Burnham-on-Crouch's popular rugby club is raising funds for a clubhouse extension and renovation, with aims to build as soon as possible, after a planning application was lodged in 2021. 

In an interview with Nub News, Burnham Rugby Club President Bob Blunden said the club is now looking at raising around £170,000, a massive increase compared to the original £70,000 goal. He added that it has been "frustrating" getting the project to this point, waiting for Maldon District Council to set up a new lease for the bar and kitchen area of the original clubhouse.

Mr Blunden said: "Our inability to begin renovations is stifling our growth. We want to own the bar and make good use of the clubhouse, as this would mean we could open it up to everybody else who uses the centre and could generate more funds for the club. It wouldn't just benefit the rugby club, it would benefit clubs like Cricket too.

"We are doing something that would really benefit the community, so ideally the project would have been started already."

The planning application for the Places for People Leisure Management Dengie Hundred Sports Centre states "the extension would accommodate four team changing rooms, two referees' rooms, a physio room, a storeroom, a hallway, as well as toilet and shower facilities". 

The Rugby Club offers Walking Rugby, which is accessible to older residents. (Credit: Chloe Brewster)

Mr Blunden says the new changing rooms are of "paramount importance", as changing RFU guidelines mean the club must provide separate ladies' changing facilities. 

He adds: "We are coming up for RFU accreditation, and although they can give us leeway if we demonstrate we have plans to upgrade the changing facilities, it is not ideal."

Despite being unable to secure external funding or grants without the plans for the lease, the club has continued to fundraise through a diverse number of community projects. The club has held 'Tasting Dinners' at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club, run by popular local chef Dan Hull, movie nights at Fisher Farm, Mayland, and taken part in a Christmas Tree Collection with Farleigh Hospice.

In addition, they will hold a Fun Day this Saturday (September 9). It will feature stalls, an ice cream van, live music and a bouncy castle, and will take place on Millfields, Dengie Hundred Sports Centre. The club has also been looking into a Buy-a-Brick scheme, in which local companies and people can have the opportunity to sponsor a number of bricks. 

"We are a community club and we are community-run - we want more sporting down in Millfields and more people involved," Mr Blunden concluded.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council told Nub News; "The Council can confirm that we are working with the club and our leisure provider in what is quite a complex change to the lease. We need to ensure that all legal aspects are resolved before any works commence."

Edited by Ben Shahrabi.

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