GLADIATORIAL competitions and rugby taster sessions were among the activities on offer at Trowbridge Rugby Club’s Family Fun Weekend at the Doric Park ground in Hilperton.

The two-day event kicked off with a senior pre-season friendly on Saturday (Aug 29), with a game for the youngsters at half time, before visitors enjoyed a beer and cider festival, barbecue and live music in the afternoon.

Despite heavy rain, there was even more fun and games on the Sunday (Aug 30), with activities including a touch rugby tournament, rugby taster sessions, face painting and a gladiator challenge.

Active Trowbridge also brought along a bouncy castle and other sport challenges for children to experience, while the beer and cider festival continued to run all weekend.

“Saturday went really well and we had more people up at the club for a friendly than we normally ever would,” said Andrew Hoddinott, who looks after the social membership and associate clubs at Trowbridge Rugby.

“The beer and cider festival was very well received and it was great to see the children enjoying themselves in the minis demonstration at half time. The atmosphere was fantastic.

“The Sunday was a bit of a shame as the weather was pretty miserable. We had lots going on with stalls and a bouncy castle from Active Trowbridge and we were doing for the first few hours.

“It then got a bit wet. It was still a good day and children were enjoying themselves on the bouncy castle in the rain anyway, but I’m sure we would have attracted even more if the weather had been better.”

Mr Hoddinott added that the rugby club is looking to hold the community engagement event again next year, when he hopes the weather will be more favourable.

“There will definitely be some kind of similar event again next year, said Mr Hoddinott. “It was a good weekend even with the rain and the main purpose was to interact with the wider community.

“We had Wiltshire Air Ambulance along as we always like to support them, while the event was a good way of promoting the club to those who don’t know so much about our social side.”