EERC 80th Annual Report

Transcript

EERC: The 80th Annual Report

Vice-President Mr. A. H. Dyson, and one of the Hon. Auditors of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, presided at the annual meeting at the Royal Albert Institute, on Monday evening last.  He was supported by the Captain (Mr. Cyril Dyson), who took his father’s place in the chair after he had been re-elected: Messrs.  Vic. Hobbs (Vice-Captain). L. Barrett (Hon. Secretary). V. A. C. Wood (Hon. Treasurer), M. Lightfoot (Hon. Auditor), and a good number of members.

The Annual Report

Mr. BARRETT submitted, on behalf of the Committee, the 80th annual report, which stated:-

The President.  Unfortunately, the President’s health did not improve, as anticipated, and he was unable to be with us in the past season.  It is hoped, however, that Sir George will be able to be amongst us in the coming season.

Membership.  The membership remains practically the same as last year, but several new and promising members joined the Club at the beginning of last season.

Open Regattas.  The Club was represented at most of the Open Regattas and was, on the whole, fairly successful.  The Junior Senior Four won at Bourne End and Cookham, the Junior Four at Maidenhead and the Maiden Four at Bourne End, whilst G. W. Bayley won sculling races at Bourne End and Cookham.  The rowing of the Junior crews showed great promise, and the Club are again indebted to Messrs. L. and W. Blane for their work with these crews.  The following represented the Club at Open Regattas: L. Barrett, W. Bedford, A. Sharratt, D. A. Bond, R. C. P. Hunt, G. H. Parkes, R. H. Dyke, G. W. Bayley, F. W. Buck, W. A. Street, J. B. Powell, H. J. W. Nicholls, J. W. G. Reeve, F. A. Gurney, W. A. Brown, V. H. Hobbs, R. R. Taylor, J. G. White, I. R. L. Thomson and T. H. Jones.

Club Races.  Successful crews were as follows:

Annual Regatta.  The Club Regatta took place on August 23^rd and was a great success both from a racing point and financially, a profit of £3 15s being shown against last year’s deficit of £16.  This was due to better support from the members and general economy in arrangements.  Lady Peters again kindly presented the prizes.  The Open Junior Fours was won by Reading R.C., the Maiden Fours by Maidenhead R.C., and the Wakefield Memorial Cup was won by J. Winsor and A. Sutherland, of Wraysbury, thus breaking the Staines Boat Club’s long run of success. Unfortunately, the boats for the Scratch Eights Race were not available, but the Scratch Fours received quite as much support as the Eights had in the past from Club Members and visiting clubs.

Annual Dinner.  This was held at Layton’s Restaurant on February 23^rd the chair being taken by Alderman G. Mitchell, the senior Vice-President, supported by the Mayor (Rev. H. S. Fox), the ex-Mayor (Lieut. Col. Stephen Wright), Alderman Bampfylde, etc., and was undoubtedly the best dinner held for some years.

New Premises.  The fund for the above had now reached £530, which is still far short of the required figure of £1,500.  The Club wish to thank all the further subscribers to the fund, to the Royal Albert Institute Operatic and Dramatic Society, who kindly staged a revue on our behalf, which shewed a profit of £15, and also to the Press for the great help given.  At a second public meeting on October 6^th last it was decided to ask the Council to rent us the island until we were in a position to build this has been agreed to by the Council.

Social Committee.  The thanks of the members are due to Messrs. Bellringer and Hobbs for their fine work in connection with the social side of the Club, which brings in a very necessary income to the funds.  A number of dances were run throughout the winter, including a “snowstorm” carnival on Boxing-night, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the large number present.

Thanks.  The members wish to thank Sir George and Lady Peters for the great interest shewn in all the club affairs during the season and to all who have subscribed to the Club Funds; to donors of prizes and subscribers to the Regatta to Eton College Authorities for their great help to us in all matters; to Mr. Calvert for allowing the Club boats to be moored off of his premises to Mr. C. A. Gladstone for giving a lecture and demonstration on rowing; to all those gentlemen who gave their services at the regatta, and to the Press for their great help.

The Committee hope that the coming season will be a success in all ways and hope that all the members will do their utmost for the Club in every respect.

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the adoption of the report, said it was an excellent one.  The Club had been very successful at open regattas, and the Club Regatta was also a successful function.  They owed a debt of gratitude to Messrs. Blane Bros. for coaching the younger members of the Club.  Their annual dinner was a great success, and they were very proud to see so many ex-Mayors present (applause).

Mr. BAYLEY seconded, and the proposition was heartily carried.

The Balance Sheets

Mr. WOOD submitted both the Club and Regatta balance-sheets.  The former showed receipts amounting to £169 7s. 2d., which included members’ subscriptions, £115 8s.; Vice-Presidents’ and hon. members’ sub-scriptions, £13 16s.; and Social Committee, £19 10s. 5d.  After all expenditure had been met, there remained a balance in hand of £4 11s. 10d., excluding £14 14s. outstanding subscriptions.

The Regatta balance-sheet showed receipts totalling £59 0s. 7d., and after all expenses had been met, there remained a balance in hand of £3 15s. 1d.

Mr. WOOD said that several of the outstanding subscriptions had now been paid, and would, of course, be included in next year’s balance sheet.

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the adoption of the balance-sheets, said that a lot could be done by all pulling together to support the Club.

Mr. PARKS seconded, and the proposition was carried.

Election of President and Vice-President

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the re-election of Sir George Peters as President, said Sir George was not well enough to come among them, but they hoped his health would improve during the coming year.  He had done a great deal for the Club in years gone by.  Mr. V. WOOD seconded, and the proposition was heartily carried.

On the proposition of the CHAIRMAN, seconded by Mr. CROFTS, the Vice-Presidents were re-elected, with the addition of the names of the Mayor of Windsor (Councillor H. S. Fox) and Mr. C. A. Gladstone.

The Election of Officers

Mr. BAKER, in proposing the re-election of Mr. Cyril Dyson as Captain, spoke of the keen interest he took in the Club, and what a great deal he had done for it since he had been Captain (applause).

Mr. CROFTS Seconded, and the proposition was enthusiastically carried.

Mr. Cyril DYSON, having taken the chair, returned thanks for his re-election.  He especially thanked Mr. Hobbs for “taking” the Winter rowing, which was a great help to him.  He then drew attention to the rule which stated that half the Club subscription (which was 2gs. [guineas] in full) should be paid at the opening of the season.  If this were done, he said, it would greatly help those who conducted the affairs of the Club.  They had only got to pay once. and it would help them a good deal if the members would pay half their subscription at the commencement of the season and the balance on the 1st June.  He thanked them for re-electing him, and said he would do his best for the Club (applause).

Mr. Cyril DYSON then proposed the re-election of Mr. Vic. Hobbs as Vice-Captain, and said they could not possibly better him (hear, hear).

Mr. BUCK seconded, and the proposition was heartily carried.

Mr. HOBBS suitably returned thanks.

On the proposition of Mr. BELLRINGER, seconded by Mr. HOBBS, Mr. V. A. C. Wood was unanimously re-elected Hon. Treasurer.

In the course of returning thanks, Mr. WOOD said the Club needed two new clinker boats, and he was anxious that the members should pay their subscriptions as quickly as possible.  He paid a special tribute to the Social Committee, who had raised £19 10s. for the Club.  This was largely owing to the energies put forth by Mr. Bellringer and Mr. Hobbs.  The Hon. Treasurer also referred to the excellent work of the Hon. Secretary in connection with the Regatta, and how well the expenses had been kept down.  In conclusion, he said the Club property was in fairly good condition, and he hoped the members would support the Captain and other officers during the coming year (applause). 

On the proposition of Mr. MILLS, seconded by Mr. V. WOOD, Mr. L. Barrett was unanimously re-elected Hon. Secretary, and cordial tribute was paid to him for his excellent work for the Club.

Mr. BARRETT suitably returned thanks, and then proposed Mr. Bellringer as Assistant Hon. Secretary.  He said that Mr.Brown was unable to continue to fill the post, and he thanked him for his past services.

Mr. PARKS, in seconding, said that Mr. Brown did very good work last year in connection with the towel fund.

The proposition was carried with unanimity, and Mr. BELLRINGER, in returning thanks, referred to the great help he received from Mr. Bedford in connection with the “Snowstorm” Dance (applause).

The Committee

The Committee for the ensuing year was elected by ballot as follows:- Messrs. Buck, Bedford, Baker, Bayley, White, Powell, Crofts, and Sharratt.

Auditors

Messrs. A. H. Dyson and M. Lightfoot were re-elected Hon. Auditors, on the proposition of Mr. Wood, seconded by Mr. BARRETT.

A vote of thanks was also passed to the Press, to which Mr. LIGHTFOOT replied.

Stop-Watch Competition

It was announced that Mrs. Binfield, of 5, Pleasant Place, Upton, Slough, had won the stop-watch competition, which instituted to aid the Fund for the proposed new Club premises.

[handwritten note at foot of column]

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