Annual Dinner Report – 12th October 2017
Harrogate Pythons RUFC held their Annual Dinner once again at The Majestic Hotel. 350 members and guests filled the room to listen to Jason Leonard deliver a captivating speech. With 114 England Caps, 4 Grand Slams, 4 World Cups including 2 Finals, World Cup Winner, 3 British and Irish Lions Tours and The RFU Presidency he certainly continued The Pythons’ tradition of top class speakers. Julian Tatlow, Chairman, opened the speeches with a welcome to all – especially the main sponsors. “Without the support of our main dinner sponsors we couldn’t continue to attract top speakers,” he commented. “The generosity of HSBC, Ripon Select Foods, Slingsby Gin, Santander, Mazars LLP, Don Electronics and Kinloch Finance never ceases to amaze me. Their support for local sport is superb and it’s difficult to find words to thank them enough,” he added. Former England Doctor Terry Crystal introduced Jason who held the room’s attention with stories of his England experiences spanning two decades. Simon Croft once again was both Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer keeping the proceedings moving to schedule.
Two former internationals Jon Callard and David Pears, both team mates, and former England physio Kevin ‘Smurph’ Murphy joined Jason as he mixed with the guests having photos and selfies taken until late into the evening.
