MINCHINHAMPTON Rugby Club are set to receive an £8,000 grant to complete their new clubhouse in time for a visit from The Princess Royal.

The grant is from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET) and is part of the £300,000 already raised by the rugby club for a new clubhouse at Hollybush.

GET also contributed to the project in April last year, this new contribution will fund player’s showers and toilet facilities as well as mechanical and electrical services.

Minchinhampton rugby club chairman Morgwn Atkins, said: “This further generous donation from GET brings us closer to our ultimate goal of a fully equipped clubhouse for players and visitors alike.

“We are extremely grateful to GET and the many individuals and organisations who have supported us.”

It is hoped that the build will be officially opened during a visit by HRH The Princess Royal who is due to attend the Gloucestershire RFU Volunteers Recognition & Reward event at Hollybush on Friday, March 3.

The Princess is due to meet and greet a selected audience and formally open the new clubhouse before watching a Gloucestershire RFU Invitational XV versus a Mike Tindall Invitational XV.

Situated near the Gatcombe Estate, the building is agricultural in design to complement the local vernacular.

It has been designed with practicality in mind to ensure that it is cost effective to run and maintain.