One of the benefits of age is the span of friendships. These are treasures excluded from the young. Shared memories over decades, the things we did in a different age!!!! 

Last Friday I was moved to tears by the completely unexpected honour of having a museum named after me. 

“Nondies”

Those who know me, know that rugby is one of the deepest seams in my life, from my roots at Penzance and Newlyn Rugby Club in Cornwall through Kings College and Richmond Rugby Clubs in London and then to Africa, to Kampala, Uganda, then to Mombasa, Kenya, the Nondescripts in Nairobi, international selection for Kenya and eventually captaining East Africa. 

I have spent 50 years with “Nondies” as player and then sponsor, exactly half of their 100 year history. 

As they reach this momentous Centenary, the Nondescripts have created a spectacular glass fronted club room overlooking the rugby pitch, racecourse and driving range.  

In the Museum are photos from 1922 to 2022. Several show a young Richard GR Evans with a very bushy Viva Zapata moustache.

Songs and Speeches

After the museum opening, Hemingways hosted a fantastic Testimonial dinner. My oldest and greatest friends, my darling wife, son and younger daughter were there. My eldest is in the UK but is always in my heart. 

Ronnie Andrews and Mike Craig got up with a guitar and sang a hilarious song about my life, with full audience participation – transcript is HERE

I was moved by the testimonies of many great friends from around the world, including video messages from some legends including international rugby player, Simon Shaw, BBC sports presenter John Inverdale, and many of the wonderful people from my beloved Cornish Pirates rugby club. You can see the VT below and transcript HERE.

Accidental Arrival

The story of my accidental arrival in Africa and at Nondies, include infidelity (not my own!), idiocy (definitely mine) and tragedy (at the hands of a dictator) is here in a speech, hastily prepared as I knew nothing of the honour being bestowed.

For anyone who wishes to see my speech rather than watch a slightly choked up 76 yr old with Parkinsons at the mic, the transcript is HERE

I thank everyone again for such a special and moving evening, and the honouring not just of myself, but ALL the players, coaches and management at Nondies over the last 100 years through the museum and its collection.

Event Gallery

Photo credit throughout: Abu Mburu

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