Scott Hastings, the former Scotland and British Lions centre, is to be the special guest of Penrith rugby union club when they celebrate a centenary next month.
Although the Penrith club was formed in 1882, a lack of fixtures through the advancement of rugby league in the west of the county at the turn of the century, caused a temporary halt.
Eventually it was decided to return to rugby union and fixtures resumed in the 1921/22 season, hence the reason to celebrate 100 unbroken years of the union code.
The Penrith club will be splitting the proceeds from the dinner between the Doddie Weir Foundation and the Penrith Club’s junior section.
Hastings is also a trustee of the Doddie Weir Foundation which makes him an apt choice as guest speaker.
The 57-year-old Hastings won 65 caps at centre for Scotland between 1986 and 1997, earning his first cap at the same time as his elder brother Gavin.
When he retired in 1997, he was Scotland’s most-capped player and had twice been a member of the British Lions in 1989 (Australia) and 1993 (New Zealand) where he suffered a shattered cheekbone and did not play against the All Blacks.
In recent times he has become heavily involved in the battle to conquer motor neurone disease and as well as being a trustee for former team-mate Doddie Weir’s foundation, he is the regular host of Just a Sports Quiz, an annual event held in Murrayfield to raise money for research into Motor Neuron Disease at the Euan MacDonald Centre in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Also speaking at the dinner in the Roundthorn Country House on Saturday, February 19 will be the current RFU President Jeff Blackett.
Jeff first played rugby at Portsmouth Grammar School and went on to play for University College London, University of London Union, US Portsmouth, the Royal Navy, Hampshire and St Anne’s and St John’s Oxford.
A barrister, he retired from a distinguished career with the Royal Navy in the rank of Commodore and was Judge Advocate General from 2004-20.
He will be on an extended visit to Cumbria that weekend as he is guest of the Aspatria club on Friday, January 18 at their annual tatie pot supper.
Charles Graves, the Penrith president said: “We are delighted to be able to bring two such big hitters to the town for this event.
“We are looking to raise a sizeable amount of money and have a number of interesting, and different, lots to auction including rounds of golf at a five star course.
“Adam Day will be MC and auctioneer and tickets, at £60 are already going well. Tables of eight or 10, with smaller groups are very welcome.”
Anyone wishing to attend is invited to contact Charles on 07743 781869 or cg@3gfinancial.co.uk.
