EERC Regatta 1942

Transcript

EERC Regatta

Probably the largest crowd to attend any of the entertainments watched the regatta and river sports on Saturday. The promenade offered a first-class grandstand for hundreds of onlookers, and on the Bucks side the Brocas was thickly populated from the boathouses up to Jacobs Island. The enclosures on the Eton College rafts were also well patronised. The spectators certainly had no cause for complaint, for the fun was fast and furious. A “rag” regatta enables the promoters to keep the events centralised in front of the spectators, and the organisers made the most of this advantage. In such a well-varied programme it is difficult to pick out the most popular items, but probably the obstacle canoe race created as much fun as anything, closely followed by pillow-fighting and the soapy pole.

In the obstacle race the entries were large and so there were four heats and in every one there were mishaps and “spills” to the satisfaction of the crowd, who delighted to see the unfortunate competitors’ craft capsize.

In the end, J. White’s crew won and richly deserved the honour.

For the first time on record, girls entered for the soapy pole and while the fair sex did not emulate the feats of Corpl. Johnson, who twice managed to reach the end of the pole, Miss K. Saunders made quite a lot of progress and was rewarded with a special women’s prize.

Gondola races are always popular at such river festivals, but in both the men’s and the mixed events the steering of that veteran of the Thames, Freddy Webb, was too much for all opponents. While others were “tacking” from side to side, Fred kept his craft perfectly straight, and no opposition could seriously challenge him. The Eton N.F.S. had Webb and the opponents they disposed of included Eton Excelsior and Grenadier Guards crews. The Mixed dinghy race produced an outstanding pair in Mr. and Mrs. Street and in the Scratch Fours, the only event reminiscent of the pre-War regattas, an Excelsior crew were successful.

The Grenadier Guards put on a speciality on a raft in mid-river which included boxing and jousting and this was as good as anything on the programme.

The organisation was in the capable hands of the Eton Excelsior R.C., and to Mr. Cyril Dyson, the hon. secretary, a special word of praise is due. He had a most difficult task to make certain of sufficient entries, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that his labours provided many hundreds with a Saturday afternoon’s enjoyment and members of the Services and war workers with a few hours’ healthy sport. Mr. A. Bellringer, the hon. treasurer, and Mr. Vic Hobbs, the popular skipper of the Excelsior, also worked hard and deserve a special “Thank you”. Eton College kindly loaned craft and the use of their rafts and rooms, and Mr. A. Claret and his staff gave every assistance.

At the conclusion, the Mayoress, who had been present throughout the afternoon, with the Mayor, presented the prizes. The results were:

MEN’S DONGOLA:

Eton N.F.S. (F. L. P. Webb. J. Dugan. B. Middle-ton, W. Hamblin and L. Holtum).

WOMEN’S DONGOLA:

A/c. Miller, Mrs. Dyson, Mrs. Saunders, Miss P. Howlett and J. Saunders.

MIXED DINGHY:

Mr. and Mrs. Street.

CANOE OBSTACLE:

J. White, A. Currie and T. Hampton.

MIXED DONGOLA:

F. L. P. Webb, A. Dyson, A. T. Horogood, P. J. Webb and C. Collins.

GREASY POLE:

(Men) Cpl. Johnson; (Women) Miss K. Saunders.

PILLOW FIGHTING:

A. Thorogood.

SCRATCH FOURS:

Eton Excelsior (E. D. Sturgess, T. A. Hampton, A. Currie, J. M. Gayford and P. Togni (cox).

The officials were: Umpires, Judges and Starters: Messrs. V. H. Hobbs, W. J. Blane, T. H. Boswell and B. N. Bettridge. Competitors’ Stewards : Messrs. H. Luff. L. F. Blane, A. Hor-lock, H. Brooks. H. Cork. L. м. Lightfoot and A. H. Meredith; Hon. Treasurer and Records Officer, Mr. A. Bellringer; Records Officer, Mr. T. Luff; Hon. Secretary, Mr. C. D. Dyson.

The Dance

In the evening, a regatta dance was held at the White Hart Hotel. Over 200 were present, and it marked a fitting finish to a most enjoyable day. The Grenadier Guards’ dance band provided the music, and Mr. Leslie Lightfoot was the organiser.

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