There is a large fence on Upper Richmond Road. Behind it, mostly invisible to the thousands of people who drive or cycle past every day, is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. Next Saturday, 13 June, Rosslyn Park is opening its gates, and it wants you to come in.
The 1879 Summer Party runs from 2pm, and the club has been explicit: this is not just for members. “I have a feeling there are a lot of people around here that probably don’t realise that we are there,” said Sarah Thomas, the club’s commercial director. “Anybody’s welcome to come. It’s not just for our members.”
The afternoon starts with family events: bouncy castle, sports day games, an ice cream van, a kicking competition, and the Premiership semi-finals live in the bar from 3pm. The evening brings a hog roast and a live band, with the party running until just before midnight.
Tickets are £26.50 for adults and include a welcome drink and food. Under-11s get in free. Young people aged 12 to 18 pay £11, which also includes food. One practical note: tickets must be purchased in advance. They are not available at the gate.
The club knows its own visibility problem. The netting on Upper Richmond Road looks, Thomas said, “like this enormous sort of great big fence.” The message it sends, she said: stay out. The summer party is designed to counter exactly that impression.
Rosslyn Park was founded in 1879 (147 years ago) and this season its first XV finished fourth in National League 1, the third tier of English rugby. It has strong minis and youth sections.
If you have been wondering what is behind that fence (or if you have been walking or cycling past it for years without a second thought) Saturday is the moment to find out.
Tickets for the 1879 Summer Party are available at fixr.co. The club is at Priory Lane, Upper Richmond Road, SW15 5JH.
