News & Events
Frank Caughlin
3rd May 2022
Francis Lawrence Caughlin
1926 – 2022
Anna Caughlin, Frank’s wife, contacted us recently with the sad news that Frank had passed away on 22 April after a short illness; he was 96
Frank Caughlin joined Cygnet in 1949 and counted Vic Reeves, Ronnie Lambe, Eric Wale and Brian Lovis among his contemporaries. The club archives are nothing if not exhaustive and his application form records him as a Clerical Officer in the Civil Service (the department is indistinct) living at West Hampstead.
He was one of the new intake of young members who would form the core of some of the most successful Vllls of the 1950s, commencing with a win at Chiswick Regatta in 1953, the crew of which are shown in the picture below taken on the lawn at the Civil Service Boathouse. Frank is the first on the left in the back row.
The win at Chiswick was Cygnet’s first notable victory in open competition since the end of WW2 and rekindled hopes that it would not before long before the club reclaimed the ‘Glory Years’ of the 1930s. Although this was not to be, Cygnet did nevertheless enjoy a spate of wins in Vllls throughout the remainder of the decade.
A very capable scribe who often wrote pieces for the Civil Service Sports Journal, Frank would later recall of this win ‘The Ronald Studd cup shone like a jewel on the top table at the Cygnet annual dinner….at the Bull at Sheen’. Warming to his task, he continued ‘this cup symbolises the re-emergence of Cygnet as an opponent worthy of respect after a long period of post-war obscurity’. The title of his article: ‘Cygnet R.C. for Henley?’.
Later articles would describe the success of Cygnet ‘Invitation (Scratch) Eights’ in August 1953 that attracted sufficient contestants to fill twelve Vllls - the changing room was packed to the gills - and Cygnet’s expanding fleet. Small boats were in short supply and Frank recounted the aura that surrounded the club’s latest acquisition, a coxless lV built for the 1948 Olympic Games, named after the club’s then president ‘Lewis Balfour’.
A future captain in the making, Frank opined ‘A cox’nless four is not a boat to be knocked about. She must be regarded with a deference due to her light build and fast speed. Heavy handed oarsmen should be kept well away…’. There were high hopes, sadly unrealised, that the crew rowing the ‘Lewis Balfour’ might reach the Wyfolds at Henley in 1954.
Frank would remain an active oarsman throughout the 1950s before ascending to the position of captain in 1960 when, for the first time in its history, Cygnet entered five eights in the Head of the River, a record that is thought to remain unbeaten to this day.
Although we rarely saw him in later years, he continued to take an interest in the club, while articles such as ‘Chiswick Rowing Gossip’ which he penned in October 1953 give us a sense of the great hopes and aspirations of that early post-war generation of Cygnets.
Frank’s funeral will take place at 4pm on Thursday, 12th May, at Worthing Crematorium, Horsham Road, Finton, Worthing BN14 ORG, when the family will pleased to welcome any Cygnets who may care to attend.
Paul Rawkins, 2nd May 2022
Captain's Log: Issue 17
9th April 2022
Good afternoon Cygnets,
As I write this, the trailer is loaded, blades stacked and kit packed for our spring training camp. It's wheels up this afternoon and off to Reading RC for some focused time with the Coach on calmer quieter waters ahead of regatta season. Thanks to everyone who lent a hand with loading yesterday and who has helped get us ready for camp.Last night we held our Squad meeting, where, with Coach Beth, I set out our plan and vision for the summer season, talking through the training and regatta plan for the season ahead - thank you to everyone who joined in person or online to find out more - happy to report Captain's cooking continues to go down well!
For those who couldn't make it and for reference, please find attached the summer plan, which sets out our plans for the training and racing schedule, including the regatta we plan to attend on the tideway and further afield, culminating in Henley T & V on July 30th. Any questions or feedback on the plan, please do drop me a line or grab me for chat over the coming weeks.
With training camp and Easter weekend, the full training schedule will get underway after the bank holiday weekend, but check FitClub for water and shed sessions.
For those not attending camp, please be advised that the following boats are out of commission until next week: Neil Jackson, 300 Club, Hamhaugh Island, Port to Port, Golden Oldies, Cygnet Friends and S'camp. Sculling blades are also in short supply I'm afraid. Normal service resumes next week.
Right, time to pack the kit and hit the road - best wishes to you all.
RupertCaptain's Log: Issue 16
1st April 2022
Hello Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking
I’m very pleased to report back on a really positive climax to our Heads season campaign and reaching the end of our long winter training regime.
This weekend was a really positive weekend of racing and hosting and the spring weather capped it off nicely, beckoning towards our summer season and regatta campaign. The weather these last couple of days, a reminder we’re not there yet!
I want to offer huge thanks to everyone who has been involved in a very busy schedule of races this season, on land and on water doing our bit to support the club and wider rowing community, ultimately enabling these races to run. To the boating coordinators, the traffic marshals, the launch drivers and race marshals, the boating teams, the numbers desk and all other helpers who have been involved: thank you. Many of you have put in hours of effort and a lot of support above and beyond to make the races a success and our visiting crews safe and welcome - from which we’ve had much positive feedback. Thanks to you all for the contributions you’ve made and making us such a popular boathouse for hosting and an excellent fundraiser for the clubs too.
Training
Squad training will be out of its regular rhythm as we prepare to shift gear for the summer season and a mini-break after the end of Heads.
Uncoached squad outings at the regular time this weekend with signed off steers in the driving seats for those who are around. Strength & conditioning training with Charlie resumes Monday 4th April.
HORR / VETS HEAD RACE REPORT
Great to see Cygnet well represented in both the Head of the River and Veterans Head this weekend, whilst the weather might not have lasted, the Cygnet effort did. Well done to both crews who battled hard and put the many outings and training throughout the winter to good use, keeping up the effort all the way to Putney. You’ll find some highlights from the weekend on the club facebook and Instagram accounts.
HoRR
In the HoRR event, Cygnet crew 226 paced well with Cox Megan building the crew off a strong start and the best row from the Post through Barnes Bridge and down to Chiswick Steps we’ve seen this season. The crew built well on the performance of Hammersmith and Quintin Heads. The middle third was buffeted hard by squally gusts but the crew battled on and importantly really committed to the race plan and stepped it up to max effort from Hammersmith Bridge and pushed on hard to Putney, keeping the pressure on and technique in check. We finished the course in 22:24 and an overall placing of 244, a good showing and strong improvement on our last HoRR run out in 2019.
Shoutouts go to the Cox for keeping us honest and keeping us measured, pressing us hard when we needed it most. Likewise a standout performance from Octavian, stepping into the crew and delivering in his first Championship Course race - stellar performance and big achievement in your first season after graduating the Learn to Row.
Vets
Whilst the weather for Veterans Head may have disappointed, crew 47 did not and once again we saw a strong performance from our Masters crew, doing us proud. Again building on the successes of the shorter courses, guided by Cox Laurent the crew took the Championship Course in 22:51 finishing 113 overall and 23rd in Masters E.
A shoutout too goes to the cameo performance of Deputy Captain Martin Drage, rowing in X-PRESS Boat Club colours in crew 10 and to our visiting friends from Benrath for their strong performances and excellent company in the Boathouse this weekend.
That rounds off a really good season of long distance racing on the tideway, we’ve been well represented and visible in every tideway race and with consistent crews making some really good in roads in some of local rivals and tideway competition. My thanks once again all our supporters, coxes and coaches who have made it such a positive and enjoyable season. Congratulations to all who have raced this winter.
SUMMER SEASON
Tuesday (5th April) evening, the squad kicks off the summer planning with a get together at the boathouse with some food and an opportunity to discuss our summer season plans and our approach to regatta training and racing. Please do join to find out more about the summer training plan and racing schedule for the squad and to catch up with the Captaincy and Coach on the season so far.
Then it’s off to training camp from 6 - 10 April, a number of us will be heading up to Reading RC for some calmer water and a change of scene with a chance for some pre-season training to get sprint racing off to a good start. There will be no regular squad outings Sat 9 / Sun 10 April.
BOAT RACE
A reminder that that other race is on this coming weekend. The University Boatrace returns to the Tideway again this Sunday. The bar will be open from 1300 and a BYO BBQ will be in operation, so join the crowds, bring a sausage or two and cheer on your favourite Blues. Contact Social Secretary Megan for more info.
CENTENARY BALL 24th September
A reminder of dates for your diary that we have the BBL / CYG centenary ball on 24 September- a bock tie affair promising to be a great occasion after a couple of years of limited socialising. We are looking forward to rowers and friends past and present joining us at the Richmond Hill Hotel. More info here.
Happy Birthday BBL
Final word goes to our good friends next door at BBLRC, who celebrated their 100th birthday this Monday. A remarkable achievement and very special occasion and we send our warmest birthday wishes to all our friends at Barnes Bridge Ladies.
Rupert
