January 2005 Newsletter
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Cygnet Rowing Club will take place at the
Civil Service Boathouse on Sunday 20 February at 1.00 PM
The Minutes of the Annual General meeting held on 22 February 2004 and of the
Ordinary General Meeting held on 20 July 2004 will be displayed on the Club notice board for pre AGM viewing together with the Agenda.
Any Other Business to the Hon Secretary by 10 February at the very latest
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT - 2004
The Committee herewith presents its one hundred and fifteenth report, which is for the year ending 31December 2004
Annual General Meeting –Held at the Boathouse on Sunday 23 February 2003.
Was attended by Vice-President and Chairman N J Wylie, Vice Presidents M A Arnold-Gilliat and
A Cox also Vice President and Hon Secretary R E Lambe, the Captain M Collier, the Deputy Captain
Ms M Israel and five other members. Apologies. for absence were received from P A S Sly, F E Bull,
Dr R P du Parcq, Dr N Jackson, P Rawkins, C Davidson, L Huggett, N Pickford, N Wyatt, D French and
A Naylor.
Mr Sly was re-elected President as were the existing eleven Vice-Presidents. Re-elected were N J Wylie as Chairman, R E Lambe, Hon Secretary, Dr R P du Parcq, Hon Treasurer, Ms M Israel as Assistant Secretary, A Naylor as Assistant Treasurer, Ms K Thomas as Social Secretary. Committee Members elected were A Cox, D French, N Pickford, P L Rawkins and N Wyatt. Messrs F E Bull; M A Arnold-Gilliat and R E Lambe were re-appointed Trustees and M Burman and T N Davison re-appointed Honorary Auditors.
The Annual Report had previously been circulated and was adopted. The Captain's report was presented and adopted. The Audited Accounts presented by Dr R P du Parcq and the Bungalow Report presented by the Hon Secretary were both also adopted.
Water Safety
The Chairman reported that although he was not present Dr Jackson had regularly reported to the committee and had kept well abreast of ARA requirements. Ms Israel stated that the Captaincy was proactive regarding safety and with the advice and so-operation of Dr Jackson had produced a new Code of Practice. Cygnet was probably more active in this area than the majority of other clubs.
Alteration to the Club Rules
Committee proposal that that the following alteration be made to the Club rules.
That Rule 17 which currently reads:-
Auditors
17)The Financial Statement rendered by the Honorary Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting shall have been previously audited and signed by two active or honorary members of the Club elected as auditors at the previous Annual General Meeting.
To read: Auditors
17)The Financial Statement rendered by the Honorary Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting shall have been previously audited and signed by two auditors who must not be members of the Management Committee and were elected at the previous Annual General Meeting.
Proposed by Mr Cox and seconded by Mr Golder the change was approved.
A change of cheque signatories was approved.
In reply to an enquiry from Mr P Brown regarding the formal link between the Club and the Civil Service Sports Council following the demise of the of the Civil Service Men's Rowing Association. It was explained that the Club could have a representative to provide such a link if any member who was also a member of the CSSC could be found to serve. Mr Brown immediately volunteered to be that representative and the Chairman promised that the matter would be discussed in committee.
Ordinary General Meeting - held at the Boathouse on Tuesday 20 July 2004
Chaired by N J Wylie twenty members were present.
Mr Collier presented his Captain's Report, in which he which wished to put on record his thanks to his Captaincy team of Ms Israel and Chris Davidson for their very active support. He explained that the logistics of running the Club was down to them. There was spontaneous applause. A request to buy a further sculling boat for heavier weight members was to be put back to Committee. The report was adopted. The Chairman stated that the Captaincy had done a splendid job and that it had inspired a very happy club. .
300 Club
Mr Cox explained that the 300 Club accounts remained the same as he had reported at the AGM. And had now been passed to the Auditors for approval. A total of 598 tickets had been subscribed to by 170 members of which 302 were by standing order. The total profit to the Club of £3,315.44 was a little down on the previous year. The Treasurer explained that for the past ten years the 300 Club had provided over 50% of expenditure and was the most important fund raising effort. The Chairman thanked Mr Cox and his team
Election of Captaincy
There being no other nominations the following were elected to Office:-
Captain, M P Collier, Deputy Captain Ms M Israel and Vice Captain C Davidson
Club Management
Six committee meetings were held during the year with a 73% attendance record, an improvement on 2003 when it was 66%. The dates of meetings were pre-set in advance. The ARA was advised that the number of members for whom affiliation payments were due was 61. Items of special note are detailed below.
Club Rules
Copies of the revised Club Rules can be obtained from the Secretary, preferably by email on ronald.lambe@btinternet.com or telephone 01483 537346.
During the season, in fully open events, the Club achieved wins on nine occasions one of which was Novice Sculls and two were mixed crews with the Barnes Bridge Ladies RC. In addition N M Jackson in composite pairs with members of Auriol Kensington won two veteran events and also with Auriol Kensington won the Vet F Division of the Fours Head. At Henley Royal Regatta Simon French and Simon Keating qualified for the Silver Goblets & Nickalls Challenge Cup, were successful in their first race but lost to the eventual winners in their second heat.
Safety
Continued to be of utmost importance. Dr Jackson resigned as Water Safety Adviser and Mr Davidson was appointed to the post whilst remaining Vice Captain. The new WSA instituted a series of joint sessions with the BBLRC to consider aspects of boat craft and safety issues. Capsize drills were held. The Code of Conduct was sent to all active members.
The Boat Buying Programme
The Hon Treasurer Dr R P du Parcq will present the Audited Annual Accounts at the Annual General Meeting.
The Website
Under its Master, M Collier, the website continued to inform, advise and amuse. There are many photographs of Cygnets not only on the water but also at play. All members and friends are urged to log on to www.Cygnet-RC.org.uk.
Again a very successful year for this second important fund raising source. The premises were fully let from late May until mid September and also at several weekends. Two Sculling Camps were held. Repairs were put in hand. The Bungalow Secretary will present a full report at the Annual General Meeting.
Organised by Marjorie Israel 54 persons attended an End of Season dinner at the "Al Trattoo" Kensington on 25th September. The Bungalow Barbecue was held on 14 August. There were 40 present at the Veterans Lunch held at Leander on 30 October and an excellent turnout for the Joint Clubs Christmas party at the boathouse on 12 December. A Pair was named "RG Benrath" at a ceremony held immediately after the Veteran's Head on 21 March. The President of the German club, Günter Füth officiated. In 2005 it is planned to celebrate 40 years association with Benrath by hosting a series of events to be held during the Henley Royal Regatta period. A second pair was named "Hamhaugh Island" after the Sculling Camp on 18 April.
Our thanks are here recorded to Mr Brown who at his own expense represented the club at the CSSC annual conference.
ARA Division 18 Representative.
The clubs contained in Division 18 selected, by ballot, Dr Neil Jackson to represent them. This can be an arduous and time consuming post and our congratulations and support are his.
During the year training had continued to intensify both on the water and ashore. The Captaincy is a well-knit and efficient team and continues to operate a happy and keen club. Racing results are excellent particularly when the size of the active squad is considered. A continuing problem is the shortage of coaches as well as new recruits. The club has the professional coaching services of Nick Rowlett but others from amongst the non-racing members are needed urgently. Where are new recruits and coaches to be found? These are problems to be discussed and resolved during the coming year by the incoming management committee. It is expected that 2005 will involve a very active racing season but competition at all levels is intense and the degree of individual fitness needs to be very high. The Civil Service Sports Council agreed that the training facility, for use by both clubs, could now be built and is in operation. The strong friendship between the Club and the Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club continues to blossom on both a communal and individual basis.
Full details of Cygnet wins in 2004 can be found by logging on to <www.Cygnet-RC.org.uk>
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Congratulations to: Roy Alder on being awarded the CBE in the recent Honours List and to
Nigel Kennedy-Finlayson who received the OBE.
The Club Historian writes:
1926 was a memorable year for a number of reasons: television was invented; the General Strike brought the country to a grinding halt; and London had its first taste of traffic lights (at Piccadilly Circus). But among the rowing fraternity, 1926 will best be remembered for the birth of the Tideway Head of the River Race, which was rowed on Sunday, 12th December. Twenty three crews were entered, but Thames l and ll scratched on the day. The line-up was predictably dominated by Tideway clubs, among them London, Vesta, Thames, Auriol, Kensington, Ibis, Quintin, and Mortlake and, of course, Cygnet. The organisers expected the fastest crew to do a time of around 21 minutes. However, London RC won in a time of 20.01 minutes. Cygnet came in 14th in a time of 22.01 and reports of the time record the fact that 'practically all crews finished in good condition'. Apart from the war years, Cygnet has rowed in the Tideway Head in every year since 1926, quite an achievement for a small Tideway club. In a year when Cygnet celebrates 40 years of close association with Benrath, we are also proud to note that Benrath was the first foreign club to row in the HoRR after the war.
300 Club
Since the last newsletter draws for the months June through to December plus the Christmas specials have taken place. All cheques have been sent and the results were:-
£100 £60 £40 £25
June N West (380) F Sondheimer (455) N Wyatt (544) A Rudlin (029)
July Alice Rawkins (465) Zara Mukherjee (060) G E Burden (051) J Beckett (093)
August M Hughes (383) R P du Parcq (444) P Jeffs (131) R P du Parcq (109)
Sept.` S Dargan (493) C Davidson (450) G Russell (020) J Elkins (180)
Oct. C Yetman (570) R E Davies (492) S Gourevitch (500) G Carney (367)
Nov. S Sell (561) Rosie Rawson (019) N Wylie (230) J Kesbey (157)
Dec. I Golder (534) J Wisbey (244) S D Bush (107) M A Arnold-Gilliat (013)
Christmas 2004 K Plumtree (147) - £150 M A Arnold-Gilliat (599) - £150
Three New Members but all for BBLRC
Many congratulations to:- Iain Golder and Ruth Kremer on the birth of Sarah Esme at Princess Charlotte's on 10th December. Four weeks early and weighing in at just over 6lbs. I understand that Ruth has been sighted back on the water.
And also "congrats" to Nathan and Sarah Wallace for inviting into the world Rangiataura Te Awatea Penny (at 2.97lbs) and Rangiatamea Te Kohu Fiona (at 2.85lbs) on 20th December (although 10 weeks early) at St George's Hospital. As these are probably the first twins born in London on 20th December they would be eligible to take part in the ceremonies of the London 2012 Games if the bid to hold the Olympics here is successful.
Presentation of ARA Medal of Merit
to Nina Padwick President, MAABC and Cygnet Honorary Life Member
At
a reception on 18th January at MAABC the award of the ARA's Medal
of Merit was presented to Nina Padwick. by Di Ellis, Chairman of the
ARA. In her presentation to Nina, Di mentioned that this was the
first Medal of Merit that the ARA has presented and that she "could
not think of a more deserving first recipient". Many of Nina's
large circle of friends were present including those from Cygnet.
Subscriptions and Donations
Are always due, please return this tear-off slip with your cheque to the Treasurer, Dr R P du Parcq, 152 Castelnau, London, SW13 9ET. Active Members - members of the Civil Service Sports Council - £140, Others - £198, Club Friends - Suggested minimum - £20 - Enclosed my subscription/donation of £………….
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