Annual General Meeting 1935

Transcript

Annual General Meeting

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

The Annual General Meeting of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club was held in the Royal Albert Institute, Windsor, on Thursday of last week, when Alderman George Mitchell, J.P., president of the club, presided.

In presenting the 84th annual report, Mr. C. D. Dyson, the hon. secretary, said:

“The members wish to take this opportunity of thanking Alderman Mitchell, the president, for his support and the keen interest he has taken in all the activities of the club during the past season.

“There was an increase of 10 new members this season, bringing the total up to 54.  The premises of the club have been thoroughly overhauled, and both the racing and the pleasure boats are in excellent condition.  Two new clinker fours have been purchased, so it is hoped that a number of new members will join up this season.

The race against Beaumont College is increasing in interest each year.  Two races were arranged, a Junior-Senior eight versus Beaumont first Eight and a Junior Eight versus Beaumont second Eight.  In both races the club proved superior, winning by four lengths and a canvas respectively.

Regattas.

Details of the club’s activities are as follows:

Walton Regatta.  Junior-Senior Eight lost to Molesey by two feet.  Junior Eight lost to Kingston by ¾ length.

Reading Regatta.  Junior-Senior Eight beat London by ¼ length.  Junior-Senior Eight beat Reading University B.C. ¾ length.  In the final the crew was: H. J. W. Nicholls (how), V. H. Hobbs, J. B. Frampton, I. R. L. Thompson, D. A. Bond, V. A. C. Wood, F. W. Buck, L. Barrett (stroke) and J. M. Waller (cox).

Marlow Regatta.  Junior Eight lost to Reading by 2 lengths.

Henley Royal Regatta. Thames Cup crew lost to London by 2 lengths.

Maidenhead Clinker Regatta.  Junior crew Four, Maiden Four.

Molesey Regatta.  Junior-Senior Eight lost to Rending by 1 length.

Staines Regatta.  Junior Eight lost to Walton by 1 length.

Maidenhead Regatta.  Junior Eight lost to Walton by 2 lengths.

Henley Town Regatta.  Junior Four beat Crescent R.C.  Lost to Harrodian in the final.

Although one trophy was secured, others were only lost by a very small margin.

The race for the ‘Devereux’ Cup (presented by Mr. E. C. Devereux) was rowed in July.  Details are as follows:

Heat 1.  Cork Dean, Verney, Dismore, first:  White, Skinner, Waller, Corby, second, won by 1¼ length.

Heat 2.  Harrison, Corps, Manson, Stubbs, first; Sharratt, Nixon, Street, Giddings, second, won by 1¾ lengths.

Final. Harrison’s crew won by 1 length.

The race for the ‘King’ Cup (presented by Mr. W. G. King) was rowed in August.  Details are as follows:

Heat 1.  Bond, Corps, Harrison. Manson, first; Wood, Sharratt, Nixon, Street, second.

Final.  Powell, Buck, Hobbs, Stubbs, first; Bond’s crew, second, won by 1 length.

The Fire

“A fire broke out at the boathouse at about 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 4th, which resulted in a good deal of damage being done to the building and the racing craft.  But for the prompt action of the Eton Fire Brigade, the whole boathouse would undoubtedly have been destroyed.  When the damage was being repaired, other improvements were carried out, which has improved the premises considerably.  All the damage done by the fire was covered by insurance.

“The Windsor and Eton race for the ‘Peters Cup was rowed on the Wednesday before the regatta and resulted in a win for Windsor by 1½ lengths.

“The annual regatta was held Saturday, August 25th, in glorious sunshine and was well attended.  Crews were entered by Albion, Henley, and Marlow rowing clubs for the Maiden and Junior Fours, and representatives from a number of other clubs entered for the scratch events.

“A Ladies and Gents Float race was organised this year.  This even[t] proved very popular, both from the entrants and onlookers point of view.  The thanks of the committee are again cordially extended to the lady helpers who organised the teas.  The financial aid secured from this is a great asset.  The Mayoress of Windsor (Mrs. Short) kindly presented the prizes at the conclusion of the regatta.

“The annual regatta dance again proved very enjoyable, and the thanks of the committee are extended to the hon. treasurer for his efforts in this respect.

The New Boathouse Fund

“The committee regret to report there is still insufficient money to warrant any action being taken towards a new boathouse, and recommend that the results of the efforts made to raise funds, as agreed at the public meeting held at the Town Hall in April, 1929, be reported as requested after this meeting.

“The Boxing Night dance was again held at the Castle Hotel and proved as popular as ever.

“The 84th annual supper was held at Messrs. Layton’s restaurant on Saturday, April 9th.  The chair was taken by the president, Alderman G. Mitchell, J.P., who was supported by the Mayor of Windsor, Mr. A. A. Somerville, M.P., Mr. E. C. Durant, M.V.O., Mr. A. H. S. Cowley and Mr. G. A. Tait.  Owing to the day chosen being a Saturday, it was regretted that a number of our old members were unable to be present.  We were, however, pleased to see so many representatives from other clubs.

“The members wish to take this opportunity of thanking the subscribers and donors of prizes to the regatta, the officials and the Eton College authorities for allowing us the use of their premises and the Manager and staff at the boathouse for their co-operation without which, the regatta would be impossible.  Our thanks are also extended to Mr. R. Calvert and Mr. J. Spearman for allowing us the use of the river front adjoining their property.  This permission is much appreciated.  Mr. F. R. Derry for his untiring efforts in coaching the various crews that represented the club during the season.  Mrs. Cyril Dyson for producing a children’s play at the Theatre in aid of the Boathouse Fund, and Miss Hetherington in connection with this.  The committee would also like to thank all those who assisted in moving the boats during and after the fire, and to the Press for their services in reporting the club’s activities.

“The club are sending a crew to compete in the head of the river races, and to save the club funds, they rowed the boat down to Chiswick where the Ibis R.C. are kindly housing the boat for us until the race on March 30th.  The crew left Windsor at 10.15 a.m., and after having a rest at Molesey for an hour, arrived at Chiswick at 4.10 p.m.  Nine locks had to be negotiated and the distance covered was 31½ miles.  We regret to record the death of Sir F. Dyson, one of our oldest vice-presidents, and who had acted in the capacity of hon. secretary from 1878-1890.”

The report was seconded and adopted.

The Balance Sheet

Mr. A. Bellringer, the hon. treasurer, in presenting his balance sheet, reported that receipts for 1934 had amounted to £405 9s 6d, with a balance in hand of £16 8s 8d.  The regatta balance sheet showed that receipts had amounted to £57 4s 1d, with a balance in hand of £7 6s 4d.

Election of Officers

The following were elected officers for the coming season: Alderman George Mitchell, J.P. (president), V. H. Hobbs (captain), F. W. Buck (vice-captain), A. Bellringer (hon. treasurer), C. D. Dyson (hon. secretary), J. B. Powell (assistant hon. secretary) Messrs. H. A. Baker, W. G. Bedford, N. J. Mackett, A. Sharratt, G. W. Bayley, D. S. Harrison, N. J. Nicholls and S. H. Stubbs (committee).

The Eton Excelsior Rowing Club has entered a crew for the “Head of the River Race,” which is to be rowed over the Boat Race course on March 30th.  One hundred and twenty six Eights have entered for the contest.

At a special general meeting of the members of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, held at the Royal Albert Institute on Thursday evening of last week, Alderman G. Mitchell, the president, occupying the chair, Mr. Cyril Dyson, honorary secretary, made a statement regarding the progress of the new Boathouse Fund.

Mr. Dyson said that at a meeting held in the Guildhall in April 1929 it was agreed that the Committee should send out an appeal for subscriptions for the raising of the sum of £1500, the estimated cost of building a boathouse on the island known as Dead Water Eyot.  At the same time it was agreed to organize schemes for raising money for the purpose, and to report the progress made.

In spite of the generosity of a number of subscribers, and the result of efforts in the form of entertainments, competitions, etc., the Fund had only reached £947 18s. 3d.  All ways and means of raising further sums had been tried.  Under these circumstances the Committee invested the bulk of this money in the name of the Club, under the names of the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, and they recommend that this be kept for the purpose of the new boathouse when an opportunity for building arose.

Mr. H. A. BAKER said he did not think the Club could be accused of not making every possible effort to raise the money for the building of a boathouse.  The time by which they might be able to collect the sum required seemed indefinite, and the Committee desired some sort of ruling from the remainder of the Club as to what the next step should be.  It was felt the Club should know the exact position.  They had no reason to believe their present premises would be unavailable, but the Committee felt they should retain the island should the occasion arise for its use.  They had to safeguard the interests of the Club not only for the present generation, but also for the future.

Mr. A. H. E. KING suggested that if the island scheme were dropped an opportunity must be given to the individual subscribers to have their money back.  At least they should be given that option, though he did not think for one moment they would ask for the return of their subscriptions.  He inquired how much had been raised by subscription and how much through various efforts.

Mr. CYRIL DYSON replied that £306 had been raised by subscriptions and £598 in other ways.

Mr. KING, speaking as one who had come home from abroad, raised a new point.  He could not see why there were so many clubs in the town.  There were, for instance, the Rowing Club, the Swimming Club, and the Rugby Club, and those of them who had been abroad knew that this did not happen overseas and that was why they were able to enjoy their sports for so reasonable a sum.  The Clubs were centralized and they achieved efficiency.  The various clubs drew their membership from the same type of person, and surely there could be some way of amalgamating their activities.  It seemed so much money was being wasted in the average English town through clubs not being centralized.  Could there not be an amalgamation of the Rowing and Swimming Clubs ?  The Swimming Club had a very nice island.

Mr. A. H. DYSON said he had been in hopes that they would be able to raise the money for a boathouse worthy of Windsor, resulting in a greater number of subscribers and more members.

Mr. A. BELLRINGER, hon. treasurer, endorsed the remarks of Mr. King.  He had not spoken to the Swimming Club on the question of an amalgamation, but his own personal view was that he could see no reason why they should not join forces.  It was a proposal that would require a good deal of working out, but it would probably lead to a membership of 200 and would benefit both organizations.

Mr. BUCK said the discussion with regard to an amalgamation conveyed to his mind the impression that it looked as if the Rowing Club had reached its last stage.  There could, he suggested, never be a good amalgamation with any other branch of sport.  He was not against working together, but he did not like the word “amalgamation”.  The Excelsior Rowing Club had stood for 100 years, and it could do so for another century.  He would never be convinced that rowing and swimming could go together.  The main idea in trying to get a good crew was to keep the men out of the water.  He was certainly in agreement with the suggestion to hold on to the island.

Mr. BELLRINGER did not think it was suggested an amalgamation was required in the way that Mr. Buck suggested, but that both clubs would benefit, and so far as swimming was concerned, there were just as many facilities for swimming at their present headquarters as there would be at the Island.

Mr. BAKER could not imagine that the Swimming Club would accept a proposal for amalgamation with open arms, but if the members wished the matter to be investigated he suggested that it should be left to the Committee to review the possibilities.  At the moment the meeting should decide whether they were to continue to raise funds for building a boathouse on the island, and, if so, that the Town Council be approached with a view to a reduction of the rent now paid for the island.

Mr. V. A. C. WOOD said that since 1929 various schemes for building had been brought forward and had been found impracticable.  They had always looked upon the island as a sort of promised land.  He did not like to see the Club paying money annually for the rental of the island, and his view was rather that they should drop the island scheme, for it was highly probable it would be vacant in another twenty-five years’ time.  At the moment their present premises were far better than they were before and, he added: “Oarsmen don’t want many frills and trimmings”.

The CHAIRMAN suggested that the Club should mark time for the present.

Mr. A. H. DYSON said the Club could well afford to pay the rent of the island from the interest they were getting on the money which had been invested.

Mr. G. A. GOULD moved that the Club continue its efforts to raise funds for the island scheme and that the Hon. Secretary write to the Corporation suggesting a rebate in the rental of the island, if not this year, then next year.

Mr. Cyril DYSON seconded.

Mr. WOOD moved as an amendment that the island scheme should be definitely abandoned.  That entailed writing to the people who had subscribed, explaining the position.  The Club should more or less pin its faith to the rebuilding of the present headquarters.

There was no seconder and Mr. Gould’s proposition was carried.

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