THE legacy of one of the country’s oldest rugby clubs will be kept alive thanks to a recent donation.

Member of Pontypool RFC’s trustees presented Torfaen Museum with a donation of memorabilia and funding yesterday.

Following the loss of Pontypool RFC’s clubhouse in 2004, Torfaen Museum accepted the club’s memorabilia collection on a loan basis.

The arrangement was that the museum would look after the pieces until such time as the club found new premises or made the decision to re-allocate the collection.

Over the years, representatives from the museum have engaged with Pontypool RFC about future exhibitions or displays.

In May of 2016, rugby legend Graham Price also opened a the ‘Pooler Room’ at the museum.

However, in recent years the trustees said that the Museums Association no longer allowed long-term loans.

On Thursday, January 24, and after careful consideration, they entered into a Deed of Gift to donate the items to the museum.

As a gesture of goodwill, a cheque for £1,250 was donated on behalf of Pontypool RFC 100 Club.

In a statement the trustees said: “The future safekeeping, preservation and insurance of the Pontypool RFC memorabilia is thereby ensured and it will remain on display within the historic museum building.

“We, the donors, encourage all supporters of our world famous rugby club to take out or renew membership of Torfaen Museum.”