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LONDON CLUB Newsletter

...and Bill gets his hands on the Queen Mother

Contents September 2011

2-3 World Championships, Bled 4-6 Henley reports and results 6 Other race reports 7 and Lucerne Parliamentary boat race 8 Chris Anness wins Doggett’s 9 Four men in a boat Other news This time LRC Brits* capture Wyfold... 10 Obituaries * with a little help from an Aussie or two

In the lead up to Henley, Lon- some very quick Australians - of whom And great credit, too, to the don coaches habitually pray for there were seemed to be an awful lot team of coaches who’ve been help- winds from the North; and this year this year. In fact, both the Thames Cup ing Phil. As well as hardy perennials the weather gods smiled, and nobody and the Britannia went to Australian Tam Richmond and Richard Philips, could complain about conditions fa- clubs, leaving LRC the only homegrown this year has seen major contribu- vouring heavyweights. outfit with a win in the club events. tions from Brian Ulliott, James Before the regatta, coach Phil Every LRC crew performed up to or Clarke, Mark Ruscoe, and Stephen Bourguignon reckoned that both his in excess of expectations; and the Feeney, and Tom Killick; and of lead fours were moving faster than whole squad should take both pleasure course from Chief Coach Paul Reedy. ever; and his judgement proved to and pride from the work and the com- be sound, with both “A” fours reach- mitment they put in the period leading ing their respective final; and the up to Henley, and in the performances club denied two trophies only by they achieved during the regatta. Page 2 World Championships, Bled, Slovenia, 28th August - 4th September

In the third of the four years leading up to the Olympics, these World Champion- Photo: Intersport Images/GB Rowing ships fulfilled the additional function of allocating the majority of Olympic qualifying plac- es; adding considerable pressure for the athletes, but for spectators making semis and B finals into compelling viewing. And the timetable was changed, with finals spread over four days. Semis and finals in each event took place on consecutive days; and the tradi- tional finale - the men’s eights - was brought forward to the Thursday.

Lightweight Men’s - Bronze Rob Williams

Hopes were high that GB, World Champions in Karapiro, could repeat their last year’s performance; especially after their impressive showing in Lucerne. Chris Bartley returned to the boat after recovering from the injury that kept him out of the boat at Lucerne, but the crew retained its Lucerne order, with Rob Williams staying in the stroke seat. Their semi fi- nal promised much, with GB moving away steadily to win by half a length from an impressive Australia, whilst China finished third another half length down in what turned out to be mar- ginally the faster of the two semis. So the signs were favourable. When it came to the final, GB seemed to start well enough, but found themselves last at 500, and still only fifth at the kilometre. Australia had hit the front rowing outstandingly (l to r) Steph Cullen, Imogen Walsh, Katherine Twyman, smoothly, closely pursued by Italy. From halfway, GB started to work their way back into con- tention, and by 1500 had got past China and Denmark into third, a length down on the lead- ers, but despite pullingLM4- out all the stops in the last 500, couldn’t get any closer. The gap at Lightweight Women’s Quad ruple Sculls - Gold the finish was 2.2s between the winners Australia and GBR in third, with Italy roughly half- Steph Cullen, Imogen Wa lsh way in between. Bronze may not be what this crew wanted or expected, but any medal in this company is In thei r hea t on M ond a y , a fter wi nni ng a long, ti ght s tr uggle wi th the Chi nes e b y a mer e richly earned; and a result which both sharpens desire and cools expectations for 2012 may ei ght hund r ed ths , GB took the d i r ect r oute to the fi na l, a voi d i ng the r ep echa ges b ut s ecur i ng not be entirely bad. thems elves a long p er i od of i na cti vi ty . In the fi na l, i t wa s Ita ly who wer e fi r s t to s how a t the fr ont, wi th GB i n s econd b y 300m. F r om then, the Br i ti s h gi r ls a p p li ed the p r es s ur e. At 500, Ita ly led GB b ut only b y i nches , wi th (l to r) , Chris Bartley, , Rob Williams b oth ha lf a length up on the r es t. By 1000, GB ha d moved i nto the lea d , only b y a few feet, b ut ha vi ng es ta b li s hed a good r hy thm they conti nued to move a wa y d eci s i vely to a li ttle over a length, whi ls t the Chi nes e cha llenged Ita ly . At 1500, GB led Chi na b y a length wi th Ita ly thi r d . After thaLW4x t, the Chi nes e ma na ged to ma ke li ttle i mp r es s i on on the Br i ti s h, whi ls t USA ed ged a ti r i ng Ita ly out of the med a ls . Photo: Richard Heathcote/World Rowing Gold wa s a wond er ful r e- wa r d for a b unch of a thletes who get few cha nces to p er - for m i nter na ti ona lly , a nd who, to coi n a cli ché, s ei zed the d a y wi th gus to. And for Imo- gen ma ki ng her d éb ut a t thi s level, ther e could b e no b et- ter wa y to s ta r t a n i nter na ti on- Photo: Intersport Images/GB Rowing a l ca r eer . GB power off the start in their heat Page 3 Photo: Intersport Images/GB Rowing Photo: Richard Heathcote/World Rowing Team

Men’s Quadruple Sculls Bill Lucas

At the end of a season in which so much went right, GB must have felt as though their week in Bled was cursed. In their heat they were edged into third place after a protracted tussle with Russia and Ukraine - with a fifth of a second covering all three boats. So they had to progress via the repechage, in which they came up against New Zealand - another tussle, and were edged out of first place by a hundredth of a second - but at least they were through to the A/B semi finals. The draw placed GB in a semi final with Croatia, Russia, and Poland. They were in fourth, behind these three, at 500, well in touch, but after dropping a second in the second 500 they found themselves just over a length down on the leaders at halfway. From there they main- tained the gap through the third quarter, before putting in the fastest finish of all the boats; but it was not enough and they finished fourth, missing the final by 0.4s in a race in which half a length covered the first four boats. Their time was substantially faster than all but the Determination - Hester & Sophie first two boats in the other semi, including Ukraine and New Zealand. Having failed to reach the A final, with only eleven to qualify from this event, the grim possibility of not getting the boat to Dorney then loomed. In the event, GB led their B final almost all the way, albeitM4x narrowly, hitting the front before 500, and getting out to a quarter Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls - Bronze of a length at 1500. When the charge came, GB clung on to finish with about a canvas in Sophie Hosking hand. All six boats were within 2.5s - roughly a length. It was Cuba who failed to qualify for London 2012. Sophie and Hester won their heat and thereby avoided the repechages, progressing di- Photo: Detlev Seyb/World Rowing rect to the A/B semi finals; they got out to an early lead which they held throughout the race, until the last 500 when a gutsy New Zealand crew cut their lead by half. The semi final was a different matter altogether. The Greeks, World Champions from Poznan in 2009, shot off the start pursued by the Chinese and British in that order, with New So near - GB edged out of the A final by Croatia, Russia, and Poland Zealand in fourth. The Greeks had clear water by 500m and two lengths on the field by 1000m, and whilst GB were slowly clawing ground back from the Chinese, NZ were in fact moving best and closing down the British. In the second half, GB got past the Chinese into second, still two lengths down on Greece; but New Zealand put in a desperate finish in the last quarter, taking them past GB into second and leaving an increasing ragged-looking GB to fend off ChinaLW2x who were catching them fast all the way to the line. It took a photo to sepa- rate third and fourth. The verdict came in favour of GB by four hundredths - an inch or so. The final was again dominated by Greece; but this time Sophie and Hester stuck to them, and, out in lane 1, refused to let them get away. Through the middle of the race, it was USA in third who seemed to pose the greatest threat to a silver for GB, but in fact when the last 500 came, it was the Canadians who charged through to take silver, with GB still holding off USA and Australia to take the bronze. Despite putting in another big finish, New Zealand, who had given GB such trouble in the semi, were never quite on the pace and finished last, out of the medal hunt. Page 4 Thames - LRC A Wyfold - LRC B Britannia - LRC A

Henley 2011

Britannia - LRC B

Wyfold - LRC A (l to r) Marco Espin, Mark Aldred, Phil Bourguignon (Senior Coach), Alex Cawthorne, Richard Dunley

Thames - LRC B Wyfold - LRC C Page 5 HRR report LRC results at Henley

The stars of the show, of course, Verdict Barrier Fawley Finish Verdict Barrier Fawley Finish were our Wyfold “A” crew. Last year three of the crew had seen victory evaporate along the enclosures: this London RC “A” London RC “A” Beat Nottingham RC 2 lengths 2:02 3:29 7:19 year, stroked by Marco Espin, they Beat Reading RC 3 lengths 1:54 3:13 6:47 Lost to Molesey BC ¾ length 1:49 3:05 6:23 Beat Thames RC 1¼ lengths 2:01* 3:25* 7:07 made no mistake. In fact, they gave Beat Taurus BC 1½ lengths 1:58 3:20 6:59 no hint of a chance to their opposi- London RC “B” Lost to Banks RC (Aus) ¾ length 2:00 3:23 6:59 tion, in each round moving smoothly Beat Cygnet RC Easily 1:53 3:14 6:47 into an early lead before drawing Beat Lea RC 4¾ lengths 1:53 3:13 6:41 London RC “B” away. The only hitch occurred on Lost to Molesey BC 2 lengths 1:48 3:02 6:29 Lost to Grosvenor RC ½ length 2:11 3:39 7:34 the way to the start of their semi final, when a collision knocked off the bows of their boat, forcing a postponement. This spurred the en- London RC “A” C.G.Anness Beat Reading RC Easily 2:01 3:27 7:10 Lost to N.Hudson (Aus) Easily 2:12 3:45 8:06 tire coaching team into action trans- Beat Nottingham RC “B” 4½ lengths 2:00 3:23 7:12 planting every moveable fitting into Beat Maidstone Invicta RC 3 lengths 1:56 3:15 6:47 Queen Mother Challenge Cup the B crew’s identical Empacher hull, Beat Power House RC, Aus 2 lengths 1:58 3:20 6:56 so that, as far as possible, the crew Beat Nottingham RC “A” 2 lengths 1:58 3:20 6:51 Leander & Univ. of Reading (W. Lucas) would feel no difference. In the Beat Chula Vista TC, USA 2/3 length 1:50 3:04 6:17 meantime their final opposition, Not- London RC “B” Beat Mladost/Tresnjevka, Cro. 1¼ lengths 1:50 3:05 6:17 tingham, found themselves having to Lost to Power House RC, Aus 1 length 2:01 3:25 7:09 rerow their semi, their opposition Prince of Wales Challenge Cup London RC “C” having collected a lump of weed on Beat Thames Tradesmen’s “B” 1 length 2:07* 3:37* 7:25 their fin during their race. University of London (P. Stuart) Beat Lea RC Easily 2:08 3:38 7:24 Lost to Scullers Sch “A” 2¼ lengths 1:54 3:16 7:01 In the final, LRC went off at 44 Lost to Power House RC, Aus 1¼ lengths 2:03 3:28 7:15 to Nottingham’s 43, and by the ¼ mile had established a lead of a Visitors Challenge Cup length. They extended this to two lengths by the half mile, and per- London RC & Thames RC haps 2½ lengths at Remenham. In Lost to Leander & Imperial Co Easily 1:55 3:14 7:15 * Loser leading at this point this year’s benignly windless condi- tions, Nottingham’s late attack was in vain and the final verdict was a had to work for their success, com- of déjà vu when, in their semi final, fast times throughout the regatta on canvas at the quarter mile, and win for LRC by two lengths. ing from behind to get past they found themselves up against their way to the final. They had a thereafter gradually increased their The B crew were unfortunate Tradesmen’s B crew; and then hav- their third LRC opponents in four particularly hard race against one of lead, finally getting clear water by enough to draw Power House, one of ing a titanic struggle against Lea days. It can’t have been much con- this year’s more controversial en- the mile and going on to win by 1½ several fast Australian crews at with nothing in it all the way up the solation to lose sight of LRC A soon tries, a crew having its origins at lengths. Henley this year, in the first round. course until they finally got clear at after the start when the eventual Sydney University but rowing in And so to the final against Banks They forced the Australians to dig the progress board, whereupon the winners swept into an early and Thames RC colours. Thames led nar- RC from Melbourne, a club with deep but went down by a length in exhausted Lea veered into the irreversible lead. rowly at the Barrier and at Fawley, some pedigree, and regular visitors one of the quickest times of the first booms leading to a slightly flatter- In the Britannia, the B crew, but LRC ground them down and had to HRR. Both crews got away well, day’s racing. ing “easily” verdict. In their third having qualified well, went out on opened up clear water by the finish. with Banks taking a narrow lead The C crew think they may race, the Cs came up against Power the Wednesday to a good Grosvenor They then had another tough row early on, which they extended very have made history - are they, or are House, and put up a valiant fight crew who they pressed all the way, against Taurus who included the mul- gradually as the race progressed. At they not, the first C crew from any before going out by a length and a going out by a mere half length. tiple indoor rowing champion and the Barrier they had ¼ length, at club to get to Friday? Answers on a quarter. Power House must have The A crew meanwhile per- record holder Graham Benton. Tau- Fawley ½ length, and by Remenham postcard please... They certainly been afflicted with a serious sense formed consistently well, putting up rus led early, but LRC had taken a with both crews at 36-37 still ½ Page 6 HRR (continued) Other racing

National Championships A chip off the old block Holme Pierrepont, 15th-17th July Gemma Helm at Burway, 24th July length. LRC attacked through the enclosures, but Banks held In the aftermath of a successful Henley, it was a very In a little bit of history, Gemma Helm raced for London on to win by ¾ length. reduced squad that travelled north to brave high winds and at Burway Juniors & Masters Regatta in WJ14 1x. She won her In the Thames Cup we had entered two eights, nominally choppy waters at the National Water Sports Centre. first heat against McLeod of Sir William Perkins School, and A and B; but before the regatta nobody seemed to be very sure Pick of LRC’s results was David Loveday who partnered was then beaten by Foister of Marlow in the semi final. She led which was quicker. The A crew, containing the Captain Steve with Tom Watson of Isis BC to take gold in the Open Light- Foister off the start, but was rowed through just after the O’Connor and the very experienced Ciaran Hayes and James weight Double sculls, with Ashley Maitland and Colin Magee bend; probably worn out after pulling her father over the Young, had a comfortable first round victory over Reading RC, also reaching the final and achieving fifth place. course in Master/J14 mixed doubles earlier in the day. before a Thursday meeting with the holders, Molesey BC. This In the absence on holiday of Marco Espin, David Loveday This was the first time the club has been represented by was a closely fought race, with Molesey taking the initiative by then subbed into the Wyfold winning four and added a bronze a Junior Woman sculler. moving into a narrow lead, leaving London to attack repeated- in Open Coxless Fours in a race badly affected by strong winds. ly over the course, but to claw back a three quarter length And Chris Anness, only two days after his triumph in Doggett’s, margin. The B crew’s Wednesday outing consisted of a similar- when he might have been expected to be idling on a beach ly comfortable win over Cygnet; followed on Thursday by somewhere, reached the final of Open Lightweight Sculls but another multi- length win over Lea RC; but on Friday they too with a race too many in his legs could manage no better than came up against Molesey. Again Molesey took an early lead fifth place. which, try as they might, the Bs could not recover, going down finally by two lengths. Molesey themselves went out in their Henley Masters Regatta semi final to the eventual winners, another very accomplished 8th-9th J uly and perhaps controversial Australian crew, Upper Yarra. Having qualified for the Diamonds (not the normal warm- T hi s y ea r ’s r ega tta took p la ce i n a tr oci ous wea ther cond i - up before a tilt at Doggett’s), Chris Anness could count himself ti ons wi th a ver y s tr ong hea d wi nd tha t p r od uced whi te hor s es unlucky to be drawn against the Australian World Champion- on the r i ver . Never theles s Anne Ca nn fr om LRC wi th her ships contender Nick Hudson in the first round, as he would be p a r tner Gi a fr om Ri va nna Club , USA tr i ump hed i n the Women's The remarkable Mrs. Cann giving away a vast amount in height, weight, and experience. E2x , b ea ti ng the fa vour i tes T i d ewa y Sculler s ea s i ly . Nevertheless, refusing to be overawed, Chris got off to the Rob i n Hulf joi ned the Cr a b tr ee F VIII whi ch wa s b ea ten b y better start and led Hudson to the quarter mile, when the the wi nner s of the event. He a ls o d oub led up wi th Anne Ca nn Across the Atlantic, where Masters rowing is both latter reeled him in and thereafter established a comfortable i n a M x D 2x wher e they wer e d efea ted b y a Swi s s d oub le who flourishing and highly competitive, Anne Cann (wife of and conclusive lead. wer e s ome 20 y ea r s y ounger , a lthough the la tter a d mi tted Jack) has been carving out a name for herself as a sculler Finally Bill Lucas, stroking the GB heavy quad, had an a fter the r a ce tha t they wer e s omewha t s ur p r i s ed when of note. She is pictured here with her partner Joanna Ru- excellent Henley. Having defeated the USA squad crew in a Hulf/Ca nn left the Swi s s s ta nd i ng a t the s ta r t. bini at last year’s FISA World Masters Regatta at St. pulsating semi of the Queen Mother Challenge Cup, in which M a r ti n Ga y la r d comp eted i n the M a s ter s I s i ngles wher e he Catherine’s, Canada, after winning Women’s Masters C the Americans came back from over a length down to within wa s b ea ten (not for the fi r s t ti me) b y the d i s ti ngui s hed , not to double sculls. She also teamed up with Joanna’s father, half a length along the enclosures, they came up against the s a y p henomena l, US/Hunga r i a n s culler Ca r los Zezza who ha d Jaime, to win Mixed F doubles; and with three scullers Croatian world champion favourites in the final. As it turned a ls o won the H1x event ea r li er i n the a fter noon. from Cambridge (Mass.) to win Mixed F quads. out, the Brits took an early lead which they proceeded to In li ne wi th veter a n r owi ng gener a lly the r ega tta conti n- Anne usually if not invariably sports LRC colours - in extend steadily, to about a length and a half before the ues to gr ow a nnua lly , a ttr a cti ng entr i es fr om a ll over the this case on the bow of her Empacher (out of shot). Croatians rallied - but too little - in the final stages. This is the wor ld , a nd thi s y ea r ther e wer e 137 r a ces on the F r i d a y a nd first time a member has won the QM - let’s hope the first of many. 159 r a ces on Sa tur d a y . Page 7 International Rowing Parliamentary Boat Race

Koninklijke-Holland Third World Cup Regatta, , Lucerne All Party Parliamentary Rowing Group Boat Race Beker, Amsterdam 8th - 10th July 13th July 25th - 26th June

Instead of attending the second "All rowed fast, but none so fast as British. In the last 500, GB moved Relevance to LRC? World Cup Regatta in Hamburg, the stroke..." (Ouida, 19th C novelist) ahead of the Croatians and held off Answer: Not a lot, except that two entire GB team withdrew to avoid the attacking Australians to finish members (Robin Hulf and Alan Fos- the risk of the recent e-coli out- Three LRC members went to with a splendid silver. This was the ter) organise it, LRC provides the 8+s break in Germany. While most of the Lucerne, each in possession of the best performance ever by a British and equipment for crews from the GB squad took advantage of the stroke seat of his or her respective crew in this boat class, and a still House of Lords and the House of situation to mount an assault on boat; and all three returned with young and improving crew must have Commons to train at and Henley, other elements, not catered medals. bright prospects for the rest of this with which to compete opposite the for by the Henley programme, took Disappointed not to have per- year, and next. Houses of Parliament; LRC members the ferry to Amsterdam for the Hol- formed at their formidable best in Finally, Sophie Hosking with help in the running of the event land Beker regatta on the . Munich, and temporarily without Hester Goodsell came to Lucerne (Robin Cameron Cooper, David Whit- Amongst them were two lightweight Chris Bartley, the lightweight four after victories in Munich and espe- ten, Stuart Suckling, Eddie Markes, women's doubles, the "A" boat con- took on and moved cially Amsterdam, where they beat Philip Carre and Anthony Jones), a taining LRC's Sophie Hosking with LRC's Rob Williams into the stroke the Canadian World Champions, with LRC 8+ crew competes against her established partner Hester Good- seat. In one of the performances of high hopes of a third win. In the final, Thames RC as a precursor race, and sell; and a "B" boat of Steph Cullen the day, GB, having won their earlier however, the Canadians moved into LRC provided the cox (Jason Gray) and Imogen Walsh (both of LRC) for races, started moving out from the a lead soon after the start, obtaining for the Lords crew. The organisers Parliament. For the record, the win- whom the trip will have been some pack soon after 500m and, slowly clear water by half way, and leaving will weep into their beer (or orange ners (respectively) were compensation for so narrowly miss- but surely, proceeded to extend GB fighting it out with USA for sec- and lemonade) if asked about the Anglian, LRC, The Commons, and ing the first World Cup in Munich. their lead over the next 1200m or so. ond. Sophie and Hester were still tribulations of organising this event generally. Even In search of a challenge, the "A" At 1000m they had a third, at 1500m marginally down on the Americans on some pretty difficult and congest- though the Lords had done more boat was entered in the open weight they had half, and around 1750m at 1500 but raised their rate to 38-39 ed water just upstream of Westmin- training, one late replacement to category where they were up against they had nearly three quarters of a to move into the silver medal posi- ster Bridge, but in its fifth year this the crew seemed convinced that two Canadian doubles and the Dutch, length. In this rarified world of tiny tion at the line. has turned into a show-case event syncopated rowing was the answer. and they justified the choice by margins, this amounted to some- for British Rowing. The unseasonable The Commons had packed their crew winning the event on both days. Not thing approaching domination. As North wind this year blew vigorously with an Atlantic rower (Dan Byles to be outdone, Steph and Imogen the pack, including the near legen- straight up the course over a strong MP) and an Oxford Blue of yester- dominated the lightweight division dary Danes, charged they kept their outgoing tide. The resulting condi- yore (Claire Perry MP). Sufficient to with comfortable wins on both days. cool to cross the line with half a tions were choppy enough to force say that everyone survived to have Congratulations to all, along with length in hand for a really fine win. cancellation of the first race be- tea on the House of Commons Ter- Paul Reedy their coach. After beating the Croatian tween two Youth crews from London race and receive medals in the post world champions at Henley, the Youth Rowing just as they were afterwards (the delivery van with heavy quad stroked by Bill Lucas about to boat, and the race between them had been stopped by the po- came to Lucerne keen to repeat Mortlake Anglian and Vesta women’s lice on the way to the event). Next that performance. GB lay second at crews was shortened and moved up- year is Olympic Year (you may have 500m in a pack of five boats. Shortly stream to a more sheltered reach. noticed) and our planning to accom- afterwards the Germans moved into The men’s and the Parliamentarians’ modate and reflect it has started what turned out to be a decisive races went ahead as planned, finish- already. lead, pursued by Croatia and the ing half way down the Houses of Page 8 Doggett’s Coat & Badge prepared their boats well and I thought it was a true test of our seconds away from that today, so it shows the class of the 2011 race. waterman’s skills... it was a good battle. My race plan was to start Bobby Lupton, who came second to Bobby Prentice in 1973, went on quite quickly and then relax and enjoy it... I knew that I’ve put the to win it in 1974 and I think Merlin will do the same in 2012.” miles in and I’ve put the effort in... and then push after Parliament, Mixing with competitors past and present, winners and losers, in the second half of the race. I had a really good start. I was about a their parents and grandparents, siblings and friends, wives and girl- length up by Cannon Street Bridge (300 metres). Everyone was taking friends, I had a small glimpse into the remnants of a world that was their own course. I had a good pace through to Blackfriars Bridge once commonplace but that today has almost vanished. This is a world (1,100 metres) and everyone was close there, all the boys did well. We where ordinary families lived, worked and played together for genera- all got to Waterloo Bridge (1,900 metres) in good shape, some of us tions. This is easy to over-romance as, historically, the waterman’s went inside Coin Street Moorings, some outside, it did not seem to world was one of uncertain, backbreaking work with little chance of make a time difference today... In the second half of the race Merlin advancement. Nevertheless, I left the pub feeling slightly jealous of and I opened up a gap and we held our positions from then on. No one those I left inside, drinking, joking and reminiscing. gave up, that was the best thing. The time was 24 minutes and 10 seconds, I think the verdict was three or four lengths. My Dad, Gary, won in his first year (out of apprenticeship) in 1982. Both sides of my family have always worked on the river. I’ve done a six year appren- A famous ticeship and this is my first attempt and it’s great, really good fun. I’ve had a lot of coaching but my dad is the main one... he’s helped victory for me so much. I’m competing tomorrow in the National Rowing Champi- onships in the lightweight single and lightweight quad (for London RC)... but this is important, this is what I wanted to do.” Chris Anness Next, I spoke to Merlin Dwan, the man who came a close second and who had the added pressure of coming from a family with four living Doggett’s winners. Friday, 15th July was set for the annual Doggett's Coat and Badge “It’s a 7,400-metre race so it’s down to whoever wants it most or Race. Tim Koch was there and here is his report for the “Hear the whoever gives up first. Today has been one of those races where Chris Boat Sing” blog: and I have fought the whole way and it’s been a good, powerful race. But I lost. Chris is a really good man, we’ve grown up together, my dad Victor Chris Anness with his grand- It is a truth universally acknowledged that the British like to father, sister, and father (who and his dad have been best friends for years... we both live and train won Doggett's in 1982) combine sport with wearing archaic clothing and drinking alcohol. The at ... I had a blinding race but (Chris) was just that 297th Doggett’s Coat and Badge proved no exception. My report bit better than me, he deserves it... There was no way that I was going explains the origins and organisation of this little known and unique to give it to him though, I kept looking and looking, at one point he This is a club that most of us are not eligible to join, one which event, the oldest continuously held sporting event in Britain. Put was six, seven lengths ahead of me... but I just went for it... These we can only look in on from the outside. Some people talk about simply, it is a 7,400-metre race between London Bridge and days you have three chances at the Doggett’s so I'll definitely be back getting more publicity for the event, but I doubt that the outside near Albert Bridge, open only to those who have completed a next year.” world would ever see beyond the archaic costume and really under- waterman’s apprenticeship (thus qualifying them to work on the river) The man with the best view of the race was Chas Newens who stand the wonderful heritage that the Watermen and their families in the preceding few years. The winner receives the bright scarlet drove the umpire’s launch. Chas has been doing this for the various have, a heritage that is most clearly expressed in the annual race for costume of an eighteen-century waterman with a large silver badge events including the Doggett’s, the and the Oxford- Thomas Doggett’s ‘Coat and Badge’. on the arm. Cambridge Boat Race for many years so he knows what he is talking I was lucky enough to be able to view the race from the press about. launch and my thanks to the ever efficient Sandra Watts at Water- “Today, the weather was absolutely wonderful and we were well man's Hall and to Ted Manning of the Fishmongers' Company for on time... As predicted, the two boys, Merlin Dwan and Chris Anness, Note: Chris Anness, Merlin Dwan, and Dan Alloway are arranging this. Confusingly, the Fishmongers run an event that one were away, followed by Dan Alloway and then the other competitors all members of LRC. - Ed. would expect the Watermen to be in charge of. The historical reason (Stuart Coleman, Ben McCann and Jack Clark). All of them performed for this was that the Watermen could not be trusted with Thomas well... without ALL the competitors you would not have this special Reproduced by kind permission of the author, Tim Koch, Doggett’s legacy: it was feared that they would take it down to the race... The whole race was first-class and I do not think that anybody pub and spend it. My thanks also go to Waterman Nick Beasley for was upset by the result, they all did their best and that’s the most who also took the photographs, and Goran Buckhold introducing me to many former winners. important thing.” and the “Hear the Boat Sing” blog. You can find the At the traditional post race meeting place, the invitingly named Finally I spoke to Nick Beasley (Doggett’s winner 2001 and original article and much else besides at: ‘Hung Drawn and Quartered’ pub near the Tower of London, I spoke to current Watermen's Bargemaster) for his view. some of the people involved. First, the 2011 winner, Christopher Anness: “A fantastic, well fought race. Conditions were reasonable apart http://hear-the-boat-sing.blogspot.com/2011/07/tim- “The conditions today were good, there was quite a lot of tide from the wind, a good flood tide. We have not seen a race like that koch-2011-coat-and-badge-race.html behind us, but it was rougher than I thought it would be. Everyone since 1973 when Bobby Prentice broke the course record. We were 48 Page 9 Four Men in a Boat

Many of you will know already that, length of the river. However, this organ is proud to announce that, not only at the end of July, four LRC oarsmen, did they complete the course within the allotted time, but they exceeded Stephen Feeney, Mark Bavington, their fundraising target, bringing in a splendid total of £2,374.61 (worth Iain Weir, and set out about £2,800 inclusive of gift aid) for NA Advocacy. on a hare-brained, not to say idiotic, Until the end of October, you can still donate online. In the first last-minute expedition to conquer instance, go to: http://fourmeninaboat.com for full details - as well as the mighty . more pictures and information. Perhaps understandably, per- haps in anticipation of the perils lurking in river water, they chose not to swim the distance, and in- Lunch at Lord’s stead opted to travel in a commodi- ous and rapid coastal quad kindly On the 20th July, the day before the start of the first Test against India, lent by the Barn Elms boathouse, Chris Sprague (Chairman) and Mike Williams (President) representing the Club (the Captain was unable to go), attended a lunch in the Long Room at Lord’s given in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh's ninetieth birthday by clubs and sporting associations of which the Duke is President or Patron; Isn’t it a bit small? each of whom had been invited to send two representatives. Forty-one organisations were represented, of which fourteen were cricket clubs and indispensible paraphernalia of social networking, fundraising, and only three, London, Leander, and the Angling Trust, appeared to have gossip - the website, the Twitter feed, the link to the site which anything to do with water. Our Patron was on fine form and spoke to both takes the donations. They allowed themselves four days in which to the President and the Chairman - alas, there was no photographer in the navigate the 140 odd miles of river. vicinity - before a splendid lunch. The only speech was by Christopher This is not the place to record the full details of the privations Martin-Jenkins, the current President of MCC and thus host for the occasion. they endured, the dangers they faced, and the beers they sank - it We were,incidentally, in a group which included the Lord’s Taverners, seems to have been a very sociable journey with help (first aid represented by Chris Tarrant and Mike Gatting. perhaps) from friends, well wishers, publicans and restaurateurs the Mark, James, Alex Irvine, Iain, and Stephen AGM - Election of Officers of LRC and generously towed to Lechlade At the AGM of London Rowing Club on 13th July 2011 the following by Phil Bourguignon. officers of the Club were elected: As well as giving themselves a holiday of a sort, they aimed to raise President: Mike Williams money for a charity, NA Advocacy, Vice-Presidents: Doug Melvin, Mike Baldwin which helps sufferers from and pro- Captain: Marco Espin motes research into Neuroacanthocy- Hon. Treasurer: Hugh Richardson tosis. This debilitating and Hon. House Steward (Premises): Alan Foster under-publicised disease gradually Hon. House Steward (Catering): Pedro Muller-Lopes takes away the physical capabilities Hon. Secretary: Chris Whyte of patients and means they rely Asst. Hon. Secretary: Christopher Grainger more and more on others’ help. The four gave themselves a week to plan, equip, and provision Thanks to Robin Hulf, Julian Ebsworth, Alan Foster, Richard Twallin for words; and to Mark Ruscoe, Ben Helm, World Rowing, British Rowing, Iain Weir, Jack their trip. This included the time Cann, Richard Twallin for photographs. Designed & edited by Anthony Jones and effort taken setting up all the Home at last, coxed for the last stretch from Isleworth by Alex Irvine Page10 Obituaries Postscript - LRC and the War Paul Johnson P J D (John) Langrishe 1947 - 2011 1917 - 2010 Paul Johnson joined LRC in the John Langrishe – known as ‘Peter’ amongst his rowing fraternity – It is difficult, seventy years on, for current Members to appreci- autumn of 1971 and began his club who died on Christmas Eve last year, was probably the last surviving ate the major impact that the Second World War had on the active career as part of W D “Bill” Thomp- member of the Club to have rowed at Putney before the Second World membership of the day and on the Club’s activities. The impact can son's squad. The following season, War. It is therefore perhaps worth making a special mention of him in have been second only to what was inflicted on the Club by the Great under Peter Harrison’s captaincy and the annals of the Club, and providing a postscript on the impact of the War in 1914-18 some three decades earlier. Mike Fothergill’s coaching, he was pro- War on the life of the Club – see below. The 1946 annual report records some 30 members who lost their moted to the senior squad and was a He joined in 1938 at the age of 21 after an enthusiastic start to lives on active service in World War II, almost all of whom had joined member of a successful ‘Senior A’ VIII, his rowing career as Captain of Rowing at Cheltenham College, based in the 1930s. Nine had rowed at Henley. The Club lost its Vice-Captain winning several events at Thames re- on the Severn at Tewkesbury, and as Captain of Boats at Pembroke of 1936 and members from the 1931 Thames, 1933 Grand, 1934 gattas and going on to represent the College, Cambridge. He rowed at Henley for Pembroke in the Ladies’ Wyfolds, 1935 Thames, and 1937 Wyfolds winning crews. Two of the Club in the Thames Cup at Henley. He Plate crew in 1937, and in his final year he raced for his college in the 1934 crew who went out to row at Melbourne did not survive Japanese rowed with LRC for four of the follow- Silver Goblets in 1938 as stroke/steers, only to be beaten by ¾ length prison camps. Jumbo Edwards lost a brother, John, killed in action in ing five years representing the Club in in the first round. Given that he joined in the year he came down, it Burma. Even the designer of the trophy, Capt the Thames, Britannia and Goblets. seems fairly likely that he ventured to Putney for some rowing in the G C Drinkwater MC, lost his life in an air raid in London. The records The climax of his career was winning a following twelve months before the onset of hostilities, although we are do not state how many members suffered injuries, or became prison- silver medal with Richard Twallin in not absolutely certain about this. ers of war, but there must been a good many. the coxless pairs at the 1976 National Championships, helping LRC win John (Peter) started his articles as a solicitor with a family firm At a meeting in the clubhouse on August 30th 1939, the Commit- the men’s Victor Ludorum. in Bedford Row, Peake & Co, and when war was declared he joined tee appointed an Emergency Board to assume the responsibilities of He loved rowing, even to the extent that when most of his fellow the Royal Artillery, serving in the Mediterranean and North African the Club (and of the London Boat House Company Ltd) in the event of squad members were enjoying a few weeks off in August and Septem- campaigns. He became a prisoner of war in Italy in the Spring of 1942 a national emergency. The Board was to take control if a General ber he would often put together a crew to compete at the Worcester, until the Italian Armistice in September 1943 when he set out south- Mobilisation was ordered or a State of War declared. Only a week later, Gloucester and Ross regattas, traditionally held over the August bank wards with a small number of companions to join the advancing Allied a special meeting of the Emergency Board had to be held on Septem- holiday weekend. forces, seeking shelter, sustenance and clothing from the Italian ber 7th, when it was decided to close down the Club for the duration Also a keen rugby player he was a member of Rosslyn Park FC, contradini (country people) en route; over 50,000 made this journey of the War. Initially a stretcher party took occupation a few days later occasionally playing a match on a Saturday afternoon between week- south altogether, others tried to make it to Switzerland. He crossed on the first floor and then the REME requisitioned the premises end outings. As is noted in the club history he even assembled an LRC over into allied lines on 19th November 1943. He later re-joined his entirely on September 29th. The waterman, Tom Phelps, agreed for rugby team to take on one of the Rosslyn Park sides. regiment and followed the Allied advance to Germany after D-day. a small remuneration to look after the boats. Three pictures were put His contemporaries will remember him as someone with a mag- After the war was over, John returned to the family firm, and into storage for safe keeping, it is believed in , but (as is well netic personality, mischievous sense of humour and wonderfully gener- resumed his rowing, albeit on what he would have admitted was a known) ironically they were all destroyed by enemy action, whereas ous spirit. He was fun to be with and always surrounded by friends. A modest scale. The records show him active in 1946-48 in Scratch the clubhouse was never hit. It was only in 2006 that the so-called frequent attender at the Wednesday evening suppers in the clubhouse Eights and just missing out on a win in Thames Cup Eights at Molesey ‘1860 portrait’ was reproduced by Theo Ramos as a 150th anniversary he regularly organised the club’s highly successful New Year's Eve Regatta in 1947. He became a Life Member in 1951 and contributed project, and unveiled by the Patron; it hangs in the Members’ Room. parties in the 1970s. generously to a Post War Appeal and later on to Club funds in 1993. Remarkably the Club finished up with a small credit balance at Paul had a successful business career in IT, working for ICL in the Away from the river, he was a lifelong enthusiast for fine British motor the end of the War, thanks to the efforts of the Emergency Board. UK and South Africa. He was later appointed a director at the services cars and motor racing, which would have greatly pleased his post-war Nevertheless, funds were very short and a Post War Appeal was provider, ITNet, which became part of the Serco group in 2004. When contemporary at the club, Graham Hill. launched; it was to this Appeal that John Langrishe contributed. he returned from South Africa in 1982 he and his wife moved to Suffolk. Julian Ebsworth Gradually the Club was able to rebuild its fortunes and its rightful Although not often seen at the club in recent years he was a regular place in the rowing world. supporter at Henley. Doug Carpenter And the Grand crew in the first post-war Henley in 1946 con- In 2005 he was diagnosed with leukaemia. He faced the chal- tained no less than three holders of the Military Cross – John Pinches lenge with the same determination as he had shown in his rowing Members will be sad to hear of the death of Doug Carpenter who at stroke, T B “Bunjie” Langton at 6 and Bill Robertson at 2. career. Despite losing some mobility and ultimately his sight he suffered a fatal heart attack on 3rd July. Doug was in the LRC Grand Julian Ebsworth eventually lost his brave fight earlier this year, leaving his wife, two of 1976 which went on to win a silver medal in lightweight eights sons and daughter. at the World Championships. We hope to publish a full obituary in our Richard Twallin next edition.

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