EERC Regatta 1935

Transcript

ETON EXCELSIOR R. C. REGATTA

Heavy rainfall on Saturday, which continued till two o’clock, threatened to “wash out” the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club Regatta.  Providentially, the downpour ceased and from 2.15 p.m. till the last event, the Scratch Fours, it remained fine, though the sky was always more or less overcast.  Happily, however, it was fine again by the time the Mayoress (Mrs. G. E. Short), who was accompanied by the Mayor, gave away the prizes.

The annual sports took place, as usual, from the Eton College boathouse premises, kindly placed at the disposal of the Club by the College authorities.  Throughout the afternoon the officials, and members of the College staff, worked hard to add another to the list of successful annual regattas to the credit of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, and the arrangements passed off very smoothly from beginning to last.  There was no hitch and a delightful time was spent despite the somewhat gloomy weather.  The Junior Fours and Maiden Fours were over the course from the Mill Stream to the enclosure, the Double Sculling and Scratch Fours from the “Clumps” to the enclosure, and the dinghy, canoe and dongola races from the enclosure upstream, round buoys and back again.

Some very good racing was witnessed, but there was, of course, a smaller attendance of spectators than usual, owing to the threatening weather.

A feature of the afternoon was the success of the Eton Excelsior R.C. in carrying off both the Open Maiden Four-Oar race and the Junior Fours, defeating Marlow R.C. on each occasion in the final.

In each event the Excelsior crews had to row twice, accounting for Henley R.C. in the first heat of the Open Maiden Four-Oar Race, and Reading R.C. in the first heat of the Junior Fours, so that they did particularly well to score a “double”.

The Open Double Sculling (lady cox) provided a fine finish in the final in which V. A. Wood, N. Miroy and Miss V. Francis carried off the honours.

R. J. Cork won the Handicap Sculls and D. S. Harrison had the satisfaction of gaining the special prize for the fastest time.

There was a splendid entry for the Scratch Fours, the final of which provided the closest finish of the day, only 1 ft. separating the winners from the runners-up.

D. S. Harrison had a good time winning both the Senior and Junior Sculls.

The Open Mixed Double Sculling race was missing from the programme owing to an insufficient entry, but was counter-balanced by the inclusion of canoe and dongola events.

During the afternoon and evening Messrs. Fenemore, Howlett and Co., Ltd., provided the music and made the various announcements through the latest type of Marconi public address equipment, which gave every satisfaction.

Afternoon teas were served by a number of willing lady helpers.

The officials, who worked so well to promote the success of the regatta were:

Starter and Umpire: Mr. V. H. Hobbs (E.E.R.C.); Judges: Messrs. J. H. Harding, J. Huggins, T. Boswell and F. Wilkinson; Competitors’ Stewards: Messrs. G. W. Corps, L. F. Blane, A. T. Watson and A. W. Atkinson; Clerk of the Course: Mr. J. W. Croft; Launch Tickets: Mr. J. B. V. Corps Captain: Mr. V. H. Hobbs; Vice-Captain: Mr. F. W. Buck; Hon. Treasurer: Mr. A. Bellringer; Hon. Regatta Secretaries: Messrs. C. D. Dyson, A. Bellringer, J. B. Powell and B. Н. Betteridge; Committee: Messrs. H. A. Baker, W. Bedford, G. W. Bayley, D. S. Harrison, J. N. Mackett, A. Sharratt, N. J. W. Nicholls and E. H. Stubbs.

A special word of praise is due to the Hon. Regatta Secretaries, upon whom fell much of the brunt of the work of the day.

The Prize Distribution

Mr. V. Н. НOBBS, captain of the Club, called on the Mayoress to distribute the prizes.  He thanked the subscribers and those who had given their personal support.  He mentioned the Club’s indebtedness to the Eton College authorities for the use of their premises and thanked the College staff for their valuable assistance.  He paid tribute to the ladies who had supplied teas and refreshments during the afternoon and evening, and last, but not least, congratulated Mr. C. D. Dyson who had been responsible for the bulk of the work throughout.

The Mayoress, having distributed the prizes, was handed a lovely bouquet of pink carnations by Miss Audrey Dyson.

The MAYORESS said it had given her great pleasure to distribute the prizes.  She congratulated the Club on their success that afternoon.  She spoke of the increased interest in the Club’s affairs which augured well for the future.  Last year she referred to the efforts being made by the Club to provide new quarters a little higher up the river.  This had not yet come to pass, but she hoped they would be able to devise some means with a view to something being carried through (hear, hear).  That afternoon’s gathering provided her with an opportunity of expressing the warmest thanks of the Mayor and herself to the Club for all they did in connection with the Jubilee carnival.  That event was not carried out without a great deal of work and effort and she thanked them all, mentioning, in particular, all that was accomplished by Mr. Cyril Dyson (applause).  Mr. C. D. DYSON thanked the Mayoress.  He agreed that the Jubilee river carnival was a marvellous success.  The occasion was one which he, and many others, would never forget.  They were told the carnival was witnessed by 17,000 people, and when the river embankment was lit up and the Round Tower was illuminated, the spectacle was a very beautiful one.  In conclusion, he thanked all who had taken part in the present regatta, all those who had helped, and especially the ladies.

THE RESULTS

The results are as follows:

Open Maiden Four-Oar Race

For the “Jacob’s” Challenge Cup and presentation prizes.

FIRST HEAT.

1. Bucks Station: Eton Excelsior R.C. (C. Tuckey, bow, E. Manson, J. Skinner, R. J. Cork, stroke, and B. J. Cork, cox)
2. Berks Station Henley R.C. (R. F. Butler, bow, R. L. Greening, F. B. Harrison, R. G. Frewin stroke and R. D. Everest, cox)

Time 4 min. 40 sec.  Won by three lengths.

FINAL.

1. Berks Station: Eton Excelsior R.C.
2. Bucks Station: Marlow R.C. (D. B. Scribbens, bow, E. C. Dunford, J. G. Saunders, R. M. Grath, stroke, and B. Currall, cox)

Time: 4 min. 35 sec.  Splendid race, won by two and a half lengths.

Open Double-Sculling (Lady Cox)

For “Wakefield” Memorial Challenge Cup and presentation prizes.

FIRST HEAT.

1. Bucks Station: L. D. Habbitts, S. W. Latham and Miss S. Latham
2. Berks Station: H. J. Cork, F. W. Buck and Miss P. Cork

Won easily.

Junior Fours

For the “Ruthven” Challenge Cup and presentation prizes.  The challenge cup presented by Lord Ruthven, was re-presented by the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club in 1893, to be competed for annually.

Ladies’ Dinghy Race

Prizes presented by Mrs. H. Way.

Canoe Race

Mixed Dinghy Race

Prizes presented by Mr. A. H. Dyson.

FIRST HEAT. Bucks Station: Miss S. Latham and S. W. Latham, 1; Centre Station: Miss Betteridge and S. R. Lucking, 2; Berks Station: Miss Cork and M. Wayman, 3.

SECOND HEAT. Berks Station: Mrs. Dyson and C. D. Dyson, 1; Centre Station: Miss Sabine and B. Drakeford, 2; Bucks Station: Miss Biggs and Miss Bayley, 3.

THIRD HEAT. Berks Station: Miss Latham and J. R. Henry. 1; Centre Station: Miss B. Laird and V. H. Hobbs 2.

Ladies’ Dongola Race

Men’s Dongola Race

Scratch Fours

EVENTS PREVIOUSLY DECIDED

Senior Sculls.

Prizes presented by Alderman J. Mitchell, J.P.

Pair-Oar Gig Race.

For the “Richardson Gardner” Cups.

Junior Sculls

Club Four-Oar Race

CLUB RACES

Devereux Cup Fours

For Challenge Cup presented by Mr. E. C. Devereux.

E. H. Stubbs (bow), R. Nixon, G. Coking, D. S. Harrison (stroke) and L. H. Dismore (cox).

King Cup Fours

For Challenge Cup presented by Mr. W. G. King.

A. Sharratt (bow), A. G. Blake, F. W. Buck, J. R. Cork (stroke), and C. D. Dyson (сох).

Herbert Swimming Cup

For Challenge Cup presented by the late Mr. J. O. Herbert.

B. J. Cork.

DANCE AT THE CASTLE HOTEL

After the regatta a very successful dance was held at the Castle Hotel, when there was an attendance of 150.  A delightful time was spent the dance band providing a capital programme of music.  The M.C’s were Messrs. V. H. Hobbs and A. Bellringer.  The fun continued till midnight.

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