trips to Twickenham and the JPS Finals. Ray and Jenny loved the Annual Dinner and Dances, the BBQ’s at the Clift’s and Christmas Eve at Bill and Joyce Kent’s. And of course, when Wales beat England - which in Ray’s earlier days was a regular occurrence would be in the Coach to discuss the victories!,, A Welshman but a true lover of rugby, his friends, his family and Ashbourne Rugby Club. Rays funeral is on Monday August 24th when the cortège will leave Bradley View, Ashbourne for a private service (10.50am)