| Date | August 1924 |
|---|---|
| Source | Unknown |
| Reference | EE01-0002 |
| Volume | Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, Volume 1 |
| Collection | Eton Excelsior |
Transcript
The annual eight-oar race for the Peters Challenge Cup, between crews representing the towns of Windsor and Eton respectively, connected with the Eton Excelsior R.C., was rowed on Wednesday evening over a course on the Thames starting at Clewer Point and finishing at the Eton College Boat Club raft. An excellent race was witnessed, the Eton crew winning by a length, thus repeating their victory of last year. The cup was presented 35 years ago by Sir George Peters, now President of the Club, and on Wednesday evening the donor, who was accompanied by his niece (Miss Gladys Rainford), was present to start the race. A suggestion was made that the contest should take place on a Saturday afternoon, instead of in the evening, so that more of the townspeople might be able to witness it, and we hope that the suggestion will be adopted, as the race is always an interesting one.Eton College authorities kindly lent their fine motor boat ‘Etona‘ for umpiring purposes, and those on board included: Sir George Peters, J.P.; Miss Gladys Rainford, Mr. M. Lightfoot, Mr. J. W. Tull (Hon. Secretary), and Mr. G. P. Cartland. Mr. T. Boswell wrote stating that a prior engagement prevented him from being present.
The officials were: Starter – Sir G. H. Peters; umpire – Mr. H. A. Baker (captain); judge – Mr. L. F. Blane; time-keeper – Mr. S. G. Moss. Others present included Mr. V. Hobbs (vice-captain), Mr. R. Edridge (hon. treasurer), and Mr. T. Luff (assistant hon. secretary).
Details:-
BUCKS STATION – Eton (1)
R. G. King (bow), E. Wheeler, R. C. Mills, L. G. Robertson, R. J. Box, L. Barratt, F. L. P. Webb, D. B. King (stroke), J. G. White (cox).
BERKS STATION – Windsor (2)
W. G. Brown (bow), A. J. Merson, C. L. Andrews, C. D. Dyson, A. Bellringer, J. W. Croft, H. Luff, H. Kendall (stroke), M. R. Burgoyne (cox).
An excellent start was effected, and a splendid race was witnessed to the railway bridge, the crews being practically level all the way. Eton, who were better together, took the lead just before reaching the Clumps, and, admirably stroked by D. B. King, they won by a clear length.
The Cup Filled
After the race, Sir George Peters, the officials and crews proceeded to the Bridge House Hotel, the headquarters of the club, and the President filled the cup. Afterwards a few toasts were honoured.
Mr. BAKER (captain), in proposing the health of the President, thanked him for attending and starting the race. The cup, he said, gave great encouragement to rowing in the club, and promoted friendly rivalry among the members. It brought out the best in the crews, and they looked forward to the race year after year with the greatest enthusiasm. Although the finish was not quite so close as it was last year, it was a good race, and great credit was due to the Eton crew. He asked them to drink heartily Sir George Peters’ health (applause).
Sir GEORGE PETERS, in returning thanks, said he was very proud of the Club. It had been in existence for over seventy years, and it was still progressing. Last year the Eton crew won the race by two feet, and that night they had won it by about a length. It was an extremely good race, and credit was due to both crews. conclusion, he said he would like to propose the toast of the Club, which had had a most successful career. It had had some wonderful Presidents in the past, and if he (Sir George) could only follow in the footsteps of their late esteemed President (Mr. de Havilland) he would be satisfied, and it would give him great pleasure. He hoped his association with the Club would last for many years to come (applause).
Mr. BAKER (captain) thanked the President for the kind words in which he had spoken of the Club. Although the Club had not had the success it deserved during the season, the rowing had been quite up to standard. The rhythm was there, but they required a little more blade work.
They had, however, laid the foundation for future success. The Club, as Sir George had pointed out, had been in existence for over seventy years, and the late President said that a club which existed for seventy years must possess vitality. They must bear in mind that although a club was not successful in one season, it should not deter them from going forward in the next season (applause). He again thanked the President for the toast (renewed applause).
Mr. G. P. CARTLAND, in submitting the toast of the officers of the Club, threw out the suggestion that the race for the ‘Peters’ Cup should be rowed on a Saturday afternoon. He considered that if this were decided on the townspeople would attend in greater numbers, and it would help to make the club more popular (applause). In conclusion, the speaker eulogised the services of the various officers of the Club, and the toast was cordially drunk.
Mr. EDRIDGE (Hon. Treasurer), in returning thanks, said the club had struck a bad patch this season, but the experience gained by the younger members would be of the utmost value. There was no reason why the Excelsior Club should not be as successful as the Maidenhead Club had been that season. He would like to endorse what Mr. Cartland and (sic) said with regard to the advisability of the race being rowed on a Saturday afternoon. An eight-oar race created more enthusiasm than any other race on the river, and he thought if it were rowed on a Saturday afternoon it would attract a great many more people. It might also attract more members. Far too many young men were playing tennis or cricket who would do better at rowing. was referring, of course, to the young men who possess build and stamina. In conclusion, he again thanked the company for the toast (applause).
Mr. J. W. TULL (Hon. Secretary) also returned thanks. He said that although the club had not won any pots this year, they must not get downhearted. They had secured a very useful trainer in Mr. Pazolt, of Beaumont College, Old Windsor, who had written regretting that he would not be able to be present at the Club’s regatta on Saturday. He had been of the greatest assistance to the Club (applause). There was no reason why the Excelsior Club should not be represented at Henley like their friends at Maidenhead, and he hoped they would follow that club’s example in the near future (applause). Mr. Tull went on to propose the toast of the Press.
Mr. M. LIGHTFOOT, in responding, referred to the death of Mr. H. Hall, who was a prominent member of the club in years gone by, and said he was sure they all sincerely condoled with his family in their great bereavement (hear, hear).
Images
![A newspaper article titled 'The Peters Cup: Eton Defeat Windsor After a Good Race', detailing the results and highlights of a rowing competition, dated August 1924. [P1011838]](https://i0.wp.com/windsorlocalhistorygroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/p1011838-a.jpg?ssl=1)
