Tewkesbury Rugby Club is truly heartbroken by the news that Paul (Larp) Cole passed away on Wednesday 10th July 2024.
Larp was a Club Stalwart, Club Captain and Life Member who loved Tewkesbury Rugby Club. Larp had no enemies and was loved and respected by everyone. He will be sadly missed by all of us and a Club Legend has left the field of play.
Larp started playing for Tewkesbury with Bobby Sutton in 1968 when Tewkesbury RFC used the now gone Kings Head pub as a clubhouse. There was a bath in a stable block outside and a room they could use upstairs as headquarters. Matches were played in a field behind Ashchurch Lodge (now part of Tewkesbury School) or Steels Field (now where Stonehills is). They even used to play on the Ham at one point.
There is a story of a conversion being taken at Steels Field which was close to A38 main road. Their only match ball landed in the back of a passing tipper lorry. The match was halted whilst someone jumped into their car and chased after the lorry to get the ball back somewhere near Coombe Hill.
Larp enjoyed his first rugby tour to Wakefield. The minibus to get there was driven by a player (Gerry Porter) and had on board 2 x 40 pint containers of homemade cider. Evidently Larp and Bobby Sutton made a significant reduction to this quantity on the way there.
The club then moved to what was the old Flying Saucer café next to Black Bear. The premises obviously needed a lot of work doing to it to make it a clubhouse. All this was done by the players and committee.
Larp became more involved with running of the clubhouse and would often work behind the bar, accept and put away beer deliveries, clean the club on Sunday mornings and then take the shirts down to his mother Betty at the launderette to have them washed for the next match. He was also playing as much rugby as he could fit in. He would turn out for the Local Combination teams as he gained a reputation as a competent 2nd row forward. He was always available for friendlies for the Army Camp and the Star at Overbury. In fact any game of rugby going Larp would want to play.
Larps life changed when Tewkesbury Rugby Club invited the local Ladies Netball Club to become affiliated as members. Among these ladies was a certain Maggie Butler who was to become Larps wife Maggie Cole in 1985. They both had a passion for Tewkesbury Rugby Club and worked tirelessly to help the club grow. Larp became the first coach of the Tewkesbury Womens Rugby team that rose out of the netball team and Maggie took up refereeing.
The club then moved on to where it is now in 1997 and Larp continued playing before retiring. He was no longer required to do all the jobs he had previously done but still took an active part in the running of the club. In recognition of all his work he was made a life member.
Other things happened in his life. Maggie also had children from a previous marriage and this provided Larp the opportunity to become Grandlarp when her son Gary had children. He adored this.
He took on an allotment with his mate Birchy but you could still guarantee that come saturday afternoon Larp would be at the Moats watching his beloved Tewkesbury play. Along with Herbie Johnson, Bill Neild and Ray Stone they would also take in many away games as possible. They particularly enjoyed the minibus trips. Fair to say they also enjoyed a few beers.
LARP, you always tried to encourage the players and coaches. You knew all the words to the songs and were full of stories of days gone by. Tewkesbury Rugby Club were lucky to have you and the place will not be the same without you.
The Club offers its condolences to his wife of 39 years Maggie and the family. Also to Nick, Lyn, Alistair and Bev who have lost a brother.
RIP to our dearest Larp.
Paul’s funeral will take place on Thursday, 25th July.
Family and close friends will attend a service at Gloucester Crematorium at 10.30am. Following that, everyone is invited to join the family at Tewkesbury Abbey at 12.30pm for a memorial service to celebrate his life. Then on to Tewkesbury Rugby Club for a social gathering to share happy memories and a beer, or two!
Family flowers only please
Donations to the NAGS CharityN