Monmouth School marks official opening of the new Sports Pavilion

On Wednesday 12 November, 2008, Monmouth School marked the official opening of its new £2.3 million Sports Pavilion.

The Headmaster, Dr Steven Connors, was joined by benefactors, governors, staff, old boys and pupils to celebrate the opening of the Pavilion by former Captain of Wales and British Lion, Eddie Butler, an old boy of the School. 

The School worked closely with architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams to create an exciting, vibrant design, incorporating a tall, double height, fully glazed main entrance and a spectacular double curve roof.  As well as changing and shower facilities, the new Pavilion has a dining and reception area and a balcony overlooking the playing fields and surrounding countryside, affording spectacular views up the Wye Valley.

Bill Lewis, who was a keen rower whilst a pupil at Haberdashers' Aske’s, generously donated funds for a new rowing boat for the School which was named ‘Bill Lewis’ in his honour at the opening. This was particularly fitting in the year that Tom Lucy (OM 1999-2006) won a silver medal in the GB VIII in Beijing this summer at just 20 years old.

The event was concluded with a rugby match between the John Bevan XV and fittingly the Crawshay’s Welsh RFC XV, who had fielded a team at the opening of the previous pavilion in 1964.  The John Bevan XV was made up of former pupils who have continued to play rugby at university, club and even national level.  John Bevan, a house master and teacher at Monmouth School, is a former British Lion and Welsh international.  The Crawshay’s XV was founded in 1922 and has toured extensively overseas.  After an exciting and well-fought match, refereed by former Monmouth School pupil Wayne Barnes, who also refereed the Scotland – New Zealand international last weekend, Crawshay’s ran out winners by 62 to 44. 

Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster of Monmouth School said, “I would like to thank all those who contributed so generously towards this outstanding new sports facility.  In particular, I would like to thank David Hitchcock OM and Jones Scholar, after whom we have named the Hitchcock Room.  The Sports Pavilion has already become a place where parents and boys meet after home matches and the opposition are warmly entertained.  This is a building which will write its own chapter in the illustrious history of the School as it becomes the focus of many a great day of sporting encounter, whether it be rugby, football, cricket, tennis, athletics or rowing.”  

Click here to view a video of the opening by Monmouth School former pupil, Tom Griffiths.