EERC Annual Supper 1932

Transcript

ETON EXCELSIOR ROWING CLUB SUPPER

Dean of Windsor and German Youth.

The Proposed New Boathouse

19th February 1932; Windsor & Eton Express

Alderman George Mitchell, President of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, occupied the chair at the 81st annual supper on Monday evening at Layton’s Restaurant. There was a good attendance of old and present members, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Among those present were: The Mayor (Councillor F. L. Ellen), the Dean of Windsor (Dr. A. V. Baillie), Messrs. C. D. Dyson (captain), V. H. Hobbs (vice-captain), L. Barrett (hon. secretary), A. Bellringer (assistant secretary), V. A. C. Wood (hon. treasurer), A. H. Dyson, R. C. Calvert, M. Lightfoot, J. G. Mower-White, J. W. Tull, J. G. Tull, L. W. S. Howard, G. W. Bayley, E. C. Smyth, J. B. Powell, L. H. Dismore, G. E. Jones, J. B. Frampton, R. C. Freeman, J. G. White, J. W. Dempster, C. R. B. Howlett, H. A. Baker, D. A. Bond, A. Sharratt, J. B. Corps, R. R. Taylor, R. E. Barnes, H. J. Nicholls, E. H. Parkes, T. Luff. H. Luff, R. Long, H. Long, H. Kendall, J. Harding, R. G. Radnor, E. T. Watson, A. T. Watson, A. Meredith, R. C. Mills; K. Ruffe Thomas and J. Arnold, of the Maidenhead R.C., F. L. Hawkes and S. H. Walford, Staines R.C., and G. Starr. An excellent supper was served after which the customary toasts were given. The top table was adorned with a number of handsome trophies gained by the Club last season.

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… afternoon they would not be using the proposed new Boathouse at the same time as the Excelsior members.  Mr. Beckwith appears to have looked upon the suggestion favourably, and this may mean that the proposal is definitely nearer achievement.  At the present time it is difficult to raise money for anything, but if a united effort were made during the coming year by the club and the I.S.C., it is possible that an early start with the structure may be made.  The Excelsior Club had one of the most successful seasons on record last summer, winning no fewer than nine trophies at up-river regattas, and with an increase of membership they hope to do equally well this season.  A good deal of their success is due to the energies of their Captain, and we hope that the members will rally round him so that last year’s successes may be repeated or exceeded.

The King

The PRESIDENT submitted the toast of “The King,” which was loyally honoured.

The President and Vice-Presidents

Mr. A. H. DYSON, in proposing the toast of “The President and Vice-Presidents,” said that since their last annual supper their esteemed old President, Sir George Peters, had passed away.  He held the office for about nine years, and he did a great deal for the Club, in which he always took the greatest interest.  He and Lady Peters attended most of the Club regattas and Sir George kindly gave a cup to be rowed for between Windsor and Eton members every year.  They had also lost one of their oldest vice-presidents in Mr. Bob Hannis, who was an active member of the Club about sixty years ago.  He wore the club colours successfully at Henley, and he was a good all-round sportsman.  He would ask them to stand for a few moments in silence as a mark of respect the memory of Sir George Peters and Mr. Hannis.

This having been observed, Mr. Dyson went on to propose the toast, and referred to the popularity of Alderman Mitchell, who had been acting President for the past two or three years.  He had done splendidly, and he hoped he would continue to hold the office for very many years to come.  Mr. Mitchell joined the club in his ‘teens about the year 1879 and he won a number of races in the club colours.  The club were fortunate in having a large number of vice-presidents and they were all pleased to see the Dean of Windsor with them.  It was very kind of him to attend their modest little supper.  With regard to the proposed new boathouse, they had received about a hundred pounds during the year, and now they had something like a sum of £500 in the bank, with other sums promised.  He had approached Mr. Beckwith, headmaster of the Imperial Service College, with regard to the suggestion that the college might join them in the erection of a boathouse.  He kindly said that it would be a splendid thing if the boys could boat on the Windsor side of the river, and he thought the college might be able to join in the scheme.  However, nothing had yet been settled with regard to the proposal, but perhaps the Dean of Windsor, as one of the school governors, could kindly help them in the matter.  He had much pleasure in submitting the toast (applause).

The PRESIDENT, in returning thanks, said he had a difficult task in following in the footsteps of the late Sir George Peters, but he would endeavour to do his best for the club.  He was very proud of the club, and it was a great pleasure to him to occupy the position of President. Proceeding, Mr. Mitchell said the day previous was Valentine Day, and he had a sudden inspiration that he would like to see a Valentine that was sent to him many years ago.  He accordingly searched in an old desk and found it.  It was formed in the shape of a heart and had the customary warm greetings printed on it.  While he was searching for the Valentine he found two sheets of foolscap on which a number of his doings on the river were related.  It was there recorded that himself and two friends, George Merredew and Frank Smyth, went up the river in a skiff, and had a number of adventures.  It appeared that they had a keen discussion as to who should sleep in the bow, as one’s head had to rest in the hard bow seat, but what he really wanted to say was that he found the word “tracking” used instead of “towing.”  He did not know whether any of them had heard towing called tracking, but there it was.  In conclusion the President heartily thanked the company for the toast (applause).

The Mayor and Corporation

Mr. J. W. TULL, in submitting the toast of “The Mayor and Corporation,” said they were all delighted to see the Mayor present.  He was one of the finest water sportsmen in the south of England, and he had been a honorary member of the Excelsior Club for the last 25 years.  He was always very welcome at their gatherings, and he had done a great deal for the baths and swimming and water sport in the Windsor district.  The Corporation had always been very kind to the club, and he would like to take that opportunity to thank them on behalf of the Club for all they had done for them (applause).  The MAYOR, in returning thanks, said he had many happy recollections of his connection with the Club some 20 or more years ago, when the late “Edgie” Goddard, Frank Deverill, and other members used the Club premises for swimming purposes.  The Corporation always did their best for the clubs of the town, and they would continue to do so.  The Excelsior Club had a fine record, and it had produced a splendid display of sportsmanship.  He wished it every success in the future (applause).

The Club and the Officers

The DEAN OF WINDSOR said it gave him great pleasure to attend that supper, but he found that he was very seldom asked to a gathering unless something was to be got out of him (laughter).  He thought this was going to be an exception, but it was not.  However, he would do his best (applause).  Proceeding, the Dean said the club had been extraordinarily successful last year and this was largely due to the officers.  It was always an encouragement to have a year of great prosperity, and he hoped the club would continue to be successful for many years to come.  Such clubs did an immense amount of good, and one could see this by what was going on in Germany to-day.  He knew Germany before the war, and he had visited that country since the war.  The whole mentality of Germany was being slowly changed the whole character of the country was changing.  To-day the Germans were fully alive to the benefits of rowing, football, and other games.  It had entirely altered the outlook of the youth of the country.  At the last Henley Regatta the Berlin crew were a splendid lot of young men, who were nothing like the Germans before the war.  They did not look the same, and they seemed to have quite a different character.  It showed what athletics and other sports did.  All over Germany it was the same, and vast changes had come about.  The success of a club largely depended upon its officers, who had to see that no slackness was allowed to creep in.  He wished the Club continued prosperity, and he had much pleasure in submitting the toast (applause).

Mr C. D. DYSON, before responding to the toast, said he had received a number of letters from old members who were unable to be present.  They included Mr T. Hester, who was a member in 1881, Mr E. C. Durant, a member in 1882, and Mr S. F. Oxley, 1892; and also a telegram from Mr. Buck, a present member.  With regard to the past year, they started the season with 20 new members, and they had to thank Mr Harrison and Mr Howard for all they had done in coaching.  Mr Howard took over the training of the Maiden Crew for Reading Regatta and it was largely due to his perseverance that brought one of the biggest trophies to the Club.  They sent about 16 crews to regattas, they won 9 trophies, and rowed in 31 races (applause).  They did really well, and it was a good effort.  The Dean’s remarks on Germany were certainly most interesting as a young German named Huy joined the Club last year and his position of “stroke in many crews no doubt had a lot to do with their successes.  The officers of the club had a good deal of hard work to perform. and he had to thank the officials for all their good work.  He especially thanked Mr Tom Luff, who on the occasion of their annual regatta sat in the office all the afternoon taking the names of crews, etc.  The Boxing night dance was a great success owing to the untiring efforts of Mr. Bellringer.  The green card and watch competitions brought in a good sum, and the theatrical brought in a good sum, and the theatrical performances got up by his wife realised £50 (applause).  In conclusion, Mr. Dyson appealed for new members.  They wanted some new boats, and if they obtained these he thought they would have another successful season (applause).

The Visitors

Mr HOBBS, in submitting the toast of “The Visitors,” said they were very pleased to see representatives present of the Maidenhead and Staines Rowing Clubs, and he thanked them for their hospitality and kindness to the Club on all occasions (applause).

Mr J. A. ARNOLD (Maidenhead R.C.), in the course of an excellent speech, said they were always pleased to attend these happy gatherings, and he congratulated the Excelsior on their splendid successes last season.  He was glad to see so many young men present, and the Excelsior appeared to be much better off in obtaining new members than Maidenhead, who were having a rather bad time just now.  Rowing was the king of sports, and it was a pity that more young men did not take it up.  He wished the Excelsior Club every success, and trusted they would soon see their way clear to obtain new premises (applause).

Mr HAWKES (Staines) also suitably returned thanks, and wished the Excelsior a successful future.

The Press

Mr C. D. DYSON proposed the toast of “The Press,” to which Mr. M. LIGHTFOOT responded.

The Music

An excellent programme of music was contributed to by Mr Tom Watson and Mr J. B. Corps, and Mr Gordon Starr, of Beckenham, performed some conjuring tricks and gave a topical ventriloquial sketch.  Mr Hugh Kendall was at the piano.

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