Actual extract from 1880 AGM

Mr. C. H. BIRDECK said that after the lapse of many years he again found himself a guest at the board of the Worcester Rowing Club. It gave him great pleasure to find himself once again connected with the Worcester regatta. (Hear. hear).

In days gone by, almost half a lifetime since, when the Worcester regatta stood at its very prime, after the last great regatta a procession of boats was formed, and there were no less than eight, eight-oared boats besides a number of four-oared and other boats, extending nearly half a mile. In those days he had seen a larger concourse of people to witness a regatta on Pitchcroft than he had seen at any race or any demonstration in the city.

The results of those splendid contests of former days were almost entirely due to the efforts of their president, Sir Edmund Lechmere (Applause). He (Mr. Birbeck) then hold the humble position of honorary secretary ; and he could assure the company that for several years, if it had not been for the indomitable perseverance of Sir Edmund Lechmere and the pecuniary aid rendered by him, the old Worcester regatta would not have survived.

When he saw before him the splendid trophies won by the crews of his native city, he felt a degree of pride to think that courage, stamina, and pluck still existed as in days gone by, when Worcester was renowned for everything in the shape of athletics. (Applause.) In the days of which he had spoken, on one occasion a large challenge cup and numerous other prizes were offered, and there was every prospect of a most successful regatta.

Unfortunately the curse of this country, betting, was then in existence, and at this regatta betting ran exceedingly high. The Ariels, the Intrepids, and the St. Georges vied with each other as to which should win the championship of the Severn. Betting went on to a great extent, and it was felt by the citizens of Worcester that they would stake every penny upon the success of Sir Edmund Lechmere. he started with every prospect of success,and everybody thought that he had stamina and power to win the race. Sir Edmund rowed like a Trojan, and worked till the whipcords showed themselves in every lineamont of his face. He had gone two-thirds of the distance when he found that there was something wrong and Sir Edmund was defeated by two or three boat lengths. A piece of board had been put on the boat to prevent him winning the race. That damned the Worcester regatta for years.

He was pleased to think that since the regatta had been resuscitated he had not heard of any betting-(hear, hear)-and he hoped he never should. He felt that it was due to their President to tell them that he had been the great supporter and the mainstay of the Worcester regatta.

The Worcester crews had the advantage of one of the finest waters in the kingdom. He hoped that the success which had attended the regatta this year would be an incentive for the future, and that they would have as good a regatta at Worcester as at any place in the United Kingdom He hoped that they would see not only their Worcester crews, but men from all parts of the kingdom where rowing strength existed, so that there should be something to fight for and to win. (Applause.)

The muscle and determination of the Worcester crews would, he believed, not fail again to win splendid trophies. He concurred with the Vice-Chairman's suggestion as to a secretary's prize, and would join in assisting to promote it. No man would be more pleased to see the regatta restored to the position which it hold twenty-five years ago.