‘Marco Merlina Training Area’ on The Common declared ‘open’

The ‘Marco Merlina Training Area’ was formally ‘opened’ yesterday – Sunday 16 March – by his girlfriend, Felicia, cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Marco’s family – mother Alex, father Enzo, girlfriend Felicia – and many old friends, team mates, club members who were at Marlborough Rugby with Marco were all there at a moving, emotional but uplifting ceremony.

Chris Musgrave of Marlborough Rugby opened the proceedings and whilst paying his respects to Marco and remembering him as a player for the club and team member to many, also thanked those individuals and organisations that made the creation of this important area for the sporting youth of Marlborough possible.

Within the club, it was Mark Thomas who drove the project forwards to realisation. With great help and support from the Town Council (members of whom were present), Earthline – who actually did the work in making this a flat and useable area – it happened. But it as also the great help and financial assistance from Marco’s family and friends that made this a reality. A locally created wooden bench is now in place adjacent to this training area, where anyone can sit, watch what’s happening on this pitch or just marvel at the vista of the Downs in the distance.

As part of the ceremony Felicia poured beer from a glass onto one arm of the bench, a note of personal significance, something that had been done in London, where Marco had lived latterly. But there it was on to a metal bench in their local park, here it was on to the arm of Marco’s bench.

The Town Council was represented by Mayor, Cllr Kym-Marie Cleasby, Deputy Mayor Cllr Emily Trow, and former Mayors Cllrs Mervyn Hall and Andy Ross. Without the Town Council’s support this area, which will be used by maybe five or six hundred of Marlborough’s sporting youngsters – boys and girls – from the Marlborough Youth Football Club as well as from the Rugby Club would likely never have happened as approvals had to be sought from Wiltshire Council, DEFRA and even the RFU.

One last point that Chris Musgrave added was that even though it’s now ‘open’ it’s not to be used, yet for a short while, until the seeded grass is strong enough. But that won’t be long.