Club News & Notices
Naming ceremony for three new boats
Aug 2, 2009
On August 1st the club held the naming ceremony for its three new boats. Watched by a large crowd, the boats had a bottle of fizz broken over the bows. Two of the boats were then taken for an inaugural row, one with a specially invited 'celebrity' crew.
Under increasingly darkening skies, after all it is August, the first two boats to be named were our new Swift Touring Gigs. The funds for the boats were generously donated by Lansdowne Rodway Estates who are celebrating their 100th year and Sportsmatch. 'Ruby' was named by Charlie Rodway in honour of his grandmother. 'Elsie' was named by Charlie's father, David Rodway, in honour of his grandmother (Charlie's great-grandmother).
Also named was the Junior Squads new single scull 'Hoppy Hen'. The name, chosen by the Juniors, cleverly honours both Roy Hopkins and Graham Henderson and continues the light-hearted naming of their boats.
Following the naming the two gigs were taken for an inaugural row up the river just as the torrential rain started. The scull-rigged Elsie was crewed by our Vets while Ruby was crewed by David Hallmark senior partner of Hallmarks, Cecil Duckworth of Rugby fame, Rod Thomas senior partner of Harrison Clark and Charlie Rodway. Both crews battled bravely through the rain until the sensible decision was made to return to the clubhouse for the awaiting refreshments.