Queens Rugby Union Football Club
Queens R.F.C was founded in 1918, by staff at the Bedford firm W.H.Allen & Sons, it was originally called Queens Engineering Works Rugby Football Club. For many years members enjoyed the excellent recreation facilities provided by the company including the pitches at Allen Park, which were still used until recently.
In 1972 the club became "open", changed its name to Queens R.U.F.C. and moved its headquarters to the Grafton Hotel. Having spent sixteen happy years at the "Irish Embassy", a clubhouse was purchased at The Slipe and occupied by Queens until 1994. During 1995 the club then moved to larger and better premises of the Bedford Sports and Hockey Centre adjacent to Allen Park. During that season Queens had a very successful time on the playing paddock, reaching the finals of the Pilkington Shield cup Beating St. Albans at Twickenham.
The club remained at Allen Park for a further five years before making a decision to move to new pastures at Bedford Athletic R.U.F.C at Putnoe Woods. Hopefully in the near future a new clubhouse and changing facilities will be erected at Putnoe Wood, which will benefit both clubs and the local community.
In its first fifty years the club fielded many talented players drawn from Post Graduates, Students and Apprentices who trained at Allens Park. A large percentage came to Queens with good rugby backgrounds from Universities, Public Schools and the Services, both in the U.K and Overseas. More recently players have come from local colleges, universities and schools to help maintain the high standard. Numerous members have progressed on to clubs such as Bedford, Harlequins, Richmond, Rosslyn Park etc. and some have returned to give the Queens the benefit of their experience.