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Mobbs Centenary event shortlisted for National Award

Mobbs Centenary event shortlisted for National Award

Kath Middleditch26 Sep 2016 - 16:17
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Remember World War One award recognises special event

It's an absolute honour to be shortlisted for this very special award. The Mobbs Centenary event was an amazing tribute to those we lost in the Great War, and it brought together not just the 'rugby family' but many groups from our local community
- Jarlath McElroy

The Mobbs Centenary event at Olney RFC, which took place in January 2015, has been shortlisted for a Remember World War One award in the Acts of Remembrance category. The winner will be announced at a special event in London on 2 November.

The Mobbs Centenary event commemorated a famous wartime rugby match and honoured those fallen in the First World War. 100 years before, Edgar Mobbs - who had lived in Olney and played for its sports teams before playing rugby for Northampton and England - had arranged a charity international match which aimed to recruit rugby players to his own battalion. The Mobbs Centenary event brought together the local community and 'rugby family' to pay tribute to Edgar Mobbs, the men in his battalion and the 16 Olney RFC players who were lost in the Great War.

Joining forces with the local Cowper and Newton Museum, the Royal British Legion and the Heritage Lottery Fund, Olney RFC created a local rugby history exhibition alongside two special games of rugby. A 'home’ squad featuring players from across the East Midlands played the Yorkshire Regiment; and an Olney Ladies team played Army Women. The event was attended by hundreds of people, including Edgar Mobbs' great-nephew, also called Edgar.

Chairman of Olney RFC at the time Jarlath McElroy, said: "It's an absolute honour to be shortlisted for this very special award. The Mobbs Centenary event was an amazing tribute to those we lost in the Great War, and it brought together not just the 'rugby family' but many groups from our local community."

The Cowper and Newton Museum spokesperson said: "The Cowper and Newton Museum would like to thank the local community for their family stories, photographs and precious artefacts for us to create a WWI display to honour the brave men and women of that poignant time in history. Through this commemoration it was a privilege to learn more about Edgar Mobbs, his battalion and how the game of rugby inspired and motivated them during those dark times."

Remember WW1 is an organisation set up to support volunteering and celebrate commemoration activities. The Awards commend efforts made by individuals and groups to commemorate WW1 and give something back to their communities.

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