Rowing Club Prospects

Transcript

ROWING CLUB PROSPECTS

Planning for a new boathouse

Members of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club held their first annual meeting since the war, the ninety-fifth in their history, on Monday and it was clear that the prospects are excellent and much enthusiasm was shown.

The meeting was attended by many members who had been away on war service.

In the unavoidable absence of the President (Mr. A. H. Dyson) the chair was occupied by the Captain of the Club (Mr. V. H. Hobbs), who was supported by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Cyril Dyson), the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. A. Bellinger), other officials and a very encouraging attendance. The Mayor was absent owing to other meetings.

The 1945 Season

The annual report presented by Mr. Cyril Dyson, referred to last year’s report of the loss of the raft. The Vice-Captain (Mr. F. W. Buck) had spent a great deal of time trying to obtain a new one. Finding it impossible, he purchased five Naval life rafts and these were joined together and floated, enabling an eight to be launched. New members enrolled during the season made remarkable progress, the Four Oar Cup race being revived. The Club was represented at Weybridge Regatta.

The Club regretted to record the deaths of the following members who lost their lives during the war: A. G. Blake (F.A.A.); R. R. Bodilly (D.S.O.); E. A. Blore (R.A.F.); R. J. Cork, D.S.O., D.S.C. (F.A.A.); R. Giles (R.A.F.); D. S. Harrison (R.A.F.); P. Watson (R.N.R.); M. Wayman (R.A.F.). Of these, A. G. Blake, R. J. Cork, D. S. Harrison and P. Watson were in the Eight that represented the Club at Henley in 1938. The death was also recorded with regret of Mr. E. Cecil Durant, who was connected with the Club for a great many years and was joint secretary with Mr. C. F. Dyson to the Windsor Regatta in 1896.

Mr. Dyson closed his report with the statement that boats and equipment were in good condition, despite the difficulties of getting repairs done. A full programme of regattas would be held under the A.R.A. this year and it was the intention of the Committee to enter crews to as many as possible, starting with the Head of the River race on 30th March.

The reports of the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer were adopted.

Mr. A. H. Dyson, who has been a member of the Club for sixty-two years, was once again elected president; and Lord Gowrie, and Mr. H. O. C. Boret, who coached the eight which did so well at Henley in 1938 were added to the vice-presidents.

Lord Gowrie’s selection was a particularly happy one because when he was born his father, Lord Ruthven, gave a cup to be competed for at Windsor Regatta in honour of the birth. Eton Excelsior won the trophy for three years and it became their property; since then it has been the trophy for the Open Junior fours at the annual regatta.

Mr. V. H. Hobbs was re-appointed captain and Mr. F. W. Buck vice-captain. Mr. C. Dyson and Mr. Bellinger will continue as secretary and treasurer. Other appointments were: Deputy-captain, Mr. A. E. Sharratt; Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. R. Streatfield; hon. auditors: Messrs. H. Powers and A. H. Dyson. Committee: Messrs. V. A. C. Wood, J. Fox, J. Lawson, J. F. Derry, R. Derry, J. Sowerby, T. Marrs and B. J. Cork.

War Memorial

Speaking on the question of a war memorial, Mr. Cyril Dyson said the Committee had agreed, subject to consent that evening, that the present plaque, bearing the names of those who fell in the 1914-18 war, should be lengthened and the names of those who gave their lives in this war, added to it.

One member wondered whether the proposal for a war memorial could be coupled with a new boat house.

After some discussion, the question was left pending future developments.

Mr. Hobbs appealed to all the members of the Club to do their best during the coming season. It would take some time, he said, to coach the young material so that a great deal would fall on the “middle-aged” oarsmen.

Mr. J. Fox expressed gratitude of those who had been serving in the forces to the members who had been carrying on while they were away.

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