News & Events
XCI Deneb Captain's Log
21st December 2020
Dear Cygnets,
I hope everyone is doing well and keeping safe, or recovering if you have been sick.
Good training sessions these last weeks, with weights, ergs and on the water. Now that we have moved to Tier 4: There will be no group training indoors and crew outings until further notice. We are back to the same status quo as in May, singles or crew boats made up of a single household or Support bubble, only 2 people on the hard with social distance, 20 min slots, minimum use of the facilities. (Last BR- guidelines). "Homework for Christmas" is Charlie's excel spreadsheet lockdown program.
Safety:
- Water outings, please be extra careful since Covid numbers are increasing, follow the procedures.(Book your slot, fill in the post-outing log, wash hands & equipment, cover face, space)
- Keep in mind it is cold and can be very foggy in the morning. Please use lights if required and do not go afloat if the fog means that you can't clearly see the other side of the river (p.17 of the Rowing Code)
2020 Awards
Looking back, it has been an unusual and challenging year for all of us. We had to cancel many events including our Henley Lunch and our End Season Dinner, where usually we take the chance to reflect on the highs and lows of the season, including the coveted Wally Wheldal (Club member of the year) and G.P. Jeffries (Rower of the year)award ceremony.
I wish we could have done this in better conditions (pub or at the club) but we cannot and it would be unfair to miss this year's awards due Covid-19.
First of all a Big Thank You and Congratulations to all of those involved in putting together the Club and Executive Guidelines (you know who you are), adapting them when it was required I know there was a lot of work behind the scenes.
Also Big Thank You to Beth and Charlie for coaching and training us on the water, on the ergs and the Strength & Conditions sessions, and being flexible adapting themselves to the situation.
Wally Wheldal Cup for Club Member of the year
This award is to reward the sportsmanship and ceaseless club spirit during the year, it goes to the person who helps others, and promotes what the club stands for. There were a number of people who this easily could have gone to, but this year the Wally Wheldal Cup goes to ... Chris Jageurs for his incredible enormous effort and hard work in the refurbishment of the changing rooms. (claps, claps, claps standing ovations) Well done!
G.P. Jeffries Cup for Rower of the year
This award goes to the best rower or most improved novice of the year. Unfortunately we haven't raced too much at all in 2020 but if we take into consideration the whole 2019-20 season, there is someone who was in the fastest Cygnet crew in Pairs Head and was the fastest sculler of the club in scullers head so the G.P. Jeffries Cup goes to ... Sam Sears- (claps, claps, claps standing ovations) Well done!
Lockdown Special Award
This award is to recognise the enthusiasm and optimistic spirit in such complicated year, here again there were a number of people who this easily could have gone to but this recognition goes to Rupert Bailey, for being actively involved in the Lockdown regatta, the Virtual 4s Run, special BBL/CYG quiz night, Club day. (claps, claps, claps standing ovations ) Thank you very much and Well done!!
Finally Thanks to all of you for being part of the Cygnet Family , helping to move us forward, , in one way or another, working in the different committees or working for the club behind the scenes, coxing, training, suggesting initiatives e.g. (Tom and Marj and whole Exec, Neil with the Webpage, Iain G keeping the " young generation" rolling, James D with the security camera, ... ) I could extend this list forever. Thank you all.
Don't forget that hope is also contagious, keep safe and positive, I wish you all Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and looking towards a better and successful 2021.
Dates for your Diary: Will follow. Enjoy the holidays 😉
Merry Christmas / Feliz Navidad / Joyeux Noel / Frohe Weihnachten/ God Jul !
Cris
XCI Captain's Log
9th December 2020
Dear Cygnets,
I hope everyone is doing well.
Good Sessions last weekend on the water. Saturday we had a 4x and three singles, Sunday a 4- , 2x and two singles. Let's try to do the most of it before Christmas.
Training this week:
Training sessions are in Fitclub: Please update your availability, and book your slots, to help us plan best.
Weds: Strength & Conditioning with Charlie 18:00-19:00 / 19:15-20:15
Thurs: Erg
Sat: 1st Outing: 07:00
Sun: 1st Outing 07:30
2nd Outing: 09:00 (depending on attendance. Focussing on improving the technical skills ideal to get back into the rhythm for the less experienced)Safety:
- Keep in mind winter is almost here it is very cold and can be very foggy in the morning. Please use lights if required and do not go afloat if the fog means that you can't clearly see the other side of the river.
- Please don't overestimate your abilities and fitness, this includes the velocity of the stream. Don't forget to check weather forecast, tides, including the flag on our webpage.
- Book your slot (including landing time). Don't forget the post-outing log (for tracking purposes).
- Book your erg slot
Any questions please let me know.
Cris
Greg Steene
3rd December 2020
Greg Steene
1950 - 2020
It is with great sadness that we record the death of Greg Steene, who died suddenly on 20th November at the age of 70.
Greg joined Cygnet in the 1970s; a solid stroke or bow side man (see photo below), he powered several Vllls over the head course and proved to be a timely addition to the Plumtree Vlll of 1977, securing several senior B pots in the process at Staines and St Neots regattas.
For a club steeped in the ways of the Civil Service - most members were still public sector employees - Greg was a breath of fresh air hailing, as he did, from the world of boxing. Henceforward, après rowing took on a whole new meaning. Contemporaries, myself included, recall an action-packed night at the ring side in Clapham Town Hall, where Chairman Nick Wylie emerged speckled with blood, and he was only a spectator. Phil Beckett tried to engage an attractive young woman in conversation, only to be informed that her boxing beau was not best pleased.
On hearing the sad news, Dave Wynne, another contemporary, said 'I was thinking about Greg only the other day, about sharing a flat and rowing a novice four with him'. Others recollect a weekend at Stourport Regatta where Greg kept the whole camp site awake all night recounting jokes and bawdy tales that nobody could remember the following morning. Few pots were won on that day.
Jackie, Greg's wife, who survives him, was not above joining the fray, steering Greg and Mike Evans in non-status pairs at Llandaff regatta, notwithstanding warnings that she would need a stomach pump if she fell in. Still, as Mike wryly reflected, it was 'a trip noted more for the visit to Barry Island for the 2.00am bar rather than the rowing'.
Mike reminded us all of Greg's wedding reception where we rubbed shoulders with all the great and the good of the sparring fraternity. Evans sat on a table for non-family guests: 'Conteh, Ted Moult and some other long forgotten show biz types, lots of former boxers and a couple of Krays (but not the twins!). Conteh felt that rowers had much to learn from the boxing community, but not on the drinking front where there was an unmistakable meeting of minds.
A legendary boxing manager and match maker, Greg drifted away from the club and we had not seen him for some years. However, for those of us who were lucky enough to know him, they were memorable times indeed. Greg's son Aleck would be pleased to hear from anybody who would like to share their memories of Greg by posting in the comments below and they will be forwarded to his family.
Paul Rawkins, 2nd December 2020
