In episode 2 of Built, Managed, Lived, FirstPort's Director of Region, Jonny Holmes, sits down with Nick Mason from Taunton Rugby Club to explore the role local organisations play in shaping community life — and what that means for the people who live and work around them.
It is a conversation that resonates well beyond the South West. Whether in a Scottish city neighbourhood or a rural development, the principles are the same: communities are shaped by the organisations that invest in them, the businesses that serve them and the local institutions that give people a shared point of connection.
More than a sports club
Taunton Rugby Club marked its 150th anniversary last year — a milestone that speaks to longevity, local pride and shared identity. With around 600 to 700 members and a thriving junior section, the club is far more than a sports venue. It is a community anchor, giving families a routine, a place to belong and a reason to show up every weekend.
Community support moves in circles
One of the strongest themes in the episode is how community support sustains itself. A junior joins at seven. A parent watches every weekend. That parent might run a local business — an electrical firm, a landscaping company, a local supplier. They start supporting the club because it matters to their child, and gradually they bring colleagues, friends and customers along with them.
There are many ways to contribute. Not everyone sponsors a kit. Sometimes it is turning up, buying merchandise or booking a meeting room. It all matters because it keeps the place alive.
When adversity hits, community shows up
The episode also touches on the impact of severe flooding on the club — the physical damage, the cancelled events and the loss of revenue. What followed was a reminder of why community matters. Local suppliers offered help immediately. Tradespeople gave their time. People showed up not for recognition, but because the club is part of their lives.
What this means for the homes we manage
At FirstPort, the developments we manage are not just buildings and estates. They are homes, networks, relationships and routines. This episode is a timely reminder that communities do not happen by accident. They are sustained by people who show up, organisations that invest and partnerships that make sense locally.
