Rugby World Cup trophy tour launches before coming to Telford
Jonny Wilkinson, Prince Harry and Will Greenwood today (10 JUNE) launched the Rugby World Cup trophy’s 100 day tour of the UK at Twickenham.
The Webb Ellis trophy – the Rugby World Cup – will begin its 11 day stay in the West Midlands and North West on 18 July when it stops in Telford.
The trophy is touring through Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and England before arriving at Twickenham ahead of the opening ceremony on 18 September.
The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will last 100 days in the build up to September’s tournament and will come to Telford at 6pm on Saturday 18 July.
The trophy will arrive as the conclusion to Telford & Wrekin Council’s T-Party event in QEII Fields In Trust Telford Town Park Arena.
The trophy’s journey throughout the UK and Ireland aims to engage fans and give them the opportunity to build unforgettable memories in the build up to the six week rugby extravaganza.
Telford and Wrekin’s Ambassador for Sport Chris Child said: “This is fantastic news and is great reward for the hard work we have put in liaising with England Rugby 2015 as they put the Trophy Tour together.
“It truly demonstrates that Telford has a growing profile as a leading events town and the tour will be the icing on the cake for the T-Party event on 18 July.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming the Webb Ellis Cup to the borough and it is a real feather in our cap that it is coming here on its first day in the West Midlands.”
This year’s T-Party event, on 18 July, will be a day of sport, arts and culture in Telford Town Park.
The annual free event will be sport themed this year to reflect the imminent arrival of the Cup but will still feature arts, crafts and music with activities including a rugby festival soon to be announced.
The centrepiece will be the arrival of the Webb Ellis Trophy that will be in the Town Park for two hours from 6pm.
Councillor Liz Clare, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Leisure Services and Culture, said: “T-Party is already set to be a fantastic event this year and we are truly honoured and privileged that it will culminate in the arrival of the Webb Ellis Trophy.
“We are passionate about Telford becoming a regional destination of choice and the fact that we will be hosting the Rugby World Cup on its first day in the West Midlands really is something special – it promises to be a fantastic day.”
