News & Events
Captain's update 27th July
31st July 2024
Dear all,
I just wanted to flag some upcoming events so that you can all update your diaries. I’ve been a bit quiet this week as I’ve been in the US for work so would have been about 8 hours too late to send through crews – but hopefully we can enjoy a few great sessions in the sun this week!
Training. We’ve had some great sessions in the better weather recently, and whereas rowing clubs often close down in August, I’d like us to keep pressing on with a quieter river albeit noting a lot of people will be away. In early September, once people are back from their holidays, we will have a squad meeting – but I’ll also set a few tests on the erg and on the water so that we can set up a squad programme that works for everyone. More details on this shortly.
Racing. We will not enter Peterborough in mid-August, as there aren’t the numbers. Which means we will look to use a quieter river in August to get ready for the head races in the Autumn. However, if we can get the numbers down for sessions in August, I’d love to make the sessions more competitive with side-by-side pieces.
Upcoming events
As per Mustafa’s WhatsApp earlier this week (with more details to follow shortly)
- 30th August: End of Season Dinner at the Crossing Pub
- 7th September Club Day
- 27-29 September- Autumn S’camp.
Upcoming races
- Scullers Head 14 September (please let me know if you are interested)
- Pairs head 12 October
- Fours Head 24 November
Finally, we’ve had a few issues with boats recently – today we had a malfunctioning rudder. If you come across a boat which needs something fixed, please flag it to me so that we can get it sorted as quickly as possible!
Thanks,
Dom
New Captain's update
21st July 2024
Dear Cygnets,
Last week I was elected as Captain at the club’s OGM – a fantastic honour, and a role I’m looking forward to carrying out.
First – thanks to Martin and the previous captaincy. The squad’s grown in the past year and that is no small feat, and we’ve seen progress across the board. Second, a big thank you to Mustafa and Tom for agreeing to stay on as Vice and Deputy Captain!
I just wanted to run through where we stand with upcoming races and training for the rest of the summer. I’ll write shortly with more details on plans for the upcoming year.
Immediate priorities
Peterborough: there is the opportunity to enter a great regatta on the weekend of 10–11 August. We currently only have two signed up on FitClub. Could people who are available and interested please sign up by Friday so that we can decide on whether/what to enter.
Training: Unless there are any objections, I suggest we keep with our current plan of:
- Monday and Tuesday (1900): Water outings
- Thursday (1900): Ergs
- Sat (0845)/Sun(0745): Water outing
Again, I know it is not possible to get timings that work for everyone, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know. I’m particularly keen to explore the potential for morning sessions pre-work in the week.S’camp: After the really successful camp in June, we are looking to hold another in September. More details shortly once a weekend is confirmed.
Upcoming races
- Peterborough 10-11 August
- Scullers Head 14 September (please let me know if you are interested)
- Pairs head 12 October
- Fours Head 24 November
Finally, a big well done to those at ergs on Thursday: Jordan, Nathan, Fillippo, and Tom B. We did a great session of 500m relays – a bit of competition mixed with a lot of lactic acid! But great to see some decent numbers and strong efforts. Let’s keep it going!Onwards!
Dom
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
