Scots rugby club to convert its pitch into beer garden

It is an innovative way of using a pristine pitch that can’t be used for rugby while the sport is suspended.

Hawick Rugby Club President, Rory Bannerman

Hawick Rugby Club has been given the green light to temporarily convert its Mansfield Park ground into a giant seven-day-a-week beer garden for 150 people from next week.

As Covid-19 lockdown restrictions begin to ease, the move will not just bring in much-needed revenue to top up depleted club coffers.Officials at the 147-year-old Borders club also hope it can be a fillip for a community devastated by flooding just a few weeks before the coronavirus lockdown rubbed salt in town wounds and forced its famous Common Riding to be cancelled.

Volunteers who in February were cleaning out flood-damaged changing and medical rooms from the havoc wreaked by Storm Dennis are now preparing picnic tables to be spread across the pitch.

Club president Rory Bannerman said: “I can remember wading knee deep pumping water out of the changing rooms, so it’s nice to have an opportunity to do so something a bit more positive than clearing up.”
The club will offering table-service drinks, with food and music, at what Mr Bannerman described as a “perfect” outdoor hospitality setting for safe social distancing.

“The pitch has never been in better condition, there’s plenty of space and we have a bar, so not using it would have been a waste,” he said.

Despite receiving £5,000 from Scottish Rugby’s coronavirus hardship fund, club finances have taken a big hit this year, with only two home matches played and its sevens tournament postponed.

“It’s ironic that our income was washed away and then dried up,” Mr Bannerman said.

“Of course, we hope this brings in club funds, but it’s been a tough six months for the whole town. So we hope this is a boost, giving people a chance to get together sensibly and put smiles on faces.

“There has been a lot of interest and advanced table bookings already. We will be doing it safely. The club is often a focal point for the community on a Saturday. It’s wonderful that it can fulfil that function again every day of the week, at least temporarily.”

Founded in 1873, the Greens, as they are known, have produced 60 Scotland internationals, including current captain Stuart Hogg and winger Darcy Graham. The club is also synonymous with legendary rugby BBC rugby commentator, the late Bill McLaren, who played for the club and lived in the town throughout his life.

“He saw many things at Mansfield, but not a beer garden on the pitch as far as I know,” said secretary John Thorburn. “He was a big supporter of projects for the community, so I’d like to think he would have approved.”

After consulting Scottish Borders Council, the club has been given permission to open its beer garden on Tuesday and officials are praying for good weather to make it a success.

Mr Thorburn said: “We are delighted that the council has given this the go-ahead. We just hope the weather is kind.

“It’s been a challenge. We have outgoings, but we haven’t had income and we still don’t know when we will be allowed to actually play rugby again.”

In the meantime, the beer garden has been given an enthusiastic welcome in the rugby-mad town.

Provost Watson McAteer said: “It’s a great idea. I look forward to visiting and enjoying a pint.”