News & Events
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 15th Dec 2014
15th December 2014
venin' All,
Lots of speculation and excitement this weekend around the Sports Personality of the Year award, or as we colloquially refer to it, "Barnes Bridge Ladies' Cygnet of the Year" - so congratulations to Stu, who had a bit more of a spring in his disco steps after that point on Saturday night.
Yes, it was the BBLRC Xmas Bash on Saturday night, and a grand time was had by all. Indeed, by the end, some of the partygoers had be on the go for nearly 12 hours straight, from the ruthlessly efficient Waddle (professionally administered by new Apprentice Whipman Mark W-R), to the venue for good food, good company, and energetic dancing, and afterwards onto the 'Waddle Into Darkness' back to the boathouse. Which was locked up at 4am I understand. Thank you to the BB Ladies for hosting, and for the Cygnets for managing to look halfways respectable.
There was also some rowing going on over the weekend, including some side-by-side pieces with BBLRC, and several scullers out. We hope to have one or two boats out for the Plum Puds on Sunday - see below.
This week
Tues evening Squad Erg Night. 30min r20 feet out. A classic to (almost) end the year on.
Thurs evening Circuits. Meet at 7.00pm at the club, or 7.15pm at the school. This is our last circuits of the year, and it would be good to have a good crowd to finish after a slightly disappointing turnout last week. (If you're looking for clear evidence of of the benefits of regular attendance at circuit training, may I refer you to Tom B's performance on the dancefloor on Saturday night).
Thurs evening post-circuits food. No-one on the rota this week - but the plan is to head to a local eatery within staggering distance of the boathouse afterwards.
Saturday morning outings. Remember, turn up at least 15 minutes before the boating time. Crew lists to follow
Sunday morning outings and Plum Puddings. For those who haven't done it before, the Plum Puds are a fun(ish) 'training piece' alongside other clubs. This year it's from Chiswick Pier to MAA boatclub, and kicks off at 11.15am. So can you please update your availability for this weekend - and if you put "Y" for Sunday, we'll assume you're up for the Plum Puds, unless you state otherwise. We ought to have enough for an 8+ and a mixed crew with BBLRC.
Other Stuff
Thanks to those that attended the 'Special General Meeting' on Sunday. Only agenda item was subscriptions rates, and those present approved the changes. From 1st Jan subs will be £260 for members with a CSSC membership, and £320 for non-CSSC members. It is impossible to mention our subs without also saying that we're still the cheapest club on the tideway etc. etc. Also, if you're not a Civil Servant or similar, you can become a 'linked' member by linking to a Civil Servant member, and thereby benefit from the cheaper subs - let me or Marj know if you need get linked.
Looking ahead to the new year, our first Head Race will be Quintin Head on Saturday 31st Jan. The organisers are also looking for anyone who can drive the launch to help out - let me know.
Finally, some sad news from Benrath. Many of us know and remember Fred Blasberg - indeed, several of us will have rowed the Rhine in the boat named after him. He was involved at the very beginning of the great partnership between Cygnet and Benrath, and would have very much enjoyed celebrating the half century of that relationship next year. Unfortunately that was not to be. He died aged 81 after a long illness. We will raise a glass of something suitable to him at the next opportunity.
D
Fred Blasberg
12th December 2014
Dear Cygnet Friends,
Some of you will have known and some will remember
Fred Blasberg, who died a little over two weeks ago. He was involved at the very beginning of our partnership with the Cygnets and would very much have enjoyed celebrating our half century with you next year. Unfortunately that was not be. He died aged 81 after a long illness.Fred was one of our few honorary members. He was an active rower for over 60 years and held various positions on our management board. These began with responsibility for our youngsters and culminated in three decades as club secretary and editor of our club magazine.
He held many rowing honours, and in 2004 was awarded the equator prize for having rowed 40,000 Km.
Because of his deep and constant involvement with our club and its members, both young and old, he held a very special place in our hearts. He had a prodigious and encyclopaedic memory, an open ear for our troubles and the twinkling eyes of a committed and enthusiastic rower. We called him, with great respect, Mr. RGB.
All the best
Nick (Kennedy)
Cygnet Weekly Update: Monday 8th Dec 2014
8th December 2014
Evenin' All,
Lots of activity around the boathouse over the weekend, and it's on course to increase over the next couple of weeks as Christmas careers upon us.
Saturday saw two Cygnet/ BBLRC mixed 8s train alongside each other for a change. The side-by-side power strokes on the way back more than made up for the M25-like conditions on the way up. Particular thanks due to Robin and Ania for coxing safely through crazy traffic. We will look to do some more of the same, which gives us a bit more flexibility in terms of boats, but paradoxically also means that you'll need to keep availability up-to-date as early in the week as possible (by 6pm Wed please).
This weekend also saw some of our newer novices going out in Cygnet crews for the first (of hopefully many) times. And thanks to all of those from across the squads who helped out with jobs around the boathouse on Saturday after outings.
This week
Tues - Squad Erg - 20mins followed by 16mins. (4x 5mins r16,18,20,18, then 4x 4mins r18,20,22,20). Perfect prep for a session on the dancefloor on Saturday night.
Thurs - 7.15pm - Circuits at the school. Following last week's brutality, Greg asked me to pass on this message "thank everyone for their mega effort tonight. Boom!", which certainly makes it all seem worth it. Do come along for more of the same.
I'm not sure if we've got anyone catering after circuits - failing that we may have to resort to pizza/ fish and chips, we'll let you know.
Sat morning outings - 7.45 for 8.00 on the water. Note that timings may change if we do mixed outings. Crew lists to follow.
Sun morning outings - uncoached outings tbc, as we focus on recovery from the BBLRC Christmas Party the night before.
Sun 12noon - Cygnet Special General Meeting - bar, see below. Do come along if you can, it's important, as it involves how much you pay in subs. It will also involve a 300 Club draw, which means it's odds on that someone present will win an early Christmas present and may well immediately invest some if it behind the bar...
Other Stuff
This Saturday evening is the pre-BBLRC Party Waddle. Starting at the club, finishing at the Party venue, it's an essential part of the social calendar (and doesn't even require you to be attending the Party at the end). Details to follow from our Social Sec.
Also on Saturday evening, is the post-Waddle BBLRC Party. Looking forward to seeing many of you there.
On Sunday 12noon, the Cygnet Special General (oxymoron, surely?) Meeting, the perfect way to recover from the above excesses is to ensconse yourself in our warm bar at 12noon for a brief but important meeting. It's important, as it involves how much you pay in subs. It will also involve a 300 Club draw, which means it's odds on that someone present will win an early Christmas present, and may well immediately invest some if it behind the bar...
Agenda:
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Proposal from the Cygnet Management Committee
Introduced by the Treasurer: subscriptions 2015. It is proposed that the subscription fees for 2015 be changed to £260.00 for members with a CSSC membership, and £320 for non-CSSC members.
3. Any Other Business - (Although not strictly AOB, we will also hold the Christmas draws of the 300 Club immediately after the meeting).
Looking further ahead, the first Head race for 8s will be Quintin Head on Saturday 31st Jan - so put that in your diaries, and update your availability from now until then.
That's all for now.
D
Rowing and Racing Calendar
