Newsletter October 2010 Delayed gratification In some hard fought racing at the climax of the domestic season, LRC came tantalisingly close to two Henley trophies, but had to settle for a clutch of National Championship titles instead.
LRC ‘A’ in the final of the Wyfold in which they were overhauled by Nottingham & finalists... Union at the death
LRC ‘A’ in the final of the finalists... Britannia in which they fought to the line against Tideway Scullers
LRC’s winning crew in Open Eights finally! at the Naional Championships at Strathclyde
Nation1al Champions racing gallantly. Racing results In the Grand, James Clarke in the GB eight went out to th th the New Zealanders who were themselves beaten by the Henley Royal Regatta, 30 June-4 July Germans in the final; whilst Stephen Feeney, occupying the LRC was represented in three finals – our respective “A” 7 seat in what was otherwise the Cambridge blue boat crews in the Britannia and the Wyfold topped and tailed went down to the same opposition by a similar margin. the last day’s racing; whilst Annie Vernon in the formidable And Remco de Keizer once again not only qualified for GB quad, making her debut at the Royal Regatta, was set to the Diamonds, but got though a round, coming from behind brighten the middle of the day. LRC coaches’ customary to row through the American lightweight Tom Paulett, prayers for lightweight-friendly conditions were, however, before going out to Brendan Crean who has occupied GB’s disappointed with a strong cross head wind blowing all day. second sculling spot at World Cup regattas this year. Our Britannia “A” crew, formed relatively late, was up against a powerful Tideway Scullers crew which had dominated coxed fours events all season and were longstanding favourites. Scullers got out to an early lead of a half length by the top of the island, then stretched it to Henley Results about a length, but could get no further away. The rest of Grand Challenge Cup the race was a war of attrition with London attacking, CUBC & LRC - S. Feeney Scullers hanging on, and never clear water between the lost to Waiariki (NZ) 1.5L 1.47 3.00 6.20 boats. LRC’s final assault along the enclosures saw them LC & Molesey BC - J.Clarke close to a mere half length at the line. lost to Waiariki (NZ) 1.25L 1.43‡ 2.55 6.01 Our Wyfold “A” crew, on the other hand, had been Diamond Challenge Sculls together much longer, had won nearly everything they had R. de Keizer entered, and came to Henley as favourites. They were hardly troubled in the earlier rounds and did not have a bt. T. Paulett (USA) 3.5L 2.22* 4.00* 8.30 really close race before the final. They had been faster in lost to B. Crean 2L 2.19 4.01 8.41 every round than their opponents from Nottingham & Princess Grace Challenge Cup Union. Theirs was the last race of the day, and the wind LRC & Clyde RC - L. Greenhalgh (S. Cullen injured, sub. J. was still making life difficult. Nevertheless, true to form Hall, LC) they swept into a lead which they proceeded to build until, lost to Hollandia RC (Ned).5L 2.06 3.30 7.14 passing Remenham, they had a margin of a couple of Gloucester RC & LC - A. Vernon lengths. At this point, virtually every LRC member and bt. Belfast /Carrick 2.25L 2.06 3.36 7.36 supporter must have thought that the win was in the bag; bt. Western RC (Can) 3.5L 2.00† 3.26 7.20 but we should have known better than to count our bt. Waiakiri (NZ) 5L 2.10 3.39 7.42 chickens. For Nottingham started to attack, and began to creep back. Stroke by stroke they closed the gap, and Prince of Wales Challenge Cup London, buffeted somewhat by wind and water on the LRC & LC - O. Mahony more exposed Bucks station, seemed unable to find an bt. UWE 2L 2.04 3.33 7.30 effective response. Nottingham’s brave and relentless bt. Newcastle U comp. .75L 1.58 3.19 6.51 attack, overhauling LRC shortly before the line, provided lost to TSS “A” 1L 1.55 3.14 6.42 one of the most exciting races of the whole regatta for all who saw it - apart from LRC. We can only sympathise with Ladies’ Challenge Plate a crew who, up to that moment, had been enjoying a ICBC & Berliner - I.Weir highly successful season - but these things happen. bt. Leander “A” 1L 1.51 3.08 6.35 lost to OBU & OUBC .75L 1.49 3.06 6.21 Meanwhile, Annie Vernon had taken her first Henley medal in the final of the Princess Grace, demolishing the Thames Challenge Cup opposition from New Zealand - many congratulations to LRC “A” her. Earlier in the same event, Laura Greenhalgh in the GB bt. Broxbourne RC 2.25L 1.54 3.14 6.50 lightweight quad (with Jane Hall subbing for an injured lost to West End RC (NZ) .5L 1.56* 3.17* 6.52 Steph Cullen) had gone out to the Dutch heavyweights by LRC “B” half a length. lost to 1829 BC 2.75L 1.50 3.08 6.47 Overall, LRC had a good Henley. Everyone came away with something to smile about - Iain Weir was especially Wyfold Challenge Cup happy to have beaten Leander in the Ladies’, whilst Oli LRC “A” Mahony got through a couple of rounds of the Prince of bt. Ortner BC 5L 1.58 3.20 7.13 Wales, going out to finalists TSS. The Thames Cup crews bt. Radley Mariners 3L 2.02 3.30 7.27 bt. Muckross RC (Ire) 2.25L 1.57 3.21 7.06 both performed creditably, the “B” crew being unlucky to bt. Star Club 2.75L 1.57 3.19 6.57 encounter eventual winners 1829 in the first round; whilst lost to Nott’m & Union 1.25L 2.06* 3.33* 7.25 the “A” crew led finalists Waiakiri for much of a very tight LRC “B” race, going down by a mere half length. bt. Gloucester RC 2.5L 2.04 3.31 7.25 The Wyfold “B” crew deserve special mention. Never bt. Nottingham RC “A” 1L 2.07 3.41 7.57 quite as quick as the “A” crew, they nevertheless rowed bt. TSS 1L 2.05 3.31 7.16 beautifully to reach the semi finals where they were lost to Nott’m & Union 3L 1.58 3.20 7.03 beaten by Nottingham & Union. And in the same event, LRC “C” both “C” and “D” crews will have derived valuable bt. Lea RC 3.75L 2.11 3.42 7.43 experience from winning a round before going out, both lost to Henley RC 1.25L 2.06 3.36 7.47 2 LRC “D” result in the Lwt 2- event in Strathclyde.) bt. City of Bristol “B” 1.5L 2.04 3.30 7.30 In the last race of the day, both pairs teamed up wi th t he lost to TSS 2.5L 2.06* 3.37* 7.42 under 23 coxless four from Star Club, to form the m en’s eight. LRC “E” Despite being a scratch crew racing against a field of did not qualify better practiced eights, they led the field through the first Britannia Challenge Cup three markers; unfortunately they were unable to keep the LRC “A” pace in the sprint for the line, losing out by ¾ of a length. bt. LRC “B” 3.75L 2.06 3.33 7.25 Even without wins in their individual events, all of the bt. Agecroft RC 1.5L 2.07* 3.36* 7.32 men from LRC should be proud of their results as they bt. Power House RC (Aus)2L 2.05 3.30 7.11 helped England to retain the Senior Men’s Trophy. lost to TSS .5L 2.10 3.40 7.40 th LRC “B” Wingfield Sculls, 24 August lost to LRC “A” 3.75L 2.06 3.33 7.25 LRC’s Sophie Hosking was competing to retain her title having won both the 2008 & 2009 races.
th In a ferocious start to the race, three of the four National Championships, Strathclyde, 16 - entries in the women’s race were inside the record at both th 18 July the mile post and Hammersmith Bridge but it was Anna In past years, we have usually targeted the lightweight Watkins who led the trio and who continued to victory with events - this being one of very few events to offer them. Sophie coming home third. This year, having come so close to glory at Henley, LRC had The mens race was won by GB sculler Alan Campbell. decided to make a serious assault on the wider It is a tradition of the Wingfield Sculls that every ten Championships. A group of seventeen athletes which years they hold a dinner to celebrate winners’ included the bulk of the Thames Cup “B” crew, reinforced achievements. The 2010 dinner was held in the Members by survivors from the HRR “A” crews, made the long trip up Room. Winners were able to enjoy each other’s company north. They can hardly have expected to return with quite and take in some of the history of their event courtesy of a so many medals. In admittedly thin competition, LRC’s slideshow and various historical documents that had been results were: brought out from the archives. Gold medals th th Open Eights - D. Wilson, P. Stuart, S. O’Connor, A. Murray, 295 Doggett’s Coat & Badge, 15 July M. Bell, S. Heap, J. Bale, R. McGow, J. Terrell Congratulations to Dan Alloway on his admission as a Freeman of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on Open Coxed Fours - S. O’Connor, R. McGow, M. Bell, A. 9th July after a five year apprenticeship with Chas Newens. Murray, J. Terrell In the roughest race for some years, sculled into a Open Coxless Fours - S. O’Connor, A. Murray, M. Bell, R. strong head wind, Dan led early but started to look a bit McGow ragged as conditions worsened. He finished a creditable Open Lightweight Coxless Fours - C. Anness, S. Salter, A. third, and returns next year to try again. Maitland, C. Jarvis Open Lightweight Pairs - A. Maitland, S. Salter International rowing Open Lightweight Double Sculls - D. Wilson, R. McGow th th Silver Medals Third World Cup Regatta, Lucerne,9 -11 July Rob Williams and Annabel Vernon both ended their World Open Lightweight Pairs - C. Anness, C. Magee Cup campaigns with gold medals. Bronze Medals Having won in Munich, beating the world champions, Open Lightweight Pairs - J. Bale, S. Heap Denmark, the LM4x with Rob at 3 had to do it all again. In a Open Single Sculls - R. de Keizer very tight final they were lying fourth at 1000m, behind Open Lightweight Sculls - P. Stuart Switzerland, Italy and Denmark. They managed to time their effort to perfection, hitting the front and holding off There were also fifth places for Roxana Islas Garcia an d Chris the Danes to snatch their second World Cup gold. Anness in the women’s and open lightweight scu lls respectively. The W4x with Annie Vernon in the bows took their race Home International Regatta, Cork, 23 rd July by the scruff of the neck. They hit the front early and then After excellent results at the National Championships the moved steadily away from the field to a two second lead at following week, six LRC members were selected to 1500. The field came back during the last 500, but GB held represent England at the Home International Regatta at on to win from Ukraine and Germany. Inniscara, Co. Cork. In the LM2x, Sophie Hosking with Hester Goodsell took The result of the day came from Charlie Jarvis and silver. In another very tight race, they lay fourth at 1500m. Dom Wilson in the Lightweight double. Behind at halfway, Their final 500 took them past Greece and a fading Poland, they put in a spirited second half to win by two lengths. but they could not catch the Australian winners. In a far tighter race, the lightweight pair of Steve In the M8+, GB with James Clarke at 2 got out fast to Salter and Ash Maitland had a fierce battle with their Irish hang on to second at 500 behind Canada. Then the opposition, just falling short by half a second in a sp rint finish. Germans came past GB to take the lead by 1500. The The heavyweight pair of Chris Anness and Colin Magee Canadians fell back, and the Australians produced the led their race for the majority of the distance, only to be fastest finish of all to squeeze GB into bronze and threaten beaten by much heavier crews in the last 500 metres. (It the Germans. should be noted that Chris and Colin actually qualified to Finally we can welcome one of our newer members, race the heavyweight pair as the result of an excellent Bill Lucas, by recording that the M4x with him aboard took 3 a well deserved bronze behind Croatia and Germany. This crew, consisting of three Reading University alumni plus Paint your blades Leander’s Steve Rowbotham, has been improving rapidly in a boat class in which GB has little tradition; and we look forward to seeing them progress further at the World Club blade colours Championships and in the run up to the Olympics. For new members and all those wanting to start the season with smart looking World Championships, Lake Karapiro, New blades, the colour diagram on th th the back page gives the Zealand, 29 October-7 November traditional LRC oar paint London athletes selected for the World Championships are: scheme – two broad blue James Clarke - M8+ stripes, front and back (colour: Bill Lucas - M4x Pantone 280) intersected by small white darts. All Annabel Vernon - W4x measurements are taken from Sophie Hosking - LW2x the top corner (white arrow) Steph Cullen - LW4x and set to the top edge (black Laura Greenhalgh - LW4x arrow) of the blade. Rob Williams - LM4x The necessary measurements are: Paul Reedy also travels to NZ as coach to the LW2x. With the rest of the rowing world settling down to Dimension Sweep oar Scull serious winter training, and the Fours Head just around the corner, the GB squad have had a very long season, and by a 2½” (6.35cm) 1¾” (4.445cm) the time they race, it will be nearly four months since Lucerne. b ½” (1.27cm) ½” (1.27cm) The LRC website contains articles from Sophie Hosking c 2¼” (5.715cm) 1¾” (4.445cm) and James Clarke covering their extended summer and what it has involved - well worth a look at: d 1½” (3.81cm) 1¼” (3.175cm) http://www.londonrc.org.uk e 1¾” (4.445cm) 1½” (3.81cm) Our best wishes go with all of them, and with fell ow LRC me mbers Phelan Hill and Andrea Dennis represen ting L eander and Reading UBC respectively, as well as the whole GB team . Lights on... Foreign adventures Members are reminded that if you are boating after Germany has been the destination of choice this year for dark, you must display the correct lights . The local all age groups seeking a change from the Tideway. navigation rules have been altered slightly this year to Towards the end of September the Club was invited to permit a white flashing light on your bow, and a white fixed send an eight to the Achter Cup in Bremen. The exploits of light on your stern; with the intention that this should the crew which made the trip are fully written up on the make it easier to tell at a glance a boat’s direction of website - please take a look. travel. Meanwhile eight of the Irregulars, plus wives, made LRC rules are more stringent and require that both one of their periodic sorties, this time to Berlin and the bow and stern lights are doubled up. This provides some 1936 Olympic course, organised by Sir Stephen Wright. security against malfunctions and/or low battery power in Space does not permit a full account here, and those what can be a very dangerous environment, especially at involved mainly predate the age of the Internet, so nothing this time of year with quantities of coxless boats a nd scullers of this has penetrated the website; but we hope to tell you anxious to maximise water time before important races. more in our next issue. Finally you are reminded that, irrespective of other factors, you must keep a proper lookout at all times , and What they did next... always be prepared to steer to avoid collision. Congratulations (and huge respect) to ex-GB lightweight John Warnock who recently competed in the RTTC National Championship 24 Hour. This really is a 24 hour race, not in a boat (the very Lights off... idea repels), but on a bike. And John won it. The Club’s current annual electricity bill roughly Cycling in the colours of Twickenham CC he covered equates to the cost of a new four every year, or a new the staggering distance of 521.186 miles at an average eight every two years at today’s prices. And the bad news is speed of 21.67 mph. that prices from all gas and electricity companies are going But that’s not all, because in second place (in a field up fast. You can play your part in saving Club (and your!) of over sixty), was Simon Bever, last sighted contesting Vet money. When you don’t need them, or have finished, C sculls at Henley Vets. please... So heartfelt congratulations to both, and whatever you’re on we’d like some...... switch off the lights! 4 Floodmark 1998 DIY helpers wanted
A new Floodmark (see photograph, back page) has Marie Lloyd had a song entitled “I’m the ruin that been donated by Robin Hulf. At some 3 feet/1 metre above Cromwell knocked about a bit”. Although the Club House is the boathouse floor this records possibly the highest flood not that old it does get “knocked about a bit”. Quite a few tide LRC has received in living memory. The 1875 mark is running repairs and improvements can be done as well by clearly seen just off the ground below it. Not so visible is a Members with a skill and/or a bit of energy as by expensive small yellow stripe which marks the consistent spring and tradesmen. Over the past 2 years we have reduced the autumn spring tide highs. identified repair bill by some £10,000 through our own efforts whilst keeping the more major running costs to a The new floodmark records the particularly poignant th minimum. Thus I am looking for painters, plasterers, occasion, on the afternoon of 29 March 1998, of the plumbers, brickies, qualified (under law they have to be) Memorial Service to Lillian Eagle MBE, long time servant of electricians, and just handymen who can help out. The LRC. Her ashes had just been scattered on the water from immediate tasks are: Casamajor . The tide was so high that those landing at the club from Casamajor for the reception afterwards were * Lay roof insulation above the Resi accommodation (the forced to disembark straight on to the top steps of the necessary material is in the boathouse). main entrance. * Plaster holes and cracks in the walls in Resi It was as if the river too was coming to say “Goodbye”. accommodation and walls/ceiling of the NW fire escape stairs. * Fit draught excluder material to the Long Room windows Security and doors. Change to codes Volunteers please get in touch with Alan Foster! During the afternoon of Sunday 19th September, a number of lockers in the Men’s Changing Room were broken into, apparently without much being stolen. The new CCTV Andy Ripley system has pictures of the suspected thief leaving down the alley between the Tank and the Workshop, although it does Many members will have been sad to hear of the untimely not show how the culprit got in. We suspect that one of the death on 17th June of Andy Ripley, a recent President of doors in the Tank may have been left open or insecure and Tideway Scullers School, Superstars champion, ergometer this has now been secured. world record holder; who played a bit of rugby as a young We are told that the police have been able to identify man. the culprit, although prosecution may be problematic as he At his death Andy had become a powerful and vocal seems to have been unsuccessful in finding anything of campaigner for the cause of Prostate Cancer Research. value to steal. In Andy’s memory, and in aid of cancer research, TSS However as an added precaution, all six of the 5-finger caused a quantity of T shirts to be manufactured (many door press locks in the Club have had their security codes were on view at Henley this year), and these are still changed. The new numbers have been circulated verbally available from TSS, Dan Mason Drive, Dukes Meadows, but casual or occasional visitors may initially need to seek Chiswick, London W4 2SH in exchange for a £10 donation assistance from Squad Members or the Chief Coach. which will be passed on to The Prostate Cancer Charity. Let us also remind you of the following basic security Contact Tideway Scullers School, Dan Mason Drive, points:- Dukes Meadows, Chiswick, London W4 2SH; or email to * Make sure that doors and windows are shut behind you, [email protected] and locks are fully engaged when you leave a room, and Donations to the charity (no T shirt) can also be made that the boat sheds are locked up when no-one is on the online at: water. www.prostate-cancer.org.uk * Check that you are not ‘tail gated’ when you enter or leave the Club * Avoid, as much as possible, bringing valuables to the club Casamajor Club and if you do make sure they are securely locked away. Valuables in the changing rooms are left at your own risk. Recent Casamajor Club winners: * Challenge anyone in the club who you don’t know, or who July: H.Neher, Gemma Helm, A.A.G.Winter you are in any way suspicious about. July Star Prize: S.J.L.Wright August: D.B.Harte, P.A.Rayner, J.G.Hobson Annual General Meetings September: C.J.Coffin, D.V.Melvin, S.S.Newman Since our last edition, the AGM’s of both London Rowing A reminder that the new handsome Hackett produced Club (on July 21 st ), and of the London Boat House Company ties are available for Casamajor Club members, old or Ltd. (on September 22 nd ) were duly held. new (and there are several vacancies) at £25. Officers and General Committee members were There are also a number of Traditional Caps, ordered for elected or re-elected. Details of all, plus LRC staff, and Henley, still in store and priced at £30. contact information, are set out in the “Almanack” (an Baseball caps, as ever, are on sale for only £12. absurdly grand name for a very slender publication) which Mail orders to Ian Butler please, adding £2 for P&P. accompanies this newsletter. 5 Obituary
Dr. T.A. (Tony) Fox, 1928 - 2010 Fox’s low rate of striking had by now become legendary and was due to his skill in maximising the One of LRC’s most illustrious scullers of the last century, interaction between body and boat - between the size of and Honorary Member, Tony Fox died on 31st July, aged 82, his shoulders, arms, legs and body length in relation to the at his home in Cornwall after a courageous battle against boat’s pitch, span, sculls and position of the stretcher, cancer, leaving behind his wife Paula, née Sweby, and creating dismay on the part of his adversaries and unbelief daughters Liz, Cathy, Jo and Nicky. to spectators. My coach, seeing him win a heat in the His power as an oarsman and sculler in the 1950s was Europeans at Copenhagen in 1953 when rating as high - for as notable as was his modesty and absence of ego; his him - as 27, jokingly yelled out to me (awaiting my own friends described him as “quiet-spoken and unassuming“ heat): “Fox better be careful, he’ll do himself an injury.” yet realised that once in his boat he would “glide” (his Fox was born in Guernsey in 1928, the son of a family expression) with devastating speed and cunning, earning doctor, learning his rowing in a sea dinghy by being told: him his sobriquet of Foxy. “They can’t catch this fox” was “put your blades in the water, then pull.” Following prep how a Sunday Pictorial comic strip once described his school in Taunton he went to the non-rowing school tactics. Sherborne (where he stayed throughout the War as the His laurels included the Diamond Sculls in 1951 Germans had occupied Guernsey), and then followed his (despite hitting the booms in the final) and 1953; the forbears by taking up medicine at Pembroke, Cambridge. Wingfields in 1951, 1952 and 1953; and the London Cup at It was only then that he started his successful career, the Met (then held on the Tideway on the ebb tide) in making his mark as a sculler by winning the university’s 1951, 1953 and 1954. He thus won the elusive scullers’ Colquhoun Sculls in 1948. He also competed in the Ladies’ ‘triple crown’ in both 1951 and 1953. He also won the and Visitors’ from 1948 to 1950, reaching the final of the Scullers’ Head in 1955 and 1956. Ladies’ in 1949, but he never won a Blue. He was the first LRC member to represent Great Continuing his studies in London he joined LRC in 1950, Britain after World War II. In the European Championships living in the clubhouse as a Resident. His presence and at Macon in 1951 he won silver behind the Dane Larsen speed on the Tideway were soon appreciated by such whom he had beaten in the Diamonds months earlier. In the scullers as Farn Carpmael, Edward Sturges, John Pinches, Olympics of 1952 at Helsinki he finished fourth behind Graham Beech and in 1955 Doug Melvin. Doug remembers: Tukalov (USSR), Wood (Australia) and Kocerka (Poland); “When I joined, Tony was very much in charge of the Wood, minutes later merrily smoking his pipe when de- sculling squad, suggesting that the letters LSC - London rigging his boat, had beaten Fox in the Diamonds only Sculling Club - be painted on our blades, instead of LRC, weeks earlier. Fox went on to represent GB at international but captain and President Jock Wise disallowed this. They level again in 1953, 1954 and 1956. did not want a club within a club”. At home, 1954 was a very special year for Fox. He and Doug again: “Foxy started the first quad sculler at his friend John Marsden, Eton schoolmaster and LRC LRC. He had found an old four tied up in the roof member, distinguished war veteran and some ten years his somewhere; cleaned her up; had riggers made; and with senior, joined forces in the double sculls. After only 12 him at stroke, Marsden at 3 and myself at bow we used to practice outings the pair startled and delighted the crowds do Mortlake to Putney tracks alongside LRC eights.” at Henley by beating the much-feared Soviet Olympic silver Fox inspired his fellow scullers to form a Scullers’ Eight medallists, Zhilin and Emchuk, by half a length in the first for The Head of the River Race; he and his colleagues - round; the Soviets striking 35, Fox and Marsden taking the proficient and older - felt themselves to be somewhat lead at Fawley at only 27½. Typical of Fox was that he had detached from the Club’s first and second crews. Doug taken an ordinary Green Line bus to get himself from St. remembers: “This was not without friction with the captain George’s Hospital on Hyde Park Corner to Henley, skipping and President, and being designated merely the Club’s some of his medical classes. Marsden likewise had slipped third boat was deemed good enough for us. One captain out quietly from Eton. “Truants beat Russians”, the Daily called us a ‘scratch crew’ yet one year we started fift h and came Sketch reported. third and another time started fifth and came second”. 6 Fox was no friend of officials. In Copenhagen, days pot-hunting expeditions before the 1953 Championships, he complained to me to the West country and about a man who had ordered him to paint over his LRC even escapades with blades with the Union Jack (only then did nations’ colours coastal rowing around become the norm) - and in Paris, stepping from his boat to the Kent and Sussex receive his medal in the presence of General de Gaulle, he coasts. He was one of ridiculed the official who had criticised him for not wearing the first to use trailers long trousers over his rowing shorts. for expeditions, towed Qualifying in medicine in 1956, Fox’s career on the behind his much-loved water ended as suddenly as it had begun, on return from Riley car. It was however the Olympic Games in Melbourne (Lake Ballarat). He as a Captain for two returned to Guernsey to join his father, brother and uncle seasons and as an in the family general practice and with Paula started a enthusiast for Veteran family during what was to become a fifty-year long and rowing that Peter really happy marriage. In 1991, their daughters living on the made his mark. By the mainland, the couple decided to follow them, retiring to a late 1960s the comfortable home and large garden in Cornwall. There, Committee had decided that a complete modernisation of some twenty years later, a well-earned lifestyle of boating the first to third floors of the clubhouse, plus a new and gardening drew to a close when cancer was diagnosed, entrance, were essential and a major development appeal a calamity Tony endured with his usual bravery. and building project got under way. The building was completely emptied (although somehow the boatman, In Cosmo Clark’s centenary oil painting in the Long Eddie Halpin, kept his room on the top floor) and boats and Room, Tony Fox – the last surviving member to be depicted equipment went lock, stock and barrel upstream to – is shown walking out of the scullers’ bay and down the Hammersmith and Chiswick. It was at this time that Peter hard, sculls in hand; a fine reminder to members old and was at the helm for the two seasons 1969/70 and 1970/71, young of the great man that he was. and using his contacts worked behind the scenes to apply Rob van Mesdag for and obtain HMG and Council grants towards the building (Rob was a contemporary of Tony’s and raced against him costs. both at Henley and in the European Championships as a Veteran rowing and sculling was probably what Peter representative of Holland. He has been an LRC member, enjoyed the most, and organising the most. It contributed a and now a stalwart veteran, since 1959.) substantial part to the life and élan of the Club at the time. When the Club’s 125th anniversary journal was published in 1981 it included an article by Peter entitled Peter Hilditch, 1936 - 2010 ‘Who says “Too Old” ?’. This relates the success both at home, mainly at Vesta regattas, and especially the successful forays overseas – including Berlin, Vienna, A large number of LRC members from several Berne, Ghent and Amsterdam. One year in the early 1970s generations of oarsmen and women will be sorry to learn at Amsterdam the LRC Vets contingent won 14 events, about Peter’s death on 20th July at the age of 73. He had winning the victor ludorum cup, and then went on to retain suffered a heart attack earlier in the year, since when his it the following year with 12 more wins. health had declined and he passed away peacefully at Peter was very much his own man and from time to hospital in Devon. As well as being a successful oarsman time came into conflict with the Club’s powers-that-be; it and sculler, despite being under 10 stone throughout most has to be acknowledged that he had some awkward of his career on the water, Peter brought great energy and moments with Committees over the years. But there was organisational skills to all that he did for the Club, no questioning his devotion to the Club in the way he saw including two years as Captain at the time of the 1970-72 best and life with Peter around was certainly not dull. rebuild, a challenge if there ever was one. He will also be Anecdotes abound. Here is Simon Rippon amongst the more remembered for his devotion to the cause of Veteran printable: “One tiresome aspect of Peter was that he was rowing which brought a period of much success in the always right. Imagine my joy, then, when I was struggling Seventies. He was known to many along the Embankment to strip some old paint off the fireplace that used to be in and further upstream on the Tideway for his wider services the upstream entrance lobby back in the 1960s. He came on the river, and had been a Freeman of the Company of up behind me and suggested that I try using a gas poker to Watermen since 1981. burn it off. I tried and it was an utter failure. But God bless Peter went to City of London School, which as older Peter. He was a great member and never showed any members will recall for many years based their rowing at resentment to the rest of us when he was right and we the LRC clubhouse. He joined LRC in 1952 in his teens and were wrong”. was to make his first mark as a coxswain. Matriculating at In more recent years Peter drifted up to Putney Town New College, Oxford, he coxed Isis in the Thames Cup in RC at Mortlake, to help with coaching. Shortly before his 1958, beating an LRC crew in the first round. He entered death, a new fleet of boats was christened there with a for LRC at Henley only twice thereafter, stroking a Wyfold sculling boat bearing his name – to join a succession of IV which got through two rounds before losing to the losing boats which had carried his name at LRC. News of his finalists in 1963 and then sculling at bow with Martin passing arrived shortly before this year’s Club AGM got Gaylard in the Double Sculls in 1965 when they lost in the under away on 21st July; the flag was q uickly flown at half first round to Nick Cooper and Bobby Carpmael who were mast and the meeting stood for a period in his memory. We wearing Leander colours that year. extend our sympathy and condolences to Judith (whom he Peter was a great enthusiast for rowing exploits in the first met at Ranelagh SC along the road on the 1960s and some members will vividly remember successful Embankment) and their four children. 7 Wingfield Sculls dinner, held at the Club on 24th August. Pictured l to r, seated Alan Campbell, Doug Melvin, Anna Watkins; standing Martin Kettle, Rory Henderson, Guy Pooley, Greg Searle, Matt Wells, Elise Sherwell, Sophie Hosking, John Russell, Bill Barry, Nick Cooper, Tim Crooks, Malcolm Carmichael, Chris Baillieu, Wade Hall-Craggs.
Robin Hulf and Alan Foster with the newly installed floodmark - see inside, p.5
LRC Wingfields winners - Nick Cooper, Sophie Hosking, Doug Melvin, John Russell
Dan Alloway in action in the Doggett’s - see The Irregulars have been in the news, featuring in this write up in The Oldie. With some inside, p.3 very old photography - it’s a long time since even they used wooden blades!
Thanks to Tam Richmond, Iain Weir, Steve O’Connor, Roxana Islas Garcia, Nigel Smith, and Paula Fox for photographs
LONDON ROWING CLUB Embankment, Putney, London SW15 1LB Office: (020) 8788 1400 (answering machine) Club: (020) 8788 0666 Fax: (020) 8788 8643 Email: [email protected] Web: www.londonrc.org.uk House Manager mobile: 07976 671398
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