News & Events
Ann Southey
24th June 2024
We are very sad to report that Ann Southey died peacefully on 19th June after a short battle with cancer.
A larger than life character who had a distinctive turn of phrase, Ann Southey was a trailblazer in more ways than one. Professionally, she was one of the first female metallurgists, working for Wilkinson Sword, in a predominantly men’s world. During her leisure hours, she poured heart and soul into rowing, preserving the name of her beloved St George’s Ladies Rowing Club, coaching and officiating and playing a key role in the foundation of Henley Women’s Regatta, the success of which speaks to her unwavering dedication. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.From the British Rowing website:
Ann was a stalwart of St George’s Ladies RC, which later became part of Twickenham RC, and then – for a great many years – of Civil Service Ladies RC (now Barnes Bridge Ladies RC), as well as of many major competitions.As a rower, a career highlight was winning the Women’s Coxed Fours with St George’s Ladies RC at the inaugural National Championships in 1972. Her crew, which also contained Beryl Mitchell (later Beryl Crockford) and was coxed by future British Rowing Chairman Di Ellis, went on to be selected to represent England at the Home Countries International Regatta, which they also won.
In 1988, she was one of the group who founded Henley Women’s Regatta, and was the committee member responsible for compiling the Regatta programme for 15 years until 2002. She will be deeply missed this weekend in the Chairman’s Enclosure where in recent times her many friends in rowing have enjoyed her friendship, lively conversation and insight.
Ann was a very deserving recipient of the Amateur Rowing Association Medal of Honour in 2008. This recognised her enormous record of volunteer work as a member of the ARA Council as a divisional representative, member of the Women’s Rowing Commission, member of the Competition Committee, organiser of the Women’s Head of the River Race, co-founder and long term member of the Henley Women’s Regatta Committee, member of the Pairs’ Head Committee and National Championships Committee, coach and umpire.
Ann's funeral will be at 11.00 on Tuesday 30th July 2024, at West Berkshire crematorium. For anyone not able to attend in person, there will be an on-line link which will be live at 10:00 UTC (please contact us for login details).
All are encouraged to attend a celebration of Ann's life after the service, to reminisce in a way that Ann would have enjoyed. This will be at John and Ann's house, in Whitchurch on Thames. Please let John know if you are able to attend, so he can plan catering (please contact us for more details and John's email address). Rowing blazers or similar are encouraged, both for the service and the celebration.
No flowers please, but donations to Cancer Research in Ann's memory would be much appreciated. This link allows you to include Ann's name.
Ann (right) with friends Jackie Darling and Penny Haslam-Palfrey in 2010
From the captaincy – 17 Jan
17th January 2024
Hello Cygnets,
Racing
Head Races on the Tideway back on with Quintin 8s Head Race and it’s fast approaching. As always, we are in need of volunteers to help with boating visiting crews. Please check below Google Spreadsheet and sign up where you think can help on the day.Training
As Club, we're currently aiming for Hammersmith Head and the training program as following;- Mondays:19:00–20:00 weights – 6 weeks program is on the shed board
- Wednesdays: 07:00–07:40 – circuits (the program till end of March is on the shed board)
- Thursdays:19:00–20:00 squad ergs
- Saturdays: 07:00–08:30 / 09:15–10:30 & Sundays 07:30-09:00 water outings
Sign up via FitClub – cut-off time for the water outings is Thursdays at 19:00
Thursday Supper Club is back.
Thanks to Hannah for re-organising it. For more information and to show your cheffing skills on a Thursday, please get in touch with Hannah Steadman (BBL) who is coordinating. You will also have have a had an email about Supper Club from Hannah, please do get involved.
Dates for your diary – for both on and off the water.
- 20th Jan: Quintin 8s Head Race. Followed by Laurent's Farewell do from 3pm.
- 27th Jan: Burns Night (More information on how to sign up etc. will be sent by Rupert)
- 11th Feb: Cygnet AGM. 16.30 at the boathouse
- 11th Feb: following the AGM, Cygnet Birthday Drinks at The Crossing Pub
- 18th Feb: Hammersmith Head Race
- 23rd March: Head of The River Race
- 24th March: Masters Head of the River Race
- 30th March: University Boat Races
- TBC: Spring Sculling Camp
- TBC: Spring Learn to Row Starts
2024 Subs
7th January 2024
A quick reminder that subs are now due for 2024. The club account is, as ever, 09-01-55/71834000.
As the CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council, aka our immediate landlords) are urgently trying to find good reasons to make the members of both clubs in the boathouse responsible for incurring the costs of the building in full, the committee considers it imperative that all Cygnet members are also members of the CSSC, at least in the short term. So a request to the last few holdouts to join up - please find a friend in the squad who is already a member of CSSC - they will have to go here: https://www.cssc.co.uk/account/referrals and create a personalised invitation (limit - 6 links per existing member) that can then be used for sign-up. You also get a host of other benefits with CSSC, such as free entry to Kew Gardens, discounted Sainsburys vouchers, etc.
All current and new CSSC members should confirm their CSSC number to me to continue receiving the discounted subs rate.
Those currently on direct debits should have been rolled over for the new year earlier this afternoon - if anyone wants to change payment frequency please let me know.For members wishing to join the direct debit scheme, the sign-up link is here. Please enter details and then contact me to confirm rates and frequency of payment. The club now offers payment by credit card, details here.
Membership rates 2023
£360 • CSSC MEMBER
£440 • Non-CSSC MEMBER
£180 • STUDENT MEMBER
Direct Debit rates:(slightly higher to cover the extra admin charges)
CSSC • Non-CSSC
£366 • £447 Annual - January
£186 • £227 Bi-annual - January + July
£93 • £113 Quarterly - January, April, July + October
£32 • £39 Monthly
And finally, please ensure you have current membership with British Rowing. Anyone who wants to compete should have "Race" level membership, and anyone else who goes afloat in a Cygnet-registered boat or trains in the shed should have "Row" level membership. This ensures you are properly insured with public liability and personal accident coverage for your sporting endeavours.
Matt Byrne
Treasurer, Cygnet Rowing Club
