Royal Wootton Bassett RFC

Come along to Ballards Ash on Saturday 12th May for our annual Sausage & Cider Festival and enjoy the very best in Cider, Sausages, Rugby and Live Music.

The event begins at 1pm and as ever, there will be a wide range of the very best ciders and perries on offer, gourmet sausages from Crumps Butchers to sample, cider-fuelled music, and exciting rugby matches to cheer along.

REPATRIATION RUGBY MATCH

This year we are extremely proud that during the Festival, we will be hosting the second McCue Cup - a celebratory rugby match between Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Battalion and a RWBRFC President’s XV to honour Lance Corporal James McCue and the respect shown by the town throughout the repatriations. The McCue family will be in attendance to present the trophy to the winning team.

MUSIC

Music is always a big part of the Festival and this year we are super excited for the return of local rock rhythm and blues band Built For Comfort as special musical guests, along with popular Big Band 41 Degrees - so be prepared for some awesome singalong music throughout the day!

FAMILY FUN

George Scarrott and Son’s Family Fun Fair will bring along entertainment for the little ones and there will be a range of vendors and stalls to browse around the field. In addition, our younger visitors will be able to meet Disney characters and Paw Patrol - with Face Painting and games all courtesy of local charity Brighter Futures.

RIDE OF RESPECT

Our friends from Ride of Respect will again support the Sausage & Cider Festival. The mass ride by motorcyclists through Royal Wootton Bassett will pay tribute to our service personnel and their families, arriving at RWBRFC to make a procession around the perimeter of the first team pitch prior to kick-off of the McCue Cup match.

Entry to the Festival is £4 on the gate with Under 18s free to enter and car parking on site. 

Money raised will contribute towards fundraising for local charity ‘Brighter Futures’.

Check out our itinerary for the Sausage & Cider Festival!

• 1pm: Doors open and festivities begin! Gourmet Sausages from Crumps Butchers & a range of Cider on sale, with stalls and fairground rides, plus a range of children’s activities on offer.
• 1.30pm: Open rugby training for 6 to 13 year olds – bring your little ones along to enjoy a taster rugby session!
• 2pm: Coaches vs Parents rugby display main pitch
• 2.30pm: Ride of Respect Motor Cycle Club begins to arrive with a parade around main pitch prior to opening ceremony
• 2.50pm: Grand Opening Ceremony for McCue Cup Match, including:
  • Guard of honour provided by RWBRFC Youth teams
  • Introduction from R.E.M.E. representative
  • Last Post by Army Bugler
  • 2 minutes silence
• 3pm: The McCue Cup match – Royal Wootton Bassett RFC President’s XV vs Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• 4.30pm: Presentation of the McCue Cup
• 5pm: Live Big Band music with 41 Degrees Big Band
• 7.30pm: Live music with local rock rhythm and blues band Built For Comfort

Sausage and Cider Festival Tokens System:

Throughout our Festival, our RWBRFC Clubhouse Bar will be open as normal serving refreshments by cash payment throughout the day.

Additionally, the Sausage & Cider Festival will be hosted in an external marquee.  To reduce queuing, Cider, Sausages and burgers may be purchased in the marquee with the exchange of a special Token. Tokens can be purchased on-site throughout the day.