Friends of Magdalene Boat Club
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Newsletter Michaelmas 2009 A New Start for FoMBC MBC: Proud holders of the Michell Cup 08-09. L-r: Ross Hartley, (Hon. Treasurer 07-09), Deborah Smith (Women’s Captain 08-09), Andy Nield (Head Coach), Ben Tucker (Hon. Secretary 08-09), Tom Wilson (Men’s Captain 08-09). Dear Friends, As part of this new direction Andrew I very much hope that this Probert has stepped down as Chairman newsletter marks a new start for the of the Friends, and I would like to take Friends of MBC. Over recent years we this opportunity to thank not only him but have become somewhat remote from also Ben Whitworth and Oliver Lewis for the Club and have struggled to keep up their efforts, hours of envelope stuffing to date with the latest happenings and and Pimm’s mixing skills over the tremendous success on the river, so have past few years. now made two significant changes. Finally, thank you to all of you for Firstly, the Friends are now simply your continued support of MBC via the an extension of MBC with close ties to Friends. Together we really do make the Stewards of the Club rather than a quite a difference – as neatly attested separate committee. Secondly, we are by the new men’s 1st VIII blades in the delighted to welcome Robyn Inglis boathouse – and I very much hope that on board as Alumni Secretary. Robyn we will continue to grow in number and is currently studying for a PhD in the contribute even more in future. Department of Archaeology so is ideally placed to keep the Friends well and truly in the “MBC-loop” and has taken to the role Chris Laws with tremendous enthusiasm, being very FoMBC Co-ordinator much the prime mover in the compilation [email protected] of this long overdue newsletter. Friends of Magdalene Boat Club A Bright Future for MBC with BNYM BC onwards see Magdalene as a threat off-Cam as much as on and upwards! it, which is why our first boats will be travelling I’mM not entirely sure to Bedford, Peterborough, London and Henley to where “upwards” compete against crews from across the country. of the Michell Cup We need fully functioning, reliable and well is, but that’s where looked after boats to be able to row fast however, we’re aiming. This and so we intend to keep all our equipment in year promises to the most tip-top of conditions. This has been be a good one for made more possible by the support of BNYM, MBC, with an a contribution that cannot be overstated in enthusiastic new its importance to our continuing success, sponsor in the form and one for which all members of the club of Bank of New are extremely grateful. York Mellon Asset BNYM are already taking a keen and lively Management. After interest in our performance on the river and we last year’s success are very excited to be working with them. From we have heaps of keen boaties around college, this year, the women’s squad will represent Pareto resulting in a surprisingly busy Michaelmas and and the men Newton, two of BNYM’s specialist a grat start to the year. boutiques. We have had a number of fruitful There’s continuous activity at the boathouse meetings already, and look forward to developing and all the boats have been spruced up and and strengthening a long and mutually beneficial made ready for the year ahead. The main aim of relationship with BNYM over the coming years. the year is of course to do well in bumps, as it is for all Cambridge college crews. Not only are With such support, from BNYM and the we looking for our higher boats to keep rising rejuvenated Friends, what can possibly hold us through the ranks to the top of their divisions, but back? MBC onwards and upwards! we want to make the places of the lower boats more secure, to guarantee that all our rowers get Deborah Smith to participate in this huge event. Ideally I’d like to MBC Captain of Boats 2009-10 Graduate opportunities within BNY Mellon Asset Management Please contact: Colin Cowie, Head of Human Resources [email protected] BNY Mellon Asset Management International Limited, 160 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4LA. Registered in England No. 1118580. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. BNY Mellon Asset Management International Limited is ultimately owned by The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. 18281 11-09 2 www.fombc.com Well Worth Waiting For he world of to achieve something that they had not even Trowing is so dreamt of on the opening day of the Regatta. But often highlighted they knew something might be on when they by great moments defeated Imperial in the semi-final by 3/4 length. of success and From my seat in the Umpire’s launch, constrained f r e q u e n t l y by the silence that is the price of that privilege, I celebrated in style recorded rare footage. with medals in 42 years on, it had never occurred to me during the Olympics and my unexpected Presidency of MBC – called pots at Regattas, upon in a moment of crisis in 1998 – that I would but in the case savour another priceless moment of victory for of Henley Royal MBC, with another Trophy as magnificent as the Regatta the pots first – again adorned with its own special history are enormous silver trophies engraved with that since its presentation in 1923, bearing a poignant rare hallmark – history. Not only will you find inscription on its base: the original purpose of the trophy engraved on “In Memory of Robert William Michell M.D, the Cup itself, but on the base there are recorded F.R.C.S of Gonville & Caius College Cambridge, for posterity the names of the crew and the year Captain RAMC, who died of wounds received of their win. whilst striving to rescue wounded from “No Man’s In the Trophy Tent under the Old Grandstand at Land” at Thiepval in the first battle of the Somme Henley Regatta, you will see all these magnificent July 3rd 1916 aged 57 years. Presented to the monuments to rowing, housed securely in their CUBC by his friends in commemoration of his as- glass cabinets. They are put out on display with sociation with and unfailing help to many genera- great solemnity by the Trophy Steward – wearing tions of rowing men” white gloves. If you happen to be there at the crucial moment, first thing in the morning, he is not Bearing the crest of the 23 Colleges of averse to a little persuasion and will put the base Cambridge University at that time and the crest with your winning crew on it, facing prominently of Gonville & Caius atop its lid, the Friends of to the front of the hallowed cabinet for all to see. Dr Robert Michell had committed his selfless That is why you may find The Visitors Challenge sacrifice to lasting memory. Cup for coxless college fours, bearing the historic MBC, in winning The Michell Cup in 2009, win by “Magdalene Boat Club, Cambridge” in awarded for “the best performance on the river 1967 so clearly visible. during the course of the academic year” by a Immediately after the prizegiving on that July College Boat Club, brought back that memory of Saturday in 1967, Michael Davis, President 1967 and yet again the vanquished was First & (2), with his crew, Chico de Sola (Str), Robert Third Trinity. Crichton (3) and Geoffrey Lubbock (Bow steers), The Cup has yet to be filled with Champagne, triumphantly carried the Visitors Cup aloft, but the Mays Bumps Supper, when Hall will be straight to the Champagne bar – then a very small full to the brim, will provide a fitting opportunity enclosure behind the Old Grandstand under a to celebrate. Like “Beave”, the smile of Head single small tree. Small it may have been, but it Coach, Andy Nield, who coached all the crews rapidly filled with ecstatic Magdalene supporters that contributed to this unique win, can be as the Visitors Cup was filled to the brim with assured, because nobody smiles like Andy, three bottles of Champagne – many times! except perhaps me, for whom 42 years was worth That victory was sweet, beating First & Third waiting for. Trinity in the Final by 1 2/3 lengths. The smile on Coach Llewellyn Bevan’s face said it all. This was a victory that meant so much to “Beave” Richard Hamersley (LMBC), who had coached four talented oarsmen MBC President www.magdaleneboatclub.com 3 2008-09 Round-Up agdalene Boat Club started the academic regularly interrupted by rain, fog, snow, flooding year of 2008–09 strongly with a huge intake and high winds. However MBC crews were on the ofM keen novices. There were enough returning river whenever possible. In February, at Pembroke senior rowers to field a second men’s crew and Regatta, it all paid off with M2 and W2 reaching a second women’s crew in Fairbairns for the first their respective finals, while W3 won their time in years. A fantastic enthusiasm pervaded the category, each beating an impressive list of crews. club which boded well for a great year. Hopes were high for the Lent Bumps, and no one Michaelmas was spent establishing a strong was disappointed with what followed. With W2 technical and fitness base. While good results and M3 qualifying with storming performances were had – W1 came 3rd in Fairbairns IVs, M1 in the getting on race, 5 boats were racing in the came 4th and the second novice women were 2nd Lent Bumps, no MBC boat was bumped, every fastest in their category – this term was largely boat went up at least 2 places, and both W1 and spent in preparation for greater things to come.