AT Cirencester Rugby Club's recently held annual meeting, it was unanimously agreed that life membership be conferred on its current president, John Lawrence.

Lawrence has been associated with the Whiteway club for many years and has served on the executive committee in nearly every non-playing capacity during that time.

He becomes only the tenth individual to have been awarded this honour since the club's inception in 1949.

The meeting also witnessed the retirement of club secretary Henry Church after five years in office.

Fortunately Church, an active member of the 1st XV, will continue to serve on the executive as planning and development officer.

A vote of thanks was given to him for all his hard work over that period.

The AGM covered a review of the season, the club finances and election of officers. 2002-03 had been a difficult time on the senior playing front with only four league victories in Gloucester Premier.

But following favourable results in other leagues, Cirencester are, thankfully, due to avoid the relegation drop that has overshadowed the 1st XV since Christmas.

Playing numbers have been relatively steady for the other teams and next season will see the merging of the Veterans' side into the 3rd XV.

This team will combine older players with youngsters moving up from the junior section.

The youth section has continued to flourish and remains one of the largest and most successful in the West of England.

They won the County Cup at three age levels and have a playing membership of nearly 300 boys spread across a dozen different age groups.

Club finances have been steady and all the main sponsors were thanked for their generous support.

The building work of last summer had been satisfactorily completed and financed with three new changing rooms, new players toilets, new showers and a renovated kitchen.

This summer, work will be done in the main function rooms and guest toilets.

The annual Beer Festival will be held over three days at the Whiteway on August 22-24 combining with other planned playing and social events.

Most of the executive committee, under chairman Simon Collyer-Bristow, are to continue in office and newcomers Karis Mills and Tim Lawson were elected as social and sponsorship chairman.

Brian Johnson remains as club coach and Dan Carter and Dave Crouch were elected as 2nd and 3rd XV captains.