Bill's legacy is on a firm foundation
RUGBY followers from throughout the Borders and beyond packed the Mansfield Park clubrooms in Hawick last Friday night to pay tribute to the late Bill McLaren and also raise funds for the foundation set up in his name.
Staged by Hawick Rugby Club and chaired by the incomparable Ian Landles, the event epitomised all that is best about the game of rugby football.
Selkirk’s most-capped internationalist, John Rutherford, took seven fellow Philiphaugh members as his guests – and Rutherford was one of nine former British Lions in the star-studded company.
“Bill was such a tremendous character and did so much to promote rugby that he will always hold a special place in the hearts of rugby supporters the world over,” he said.
Both Rutherford and Andy Irvine have been asked to serve as trustees of the Bill McLaren Foundation which has been set up to raise funds to support the development of rugby and its values, to recognise the contribution Bill McLaren made to rugby through education and to develop an interpretive centre to house his extensive commentating archive.
“I’m delighted to have been asked to help,” added Rutherford, “and excited by what lies ahead. The foundation has a very clear remit to help with the development of rugby and I’m certain Bill would have given the enterprise his blessing.
“The dinner has been a great way to get the ball rolling, and having such legendary figures as Gareth Edwards and Fergus Slattery come along as speakers shows the high regard in which Bill was held throughout the world of rugby.”
Other speakers at Friday’s dinner included Jim Renwick, John Beattie, Brian Renwick and Bill’s grandson, Gregor Lawson, while present at the top table were Bill’s widow, Bette, daughter Linda Lawson and Linda’s husband, Alan.
The Scottish Rugby Union is to hold a Bill McLaren Tribute Evening at Murrayfield on March 11.
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Weather for Selkirk
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: West
