Janine is having to step back from running the bar and the food as she is expecting another baby. Whilst we wish her and Gerrard all the best, we have needed to quickly find alternatives.

We have decided to cover the bar by utilising volunteers from the South Street Bonfire Society. They will staff the bar on a Saturday and Sunday in return for a donation to their fundraising and also for a venue for their meetings and events.

The deal with Greene King, put in place three years ago, requires Lewes RFC to reach certain barrelage targets. In a recent meeting with them it would appear that we are far short and technically owe Greene King a reasonable sum of money. Our aim is to try and clear that as quickly as we can.

Our intention therefore is to purchase as much of our required stock from Greene King. Harvey's have recently increased the cost of their Best bitter. We believe that an approximate 40% difference between Harvey's prices and a Greene King equivalent does not deliver value to our members. This, coupled with numerous failed attempts over recent years to get them to support us as their local Rugby Club, has led us to decide we will not be selling Harvey's beer this season. I know this will be disappointing to some of our members, but we are working hard to ensure that the alternative ales we get will be of similar quality. We will test a few different ones and you can tell us which you prefer.

We are awaiting a final decision about the food concession and will be in a position to announce news on that shortly.

Please note that for this Sunday's Junior/Mini Registration we will be opening the kitchen for teas, coffees, burgers and bacon rolls. Some bottled beers will be available, but as we only gain access to the bar for the first time Sunday morning, we will aim to have the bar fully up and functioning by the following weekend.