Bodmin RFC lands three years of backing from its new neighbour

Rugby at Clifden Park has picked up a new backer, and it happens to be building hundreds of homes just down the road.

Persimmon Homes, the developer behind the new Kemeneth site in Bodmin, has announced a multi-year partnership with Bodmin RFC. The first of three £2,000 cheques was handed over at the club’s ground earlier this month.

Three cheques over three years

The money comes through Persimmon’s Community Champions programme, which gives £700,000 a year to good causes and local organisations across Britain. After this month’s presentation, the next two instalments will follow in 2027 and 2028, bringing the total to £6,000.

Other recent recipients of Community Champions funding in the town include Bodmin Youth FC, 3rd Bodmin Scouts, Bodmin Town Band and Home-Start Kernow.

A club with deep roots

Bodmin RFC was first formed in the 1880s and had to re-form in 1969, which the club says still makes it Cornwall’s first rugby club. Today it runs a senior team and several junior sides, with around 100 players between them. Its clubhouse, with a bar and function room, went up on the outskirts of the town in 1989.

Plenty of players have gone on to represent the county at various levels over the years. The most decorated of them is Andy Reed, who came through the club, played for and captained Scotland, and went on to play for the British Lions.

Dave Saunter from Bodmin RFC said: “We are so pleased that Persimmon’s have chosen us for this Community Champions programme. Our aim at the club has always been to make rugby affordable to all in the community and money like this and our other sponsors really helps to keep costs down.”

What is being built at Kemeneth

Construction has now started at Kemeneth, not far from the rugby club, and the showhome and sales office are open to the public. Once finished, the site will have delivered 527 new homes, including 132 affordable homes. Every home will have an air source heat pump and an electric vehicle charging point.

The development unlocks more than £3.5m in contributions from Persimmon towards new community facilities, education and transport improvements across the town. Plans also include parks, allotments, play areas, a community orchard and a community centre, alongside more than two hectares of landscaped open space.

On the ecology side, the scheme is set to deliver an 86.5% biodiversity net gain, with enhanced hedgerows, new habitats, and bird, bat and dormouse boxes to protect local wildlife.

What they said

Jane Cartwright, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes Cornwall & West Devon, said: “Persimmon is very happy to have finally started construction at our Kemeneth site in Bodmin, with our showhome and sales office now open to the public, and we want to continue supporting local organisations here as we have done for many years.

“That’s why we are excited to announce a multi-year partnership with Bodmin RFC through our Community Champions programme, presenting the first of three £2,000 cheques to its leadership team.

“Hopefully, Kemeneth will be home to generations of new and existing players, coaches, and fans for the club, demonstrating how building new homes can help sustain our much-loved institutions like Bodmin RFC.”