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Fylde rugby ace celebrates
FYLDE rugby hero Bill Beaumont already has a mantelpiece full of gongs from his glittering sporting career.
But the 56-year-old can now add a CBE to those after he received another honour from the Queen.
Other Fylde honours:
Andrew Brown
Neil Froggatt
Angie Hesketh
Steve Riley
Lytham-based Bill captained his country 21 times, winning a Grand Slam in 1980, and also skippered the British Lions on tours across the globe.
But its his work behind the scenes of the game - along with his charity work - which has seen him gain this honour, 26 years after collecting an OBE for his skills on the pitch.
Bill told The Gazette: "This is a great honour. I was fortunate enough to get an OBE for my work on the rugby field and to be honoured for my work behind the scenes is fantastic.
"It's been hard to keep a secret and I've only told a few members of my family, but it is something I'm very proud.
"It was a great surprise to be told, but a very good one. I had a long career on the rugby pitch and fortunate enough to still be involved in
the game which I still love."
Do you have a message for Bill? Leave comments below.
Bill is currently England's representative on the International Rugby Board after stepping down from the Lions set up last year.
His administrative work around the world has seen the former lock promote the English game while still remain loyal to the Fylde.
A governor at Arnold School, one of Bill's sons Sam plays for Fylde RUFC and is following in his dad's footsteps collecting last season's Player Of The Year award.
Bill made his international debut as a 22-year-old against Ireland in 1975 and went on to win a further 33 caps.
He played 15 times for the Barbarians and was the first English skipper of the British Lions for 50 years when he toured with them in South Africa in 1980.
He retired from the game in 1982 suffering a head injury, but went on to be a popular captain for the BBC's Question of Sport programme.
A successful businessman, Bill runs his own textile company in Chorley as well as fundraising for various charities.
He is the president of the Wooden Spoon society, a charity which raises money for sports equipment for disabled children in the community.
Last year he opened a specially-designed swimming pool at Red Marsh School in Thornton.
He added: "It's very nice to get recognised for work contribution to a job you love and I still love to this day.
"I think I will have a few friends round to celebrate and maybe test my skills on the barbecue."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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