Beth Branson Memorial Match 2023

In November 2022 Bethany Branson was cruelly taken from the world after being involved in a car accident locally to her home. Beth was a bright young lady who had a passion for life, a great fun sense of humour and a love of rugby and animals.
Beth had two families and she adored her second rugby family so much. She was a valued member of the Bridgwater & Albion Rugby Club Ladies team and it’s been a heart-breaking time for them as it was for her family this past year.
It was therefore decided by her parents Amy & Ben and all friends to organise a Rugby Match in her memory and to mark a year to the day that she was due to lace her boots for the club. So on Friday 10th November 2023 Bridgwater and Albion RFC hosted a memorial match where BARFC Ladies played host to Wiveliscombe Ladies RFC. The memorial match kicked off at 19:30 and over 1000 people attended this special match in memory of Beth, with her Father, Ben, being the match referee. An organising committee of friends and family had put in a huge amount of effort to organise the night, including match announcers, music, fireworks and an incredible raffle and auction.
The club did a great job in hosting the event with all bars and match day catering open and available to all. The family were blown away at the support shown and they hope it’ll become an annual match where everyone can come together to remember their daughter.
It was the wish of family and friends to donate all proceeds from the match to a few charities, and Wooden Spoon were honoured to be one of them. Matt Bishop attended the event and was able to share memories and stories with friends and family. All proceeds donated to WS will be transferred to the Bath, Bristol & Somerset region and will be utilised towards projects in the region to help change the lives of children and their families.