The Problem of New Headquarters

Transcript

The Dean of Windsor and Modern Youth

The chief topic of the evening at the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club supper on Monday evening was in connection with the proposal to remove the club’s headquarters from the old boathouse below the Bridge to the Deadwater Eyot below the railway bridge.  The Club are the tenants of the Eton College authorities, who have offered to re-build their premises on certain terms.  The Club will be in urgent need of money if they accept either proposal.  In the regrettable absence of the President, Sir George Peters, owing to ill-health, Alderman George Mitchell, the senior vice-president, occupied the chair in his usual genial manner.  He was supported by the Mayor (Alderman Sir William Carter), the Dean (Dr. A. V. Baillie), Alderman Duley, Councillor Godfrey, Captain A. M. L. Thomson (captain), Messrs. V. H. Hobbs (vice-captain), A. H. Dyson, R. Calvert, A. H. Wellman, M. Lightfoot, G. Newton, L. Barrett, E. Stickland, J. W. Tull, W. Harding, V. J. Pottow, R. C. Mills, M. G. Burgoyne, S. R. Lucking, J. W. White, H. Luff, J. W. Hambidge, A. G. Horlock, H. A. Baker, T. Luff, J. Woodfield, G. A. Street, A. W. Street, F. W. Buck, J. W. Croft, R. Cross, C. D. Dyson, J. Foley, J. Leat, A. Bellringer, H. Marment, H. Marmont, junr., D. S. Andrew, N. Huggins (Staines), K. Ruff Thomas (M.S.C.), J. Arnold (M.S.C.) etc.  An excellent dinner was served in the Shakespeare Room by the Hotel management.  The health of the King was cordially drunk.

The Chairman a “Field-Marshal”

Mr. A. H. Dyson, in submitting the toast of the Chairman, said he must first of all express regret at the absence of their esteemed President, Sir George Peters, who was unable to be present owing to ill-health, and they all wished him a speedy recovery (applause).  In his absence their senior Vice-President, Alderman George Mitchell, had kindly filled the vacancy (renewed applause).  He remembered that many years ago Alderman Mitchell was a “Field Marshal” (laughter).  In his (the speaker’s) schooldays the boys from Eton and the boys from Windsor met in battle, and Alderman Mitchell led the Eton boys as a Field-Marshal, and he recollected that Eton had the best of the day.  The Chairman, he knew, had a battery of artillery at his command, and the encounter was known as the battle of Victoria Bridge.  In turning out some old papers about a year or eighteen. months ago, he discovered some records of these battles.  After his schooldays, Alderman Mitchell became a member of the Eton Excelsior R.C., and his name was engraved on several challenge cups which he helped to win (applause).  Until a year or two ago, their Chairman rowed a nice little skiff on “ole man river”, of which he was always very fond.  Mr. Dyson recalled the fact that Alderman Mitchell had worthily filled the office of Mayor.  In those days, before the motor era, the Mayors of Windsor used to welcome the Sovereign when he arrived by G.W.R. train at Windsor, and he was informed that when Alderman Mitchell, who had occupied the position exactly seven days, greeted King Edward VII., his Majesty wittily said, “So you are the week old Mayor” (laughter).  In conclusion, Mr. Dyson submitted the toast with all heartiness. (Musical honours were accorded).

Presentation of a Skiff to the Club

The CHAIRMAN, in response, thanked Mr. Dyson most sincerely for the way in which he had submitted the toast, and the Company for the way in which they had received it.  Before he said anything else he would like to express the regret they all felt that Sir George Peters was not well enough to occupy the position he had filled for so many years.  Sir George was so intimately associated with sport of every kind in the town that they missed him very much (applause).  It was a very proud moment for him when they asked him to occupy the chair, and he appreciated the compliment very highly.  Mr. Dyson’s remarks bad carried his mind back to those days of battle.  He recollected that a boy named Molyneux led the Windsor boys on to the field.  He (the speaker) still had the “mortar” and “gun” used on that occasion (laughter and applause).  No harm was done by either.  Proceeding, the Chairman referred to his winning a claret jug as a member of the crew of a four-oar, which won the Ruthven Challenge Cup.  He recollected his dear old father walking down the High-street, Eton, and going out of his way to tell everyone that his son had won the cup.  He really only had a fourth share in it, as he was rowing at No. 2.  He (the Chairman) was pleased to learn that the Club had a membership of 73, and that 23 new members joined this year.  That was very satisfactory.  They had had two successes with junior crows at up-river regattas.  Owing so the kindness of Captain Thomson, a very successful fete was hold in the grounds of his house, which brought in some much needed funds to the Club.  He understood that the Club needed new boats and new premises.  Well, he would give them the rowing skiff which Mr. Dyson had referred to, if it was of any use to them (applause), and he again thanked them for the toast.

The President and Vice-Presidents

Mr. H. A. BAKER, in proposing the toast of the President and Vice-Presidents, referred to the great help they always accorded the Club.  Rowing was a clean and healthy sport and the Eton Excelsior R.C. had encouraged it during the whole 75 years of its existence.  Mr. Baker referred to the great assistance Sir George Peters had always been to the Club as President, and they all sincerely wished that he would soon recover his usual health (Musical honours were accorded the toast).

The Mayor’s Reply

The MAYOR, as a vice-president, made a suitable reply.  He first of all referred to the regretted illness of the President. He said he saw him only a few days ago, and he was certainly much better, and he hoped to be quite well again (applause).  The Mayor then went on to give some interesting recollections of Marlow Regatta when he was a boy.  He said that in those days there used to be a blacksmith’s anvil to start the races.  Among the enthusiasts be remembered George Haines, of Old Windsor.  In conclusion, the Mayor said that although he was going out of office as Mayor, he would do all he could to help the Club, and he hoped they would get the money they required to erect a new boat home (applause).

The Dean and Modern Youth

The DEAN OF WINDSOR, who also replied as a vice-president, said he was greatly interested in Clubs of this sort.  Just now he was under the weather of public opinion. “I am,” he proceeded, “supposed to be misleading youth.  I am surviving it, and what I did, I did quite deliberately, because I have always believed – and I believe it more strongly now that the first factor of education and the development of character and of youthful life is freedom (applause), and the only way in which the young in a society can socially grow to their full value is by leaving them to manage their own affairs.  I stand for that quite firmly in everything.  I believe that the justification of that view and policy rests with you.  I believe it would produce much greater freedom, and be a much greater encouragement to freedom of the young men of today and also to future generations.  I believe it would produce a better race of men.  It rests with you, however, to prove it.  I hope a club like this will be able to prove it.”  In conclusion, the Dean said [?] bethanked them for the way they had welcomed him there that night (applause).

“The Club and the Officers”

Mr. H. MARMENT, in submitting the toast of “The Club and the Officers,” referred to the fact that he had had a good deal to do with training and upbringing of young men, and how pleased he was to become a member of the Eton Excelsior R.C.  In conclusion, he alluded to the question of better accommodation being required at the boathouse, and hoped that this would soon be brought about (applause).

Captain Thomson’s Speech

Captain THOMSON, in the course of a long and interesting speech in reply, said that the Eton Excelsior R.C. was the oldest rowing club on the Thames, and it had great traditions behind it.  Their old friend, Bob Hannis, who was unable to be present, he believed never lost a race he entered for as a member of the Eton Excelsior R.C., and he rowed in all kinds of races up and down the river.  Proceeding, he said they were all very sorry that their President was unable to be present.  There was one vice-president to whom they owed a great deal, and that was Mr. Dyson (applause).  Very few of the younger members knew what he had done for the Club.  Referring to his own captaincy, he said he took the position for one season only, for he believed in a fresh captain being elected every year.  A captain of the club should be an active captain, and one who could attend and do his job during his year of office.

Capt. Thomson then referred at length to the question of new premises.  They had had two offers one from Eton College and the other from the Corporation of Windsor.  The Eton College Authorities their present landlords had made an offer to rebuild their premises at a quoted cost, and the Corporation of Windsor had offered to lease the Club the island known as Deadwater Eyot.  The Club had no money, and he would have to act as a beggar to get the money required.  If they took up the Eton offer they would have to put a sum down and pay a percentage of the balance, plus their present rent per annum.  With regard to the second proposition, the Corporation offered the Club the island on which to erect premises at a reasonable sum per annum.  They would be granted a long lease, and if at any time it was necessary to move, the Corporation would take over the buildings at a valuation.  It was now up to the general committee and members of the Club to proceed with one scheme or the other.  They had written to Eton College about a fortnight ago asking them certain particulars, and they were only waiting to hear from Eton before they proceeded any further.

Continuing, the speaker said they would require about £1,500 to erect a boathouse on the island, and they might get the money by issuing debentures in £10 lots.  Another scheme they might consider was to form themselves into a Limited Liability Company, and every member take shares in it.  There was no doubt whatever that the present premises were most inadequate, and that the better site for a boathouse was on the island referred to.  He went on strongly to urge the members to put their backs into rowing, and said they ought to send a crew to Henley every year.  There was no reason why they should not have a first-class crew at Henley Regatta.  He alluded to the Maidenhead and Staines Clubs, and referred to the great help they had been to the Excelsior Club.  In conclusion, Capt. Thomson thanked Mr. Calvert who was always kind to the Club, the officers and members for the support they had given him, and added that the Club should go forward and take their part, as the oldest rowing Club on the Thames, at Henley and the up-river regattas (applause).

The Visitors

Mr. V. H. HOBBS proposed the toast of the Visitors, and alluded to the help kindly given them by the Maidenhead and Staines Clubs.  Representatives from these Clubs were present, and he thanked them very much (applause).

Mr. K. RUFF THOMAS and Mr. ARNOLD (Maidenhead) and Mr. N. HUGGINS (Staines) both made interesting replies, and threw out various suggestions.  The first-named said they must win first-class races to get the support of the townspeople. Maidenhead had found this out.

Mr. CALVERT also returned thanks.

Other Toasts

Mr. G. NEWTON, in a kindly speech, proposed the toast of the Press, to which Mr. M. Lightfoot (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express) responded.

The Artistes

Captain THOMSON submitted the toast of the Artistes, to which Mr. Claude UPTON made an interesting reply.

During the evening, a capital musical programme, arranged by Mr. Hugh Kendall, who was at the piano, was provided by Mr. Claude Upton, Mr. Baden Hawes, and Mr. A. E. Bruce, who were all encored.

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