LONDON Irish legends present and past were among those who came together on Saturday to officially launch the rugby club’s new training facility in Hazelwood.
The event, which included local councillors and dignitaries, opened with a rugby relay to symbolise the move in spirit from their nearby Avenue facilities to the new grounds in south west London.
IRFU President Louis Magee was a special guest on the day. The recently-appointed rugby chief maintains strong family connections to the club.
His grandfather, also named Louis Magee, was one of the founders of London Irish in 1898 and is the first player listed on the club’s International Honours Board. Magee famously captained Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1899.
A service was then held, part of which saw a bench unveiled in the Hazelwood Memorial Garden to remember those who have had their ashes scattered at The Avenue.
The bench was generously donated by the London Irish Supporters Club and family members of those were in attendance at the tribute.
During the service, soil from the Avenue was rubbed on to a rugby ball which was blessed with holy water from Ireland.
Mayor of Spelthorne, Councillor Suzy P Webb, was at the club and cut the ribbon to officially open the new Hazelwood site.
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Pictures by malcolm mcnally
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